Michelle M. Wahl

Biography

Michelle is a partner at Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP and is licensed in Illinois and Indiana state and federal courts. With a Masters of Law in Intellectual Property, Michelle is Co-Chair of the firm’s Entertainment and Media Practice Group and a member of the firm’s Intellectual Property Litigation and Transactional Services Practice Group. Her copyright and trademark practice focuses on intellectual property prosecution and related transactions, including performing trademark availability searches and providing advisory opinions, as well as preparing and filing trademark applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and copyright applications with the United States Copyright Office. Michelle also assists with the oversight of the firm’s extensive trademark docket and conducts required monitoring and maintenance of clients’ trademark portfolios, as well as provides clients with corporate counseling and innovative corporate solutions to address their respective needs.

Michelle further provides comprehensive representation in the drafting, negotiating and executing of various entertainment-related contracts and licenses, including but not limited to band member agreements, artist management agreements, session player agreements, performance agreements, sound engineer agreements, recording and personal services agreements, publishing agreements and licensing agreements. As a former artist manager, she has implemented many facets of national and regional tours, assembled benefit and charity concerts, facilitated radio and internet publicity campaigns, arranged radio, print and internet interviews, and assisted in the development of press kits and websites promoting local talent. Michelle has also guest lectured on entertainment and intellectual property-related topics at UIC John Marshall Law School, DePaul University College of Law, Chicago-Kent College of Law and Azusa Pacific University, as well as served as a panelist on various other entertainment-related continuing legal education courses. Michelle has been an author and editor of the Litigation and Industry Updates Column of the American Bar Association’s, Entertainment & Sports Lawyers Journal, since 2015 and has also had numerous articles published by the Chicago Music Guide since 2008.

Michelle also practices in asbestos litigation and toxic tort defense litigation for various products and premises and serves as national coordinating counsel for various defendants involved in asbestos litigation.

In addition, Michelle serves as Chair of Swanson Martin & Bell, LLP’s Community Service/Pro Bono Committee and proudly volunteers her time as President of the Associate Board and as a pro bono attorney to Lawyers for the Creative Arts, a non-profit organization that provides free legal services to eligible clients in the arts and entertainment communities. She also currently serves 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. She previously served as Chair of the Young Lawyers Division for the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel, where she was recognized as the Rising Star recipient and received a Meritorious Service Award and President’s Commendation.

Practices

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

Memberships & Affiliations

  • 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 of Associate Board, 2019-present
    • Vice President of Associate Board, 2016-2018
  • American Bar Association
    • Columnist and Editor, Litigation Updates, Entertainment & Sports Lawyer Journal
  • Defense Research Institute
    • Young Lawyers Liaison, IP Litigation Committee
  • Women's Bar Association of Illinois
  • Chicago Bar Association
  • Indiana State Bar Association
  • Indianapolis Bar Association
  • Women in Music, Chicago Chapter
    •  Events Chair, 2018-present
  • Recording Academy, Member

Awards

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

Publications

  • “Entertainment Case Law and Industry Updates,” ABA Entertainment & Sports Law Journal, 2017-present
  • “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

  • "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

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’ 52nd 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.

February 09, 2024
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attends the 66th Annual Grammy Awards Ceremony
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP attended the 66th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony on February 4.

December 01, 2023
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Sponsors Lawyers for the Creative Arts' 51st Annual Benefit Luncheon
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP was proud to sponsor Lawyers for the Creative Arts' 51st Annual Benefit Luncheon at Palmer House in Chicago.

September 18, 2023
Wahl to Speak for Lawyers for the Creative Arts and Women's Bar Association Illinois
Partner Michelle M. Wahl will speak for Lawyers for the Creative Arts and Women's Bar Association of Illinois' panel discussion, "Breaking into IP & Entertainment Law," on October 12 at the Instituto Cervantes in Chicago, IL.

May 30, 2023
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Sponsors Lawyers for the Creative Arts' Shindy 2023 Fundraiser
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP is proud to co-sponsor Lawyers for the Creative Arts (LCA)'s fundraiser, "Shindy 2023," on June 8 in Chicago, Illinois.

May 11, 2023
Wahl to Speak at What Up Pitches' WUP It Up 2023
Partner Michelle M. Wahl will speak at What Up Pitches' WUP It Up! Sync Fiesta 2023 on May 12-13 at the historical Davis Theater in Chicago, Illinois.

April 19, 2023
Wahl Speaks at Elmhurst University's Women in Music Panel Discussion
Partner Michelle M. Wahl spoke at Elmhurst University’s “Women in Music” panel discussion on March 16.

April 03, 2023
Wahl to Speak at UIC Law's Annual World IP Day Program
Partner Michelle M. Wahl will speak at the "World IP Day Event - Women in IP: Opportunities & Challenges," hosted by UIC Law's Center for IP, Information & Privacy Law on April 26.

March 20, 2023
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Hosts Copyright Law Panel for Women in Music Chicago
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP will host a panel, "Copyright Law: What Music Creators Need to Know," for Women in Music Chicago on March 30.

December 14, 2022
Michelle Wahl Presents to CBA Media & Entertainment Law Committee
Partner Michelle Wahl spoke at the Chicago Bar Association's Media and Entertainment Committee meeting on December 13.

