Case List

Contract Drafting: Production Service Agreement: Music

24-0379 Music producer working in hip hop and pop music needs counsel to draft a standard production service agreement for use with his clients.

Contract Review: Development/Production Services Agreement: Film

24-0454 Screenwriter is interested in engaging a production company to help develop and produce a film. They have been offered a Development Services Agreement and a Production Services Agreement, and need counsel to review the contracts.

Contract Review: Split Sheet: Music

23-0751 Recording Artist has written and recorded a musical composition in collaboration with two producers. The producers provided Artist with a split sheet agreement. Artist needs counsel to review the agreement.

Dispute: Breach of Contract Defense: Performance Art

24-0269 Artist used to volunteer for a nonprofit organization that celebrates Mongolian heritage. In 2022, she signed a contract with a performance venue on behalf of the nonprofit for a holiday celebration organized by the nonprofit and several other individuals. After disputes amongst the organizers, the event ended and the cash proceeds were split amongst the individual organizers. The nonprofit failed to pay the amount owed to the venue. The venue filed suit against the nonprofit and the Artist for breach of contract. The Artist was never served, all notices were sent to the registered address of the nonprofit. A default judgement was entered in February 2023. Artist was not notified of the situation until February 2024. They need counsel to help defend against this suit.

Dispute: Collection: Music Royalties

24-0275 Musician was a part of a rock/metal band that was active in the 00s. The band broke up in 2011 and Musician has not received any royalties in the interim. The lead singer, who administers the rights to the music, refuses all contact from Musician. He needs counsel to help evaluate a claim and, if appropriate, help recover any royalties.

Dispute: Collection: Visual Arts

24-0178 Client was hired to serve as a guest curator for an exhibition at a municipal cultural center. There was no formal contract. Prior to the opening of the exhibition, the artist fired client. Client submitted an invoice for the completed work, but neither the cultural center nor the artist have paid. Representatives of the cultural center have expressed willingness to resolve the issue and arrange for payment, but have so far failed to provide concrete terms or a timeline. Client needs counsel to draft a demand letter and help her obtain the amounts owed.

Dispute: Consignment of Art: Visual Arts

23-1168 Visual artist created several works of art that were consigned to a furniture/decor store without a formal contract. The physical location of the store has since closed, and the artist has been unable to get in touch with the owner. He needs counsel to help recover the artwork or obtain compensation for any pieces that are no longer available.

Dispute: Copyright Infringement: Photography

24-0348 Commercial photographer was hired to photograph the interior of a hotel in Nashville. Photographer retained copyright ownership and the contract with the hiring party specified that the photographs were not to be shared with third parties without permission. Photographer recently discovered that the design firm that worked on the space (and was not a party to the contract) has shared Photographer's photographs on social media without permission. Photographer contacted the design firm and requested compensation for the unlicensed use of the photographs, but the design firm has not responded. Photographer needs counsel to evaluate a claim for copyright infringement and, if appropriate, help recover amounts owed.

Dispute: Damage to Property: Music

23-0629 Jazz musician's principal instrument was damaged by a patron of a venue at which they were performing. The patron verbally committed to paying for the damage, but has failed to respond to the musician's subsequent outreach. Musician needs counsel to help evaluate her options and assist with recovery of the repair costs.

Dispute: Enforcement of Judgement: Music

23-1115 Musician hired a contractor to insulate her attic. She paid a deposit up front. Contractor never completed the work. Musician sued contractor in small claims court. An agreed order to dismiss, subject to an installment payment plan, was entered. Contractor has not paid Musician as agreed. Musician needs counsel to help enforce her right to payment.

Dispute: Trademark Infringement Defense: Film

24-0272 Visual artist is being sued for trademark infringement in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois regarding online marketing and sales of T-shirts featuring a well-known trademark. It appears that both parties are interested in settlement. Artist needs counsel to evaluate his potential liability and help negotiate a settlement.

Employment Law: Dance

24-0311 Dance and fitness entrepreneur is in the process of expanding her business and needs counsel to provide general employment law advice and reassess the company's employee handbook and policies.

Evaluation: Artist-in-Residence Agreement: Music

23-1102 Opera performer was contracted as an artist-in-residence of an opera company to develop a series of creative projects. Agreement expired in June 2023, and the opera company indicated to the performer that they planned to renew the agreement. Performer continued to work on planning and preparation for the series, in communication with the opera company, for a period of several months before the opera company notified her that they would not be continuing the program. Performer needs counsel to help evaluate a claim for compensation or other appropriate recourse.

Evaluation: Conversion Defense: Music

23-1127 Musician operates a recording studio as a sole proprietorship. During the start-up phase of the business, a family member purchased several pieces of equipment and contributed them to the recording studio. There is no formal agreement. Over the last few years, Musician has sold these pieces of equipment to make ends meet. Family member recently discovered the sale and is demanding return of the equipment or repayment. Musician needs counsel to help evaluate his exposure.

Evaluation: Copyright Ownership: Visual Arts

24-0063 Graphic designer worked on various projects for a single company as both a W-2 and 1099 worker. They have recently been let go and the company intends to move forward with work he created as part of the 1099 arrangement. He needs counsel to help evaluate and, if appropriate, enforce his rights in the work he created throughout his work for this company.

Evaluation: Defamation: Film/TV

24-0221 Content creator needs counsel to help evaluate a claim for defamation over statements published by a former colleague on a well-known user-generated content website.

Evaluation: Employment Discrimination: Theater

23-1139 Former costume shop supervisor at a large university recently resigned due to conduct that they believe constitutes a hostile work environment based on their racial identity. They need counsel to help evaluate a claim for constructive discharge or other viable form of recourse.

Evaluation: Fair Use Assessment: Film/TV

24-0415 Client maintains a YouTube channel that highlights clips and trivia questions involving black history and culture from a well known game show. They recently received a DMCA takedown notice from the rightsholder. They need counsel to provide a fair use assessment and advise on the best course of action.

Evaluation: Unauthorized Attribution: Literature

24-0219 Translator was engaged to translate a book written by a friend. There was no formal contract with the publisher or the author. The publisher paid Translator as agreed. However, towards the end of the project, she discovered significant typos that were not addressed by the publisher's editor as well as missing passages that had been included in her submitted translation. After a series of disagreements with the publisher about how to proceed with the editing/proofreading process, Translator walked away from the project and requested that the final translation not be attributed to her. The translated book was released this year and includes attributions to Translator, despite her requests. She needs counsel to evaluate her right to recourse and, if appropriate, issue a cease and desist letter.

Immigration: Artist Visa: Theater

24-0230 Theater artist and performer needs counsel to advise on the process of obtaining an artist visa (O-1).

Immigration: Artist Visa: Visual Arts

24-0211 Contemporary artist currently completing a teaching fellowship at a local art school needs counsel to advise on the process of obtaining an artist visa (O-1).

Nonprofit: Reincorporation and Tax-exemption: Visual Arts

24-0197 Longstanding social organization of weavers was formally incorporated in 1949 and received their tax-exempt status as a 501(c)(7) organization shortly thereafter. At some point in their history, their corporate status and related tax-exemption were lost. The organization is interested in regaining their corporate structure and tax exempt status and need counsel to advise as to the best course of action moving forward.

Start-up: Film

24-0392 Filmmaker developing a documentary about diaspora and Black communities in Chicago needs counsel to provide general start-up advice, assist with LLC formation, and develop standard contracts.

Start-up: Visual Arts

24-0441 Graphic designer and illustrator has been operating full-time as a sole proprietor and needs counsel to provide general start-up advice and help with LLC formation.

Trademark Registration: Music/Performing Arts

24-0448 Start-up event production company needs counsel to assist with trademark registration for a word mark.