ATTORNEY · WRITER · EDUCATOR

Legal Services and Mediation for Small Businesses, Nonprofits, Writers, and Creative Professionals

Member of the Justice Entrepreneurs Project (JEP), a network of independent lawyers who are committed to making quality legal services accessible and affordable for regular people by using set fees, offering flexible representation options, and leveraging technology to increase efficiency.

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WHAT I OFFER

Legal Services

My practice focuses primarily on work for individuals, small businesses, and nonprofits with a special interest serving those in the creative arts and food systems communities. 

Services for Nonprofit Organizations

  • Forming a new nonprofit

  • Filing for IRS tax exempt determination, such as 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4), etc.

  • Drafting, reviewing, negotiating contracts, such as with independent contractors, vendors, nondisclosures, commercial leases

  • Fiscal sponsor agreements

  • Mergers/acquisitions

  • Protecting your intellectual property (copyright, trademarks) & advising on use of others’ IP (fair use vs obtaining a licensing agreement)

  • Social media legal issues

  • Nonprofit governance and compliance documents

  • Nonprofit consulting, including board development, board trainings, and strategic planning

  • Affordable mediation

Services for Small Businesses

  • Advising on choice of business entity (partnerships, LLCs, corporations, L3Cs, etc.)

  • File documents to form business entity

  • Draft or review corporate governance documents/operating agreements

  • Buying/selling a business

  • Dissolving a business

  • Drafting, reviewing, negotiating contracts such as with independent contractor, vendors, nondisclosures, commercial leases

  • Licensing and permits

  • Regulatory compliance (FDA/USDA/state and local agencies)

  • Protecting intellectual property (trademarks, copyright, trade secrets, nondisclosure agreements) and advising on use of others’ intellectual property (fair use, licensing agreements)

  • Affordable mediation

Services for Writers and Other Creative Professionals

  • Providing advice on defamation, invasion of privacy, rights of publicity, fair use

  • Protecting your intellectual property (IP): copyright, trademark, nondisclosure agreements, cease-and-desist letters

  • Vetting manuscripts for legal issues prior to publication

  • Affordable mediation (with publishers, co-authors, etc.)

  • Drafting/reviewing contracts:

    • Publishing

    • Author-Agent

    • Author-Illustrator

    • Joint Authors

    • Ghostwriters

    • Licensing agreements

    • Nondisclosures

    • Photographers

    • Graphic Designers

 
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ABOUT ME

“There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.” —Edith Wharton

This is a favorite quote because it characterizes how I see my relationship with my clients: The clients are the star of the show. My job is to work behind the scenes to help you grow your professional life and reach your highest potential. Working with me frees up your time to focus on your work, and provides you peace of mind that you’re on legally solid ground.

Freeing your time, providing peace of mind.

I work primarily in the two areas I am most passionate about: the creative arts and those working for a healthy, sustainable, equitable food system for all. Advancing the businesses and professional lives of women, people of color, LGBTQ+, and veterans (like my husband) is of particular interest to me.

Professional Background and Highlights

In addition to legal work, I have worked in a variety of related areas:

  • As executive director of a food-related nonprofit, I oversaw all aspects of educational programming, fundraising, and business management.

  • As a literary agent, helped clients formulate and polish book proposals and negotiate contracts.

  • As a prolific writer and editor, I have published dozens of articles in national and regional publications. I was Editor in Chief of the Chicago Bar Association magazine, The Record, for four years. During my tenure, we won the National Association of Bar Executives “Best Publication” award. I have also served as an editor or contributing editor for several books on food and legal topics.

  • In addition to being a frequent contributor to Writer’s Digest magazine, I created and wrote their “Ask the Lawyer” column.

  • As the founder of the Food Lawyer Network, I helped create a pro bono organization dedicated to providing low-cost or free legal services to business and nonprofits working within the food system.

  • A frequent speaker to business, nonprofit and writer groups, my recent engagements have included Women’s Small Business Development Center, Chicago Lawyers’ Committee Nonprofit Bootcamp, Chicago Food Policy Action Council Conference, National Home-Based Food Entrepreneur Conference, and San Diego Memoir Writers and San Diego Professional Editors groups.

  • As an educator, I have taught classes, seminars and served as guest lecturer at Newberry Library, University of Chicago Graham School of Continuing Studies, University of Illinois at Chicago, Loyola University, DePaul University and the Chicago Bar Association, among others.

  • I have also spent a number of years as a stay-at-home mom to twin boys (…honing my mediation skills).

I hold a law degree and master’s degree in journalism from Drake University and a bachelor’s degree from UCLA. I completed the Mediation Training Program at Northwestern University School of Professional Studies.

Community and Professional Service

Chair, Chicago Bar Association Food Law Committee

Commissioner, Geneva Cultural Arts Commission

Volunteer/Former Board Member, Lawyers for the Creative Arts

Volunteer, Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights

Editorial Board Member/Former Editor in Chief, The Record, Chicago Bar Association magazine

Former Board Member, Slow Food Chicago


TESTIMONIALS

I’m so glad I found Amy. Whenever I was stressed about a legal question, she calmed me down and gave me the confidence I needed to move ahead. Amy rocks!
— Alli Spotts-De Lazzer, M.A., Author of MeaningFULL

When copyright issues come up for me or my clients, Amy always comes through for me. She’s so knowledgeable, saves me loads of time and, most of all, puts my mind at rest.
— Maureen Glasoe, Principal, Virgo Words

Amy was great. She made contracts and copyrights exciting and kept me interested.”

“This course was fantastic. I learned so much and feel more equipped to move forward with my project.”

“I only wish the course had been longer!
— Attendees at Newberry Library “Getting Published” course
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CONTACT

73 W. Monroe Street

Suite 100

Chicago, IL 60603

630-401-2536

amy@amycooklaw.com