December 09, 2022
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP at the Lawyers for the Creative Arts 50th Anniversary Gala
On December 8, Partner Michelle Wahl and Associates Amanda Alasauskas and Thomas Kliebhan attended the Lawyers for the Creative Arts 50th Anniversary Gala at the Chicago Cultural Center. Guests enjoyed an evening filled with performances from outstanding artists from a broad range of ensembles, genres, and styles.

Chicago, Lisle, Libertyville, Madison County, January 11, 2021
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named Leading Lawyers, Emerging Lawyers for 2021
Those designated Leading Lawyers were recommended by their peers to be among the top lawyers in Illinois.

Chicago, November 18, 2020
Wahl Speaks at Virtual Music and IP Conference for Law Students
Wahl spoke on a panel with four other speakers.

Chicago, August 24, 2020
Wahl Discusses "Copyrights Vs. COVID-19" in City of Chicago Cultural Affairs Virtual Program
The artist enrichment class will also showcase speakers on vocal performance, marketing and other topics.

Chicago, July 13, 2020
Wahl Speaks on Copyright Basics in Musical Compositions and Sound Recordings
Wahl's presentation will instruct how musical performers can address copyright matters, including fair use and compulsory licenses, as well as copyright duration.

Chicago, May 4, 2020
Wahl Hosts Webinar on "Copyright vs. COVID-19" for Women in Music Chicago

April 7, 2020
Chicago Lawyer Magazine Interviews Wahl on City's Expanding Entertainment Legal Market
Wahl tells readers that Chicago's musicians, artists and entertainers are among the most knowledgeable in the industry.

February 13, 2020
Wahl Speaks On Women in Sports and Entertainment Law Panel
Wahl spoke along with three fellow female attorneys who work significantly in the sports and entertainment industries.

February 3, 2020
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named Leading Lawyers, Emerging Lawyers for 2020
Those designated Leading Lawyers were recommended by their peers to be among the top lawyers in Illinois.

April 17, 2019
Wahl Profiled in Chicago Music Guide Article
Wahl was profiled in Chicago Music Guide regarding her her path to music law and her thoughts on the music industry in Chicago and beyond.

February 28, 2019
Illinois Supreme Court Recognizes Wahl, Attorneys for Participation in Mentoring Program
Run by the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism, the Lawyer-to-Lawyer Mentoring Program creates opportunities for experienced lawyers to provide professional guidance with lawyers in their early years of practice.

January 16, 2019
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named Leading Lawyers, Emerging Lawyers for 2019
Those designated Leading Lawyers were recommend by their peers to be among the top lawyers in Illinois.

September 7, 2018
Law360 Profiles Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP for 2018 Illinois Regional Powerhouse Series
According to the article, "Swanson's attorneys have flexed their muscles in several Illinois courtrooms this year, helping to fend off more than $100 million in claimed damages in several suits rooted in the firm's more institutional areas of practice."

September 5, 2018
Wahl Moderates Women in Music Chicago Panel
Established in 2016, Women in Music Chicago is a chapter of Women in Music that is dedicated to fostering equality in the music industry through the support and advancement of women.

May 16, 2018
Wahl Lectures on Music Business at Azusa Pacific University
Wahl presented on national and international copyright and trademark, and music revenue and royalty streams.

March 30, 2018
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Supports Investing in Justice Campaign
All attorneys in the firm's Chicago, Lisle, Libertyville, Madison County and St. Louis offices donated to the campaign.

February 20, 2018
Illinois Supreme Court Recognizes Wahl, Attorneys for Participation in Mentoring Program
Run by the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism, the Lawyer-to-Lawyer Mentoring Program creates opportunities for experienced lawyers to provide professional guidance with lawyers in their early years of practice.

October 17, 2017
Wahl Gives Entertainment Presentations at DePaul, 2112
Wahl spoke at DePaul University College of Law on "Breaking Into the Entertainment Industry." and at 2112 on "Musical Compositions and Sound Recordings - Copyright Basics."

May 9, 2017
Sheean, Wahl Speak at DRI Business Litigation Seminar
Sheean chairs the DRI Business Litigation Committee; Wahl will speak to young lawyers on copyright basics in musical compositions and sound recordings.

March 29, 2017
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Supports Investing in Justice Campaign
For the second year in a row, all attorneys in the firm's Chicago, Lisle, Libertyville, Madison County and St. Louis offices donated to the campaign.

February 28, 2017
Wahl Presents on Trademarks for Musicians at 2112
Wahl spoke to attendees on “Making Your Mark in the Music Business – Trademark 101 for Musicians.”

January 5, 2017
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Names Three New Partners
Sullivan practices in Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP’s Lisle office, while Lothson and Wahl practice in the firm’s Chicago office.

August 24, 2015
IICLE Entertainment Industry CLE Features Becker, Wahl as Speakers
The CLE is titled, "Entertaining the Idea: The Ins and Outs of Representing Entertainment Industry Clients."

June 2, 2015
Wahl Elected to IDC Board of Directors
Wahl and fellow newly elected directors will be recognized at the IDC's Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon

June 17, 2014
Wahl Receives Rising Star Award at IDC Awards Reception
Wahl also received the Meritorious Award and the President's Commendation.

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