Creative Genius Law

Creative Genius Law We work with creatives + thought leaders in the arts, culture, and media. We help you protect, control, and profit from your intellectual property.
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Creative Genius Law® is a boutique law firm for creatives. Since 2010, we've helped traditionally disempowered creatives expand their impact on communities and industries, create generational wealth, and preserve their legacies. We achieve this through our work in art law, new media, entertainment, intellectual property, and deal representations. Our vision is to help independent creatives generat

e $1M+ in revenue from their intellectual property. We have a consistent track record in providing strategic legal counsel for clients' long term success, advocating zealously for their intellectual property ownership and control, and negotiating 6- and 7- figure deals. We believe that the law should be used to create new opportunities rather than to restrict creativity. Our clients are award winning, visionary artists, photographers, filmmakers, media personalities, content creators, authors, thought leaders, cultural organizations, and multi-disciplinary creatives who create impactful work. We advise on a range of transactional matters, with an emphasis on art transactions, exhibition and commissions; documentary film, talent and speaking appearances, publishing, branded entertainment, brand collaborations, podcast and licensing deals. We are one of few law firms not named after the founding partner. We strive to always center our clients…the "creative geniuses" in everything that we do.

The dress goes viral. The moment gets remembered.But the value? That’s where it gets interesting.Every year, the Met Gal...
05/05/2026

The dress goes viral. The moment gets remembered.

But the value? That’s where it gets interesting.

Every year, the Met Gala gives us looks that dominate culture overnight.
A single appearance can generate millions in media value, drive global search, inspire replicas, and elevate both the designer and the celebrity.

But that visibility doesn’t equal ownership.

Behind one viral look, there are layers:
➡️ design rights
➡️ likeness rights
➡️ image licensing
➡️ brand leverage
➡️ and the long tail of “inspired-by” products

Because while influence creates the moment… ownership determines who captures the value.

The dress is art.
But the real question is: who’s building equity from it?

If you’re building a brand, creating, designing, or showing up publicly, this matters more than you think.

What part of your work are you actually owning?

The most powerful creatives aren’t one-dimensional.They don’t “pivot.”They expand.Music becomes film.Film becomes fashio...
04/07/2026

The most powerful creatives aren’t one-dimensional.

They don’t “pivot.”
They expand.

Music becomes film.
Film becomes fashion.
Painting becomes character.
A name becomes a new identity.

Kid Cudi introducing himself as Scotty Ramon isn’t a rebrand — it’s a reminder that, often, creatives weave in and out of disciplines. The medium changes. The mind doesn’t.

But expansion only works if your intellectual property is structured to expand with you.

New characters.
New names.
New bodies of work.
New contracts.

If your legal foundation is locked to one version of you, growth starts to feel risky.

Reinvention isn’t the danger.
Unprotected reinvention is.

Let your art move.

Just make sure your fine print supports your right to move, rather than stripping it away.

BTW, if you never saw Kid Cudi's animated film Intergalactic... we love it. Your homework for this week is to check it out.

Women’s History Month is a time to recognize the women who are building meaningful change.Our client Nedra Glover Tawwab...
04/01/2026

Women’s History Month is a time to recognize the women who are building meaningful change.

Our client Nedra Glover Tawwab is a licensed therapist, bestselling author, and relationship expert helping individuals set healthier boundaries and build stronger, more intentional lives.

Her work focuses on making emotional wellness and boundary-setting practical, accessible, and actionable, giving people the tools to navigate relationships with clarity and confidence.

Through her books, resources, and guidance, Nedra has created a space where individuals can better understand themselves, communicate their needs, and prioritize their well-being without guilt.

Her mission is rooted in the belief that boundaries are not barriers, but a foundation for healthier relationships and a more balanced life.

At Creative Genius Law, we’re honored to support leaders like Nedra who are creating impact through their work and helping others step into their power.

Nedra, we salute you. ✨

Women’s History Month is a time to recognize the women who are building meaningful change. And as we come to the end, th...
03/31/2026

Women’s History Month is a time to recognize the women who are building meaningful change. And as we come to the end, there’s a few more women who we want to highlight.

Our client Paulina Davis is an educator, former education law and disability rights attorney, and filmmaker using storytelling to explore social justice issues and expand our understanding of the human condition.

Her documentary, The Co-op: The Kids of Dorie Miller, follows her journey as she uncovers her family’s roots in one of New York City’s first unsegregated housing cooperatives, an innovative model created to combat housing discrimination.

Through deeply personal storytelling, Paulina brings to light the power of community, the legacy of spaces that foster belonging, and the ongoing challenges within today’s housing landscape. Her work has already been recognized for its impact, earning a financial award to support the development of this important project.

A proud native and resident of Queens, with deep ties to Brooklyn, Paulina’s perspective is grounded in both lived experience and a commitment to advocacy.

Her work is rooted in preserving stories that matter, connecting past solutions to present issues, and challenging how we think about home, ownership, and access.

At Creative Genius Law, we’re honored to support creators like Paulina who are using their voice and vision to create impact through storytelling.

Paulina, we salute you. ✨

One time for the women behind the scenes...Our client Laura Tanaka, COO of Stout Collective, plays a vital role in shapi...
03/30/2026

One time for the women behind the scenes...

Our client Laura Tanaka, COO of Stout Collective, plays a vital role in shaping the operations and culture of the Chicago-based branding and design studio.

Known for her focus on efficiency, systems, and strong communication, Laura helps ensure the team can do its best work while building an environment where creativity and collaboration thrive.

