Biography

Michelle is a Partner at Swanson, Martin & Bell and Co-Chair of her firm’s Entertainment and Media Law Practice Group. She has a Master of Laws in Intellectual Property and is particularly skilled in navigating complex legal matters and advising clients on emerging copyright and trademark issues. Michelle focuses her entertainment/intellectual property practice on safeguarding her clients’ copyright and trademark portfolios and delivering comprehensive representation to Grammy-nominated songwriters, composers, recording artists, producers and engineers, music licensing representatives, authors and illustrators, and a variety of entertainment-related businesses. She has represented clients in royalty disputes and copyright and trademark claims, and has negotiated an array of contracts, including artist management agreements, works-made-for-hire, band member agreements, live performance agreements, literary agreements, sound engineer and producer agreements, recording and personal services agreements, publishing agreements and licensing agreements.

Michelle is also an Adjunct Professor at Elmhurst University, where she teaches an advanced course on Entertainment and Music Law. She has guest lectured at UIC Law, DePaul University College of Law, Chicago-Kent College of Law and Azusa Pacific University and served as an author and editor for the American Bar Association’s Entertainment & Sports Lawyers Journal, from 2015 until mid-2023. She serves as Chair of Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP’s Community Service/Pro Bono Committee and is a pro bono attorney and the former President of the Associate Board to Lawyers for the Creative Arts, a non-profit organization that provides free legal services to eligible clients in the arts and entertainment communities. Since 2018, Michelle has proudly served as Events Chair for the Chicago Chapter of Women in Music, a non-for-profit organization dedicated to fostering equality in the music industry through the support and advancement of women. Michelle has been a Professional Member of the Recording Academy since 2017 and has also served as a Mentor for the Academy’s Grammy U program since 2021.

In addition to her entertainment and intellectual property work, Michelle also practices toxic tort defense litigation and is part of national coordinating counsel representing a variety of product manufacturers involved in asbestos, talc and silica litigation.
 

Practices

Asbestos Litigation
Toxic Tort Litigation
Entertainment and Media Law
Intellectual Property Litigation and Transactional Services

Memberships & Affiliations

• Women in Music, Chicago Chapter
  
  •  Events Chair, 2018-present
• Recording Academy
  
  •  Professional Member, 2017-present
  • Grammy U Mentor, 2021-present
• Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel
  
  • Board of Directors, 2015-2018
  • Rising Star Award, 2013-2014
  • Meritorious Award, 2013-2014
  • President’s Commendation Award, 2013-2014
  • Chair, Young Lawyers Division, 2013-2014
• Lawyers for the Creative Arts
  
  • President, Associate Board, 2019-2021
  • Vice President, Associate Board, 2016-2018
• American Bar Association
  
  • Entertainment & Sports Lawyer Journal, Columnist and Editor, 2015-2023
• Women's Bar Association of Illinois
• Defense Research Institute
  
  • Former Young Lawyers Liaison, IP Litigation Committee
• Chicago Bar Association
• Indiana State Bar Association

Awards

• Selected for inclusion in Leading Lawyers, 2019-2021, 2024-2025

Publications

• “Entertainment Case Law and Industry Updates,” ABA Entertainment & Sports Law Journal, 2017-2023
• “When Does the Sun Set on your Manager’s Commission?,” Chicago Music Guide, March 2020
• “Artist Managers – Often the Most Important Person on your Team!,” Chicago Music Guide, March 2020
• “The Music Modernization Act and all its Acronyms!,” Chicago Music Guide, March 2020
• “What is a Trademark and New USPTO Filing Requirements,” Chicago Music Guide, February 2020
• “The 411 on the Music Modernization Act,” Chicago Music Guide, February 2020
• “What do you Mean a Song has Two Copyrights?,” Chicago Music Guide, January 2020
• “What is a Copyright?,” Chicago Music Guide, January 2020
• “Seemingly Simple Ways to Make Money on Your Musical Works,” Chicago Music Guide, March 2018
• “Making Your Mark in the Music Business,” Chicago Music Guide, March 2018
• “A Win for Songwriters – Mechanical Royalties on the Rise,” Chicago Music Guide, April 2018
• “BMG out $25 Million when the Fourth Circuit Reverses the Decision Against Cox Communications,” Chicago Music Guide, May 2018"
• Songwriters – Grab a Fork and Dig Into the Spotify Settlement Pie," Chicago Music Guide, August 2017
• "Music Licensing Transparency – Within Arm’s Reach?" Chicago Music Guide, August 2017
• “Entertainment Case Law Updates,” ABA Entertainment & Sports Law Journal, 2016-2017
• “U.S. Music Industry’s Open Letter to the U.S. Government – Support Europe’s Copyright Reform and Reconcile the Royalty Payment Disparities,” Chicago Music Guide, March 2017
• “2016 – The Year the Record Business was Reborn?” Chicago Music Guide, March 2017
• “The Future of the ASCAP/BMI Consent Decrees – Calm or Chaos?” Chicago Music Guide, July 2016
• “The Music Industry – ‘What’s Trending?” Chicago Music Guide, June 2016
• “That’s Mine! Why Intraband Agreements are a MUST!” Chicago Music Guide, April 2016
• “Songwriting – Turning a Hobby into a Livelihood,” Chicago Music Guide, February 2016
• “A Peek into the Latest Entertainment-Related Litigation Matters and Industry Developments,” ABA's Entertainment and Sports Lawyer, November 2015
• “The Do's and Don'ts of the Music Business,” Chicago Music Guide, 2014
• “It’s All in the Delivery,” Chicago Music Guide, 2013
• “Assembling Your Team,” Chicago Music Guide, 2008
• “Breaking Down the Barriers to a Successful Songwriting Career,” Chicago Music Guide, 2008
• “Trademarks,” Chicago Music Guide, 2008
• “The Art of Artist Management,” Chicago Music Guide, 2008
• “The Road to Getting Signed,” Chicago Music Guide, 2008
• “The Copyright,” Chicago Music Guide, 2008

