CAFTA Case List
Here is the list of arts-related pro bono opportunities that are currently seeking a referral through Colorado Attorneys for the Arts (CAFTA). Thanks for your interest in providing legal assistance to support Colorado’s artists, performers, cultural organizations and creative businesses.
If you are interested in taking on one of the CAFTA matters below, please contact CAFTA@cbca.org and reference the case # in the subject line.
Available CAFTA Matters
Updated November 17, 2025
#25096 [Intellectual Property Dispute] NEW
Client is a content creator and social media manager for an online fan community dedicated to a well-known children’s book. For 19 years, Client worked to create original content for the fan website and social media group, including graphic design, photography, videos, animations, creative writing and other original content for this online community. Client was never compensated by the Founder of the online fan community for the Client’s labor, time or original content. After a dispute with the Founder about content posted on the page, Client was locked out of all related accounts on Google, WordPress, and social media. The Founder also allegedly instituted a retroactive “volunteer policy” following this incident. Client is seeking legal assistance to resolve this matter and to retain his intellectual property rights to the original work he created over the last 19 years.
#25100 [Contract Termination] NEW
Client is a 501c3 nonprofit ballet company. Client had to cancel their fall and winter performances (October – December 2025), which means they are unable to fulfil their current contract with their local symphony orchestra who performs during these productions. Client has signed agreements with the orchestra. Client is seeking legal assistance to navigate this contract termination and assess their legal and financial exposure.
*This Client’s annual operating budget exceeds CAFTA’s threshold for pro bono assistance
#25084 [Fiscal Sponsorship Contract] NEW
Client is a 501c3 nonprofit creative district. Client is seeking legal assistance to draft standard fiscal sponsorship agreements to use with current and prospective projects. Client would like to be a fiscal sponsor for individual artists and for-profit venues in their district to support fundraising efforts and grant applications. Client is already a fiscal sponsor for some current projects.
#25073 [Breach of Contract] NEW
Client is a photographer who recently published her first monograph. Client is seeking legal assistance to resolve a breach of contract dispute with the monograph publisher. Client signed an agreement with a publisher in April 2023 and paid out-of-pocket for all production. The publisher printed fewer books than agreed on and released the book on Amazon without notifying the Client and for a lower price. The publisher has refused to provide itemized invoices, inventory counts, or sales reports and is withholding books that the Client financed. Client is looking to obtain full accounting of sales and inventory, establish her right to print-ready files, and sever the current publishing agreement.
#25087 [Intellectual Property Counsel] NEW
Client is an author. Client published a children’s book several years with a small vanity press. In 2016, Client purchased her digital rights back from the publisher so she could print ebooks on her own. The original press has since closed and is no longer in business. Client is now seeking to revise the book and re-publish it entirely, including print and digital. Client is seeking legal assistance to determine her current intellectual property rights before moving forward, particularly related to print publication.
#25082 [Breach of Contract]
Client is an author. Client was allegedly contacted by two major film production studios to make films from her children’s books. Client paid both alleged production studios several thousand dollars each to complete the projects, but then never heard from the companies or contacts again. Client is seeking legal assistance to understand what happened to these alleged projects and recoup her money.
#25088 [Governance]
Client is an all-volunteer 501c3 nonprofit organization that supports women in film and media. Client is seeking legal assistance to navigate a situation with a former board member. Client is attempting to remove someone from their board due to alleged negative comments online against the organization and an issue with membership dues. Client is seeking legal assistance to ensure they can proceed with removing this person from their board, communicating civilly with this former member, and protecting the organization from any reputational damage.
#25086 [Online Harassment]
Client is a visual artist. Client is seeking legal assistance to stop alleged online harassment by a former friend who resides in the state of Washington. Client reports lengthy social media posts by the adverse party claiming that the Client has stolen artwork ideas and the adverse party’s artistic “persona.” Client was not aware until August 2025 that this person was also an artist. Client also claims that she has blocked adverse party from all her social media pages. Client previously represented herself and attempted to get a protection order against this alleged harasser, but it was denied by the judge. Client is afraid of damage to her arts business. Client believes these statements may be harmful to Client’s reputation and credibility.
