Creative Genius Law
  • Key Services
    • Strategic Six
    • Projects
  • The Lab
  • Get Our Law Firm Guide
  • Book Your Consultation
Select Page

How to Not Get Sued By Your Unpaid Interns + 6 Things You Must Know to Legally Hire Free Help.

by Creative Genius Law | Legal Planning For Growth, Uncategorized

A few weeks ago, I led a twitter chat on the legalities of hiring unpaid interns. It was a timely discussion since: (1) it’s officially summer and everyone likes to bring the young folks in for free help and (2) there have been a couple of pretty hot unpaid...

Pharrell v. will.i.am Trademark Battle + Defending Your Brand.

by Creative Genius Law | Uncategorized

Have you heard that Pharrell Williams is being sued by Black Eyed Peas band member, will.i.am? Well, peeps. That’s not true. How do I know? I happen to have a nerdy obsession with trademark law and a clear understanding of the process. Other media reported this...
5 Ways To Manage Your Client’s Expectations + Why it Matters.

5 Ways To Manage Your Client’s Expectations + Why it Matters.

by Creative Genius Law | Legal Planning For Growth, Uncategorized

Most creative entrepreneurs that I know are on the path to making their “craft” a full time business, but are either moonlighting, side hustling or working multiple businesses until they get there. Is this your story, too? As your clientele grows it will...
Blogger Brand Drama, Around the World in 80 Jobs + How to Not Get Your Trademark Jacked by “The Man.”

Blogger Brand Drama, Around the World in 80 Jobs + How to Not Get Your Trademark Jacked by “The Man.”

by Creative Genius Law | Uncategorized

This weekend, I had a blast presenting to a group of fellow bloggers at the Blogging While Brown conference, one of my signature workshops, “Got a Blog? Protect Your Brand in Cyberspace.” Ironically, blogger @nicolenewblack sent this tweet:    ...
Why You Can’t Charge Clients Paypal Fees + What to Do About It.

Why You Can’t Charge Clients Paypal Fees + What to Do About It.

by Creative Genius Law | Uncategorized

How many times have you shopped with a small biz, only to receive an invoice including a line item for “PayPal,” which actually reflects a transaction fee that the business owner is charged for accepting payments through the PayPal platform? *slowly raises...
Author Toni L. Coleman Carter + When Trouble Finds You.

Author Toni L. Coleman Carter + When Trouble Finds You.

by Creative Genius Law | #GeniusLife, Uncategorized

We love our clients and think that you will too. This week, we introduce author Toni L. Coleman Carter… Please tell us about Toni L. Coleman Carter the author. When and how did you decide writing was a career path? Writing isn’t my career path. I’m...
« Older Entries
Next Entries »

Blog Categories

  • #GeniusLife (17)
  • #GeniusTech (4)
  • Business Entity (5)
  • Cannabis Law (2)
  • Celebrity News (8)
  • Contracts and Collabs (6)
  • Copyright (17)
  • Genius Notes (2)
  • Legal Planning For Growth (62)
  • LLCs (3)
  • Mini Case Study (8)
  • Music Licensing (4)
  • Podcast (13)
  • The Entrepreneur Journey (23)
  • Trade Dress (1)
  • Trade Secret (1)
  • Trademarks (23)
  • Uncategorized (135)