Presentations

• "Musical Works & Sound Recordings -- Demystifying Copyright Law," Women in Music, May 2025
  "Women in Music,” Women in Music Chicago and Senn High School, February 2024
• "Careers in IP/Entertainment Law," University of Chicago Law School, January 2024 
• “Legal and Finance Top Dos and Don’ts for Artists,” WUP It Up! Sync Fiesta 2023, May 2023
• "World IP Day Event - Women in IP: Opportunities & Challenges," University of Illinois Chicago School of Law, April 2023
• "Women in Music,” Elmhurst University, March 2023
• "Copyright Law: What Music Creators Need to Know," Women in Music Chicago, March 2023
• “Musical Compositions v. Sound Recordings: Copyright 101,” 2112/Center for Creative Entrepreneurship, July 2020
• “Copyright v. COVID,” Next Showcase and Chicago’s Department of Culture Affairs and Special Events, August 2020
• "Copyright v. COVID-19: What Content Creators Should Know,” Women in Music Chicago, May 2020 
• Guest lecturer, Music Business Entrepreneurship Master of Arts Program, Azusa Pacific University, May 2018
• “Breaking into the Entertainment Industry,” DePaul University College of Law, October 2017
• “Musical Compositions and Sound Recordings – Copyright Basics,” 2112, October 2017
• “Making Your Mark in the Music Business – Trademark 101 for Musicians,” 2112, August and February 2017
• “Entertainment Industry and Litigation Updates,” 2112, September 2016 
• "Both Sides of the Coin," The John Marshall Law School Entertainment & Sports Law Society, March 2016
• "Careers in the Music Industry,” DePaul University College of Law, March 2016
• "Ins and Outs of the Entertainment Industry," IICLE, September 2015
• "Entertainment Law Panel," The John Marshall Law School, October 2015
• "Young Lawyers Perspective - State and Local Defense Organizations," DRI Annual Meeting, San Francisco, California, October 2014
• “Chicago Music Industry Insiders,” John Marshall Law School, Chicago, Illinois, October 2014
• “Strategies for Success: Ensuring Success in Your First Position,” Young Lawyers Division, Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel, October 2013
• Entertainment Law Seminar, Entertainment and Sports Law Society of The John Marshall Law School, 2007

News

Chicago, April 21, 2025
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP to Host Copyright Law Event for Women in Music Chicago Chapter
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP will host an event titled "Musical Works & Sound Recordings: Demystifying Copyright Law" in partnership with the Chicago Chapter of Women In Music (WIM) on May 8, 2025.

Chicago, February 06, 2025
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attends the 67th Annual Grammy Awards Ceremony
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP attended the 67th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony on February 4. The firm's Entertainment and Media Law practice group members Jeffrey S. Becker, Michelle W. Wahl, Amanda Alasauskas, and Mark J. McLoughlin joined friends and longtime clients of the firm and the music industry's biggest stars at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.

January 10, 2025
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Recognized as Leading Lawyers and Emerging Lawyers for 2025
Fifty-three Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP attorneys have been recognized in the 2025 edition of Leading Lawyers, published by Law Bulletin Media. This honor highlights their outstanding skill and leadership in the legal field. Attorneys selected were nominated by their peers as among the top in Illinois. Leading Lawyers recognizes the most qualified and trusted attorneys within their respective practice areas and geographical regions.

December 05, 2024
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Sponsors Lawyers for the Creative Arts' 52nd Annual Benefit Luncheon
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP is a proud sponsor of Lawyers for the Creative Arts’ 52^nd Annual Benefit Luncheon at Palmer House in Chicago on December 5, 2024.

Chicago, October 10, 2024
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Participates in Recording Academy's 10th Anniversary of Music Advocacy Day
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP attorneys Jeffrey S. Becker, Michelle M. Wahl, Amanda J. Alasauskas, and Mark J. McLoughlin participated in the Recording Academy's 10th anniversary of Music Advocacy Day on October 1.

May 02, 2024
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Co-Sponsors Lawyers for the Creative Arts Annual Fundraiser
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP is proud to co-sponsor Lawyers for the Creative Arts (LCA)'s fundraiser, "LCA After Dark," on June 6 in Chicago, Illinois.

March 04, 2024
Wahl and McLoughlin to Speak at Chicago West Community Music Center
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP attorneys Michelle M. Wahl and Mark J. McLoughlin will speak at the Chicago West Community Music Center on March 9 at their Garfield Park location in Chicago.

February 27, 2024
Wahl Moderates Women in Music Event at Senn High School
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Partner Michelle M. Wahl moderated a panel of women in the music business for Senn High School, hosted by the Women in Music Chicago Chapter.