#25071 [Breach of Contract]
Client is a solo-LLC animation studio. Client hired an independent contractor to assist on an animation project for his mobile game client. The contractor shared sensitive information in such a way that resulted in a $10,000 settlement to the mobile game client. It has been over 8 months since this happened and the CAFTA Client (animation studio) paid the $10,000 for this contractor’s breach. Client would like to be paid back by the contractor. There is a signed agreement between the animation studio and their mobile game client, as well as a signed agreement between the animation studio and this contractor. There is also an NDA regarding this project.
#25067 [Employment Dispute and Policy]
Client is a nonprofit theatre company. Client is seeking legal guidance regarding denying a person the opportunity to be part of their productions. A person accused of alleged sexual misconduct (unrelated to the Client) recently attempted to audition for a performance and was denied. This person has now threatened legal action against the theatre company. In the past, this person has been part of the theatre company as a performer and as a playwright. Client is looking to understand what they are legally allowed to do when an individual accused of misconduct seeks to participate in their work, and to establish a clear, legally defensible policy so that they can manage situations like this appropriately in the future.
#25059 [Copyright Infringement and Dispute]
Client is a visual artist with a background in event marketing and management. Last year, the Client helped someone develop and host an event that has turned into an annual cultural festival in Idaho. Now in the second year of the festival, the Client’s original role and contributions have been erased and the host has claimed ownership over the whole event. For example, the Client created original artwork, marketing materials and public art installations as part of the festival, and his signature on those works has been painted over. Client is not mentioned as one of the creators or co-founders for the event on its website. The event host has also ignored invoices from the Client. There was no formal agreement or signed contract when the parties began working together on this event last year. Client is seeking legal assistance to resolve this matter and protect this creative content.
#25061 [Employment/Compensation Dispute]
Client is a freelance production assistant and cameraman. Client is seeking legal assistance to recoup lost wages for a job that was cancelled due to weather. Client was contacted on June 27 to work on a drone show on July 5. The two parties agreed on a rate of $250 and Client signed their standard deal memo. Client claims he was never informed that this job was conditional based on the weather. The job location was confirmed on July 4, but the time was still TBD. On July 5, the Client was notified that the job was canceled. Client would like to recoup those lost wages, especially since he turned down other work for this job.
#25052 [Employment Dispute and Retaliation]
Client is a musician and music teacher. Client is seeking legal assistance regarding an employment dispute. Client was hired to work retail at a violin shop. He also taught private lessons at the violin shop, separate from his retail employment, for the last year and a half. Client was allegedly asked to clock out for breaks while he was alone in the store, keeping the shop open and helping customers. When the Client raised concerns about this issue, his schedule was changed and was told he could no longer teach lessons at the shop. Client put in his two-weeks’ notice on July 18 and his last day is August 1. Client is seeking legal guidance regarding unpaid wages and employer retaliation.
#25049 [Dispute and Retaliation]
Client is an actor. Client is seeking legal assistance to resolve a dispute with a local theater nonprofit. Client has been an actor with this theater nonprofit since 2023, along with her two daughters. Client also volunteered to help with the theater’s social media and marketing and was hired as an 1099 contractor for marketing services in 2024. Earlier this year, Client stood up for a fellow artist who visited a rehearsal and was kicked out of the building allegedly due to a harassment claim against the theater several years ago. Now, the Client is being banned from the building, locked out of the marketing platforms she helped developed for the theater, not being cast in shows, and not allowed to attend her daughter’s rehearsals. The theater has not been responsive to requests for clarity and resolution. Client is seeking legal assistance to understand her rights and resolve this dispute.
*Client’s household income exceeds CAFTA’s threshold for pro bono eligibility.
Check out CAFTA’s Description of Pro Bono Services to learn more about the referral process and expectations for volunteer attorneys.