Blog Search

Testimonials

I had the pleasure of hearing Patrice give her professional opinion during a live Mentor Monday session with matchmaker expert Paul C. Brunson. Offering practical business tips and legal advice that was helpful, she prides herself on motivating risk takers and dreamers! What I enjoyed most about listening to Ms. Perkins is that she was not only encouraging but most of all a professional!
Dr. Chastity Williams-LasleyEducation Consultant
Read them all...
If you’re looking for an intellectual property attorney, Patrice Perkins should be consider. I’ve hired her on several occasions to negotiate win/win contracts. Her attention to detail, and grasp on the universe of potential issues were invaluable. She’ll get you the results you’re looking for, as well as other things you never considered. I highly recommend her to anyone who is negotiating a major deal.
Toni L. Carter (MSHRM, CDP)HR Consultant, Employment Value Proposition Lead, Relationship Builder, Influencer, Negotiator, Author, Public Speaker
Read them all...
Patrice is the consummate professional and I am honored to be working with her on all of my company’s legal needs!
Bril BarrettFounder/Artistic Director of M.A.D.D. Rhythms
Read them all...
Simply put: Patrice is a GREAT attorney for creative entrepreneurs! I’ve already had my initial consultation. She put all of my business plans into one fantastic package…in one hour. And I’m very excited about getting started. Recently, I attended the Chicago Artists’ Coalition’s 20/20 Legal workshop. Patrice’s “10 Quick + Dirty Legal Tips for Creative Entrepreneurs: Negotiating Contracts, Intellectual Property and a Little Social Media in Between” presentation was phenomenal. I love how she s… Read more
Dana MotenNational Expansion Leader at 5LINX Enterprises Inc.
Read them all...
I started working with Patrice in the beginning of 2013 to start a non-profit organization. She has a creative mind and helped me to see beyond the cut-and-dry law. We now have 501(c)3 status and can begin to offer new services to advance arts education for our community, students, and educators. As an artist, I also worked with Patrice to trademark my brand. She provided me with plenty of advice to protect my own creative language. Coming from an artist’s background I didn’t understand anything… Read more
Injung Oh, Oh Art Foundation
Read them all...
I had the pleasure of being introduced to Patrice at a local entrepreneur’s conference. She delivered a brief workshop about blogging and intellectual property rights of online content for creative entrepreneurs. I was immediately drawn to her obvious passion for helping small business owners and serial creatives like myself. I hired Patrice to assist me in streamlining my business operations under one legal entity rather than the fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants strategy that afflicts most entrepren… Read more
Niquenya D. FulbrightPresident & CEO of Building Bridges Chicago LLC
Read them all...
I would give Patrice ☆☆☆☆☆ (5 STARS)! She is truly visionary and has given me so much valuable service and coaching as it relates to my graphic design/printing business as well as my recent book project The Entrepreneur Within You which she is a contributing author. She is by far one of the smartest people I have met. She is patient, strategic, understanding, fair, and is truly creative. She’s an amazing attorney and helped me shape my contract up very nicely. I would and do recommend her OFTEN … Read more
Julie HollowayGraphic Designer, Marketer, Author
Read them all...
I stumbled into my relationship with Patrice and Lifestyle Zen. Let me back up, I met Patrice before I knew she was a creative law wiz. She is a good friend of a good friend of mine which, by universal law, makes her cool but after she told me she was a creative law attorney I was floored. Six degrees of separation was more like two degrees of legal kismet. From day one Patrice showed as much interest in my venture, The Genius Syndicate (a learning-inspired lifestyle brand for kids), than I’d se… Read more
Emanuel BasnightFounder/ OwnerThe Genius Syndicate
Read them all...
I was initially impressed with Ms. Perkins’s enthusiasm, communication skills and professional demeanor when I attended a workshop held at the Creative Chicago Expo. During the workshop, she consistently demonstrated all of these qualities and more. Of particular value to me as an entrepreneur, I learned valuable information that would assist me in the future. Patrice is organized and diligent with the task at hand. I heartily endorse her for any legal workshops or as an attorney for entrepreneu… Read more
Lori T. BrownPapaterie Belle
Read them all...
Patrice is on the cutting edge of understanding the common ground upon which business and law sit. She is creative,pays attention to detail and results oriented. She consistently reduces complex issues into “client friendly” solutions. I give attorney Perkins my highest recommendation.
Jeffery DillardPresidentJaneff Entertainment
Read them all...

Sign Up

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn

Contact Our HQ

Licensed in Illinois.

171 N. Aberdeen • Suite 400
Chicago, Illinois 60607

Copyright © 2021 Creative Genius Law.
All rights reserved – Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not indicate future outcomes.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy

Contact us

Instagram Feed

[WE ARE LIVE!] 🎙️Hosted by Patrice Perkins, F [WE ARE LIVE!] 🎙️Hosted by Patrice Perkins, Founder + Principal Attorney at Creative Genius Law, BRIEF[ED] is a legal podcast designed specifically for those short on time. We answer some of the most frequently asked questions we receive from creatives, using some of our favorite entertainers, athletes, and celebrities to illustrate. And it’s officially live!

In our very first episode, “How Do I Even Know if I Have Intellectual Property that Can be Protected?” @creative_esq defines intellectual property and explores the most common types of intellectual property creatives should be aware of. If you follow the firm or have ever attended any of our #legalcoffeechats, you know we love a good pop culture case study. This episode, we call on DJ D-Nice to help us illustrate our creativity to capital framework. Patrice breaks down how he used his intellectual property during the pandemic to build wealth, impact, and legacy.

