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LawSmarts Seminars & Events

Upcoming Seminars

Promotional graphic from the Lawyers for the Creative Arts Associate Board for its Third Thursday Mixer. The free networking event takes place Thursday, October 15, from 5:00–7:00 p.m. at 2Twenty2 Tavern, 222 S. Wabash, Chicago. Free tickets can be reserved at law-arts.org. The graphic features a warmly lit bar and restaurant interior with a group of people gathered around a high-top table, talking and sharing drinks.

Associate Board: Thursday Meetup

Thursday
October 15, 2026
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Promotional graphic for a free Lawyers for the Creative Arts Legal Clinic: Contract Review. The clinic will take place October 20 from 1:00–4:00 PM CT, in person in downtown Chicago. Applications are due October 6, and the clinic is free. More information and applications are available at law-arts.org. The design has the LCA logo in the upper left. The right half features a photograph of a previous legal clinic in a conference room, where attorneys and participants sit around a large table in small groups reviewing documents and speaking with one another.

Legal Clinic: Contract Review

Apply by October 6th
Tuesday
October 20, 2026
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Promotional graphic for “Music Law and the General Business Client,” a continuing legal education (CLE) program featuring Joseph J. Bogdan and Thomas R. Leavens. The online program takes place October 22, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. EDT (12:00 p.m. CT). CLE is free for members. The graphic features a dark navy-blue background with bold yellow lettering and orange accents. On the right are professional headshots of both presenters: Joseph J. Bogdan, wearing a navy suit and blue tie, and Thomas R. Leavens, wearing glasses, a dark suit, and a patterned tie.

Music Law and the General Business Client

Thursday
October 22, 2026
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Promotional graphic from Lawyers for the Creative Arts for a Copyright Registration Workshop with Miller Johnson (previously Irwin IP). The free, in-person workshop takes place November 5 from 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. CT in downtown Chicago. Applications are due October 30 and can be submitted at law-arts.org. The graphic features blue and orange event information alongside a photograph of a previous copyright clinic, showing participants seated around a conference table working on laptops and reviewing materials with attorneys.

Legal Clinic: Copyright Registration Workshop

Apply by October 30th
Thursday
November 5, 2026
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Promotional graphic from Lawyers for the Creative Arts and Volunteer Lawyers and Accountants for the Arts (VLAA) for “Trademark Issues for Creatives: Costly Mistakes Worth Avoiding,” presented by Joey Vitale of Indie Law LLC. The free online program takes place November 19 from 12:00–1:15 p.m. CT on Zoom. Register for free at law-arts.org. The graphic has a blue background with white text and a bright yellow image featuring large three-dimensional “TM” letters representing trademarks.

Trademark Issues for Creatives: Costly Mistakes Worth Avoiding

Thursday
November 19, 2026
12:00 pm - 1:15 pm
Promotional graphic for a Lawyers for the Creative Arts training program titled “Sexual Harassment Prevention & Bystander Intervention Training” with Law Office of Lori A. Goldstein, LLC. The event takes place December 4 from 1–4 PM CT on Zoom. Registration is free at law-arts.org. The graphic also notes: “Fulfill your annual legal requirement for the City of Chicago!” The design features a blue background with white text and the Lawyers for the Creative Arts logo in the upper left corner. On the lower right is an orange banner with a white exclamation mark icon emphasizing the City of Chicago compliance requirement. Subtle curved line graphics appear in the background on the right side.

Sexual Harassment Prevention & Bystander Intervention Training

Friday
December 4, 2026
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Promotional graphic for Lawyers for the Creative Arts’ 2026 Benefit Luncheon. The design layers a historic Chicago street map with navy and gold typography and photographs highlighting cultural and community spaces. Text reads: “2026 Benefit Luncheon. Built Here. Building What Comes Next.” A dark panel adds: “What was built here. Who built it. What we inherit. What we build next.” The event takes place Thursday, December 10, 2026, from 12:00–1:30 p.m. at the Palmer House, 17 E. Monroe Street, Chicago. Contact Daryl Ritchie at 312-837-3519 or dritchie@law-arts.org for tickets, sponsorships, table reservations, and program book advertisements.

2026 Annual Benefit Luncheon

CELEBRATING THE VENUES THAT CULTIVATE ART & CULTURE ON CHICAGO’S SOUTH SIDE
Thursday
December 10, 2026
11:30 am - 1:30 pm

Past Seminars

Promotional graphic for the “Nonprofit Compliance Series,” a monthly educational program and networking space focused on navigating compliance requirements for arts nonprofits, hosted by Lawyers for the Creative Arts. Takes place the first Tuesday of every month from March to September, 9:30–11 AM CT. Offered in a hybrid format—in Chicago and on Zoom. Registration is free at law-arts.org. The right side of the image shows a close-up of stacked, colorful file folders with papers, next to a pink and gold pen.

Nonprofit Compliance Series

Political Activity & Lobbying as a Nonprofit
Tuesday
September 10, 2024
9:30 am - 11:00 am
Promotional graphic for a virtual workshop titled “Sustaining and Adapting Your Creative Business — Day 1: Planning for the Future,” presented by Arts Alliance Illinois. The event takes place on September 10 from 10–11:30 AM. The background features a soft gradient from teal to off-white. The Arts Alliance Illinois logo is in the lower left corner, and a small circular illustration of a person holding a pencil with the letters “AI” above them appears in the lower right corner.