With a background in communications and a master’s degree from Northwestern University, Laura has built a career centered around improving processes, strengthening teams, and creating organizations where great ideas can grow. Her work reflects a belief that thoughtful leadership and clear communication are key to building businesses that last.

This Women’s History Month, we celebrate women like Laura who are helping build the creative ecosystems where innovation can thrive.

Laura, we salute you.✨

This Women’s History Month, we’re celebrating women who are using their voices to uplift communities and create lasting ...
03/30/2026

This Women’s History Month, we’re celebrating women who are using their voices to uplift communities and create lasting impact.

Our client La’Keisha Gray-Sewell is the Founder and Executive Director of Girls Like Me Project, Founder of Chicago Day of the Girl, a nationally recognized advocate for Black girls, media literacy expert, author, and transformational speaker.

Through her leadership, the organization trains girls to critically navigate media, challenge harmful stereotypes, and step into their power as storytellers and future leaders.

Since founding Girls Like Me Project, La’Keisha has helped empower more than 700 girls through programs designed to build confidence, leadership, and media literacy skills. Her work has been recognized nationally, with features in outlets such as Ebony Magazine and The Steve Harvey Show, along with numerous honors for her impact as a social entrepreneur and community advocate.

At Creative Genius Law, we’re proud to work with women like La’Keisha who are creating opportunities for the next generation of leaders.

La’Keisha, we salute you. ✨

This Women’s History Month, we’re celebrating women who have shaped culture and community in powerful ways.Our client Ch...
03/30/2026

This Women’s History Month, we’re celebrating women who have shaped culture and community in powerful ways.

Our client Charla L. Draper is a food historian, journalist, and the founder of National Soul Food Month, a celebration that honors the history and cultural legacy of soul food across the African diaspora. Her work reminds us that recipes, traditions, stories are part of our collective heritage worth preserving.

At Creative Genius Law, we’re proud to work alongside women who are building, protecting, and sharing ideas that leave a lasting impact.

Ms. Charla, we salute you.✨

Women’s History Month is a time to recognize the women who are building meaningful change.Our client Sierra Dockery is t...
03/24/2026

Women’s History Month is a time to recognize the women who are building meaningful change.

Our client Sierra Dockery is the Founder and CEO of House of Light LLC, an organization dedicated to empowering individuals who are blind or visually impaired through education, advocacy, and accessible resources.

Her work focuses on helping people live more independently while also raising awareness around accessibility and inclusion.

Through House of Light, Sierra is creating spaces where individuals with visual impairments can access the tools, support, and community needed to navigate the world with confidence.

Her mission is rooted in the belief that accessibility is not a privilege, it’s a necessity, and that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive.

At Creative Genius Law, we’re honored to support leaders like Sierra who are turning purpose into action.

Sierra, we salute you. ✨

Our client Vivianne Castillo, founder of Choose Courage Inc., is an entrepreneur, strategist, and coach dedicated to hel...
03/20/2026

Our client Vivianne Castillo, founder of Choose Courage Inc., is an entrepreneur, strategist, and coach dedicated to helping founders build businesses that align with their values and well-being.

After leaving corporate tech, Vivianne built ventures focused on human-centered leadership and entrepreneurship, including her award-winning consultancy HmntyCntrd, where she worked with organizations like Google, Patagonia, Capital One, Grammarly, and Workday.

Through Choose Courage, she now supports founders and professionals who want to grow profitable, sustainable businesses without sacrificing who they are. Her work centers on courage, encouraging people to build lives and businesses that reflect their values, protect their energy, and make space for meaningful impact.

We’re celebrating women like Vivianne who are creating space for others to lead boldly and build with purpose.

Vivianne, we salute you.

Happy Women’s History Month. 🧡This month is a reminder that the opportunities women have in business today exist because...
03/11/2026

Happy Women’s History Month. 🧡

This month is a reminder that the opportunities women have in business today exist because of the women who came before us, those who challenged systems, built companies, protected their ideas, and refused to stay small.

At Creative Genius Law, we’re proud to work alongside incredible women who are building brands, creating impact, and leading with vision. From founders to creators, we see every day what happens when women step into their power and protect what they’re building.

Being a woman in business isn’t always the easy path, but it’s a powerful one. And the legacy of women in history reminds us that every bold decision we make today helps shape the path for the next generation.

Here’s to the women who built the foundation, and the women continuing to build the future.

Let the record reflect, again.Paul Tazewell — the first Black man to win an Oscar for Costume Design — now has his work ...
03/06/2026

Let the record reflect, again.

Paul Tazewell — the first Black man to win an Oscar for Costume Design — now has his work preserved and celebrated at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago.

But this is bigger than an exhibit.

Tazewell’s career spans Broadway and film. From The Color Purple to Hamilton to West Side Story...

Paul built a visual language.
And now that language is archived.

That matters...

Because awards elevate perceived value.
Exhibits preserve legacy.
But contracts determine who controls both.

It’s about celebration, yes.
But it’s also about documentation.

Who gets credited.
Who retains authorship over the work that shapes culture.

Creative genius deserves recognition.
Creative genius also deserves protection.

Inside The Lab, we help creatives understand the legal foundations that ensure their work can be well compensated, protected, and remembered.

Applause is temporary.
The archive is not.

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Chicago, IL

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 6pm
Tuesday 9am - 6pm
Wednesday 9am - 6pm
Thursday 9am - 6pm
Friday 9am - 6pm

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+13125289259

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