Join the Associate Board of Lawyers for the Creative Arts for our Music & Band Law Conference on October 2 from 4–7:30 PM at 2112 / Center for Creative Entrepreneurship in Chicago. This dynamic convening brings together musicians, band managers, and attorneys for an afternoon of practical learning and meaningful connection. Designed to meet the real-world needs of today’s working bands and musicians, the conference will offer in-depth sessions on the legal and business issues that shape a band’s success, both on stage and behind the scenes. Sessions are tailored for practicing musicians and music industry professionals, with dedicated programming for attorneys (pending IL CLE). The evening will conclude with a reception, providing space to connect with fellow artists, legal professionals, and industry leaders. Whether you’re just starting to monetize your music or navigating the complexities of venue ticketing, this conference offers the tools, insights, and community to help your work thrive. Registration for the conference is $50, with free registration available for musicians, artists, students facing financial hardship, and public interest attorneys. Registration includes access to all conference sessions. *A limited number of fee waivers are available, and priority will be given to those with the greatest financial need. Conference Schedule: 3:45PM – Doors Open 4:00pm – Welcome 4:10-5pm - Monetizing Your Music (IL CLE Pending) Presented by: Michelle Wahl, Women in Music/MG+M The Law Firm and Lily Shallow, Women in Music/411 Music Group 5:10-6pm – Fake Tickets, Real Problems: The Legal Landscape of Speculative Ticketing & the Status of Ticketing Legislation (IL CLE Pending) Presented by: Jennifer J Baumann, Ravinia Festival Association 6:10-7pm - What Musicians Should Know About AI (IL CLE Pending) Presented by: Jeff Becker, Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP 7-7:30pm Networking Social About the Conference Sessions: Monetizing Your Music (IL CLE Pending) Presented by: Michelle Wahl, Women in Music/MG+M The Law Firm and Lily Shallow, Women in Music/411 Music Group Your brand is a valuable asset in your work as a musician. In this session, you will learn how musicians, band managers, and producers can identify and protect intellectual property, including copyrights, trademarks, name, image, likeness, and other valuable rights. Protection is one step, but learning how to turn those assets into opportunities is just as important. Attendees will learn strategies for effectively monetizing a brand, including partnerships, licensing, synchronization deals, and other potential revenue streams. Whether you are just beginning to build a brand for your music, or are looking to better leverage your existing IP, this program will provide practical guidance for protecting your assets and maximizing their value. Fake Tickets, Real Problems: The Legal Landscape of Speculative Ticketing & the Status of Ticketing Legislation (IL CLE Pending) Presented by: Jennifer J Baumann, Ravinia Festival Association Illinois has taken significant steps to protect artists, venues, and consumers from harmful ticketing practices; however, existing gaps in the law continue to protect certain ticket brokers and resale practices. Most recently, Ravinia Festival Association led a coalition of prominent Chicago cultural institutions in successfully advocating for legislation banning speculative ticketing at venues. Other new Illinois laws have also addressed tickets and ticket broker practices, and the legal landscape continues to evolve. This program will provide an overview of the current status of tickets and broker legislation both in Illinois and at the federal level. The presentation will highlight recent legislative changes, emerging trends, and ongoing advocacy efforts to address issues impacting artists, venues, and ticket buyers in the live entertainment industry. What Musicians Should Know About AI (IL CLE Pending) Presented by: Jeff Becker, Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Artificial intelligence is impacting how music is created and how artists are compensated. This program will explore the impact AI has on the music industry and examine three key areas of concern: copyrightability of AI-generated music, infringement cases concerning generative AI training models, and right of publicity considerations emanating from use of AI in music. Understanding how AI intersects with the law is essential to protect your music and livelihood, no matter how (or if) you use it. This session will discuss questions of copyright surrounding human authorship in AI-created or AI-assisted works, as well as infringement claims arising from AI use, including music used to train AI systems. Right of publicity considerations will also be discussed, including the use of an artist’s voice or likeness in AI-generated music. Attendees will gain an understanding of the evolving legal landscape and the issues musicians, producers, and entertainment attorneys should be watching. About the Speakers: Michelle Wahl, Women in Music/ MG+M The Law Firm Michelle has a Master of Laws in intellectual property and is particularly skilled in navigating complex legal matters. She focuses her entertainment and intellectual