You can stream #BRIEF[ED] anywhere you get your podcasts. Or you can click the link in our bio to listen now! Be sure to grab your notebook and ink pen. You’ll want to take notes. Be sure to tune in each Tuesday for a brand new episode of #BRIEF[ED]. And we know you don’t have all day, so we’ll do something lawyers aren’t usually known for, we’ll keep it brief.
•
•
•
#BRIEFED #BRIEFEDthepodcast #nowstreaming #CreativeGeniusLaw #youvebeenBRIEFED #intellectualpropertypodcast #DJDNice #Homeschooled #ClubQuarantine
We are officially 2 days away from our podcast lau We are officially 2 days away from our podcast launch event, COL[LAB]. We can barely contain our excitement—and based off the registration numbers, neither can you! Spots are filling quickly, but you still have time to register. Click the link in our bio to save your spot. And in case you’re on the fence about attending, we’ve taken the liberty to give you a few reasons why you don’t want to #snooze on this event. #Swipe—then click the link in our bio to register.
Co- is Latin, meaning “joint, jointly”. The ro Co- is Latin, meaning “joint, jointly”. The root word ‘lab’ is Latin, meaning “to work”. Put the two together and what do you get? You get our very first virtual legal coffee chat of the year—COL[LAB]: The Art of Collaboration. And it’s live in exactly one week. 

Join @creative_esq of Creative Genius Law and special guest Larvetta Loftin (@larvettaspeaks) of @the_l3_agency, on Thursday, February 23rd at 6PM CST, for a celebration of Black History Month and #TheArtofCollaboration, as they discuss the importance of collaboration from a business + legal standpoint, as well as what you should consider before collaborating. Because we love a good case study, we’ll be using R&B’s “Coolest” producer-writer-singer-extraordinaire to illustrate a few legal lessons on collaborating. This event is extra special because it’s also the official launch of our new podcast, BRIEF[ED]! The party—yes, party—is free.99, but registration is required. And it’s open NEOW! Link in bio. 🔗

This conversation is a fit for you if you're interested in learning how to use collaboration as a tool to not only grow your business, but also build impact, legacy and wealth. You should also join us if you’re interested in free weekly legal lessons, that you can digest in 15 minutes or less. Register now! And then, tell a friend. Because as the African American proverb goes, it ain’t no fun if your friends can’t have none.
Contrary to popular belief, Black folks DO KNOW ho Contrary to popular belief, Black folks DO KNOW how to work together. In fact, we created #theArtoftheCollab. What’s the proof? History, that’s what. How else did We manage to get to where we are today? It wasn’t by speaking softly and carrying a big stick. It was by working together, collaborating. While society may lead you to believe that Black folks are crabs in a barrel, history tells us otherwise. From human rights to civil rights to ‘we gone be alright’—we’ve always worked together because we recognize the strength in our number.

Two weeks from today, join us on Thursday, February 23rd at 6:00PM CDT, as we discuss #theArtoftheCollab. We’ll be joined by some very special guests, as we discuss the importance of collaboration from a business + legal standpoint, as well as what you should consider before collaborating. The event is virtual and free.99—but you must register! Registration opens tomorrow. This event is super special because it’s also the official launch of our podcast, #BRIEFED! We promise you don’t want to miss this. Stay tuned for more details, registration link, and how to win free swag. Real swag. We ain’t talking ink pens. 

Oh. And the next time you hear someone say Black folks can’t work together—channel your inner Birdman and tell them to put some #respeck on our names. Make sure you rub your hands, too.
Black History is American History. That’s it. Th Black History is American History. That’s it. That’s the post. Happy Black History Month! ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽
•
•
•
#BHM #BlackHistoryMonth #HappyBlackHistoryMonth #BlackHistoryisAmericanHistory #FUBUary #ForUsByUs
We’re closed today, in observance and celebratio We’re closed today, in observance and celebration of Sweet Auburn’s very own, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr! Did you know it took over 15 years to get congress to pass legislation to recognize #MLKJrDay as a federal holiday? Well, it did. And several more years for the holiday to be recognized in many states. 
•
•
•
As we move throughout our days today, let’s remember the spirit behind the day, the essence of the man, and the legacy of his life. Today is not a day off—it’s a day on! 

So what are you on today? Giving back? Donating time? Community service? Being an ally? Let us know in the comments how you’re spending your #MLKDay. ✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿
Happy New Year, Tribe! We hope 2023 is off to a co Happy New Year, Tribe! We hope 2023 is off to a colorful start. We’re back in the office and back at your service. We’re looking forward to all this new year has to bring. From new connections and new collaborations, to new programming and new opportunities—and of course, new clients. We’re ready for it all.

If you’re a creative ready to build impact, legacy, and wealth, we’re ready to help you. It takes less than 5 minutes to get started. Link in bio. 

Cheers to the new year—and the same ole genius! 🥂
•
•
•
#happynewyear #acceptingnewclients #intellectualpropertylaw #chicagoipattorney #trademarkattorney #copyrightattorney
From Creative Genius Law to you and your family, M From Creative Genius Law to you and your family, Merry Christmas! We hope it’s merry, bright and warm. Our holiday wish is that Jack Frost takes the rest of the day off. What’s yours?

©2026 YOUR FOOTER TEXT GOES HERE