Sustaining and Adapting Your Creative Business

Planning for the Future
Tuesday
September 10, 2024
10:00 am - 11:30 am
Promotional graphic for an online event titled “Affordable Housing for Artists in Chicago,” presented by Lawyers for the Creative Arts in partnership with the Entertainment Community Fund (formerly The Actors Fund). The left side has a bright blue background with white and purple text: “Affordable Housing for Artists in Chicago with the Entertainment Community Fund. Aug 28, 2 PM CT, Online. Register for FREE at law-arts.org.” At the top are the Lawyers for the Creative Arts logo and the Entertainment Community Fund logo. The right side features a diagonal cutout photo of Chicago’s lakefront skyline with tall residential buildings and a clear blue sky.

Affordable Housing for Artists in Chicago

Wednesday
August 28, 2024
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Promotional graphic for the online workshop “Basics of Fiscal Sponsorship” hosted by Lawyers for the Creative Arts in partnership with the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) and Chapman and Cutler LLP. Presented by Paul D. Carman and Rebecca Wallenfelsz of Chapman and Cutler LLP. Scheduled for August 19 at 2 PM CT. Registration is free at law-arts.org. The right side of the image features colorful overlapping cards with large black question marks.

Basics of Fiscal Sponsorship

Monday
August 19, 2024
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Promotional graphic for the event “Photographers’ Rights: Navigating Copyright Realities,” hosted by Copyright Alliance. The event is scheduled for August 8, 2024, at 2 p.m. ET. The moderator is Rachel Kim, VP of Legal Policy & Copyright Counsel at Copyright Alliance. Panelists include Thomas Maddrey, Chief Legal Officer at the American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP); Alicia Calzada, Deputy General Counsel at the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA); and David Trust, Chief Executive Officer at the Professional Photographers of America (PPA). The left side of the image features vertical photo strips with images of photographers and camera lenses.

Photographers’ Rights: Navigating Copyright Realities

Thursday
August 8, 2024
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Promotional graphic for the “Nonprofit Compliance Series,” a monthly educational program and networking space focused on navigating compliance requirements for arts nonprofits, hosted by Lawyers for the Creative Arts. Takes place the first Tuesday of every month from March to September, 9:30–11 AM CT. Offered in a hybrid format—in Chicago and on Zoom. Registration is free at law-arts.org. The right side of the image shows a close-up of stacked, colorful file folders with papers, next to a pink and gold pen.

Nonprofit Compliance Series

Nonprofit Governance - Boards & Staff
Tuesday
August 6, 2024
9:30 am - 11:00 am
Promotional graphic for the “Nonprofit Compliance Series,” a monthly educational program and networking space focused on navigating compliance requirements for arts nonprofits, hosted by Lawyers for the Creative Arts. Takes place the first Tuesday of every month from March to September, 9:30–11 AM CT. Offered in a hybrid format—in Chicago and on Zoom. Registration is free at law-arts.org. The right side of the image shows a close-up of stacked, colorful file folders with papers, next to a pink and gold pen.

Nonprofit Compliance Series

Fundraising Options and Donation Acknowledgement
Tuesday
July 2, 2024
9:30 am - 11:00 am
Promotional graphic for “LCA After Dark,” presented by Lawyers for the Creative Arts. Background shows a dramatic cabaret stage with deep red curtains, spotlights, and a dark wood floor. Large pink-and-white text in the center reads: “LCA After Dark” with a red “21+” badge overlapping the word “Dark.” Quotes in playful fonts appear around the text: Top left: “A diversity of voices, perspectives, and attitudes” Top right: “Wilder than Oscar Wilde” Bottom left: “Fun-loving, eccentrically talented” Bottom right: “A whimsical multi-media journey” Below the title: “An evening of cabaret in a swanky Near North location.” Event details: Thursday, June 6, 2024 Doors @ 6:30 | 7:00 – 10:00 PM // Untitled Supper Club 111 W Kinzie St., Chicago, IL 60654 Small text at bottom: “Tickets and sponsorships – Contact Daryl Ritchie, 312-837-3519, dritchie@law-arts.org for further information.”

LCA After Dark!

Shindy 2024
Thursday
June 6, 2024
6:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Split graphic promoting a free in-person legal clinic on bylaws. Left side has a blue background with white and orange text and logos. At the top are the Lawyers for the Creative Arts logo and the Katten law firm logo. Large white and orange text reads: "LEGAL CLINIC: BYLAWS with Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP June 5, 11 AM–3 PM CT In-Person, Downtown Chicago." An orange banner at the bottom reads: "APPLY by May 24 for the FREE clinic at law-arts.org." Right side shows a photo of a bright, modern conference room with large windows and multiple small groups of people in discussion at tables. Participants appear engaged, with laptops, papers, and coffee cups on the tables.

Legal Clinic: Bylaws

Wednesday
June 5, 2024
11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Promotional graphic for the “Nonprofit Compliance Series,” a monthly educational program and networking space focused on navigating compliance requirements for arts nonprofits, hosted by Lawyers for the Creative Arts. Takes place the first Tuesday of every month from March to September, 9:30–11 AM CT. Offered in a hybrid format—in Chicago and on Zoom. Registration is free at law-arts.org. The right side of the image shows a close-up of stacked, colorful file folders with papers, next to a pink and gold pen.

Nonprofit Compliance Series

Earned Revenue & Unrelated Business Income for Arts Nonprofits
Tuesday
June 4, 2024
9:30 am - 11:00 am
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