property practice on safeguarding her clients’ copyright and trademark portfolios and delivering comprehensive representation to Grammy-nominated songwriters, composers, recording artists, producers and engineers, music licensing representatives, authors and illustrators, filmmakers and a variety of entertainment-related businesses. She has represented clients in royalty disputes and copyright and trademark claims, and has negotiated an array of contracts, including artist management agreements, works-made-for-hire, band member agreements, live performance agreements, literary agreements, sound engineer and producer agreements, recording and personal services agreements, publishing agreements and licensing agreements. Michelle is also an adjunct professor at Elmhurst University, where she teaches an advanced course on entertainment and music law. She has guest lectured at numerous institutions and served as an author and editor for the ABA’s Entertainment & Sports Lawyers Journal from 2015–2023. She is a former President of the LCA’s Associate Board and currently serves as the Events Chair for the Chicago Chapter of Women in Music. Michelle is a professional member of the Recording Academy, a member of the Recording Academy’s Chicago/Midwest Education Committee, and a mentor for GRAMMY U. Lily Shallow, Women in Music/411 Music Group Lily Shallow is a music executive specializing in music supervision, licensing, and global sync initiatives for brands and entertainment, operating at the intersection of creativity, rights strategy, and global brand storytelling. Her career began in college radio and independent public media, shaping her deep appreciation for artist advocacy, music discovery, and community-driven programming. Before joining 411 Music Group, she built an in-house music agency within the Havas network, and scaled and distributed Comma’s 4,500+ title catalog across 90+ territories. Lily has supported award-winning campaigns including a Clio Bronze-winning NHL spot and Super Bowl placements, and has worked with artists like Bob Dylan, Jessy Wilson, Bastille, Neil Diamond and others. With brands like Jeep, Citi/AmericanAdvantage, Dunkin’ Donuts, Jersey Mike’s, Hershey and Jim Beam in her portfolio, she also services the film, television and trailer industry alongside Lionsgate, Paramount, and many other production, studio, and network partners. Lily also serves as Co-Chair of Women in Music Chicago, part of the global nonprofit organization advancing equity and opportunity for women across the music industry. She is passionate about bridging artistry and commerce while building more inclusive and integral pathways within the music business at large. Jennifer Baumann, General Counsel, Ravinia Festival Association Jen Baumann is originally from Michigan and holds undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Michigan, and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. She has practiced law in the Chicago area for more than 20 years, including more than 10 years in private practice at Brinks Hofer (now Crowell and Moring) and DLA Piper. While she began her practice in trademark, copyright, and marketing/advertising law doing both litigation and transactional work, she has expanded into a true generalist with areas of focus now including commercial contracting, dispute resolution, employment and non-profit. During her time at DLA, she acted as Pro Bono Counsel to the Museum of Contemporary Art. More recently, Jen has acted as General Counsel at FTD Companies, Inc. (FTD.COM) and The Hallstar Company. In September, she joined the Ravinia Festival Association as its first in-house General Counsel. She also sits on the Board of A Red Orchid Theatre in the Old Town neighborhood of Chicago. Jeffrey S. Becker, Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Jeffrey S. Becker is a partner at Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP in Chicago and the founder of the firm’s Entertainment and Media Law Practice Group, established in 2012. He represents a diverse range of clients, including Grammy Award-winning musicians, producers, songwriters, publishers, record labels, professional athletes, authors, independent filmmakers, and other creative professionals and entertainment-related businesses. Notably, Jeff guided the AI Digital Replica Protections Law (HB4875) through the Illinois House and Senate. As a leading voice in entertainment law, he addresses the complexities of AI and copyright, teaching future lawyers and artists how to navigate AI-generated content issues. Recognizing the need for legal adaptation, Jeff proposed amendments to Illinois’ Right of Publicity Act to cover AI-generated uses. His advocacy, in partnership with legislators like Rep. Jen Gongersiwicz and Senator Mary Edly-Allen, led to the bill’s passage. Signed into law by Governor Pritzker, the law, effective January 1, 2025, protects artists from unauthorized AI use of their voice and likeness, making Illinois the second state to enact such legislation after Tennessee. Michelle Wahl, Women in Music/ MG+M The Law Firm Lily Shallow, Women in Music/411 Music Group Jennifer Baumann, General Counsel, Ravinia Festival Association Jeffrey S. Becker, Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP
