Danielle Gensburg attends Chicago-Kent College of Law. Prior to LCA, Danielle Gensburg was a Judicial Extern for Judge Daniel Trevino in the Motions Section of the Law Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Q: Many of our interns come to us with unique backgrounds in the arts. Do you have any personal background in the arts?
A: I worked as a writer and journalist for several years. I wrote theater and film reviews for major publications like the Chicago Reader and Make It Better magazine, news stories in education, politics and business for the Chicago Tribune, and feature stories for USGBC+ (the US Green Building Council’s magazine) and Lake & Country magazine. I also love to draw, paint, and play the guitar.
How did you hear about LCA?
I heard about LCA through Chicago-Kent’s Art and Cultural Property Law Society.
What did you expect? Did anything here surprise you?
I was not sure what to expect before interning for LCA, but I have always been interested in the arts and looked forward to assisting artists and arts organizations through pro bono work.
Do you have any favorite moments or projects from your time with us?
I really enjoyed working directly with clients and learning about intellectual property and contract matters and disputes. I also enjoyed learning about the different arts organizations in the Chicago area and hearing from filmmakers about their creative ideas for films and tv shows or from artists looking to exhibit their unique works of art in galleries and museums. It was also very rewarding to assist LCA in researching certain legal issues and writing biographies of arts organizations who were honored during LCA’s gala in December 2022.
How has your experience at LCA connected with what you have been learning in law school?
My experience at LCA allowed me to apply the research skills I learned in my legal writing courses when researching legal issues to draft office memorandums, a trial memorandum and an appellate brief. I also had the opportunity to gain practical experience in the areas of contract and intellectual property law.
Did you come into LCA hoping to get experience in a particular area of law? Have your interests changed at all?
I was hoping to gain experience in intellectual property law, and my time with LCA has provided me with a better understanding of copyright and trademark matters. I have become more interested in copyright law and would like to take classes in copyright and entertainment law.
What’s next for you? Has your time at LCA helped you to narrow your options?
I would like to pursue a career in litigation at a law firm, but I am still exploring which areas of the law I am most interested in. My experience at LCA has furthered my interest in entertainment and intellectual property law. It has also allowed me to engage in pro bono work and realize that I would like to continue to help those who cannot afford legal services when I begin practicing as an attorney. It has been interesting to see how the law and the arts interact through my work with LCA, and I have realized that I can focus my work as a lawyer in more creative areas.
What value does an organization like LCA add to the arts community?
LCA provides artists and arts organizations with an understanding of the law that allows them to better protect their interests and creative works and engage more effectively with others in the arts community.
Which tv-show/movie/song/book have you recently finished that you would recommend?
I recently watched the film Almost Famous about a teen who has an opportunity to write for Rolling Stone magazine about an up-and-coming rock band and accompanies the band on a concert tour. It is a fun and engaging story set during the rebellious period of the 1970s with important messages about friendship and family.
What's a fun fact about you?
I used to play number one singles and doubles in tennis in high school.
Thank you Danielle Gensburg for all of your hard work as an intern this quarter! Check the website or follow us on social media for future intern profiles and other exciting content.