Join the Associate Board of Lawyers for the Creative Arts for our Music & Band Law Conference on March 27 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 (IL CLE). The evening will conclude with a reception, providing space to connect with fellow artists, legal professionals, and industry leaders. Whether you’re drafting your first band agreement or assessing your next record deal, 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, and those facing financial hardship. 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: 4pm – Welcome 4:10-5pm - Songwriting and Recording Collaborations: Understanding Joint Authorship (IL CLE) Presented by: Peter Strand, Arnall Golden Gregory LLP 5:10-6pm – You Want to Crack the US Market – Don’t Let Visa Issues Stop You! (IL CLE) Presented by: Ray McEntee, McEntee Law Group 6:10-7pm - Building the Music Ecosystem in Chicago: Challenges, Gaps, and Local Solutions Featuring Panelists: Oakstreet Media, Lil Eazzyy, and Firehouse Studio 7-7:30pm Networking Social About the Conference Sessions: Songwriting and Recording Collaborations: Understanding Joint Authorship (IL CLE) Presented by Peter Strand Collaboration is at the heart of many bands’ creative process, and without clear agreements, it can lead to confusion and disputes. This session will explore the legal foundations of co-creation, focusing on joint authorship under the Copyright Act and what it means for ownership, control, and revenue sharing. Participants will gain a practical understanding of how copyright law applies to collaboratively written songs and recordings, including how rights are divided, how decisions are made, and what happens when relationships change. The session will also provide guidance on drafting and using co-writer and recording collaboration agreements, with an emphasis on setting clear expectations around credits, splits, licensing, and distribution. Designed for musicians, band members, managers, and attorneys, this session will equip attendees with the tools to protect their work and sustain creative partnerships with clarity and confidence. You Want to Crack the US Market – Don’t Let Visa Issues Stop You! (IL CLE) Presented by: Ray McEntee, McEntee Law Group Collaborating with international artists and accessing the US for performances opportunities is key for musicians seeking to progress their careers. Often, however, crucial immigration requirements are overlooked until a problem arises, like a denied or delayed entry. Think Biffy Clyro’s 2025 US tour postponement! Touring, recording, collaborating with U.S.-based artists, and festival performances typically require proper work authorization. Newcomers and seasoned international performers alike must act early to ensure compliance with ever-changing US immigration regulations. Failure to do so can lead to canceled performances, financial losses, reputational damage and future travel problems. This presentation will address the priorities of touring bands, solo artists, band managers and the attorneys working with them. It will explore some viable non-immigrant visa options for musicians, including the O-1B (extraordinary ability in the arts), P-1B (internationally recognized entertainment groups), P-2 and P-3 (temporary visitors for US performances). Focusing on proactive risk mitigation, it will equip artists and their teams to pursue an immigration strategy that aligns with their performance goals and schedules. The session will conclude with a 10-minute interactive Q&A, to allow attendees to discuss specific concerns. Building the Music Ecosystem in Chicago: Challenges, Gaps, and Local Solutions Featuring Panelists: Aaron Folgelson and Sergio Patillo of Oakstreet Media, Lil Eazzyy, and Mafia Beatz of Firehouse Studio While cities like Los Angeles, New York City, Atlanta, and Nashville are often seen as established hubs for the music industry, Chicago offers a different landscape. The city is rich in creative talent but has fewer built-in pathways for artist development and career sustainability. This panel brings together managers, artists, and industry leaders who are actively working to build and strengthen Chicago’s music infrastructure from the ground up. Panelists will share firsthand experiences navigating and shaping the local ecosystem, from launching careers without the benefit of entrenched industry networks to creating opportunities where gaps exist. The conversation will explore key barriers facing artists in Chicago, including access to resources and professional supports. Together, the panel will identify the most pressing “choke points” in the city’s music scene and consider practical, community-driven strategies for addressing them. Designed for artists, managers, attorneys, and advocates, this session invites participants to think critically about what it takes to build a more sustainable and equitable creative economy in Chicago, and how they can be part of that effort. About the Speakers: Peter Strand, Senior Counsel at Arnall Golden Gregory LLP Peter is senior counsel at Arnall Golden Gregory LLP in the Corporate & Finance practice and a member of the Entertainment & Sports industry team. With decades of experience in entertainment law and a personal background as a professional musician, he offers clients a unique perspective that blends legal insight with an insider’s understanding of the creative process. Peter represents a national client base across film, television, music, publishing, and digital media. His work spans the full spectrum of the creative industries — from negotiating multimillion-dollar financing deals to advising on intellectual property rights, production agreements, and publishing contracts. He works with emerging