Case List
To learn more about any of the matters on our current Case List, contact our Associate Director of Legal Services, Christopher Johnson.
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You can also view the matters listed below as a PDF document.
And, thank you very much for your interest in helping LCA clients!
The following is a current list LCA matters within the identified Categories.
To learn more about any of the matters on our Case List, please contact ou Associate Director of Legal Services, Christopher Johnson, at (312) 837-3521 or cjohnson@law-arts.org.
Available Video Law Library Programming in Blue
Available Materials in Green
Thank you very much for your interest in helping LCA clients!
| Case # | Legal Category | Arts Category | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
22-1111 Pro Bono |
Contracts, Disputes, Copyright Protection/Licensing | Literature |
Dispute: Breach of Contract: Literature 22-1111 Author hired an editor to help edit and publish her first book. Editor failed to appropriately proof-read the manuscript, and the book was published in a state that the author believes to constitute a breach of contract. Author needs counsel to help evaluate her options for recourse. |
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|
22-1135 Pro Bono |
Personal Injury/Damage to Property | Film/TV |
Dispute: Loss of Property: Video Services 22-1135 Videographer was working a job for a client when his equipment was stolen from the area in which he was directed to store it. Videographer's client is unwilling to reimburse him for the loss. Videographer needs counsel to help evaluate a claim for reimbursement. |
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|
23-0099 Pro Bono |
Disputes | Dance, Performance Art |
Dispute: Post-Judgement Proceedings: Attorneys' Fees 23-0099 Choreographer and former plaintiff in unsuccessful civil rights arbitration against former employer needs advice in defending against order to pay award of costs assessed by arbitrator. |
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|
23-0142 Pro Bono |
Disputes | Design/Graphic Design, Other, Visual Art |
Dispute: Collection: Visual Art 23-0142 Visual artist was hired by a creative agency to create an animation project. Upon completion, the creative agency refused to pay the agreed upon costs. Client needs help recovering amounts owed. |
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|
23-0184 Pro Bono |
Employment | Other, Visual Art |
Dispute: Allegations of Domestic Violence: Visual Art 23-0184 Nonprofit organization that provides donated supplies and equipment to arts organizations and schools recently hired two independent contractors. They later discovered that the two independent contractors are in a relationship. One independent contractor is no longer coming in due to an alleged instance of domestic violence which they claim was perpetrated by the other independent contractor. The nonprofit organization needs counsel to evaluate their options and obligations when addressing this situation. |
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|
23-0187 Pro Bono |
Personal Injury/Damage to Property | Film/TV |
Dispute: Damage to Property: Visual Art 23-0187 Filmmaker hired an art studio/gallery to digitally reproduce a painting. Studio/gallery allegedly destroyed the painting. Previous LCA counsel has determined that filmmaker has a viable claim for conversion, but this analysis is based on assumptions that cannot be confirmed without proceeding through discovery. Filmmaker needs counsel to help pursue this claim via litigation. |
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|
23-0302 Pro Bono |
Copyright Infringement, Disputes | Film/TV |
Dispute: Collection: Film 23-0302 Filmmaker has been distributing his film online through a large DIY distributor for nearly a decade. Recently, the filmmaker lost access to his account due to a two-factor authentication issue, and as a result, the filmmaker has not received the royalties that he is due for the last several months. Filmmaker needs counsel to help resolve the issue and recover the relevant royalties. |
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| 23-0328 | Contracts, Disputes | Literature |
Dispute: Breach of Contract: Literature 23-0328 Author is developing a semi-fictional book inspired by a model based in Uruguay. After a previous contract dispute with the model, the parties entered into a settlement agreement that included representations by the model that he would not obstruct the author's ability to access the model's public social media pages. Since the execution of the settlement agreement, the model has blocked the author on a prominent photo sharing social media site. Author seeks counsel to help evaluate a claim for breach of the contract. |
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|
23-0337 Pro Bono |
Copyright Infringement | Music |
Dispute: Copyright Infringement: Music 23-0337 Recording artist wrote, recorded, and copyrighted a song in 2017. Shortly afterwards, he sent a copy of the song to a well known music producer and artist. A year later, the producer and artist released a song with many similar elements, including title, chord structure, rhythm, and lyrics. Client is involved in ongoing copyright infringement litigation in the District Court for the Northern District of Illinois over this dispute. Previous counsel had to withdraw and artist is seeking representation for the ongoing litigation. |
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|
23-0346 Pro Bono |
Contracts | Visual Art |
Contract Drafting: Artist/Gallery & Studio Rental Agreements: Visual Arts 23-0346 Artist owns an arts space consisting of a gallery and studio space. She needs counsel to draft two standard agreements. The first is a standard artist/gallery agreement for artists that wish to display their work in her gallery. The second is a studio rental agreement for artists who wish to use her studio space. |
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|
23-0434 Pro Bono |
Rights of Privacy and Publicity, Disputes | Theater |
Dispute: Defamation: Theater 23-0434 Producer of a holiday-themed theatrical production has been notified a choreographer that worked on an early version of the production has been making potentially defamatory comments on social media. They need counsel to help evaluate a claim for defamation and assist with the preparation of a cease and desist letter. |
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|
23-0462 Pro Bono |
Employment, Visa and Immigration | Visual Art |
Immigration: Visa: Visual Arts 23-0462 Visual artist and arts educator from Peru is currently on an OPT visa that expires in December 2023. They need counsel to help evaluate their options and advise on the process of obtaining a new visa |
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| 23-0480 | Disputes | Visual Art |
Dispute: E-commerce Account Suspension: Visual Arts 23-0480 Visual artist recently received a permanent account suspension from a well-known e-commerce site. They need counsel to communicate with the site to determine whether this suspension can be reversed. |
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|
23-0532 Pro Bono |
Disputes | Literature, Other |
Dispute: Credit and Attribution: Literary Art 23-0532 Client is the former employee of a public library. During her employment, she developed a number of educational tools for dealing with trauma. Since the end of her employment with the library, a former colleague has received significant national recognition for these tools as well as opportunity for financial benefit, and Client believes she has not be credited appropriately. She needs counsel to help evaluate her options for legal recourse. |
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| 23-0535 | Other | Film/TV, Theater |
Dispute: Defamation: Theater 23-0535 Actor was mentioned in a testimonial piece published by an online publication and needs counsel to help evaluate a claim for defamation. |
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|
23-0540 Pro Bono |
Estates | Literature |
Estates: Literature 23-0540 Writer is attempting to prepare a will using an online legal services platform and needs counsel to review the language around control of his creative assets, permissions, and royalties. |
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|
23-0559 Pro Bono |
Employment | Music |
Dispute: Account Suspension: Music 23-0559 Musician has worked as a driver for a well-known ride-share company for several years. Recently, musician provided new proof of insurance, which the company refuses to accept as sufficient. Company therefore suspended the Musician's account. Musician needs counsel to advocate on their behalf and assist with account reinstatement. |
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|
23-0649 Pro Bono |
Contracts | Theater |
Real Estate: Zoning: Theater 23-0649 Nonprofit theater is renovating their new space and needs counsel to assist with a zoning change so that the organization can obtain the appropriate business and liquor licenses. |
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|
23-0650 Paying |
Disputes, Personal Injury/Damage to Property | Visual Art |
Dispute: Loss of Property: Visual Art 23-0650 Visual artist entered into an arrangement with a local science museum to display several of her works. There is no formal exhibition agreement. Recently, one of the works was stolen from the museum. The museum refuses to compensate the artist for the loss of her work. Artist needs help evaluating her options for recourse and communicating with the museum. |
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|
23-0652 Pro Bono |
Disputes | Visual Art |
Dispute: Online Account Suspension: Visual Arts 23-0652 Visual artist and professor recently received a permanent account suspension from a prominent online services company. They need counsel to communicate with the site to determine whether this suspension can be reversed. |
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|
23-0681 Pro Bono |
Other | Dance, Other |
Nonprofit: Bylaws & Policies: Dance 23-0681 Dance nonprofit needs counsel to review and update their discrimination and anti-harassment and conflict of interest policies. |
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|
23-0690 Pro Bono |
Contracts, Employment, Disputes | Film/TV |
Dispute: Breach of Contract: Film/TV 23-0690 Actor was hired to perform in a featurefilm. Filming was completed. Actor has not been paid in full. Since the date of the shoot, Actor has learned more about the subject of the film and believes it may be defaming a third party. He no longer wants his likeness used in the film and needs counsel to help evaluate his options. |
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|
23-0712 Pro Bono |
Contracts, Other | Film/TV, Music |
Contract Drafting: Producer Agreement: Music 23-0712 Songwriter and musician needs counsel to draft a standard producer agreement. |
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|
23-0716 Pro Bono |
Dispute: Damage to Property: Visual Art 23-0716 Designer created a large collection of greeting cards and was storing them in a local storage locker. Due to holes in the roof of the storage facility, the unit flooded and the cards were ruined. The storage facility is disclaiming responsibility, and the designer's homeowner's insurer states that the loss is not covered. Designer needs counsel to evaluate their rights and options under the agreement with the storage facility and her homeowner's policy. |
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|
23-0722 Pro Bono |
Landlord-Tenant | Film/TV, Theater |
Dispute: Landlord-Tenant: Theater 23-0722 Three theater artists signed a lease for an apartment and recently moved in. Shortly after, the landlord attempted to unilaterally change the terms of the lease. The theater artists need counsel to help evaluate their rights and responsibilities. |
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|
23-0728 Contingent Fee |
Other | Visual Art |