artists, legacy talent, and creative entrepreneurs alike, providing tailored legal strategies that support both their artistic vision and business goals. Peter began his career in the entertainment industry as a full-time touring musician and recorded multiple albums for RCA/Millennium Records before becoming an attorney. He imbues his practice with this experience, analyzing the nuances of every contractual detail not just through a legal lens, but a practical one — developed through years of first-hand insight into the critical business decisions that creatives face every day. Peter regularly counsels clients on copyright ownership, registration, and infringement issues, with particular emphasis on legal developments around AI-generated works based on guidance from the U.S. Copyright Office. He has also filed more than 500 trademark applications, including distinctive marks for artists. Peter’s deep industry insight, combined with his legal and academic experience, sets him apart in the entertainment law field. He served as the chair of the American Bar Association Forum on the Entertainment & Sports Industries, as well as the inaugural chair of the Forum’s Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts Division. Through his work with the Wisconsin Entertainment Lawyers Association, he furthers the organization’s mission to educate his peers and other creatives on legal issues important to the entertainment industry. Peter continues to shape the next generation of entertainment lawyers as an adjunct professor at Marquette University Law School and formerly at Northwestern University School of Law, Chicago Kent College of Law, and DePaul University College of Law. Devoted to uplifting the creative community, Peter is actively involved in pro bono initiatives through the Lawyers for the Creative Arts, where he has led the organization as a board member and Honors Council member. In recognition of his support of the arts, LCA bestowed him with the Thomas R. Leavens Award. Ray McEntee, Managing Partner of McEntee Law Group Ray McEntee is the Managing Partner of McEntee Law Group, a licensed U.S. attorney, and a qualified solicitor in Ireland, England, and Wales. In March 2025, he assumed the role of Managing Partner, where he leads firm strategy, growth, and operations while continuing to advise clients across the sports and entertainment industries. He also assists clients seeking Irish citizenship and work permits. Prior to becoming Managing Partner, Ray led McEntee Law’s Sports and Entertainment Department, representing professional sports leagues, clubs, players, coaches, and support staff on complex U.S. visa and green card matters. In his work with the firm’s music and entertainment clients, he guided musicians, creators, and industry professionals through various immigration pathways. Before joining McEntee Law Group in 2015, Ray trained with a wellrespected mediumsized law firm in Dublin. His practice included representing clients in the Circuit Court, High Court, and Supreme Court in commercial litigation and personal injury matters. Ray also gained valuable experience, assisting major Irish banks on significant commercial transactions and smaller commercial and residential real estate transactions. Aaron Fogelson, Manager & Producer Aaron Fogelson is the COO of Oakstreet Media & CEO of DoggHouse Management & Production. He was a Producer on Snoop Dogg’s GGN (at the time, the #1 interview show on YouTube), a co-Producer on Motherland Bounce (a rapper-centered show in development at HBO Max), an Executive Producer on a short film premiering at Tribeca this June, and a Producer on an unannounced nature documentary with Chris Smith (Director/Producer of Tiger King, 100 Ft. Wave, etc). He’s also worked on projects with Waka Flocka Flame, DC Young Fly, Flatbush Zombies, Penn Jillette (of Penn & Teller), and more. Aaron graduated from Harvard Law in 2023 and aspires to practice entertainment law alongside his management & production work. Sergio Patillo, CEO of Oakstreet Media Sergio is a longtime Chicago music manager and a fixture in the Chicago rap scene, who’s managed Chicago legends, like Calboy, Sicko Mobb, DCG Brothers, and many more, in addition to non-Chicago acts, like New York’s Bobby Shmurda. He served as an A&R for Columbia Records and Polo Grounds Music. Lil Eazzyy, Artist With an ironclad flow, razor sharp wordplay, spellbinding storytelling, and no shortage of ambition, Lil Eazzyy achieved the heights of success for a young Chicago rapper. His hit single, Onna Come Up, has over 357-Million Streams on Spotify alone and received a G Herbo Remix. Eazzyy also received features from Tay Keith & NLE Choppa. He has appeared in RapCaviar, HipHopDX, On The Radar, XXL, and Fader. Eazzyy was formerly signed to Atlantic Records but now, Lil Eazzyy is independent and working to continue his historic run with his newly released album, Chase The World. Mafia Beatz, CEO of Firehouse Studio Mafia Beatz is the CEO & Founder of Firehouse Studios (one of Chicago’s most popular studios for rappers) and Firehouse Freestyles (one of Chicago’s top promotional platforms). Firehouse Freestyles has over 12-Million Views & 117k Subscribers on YouTube and has hosted sessions with Chicago legends like BabyChiefdDoIt, Skrilla, VonOff 1700, & many more. Mafia Beatz is also a talented producer, who has Produced for many of Chicago’s biggest artists, and a music manager, who works with up-&-coming rapper, Bankroll Batman. Peter Strand, Arnall Golden Gregory LLP Ray McEntee, McEntee Law Group Aaron Fogelson, COO of Oakstreet Media & CEO of DoggHouse Sergio Patillo, CEO of Oakstreet Media Lil Eazzyy, Artist Mafia Beatz, CEO & Founder of Firehouse Studios