Dispute: Recovery of Artwork: Visual Art 23-0728 Visual artist entrusted 9 paintings to a Chicago gallery that has since closed. The owner has so far refused to return the paintings or compensate the artist. Artist needs counsel to help recover the paintings or obtain compensation. |
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|
23-0753 Pro Bono |
Business Startup/Corporate, Not for Profit Advice | Performance Art, Theater |
Nonprofit: Bylaws: Performance Art 23-0753 Start-up nonprofit performance art organization with an emphasis on immersive experiences needs counsel to review and, if appropriate, update their bylaws. |
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|
23-0779 Pro Bono |
Contracts, Disputes | Dance, Music |
Dispute: Recovery of Property: Music 23-0779 Founder and co-owner of a local nightclub sold a majority of his stake in the company several years ago. As part of this agreement, the new majority owner agreed to terms requiring return of the vintage speaker system to the founder. Majority owner recently replaced the speakers, and allowed a third party to remove the speakers from the club. The third party refuses to return the speakers to the founder. Founder needs counsel to help evaluate their options and assist with recovery of the speakers. |
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|
23-0800 Contingent Fee |
Copyright Infringement | Visual Art |
Dispute: Copyright Infringement: Photography 23-0800 Photographer did a photoshoot with a model based in Wisconsin. Someone has started a scam social media page using his photographs. He needs counsel to help evaluate a claim for copyright infringement. |
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|
23-0820 Pro Bono |
Copyright Infringement | Other |
Dispute: Copyright Infringement: Photography 23-0820 Photographer took a photograph on site at a local cemetery. An individual that maintains a research website regarding the cemetery has posted and made the photograph available for download without the photographer's permission. Photographer needs counsel to help evaluate a claim for copyright infringement. |
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|
23-0824 Pro Bono |
Personal Injury/Damage to Property | Photography, Visual Art |
Dispute: Destruction of Property: Photography 23-0824 Fine art photographer retired from her arts practice in 2016, and shortly after rented a storage locker to store some of her framed art prints. In late 2022, an overhead pipe burst that flooded the photographer's storage unit and destroyed the artwork. Her insurance provider is refusing to cover the replacement costs of the photos. Photographer needs counsel to evaluate a claim for reimbursement and, if appropriate, help negotiate with the insurance provider. |
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|
23-0829 Pro Bono |
Copyright Infringement, Copyright Protection/Licensing | Music |
Dispute: Copyright Ownership: Music 23-0829 Artist was a member of a band in the early 00s and collaborated on a number of songs. He left the band before any of the songs were formally recorded. About 10 years ago, another musician released cover recordings of some of these songs. Artist needs counsel to help evaluate the scope of his rights in these songs as well as any claim for copyright infringement. |
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|
23-0830 Pro Bono |
Other, Commercial Litigation | Visual Art |
Dispute: Social Media Access: Visual Art 23-0830 Visual artist maintains a social media page. They were recently the victim of a hack, and lost access to the social media page. They need help regaining access to their page. |
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|
23-0861 Paying |
Contracts, Copyright Protection/Licensing | Literature, Visual Art |
Contract Drafting: Illustrator Agreement, Life Rights Release, and Publishing Agreement: Literature 23-0861 Author is developing a graphic novel and needs counsel to prepare an illustrator agreement and a release for the real individuals she intends to feature in the graphic novel. They also need counsel to review a publishing agreement provided by a prospective publisher. |
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|
23-0873 Pro Bono |
Business Startup/Corporate | Music |
Start-up: Music 23-0873 Musician and recording artist is establishing a record label focused on hip-hop and R&B and needs general start-up advice, assistance with LLC formation, and help developing standard contracts. |
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|
23-0879 Paying |
Disputes | Visual Art |
Dispute: Damage to Artwork: Visual Art 23-0879 Visual Artist arranged for some of their artwork to be exhibited at a yoga studio. The yoga studio flooded, and the artwork was destroyed. The studio failed to inform the artist of the damage, and the damaged artwork was discarded and not included in the insurance claims filed by the studio. Artist needs counsel to help evaluate a claim for recourse. |
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|
23-0885 Pro Bono |
Trademark Protection, Copyright Protection/Licensing | Film/TV |
Content Clearance: Film/TV 23-0885 Filmmaker is developing a docuseries about African nations and needs counsel to assist with content clearance and establishing chain of title. |
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|
23-0891 Pro Bono |
Business Startup/Corporate, Contracts | Film/TV |
Contract Review: Talent Manager Agreement: Film/TV 23-0891 Talent manager is considering signing with a larger management company and needs counsel to review the agreement. |
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|
23-0911 Pro Bono |
Contracts, Rights of Privacy and Publicity | Music |
Contract Drafting: Video/Photo Release: Music 23-0911 Nonprofit dedicated to supporting emerging and established women musicians needs counsel to draft two standard releases. One is for an award application, ensuring that the organization has the right to post images and videos of the award winner. The second is a video/photography release to be included in their standard membership renewal. |
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