Joshua Robert Bowen, Esq.

I am an Illinois attorney with a background spanning legal practice, consulting, operations, entertainment, and large-scale corporate environments. My current work includes intellectual property, entertainment, business, contracts, and dispute-related matters.

I came to law after building a career in business and entertainment. I earned my J.D. through Wayne State University Law School’s evening program while continuing to work full-time, graduating with a 3.91 GPA and in the top 5% of my class.

  • I currently practice with Saper Law in Chicago, where I work directly with clients across intellectual property, entertainment, and business matters.

    My work has included trademark clearance searches and search reports, responding to a USPTO Office Actions, copyright and trademark infringement matters, and cease-and-desist letters involving infringement, defamation, and the Illinois Right of Publicity Act. I have also conducted chain-of-title and title research for film and television projects.

    On the transactional side, I have drafted and reviewed work-made-for-hire agreements, talent agreements, releases, intellectual property assignments, operating agreements, and amendments. I have reviewed, redlined, and negotiated a film distribution agreement and have worked directly with opposing parties and opposing counsel on business disputes and LLC dissolution matters.

    I also support litigation-related work, including legal research, deposition preparation, court filings, and court appearances on routine matters. Much of my day-to-day practice involves taking a legal problem, figuring out what the client actually needs, and moving the matter forward in a practical way.

  • I spent five years with Quick Release_, which became part of ALTEN Technology during my time there. My work sat somewhere between consulting, data analysis, operations, and communications, supporting engineering programs for Ford Motor Company, Rivian, and Rolls-Royce.

    I worked with engineers, suppliers, executives, and business teams to make complicated information usable. That included reviewing large data and documentation sets, identifying problems, coordinating corrective actions, building reporting, and translating technical information for people who needed to make decisions from it.

    One project led to a new prototyping process that generated approximately $4.5 million in annual savings for Ford Motor Company. I also produced executive communications and presentations for global stakeholders and supported the adoption of new technology and AI tools through training and practical implementation.

  • For more than a decade, I have worked with the National Ronald McDonald Program on appearances, events, and talent operations across the United States.

    My work has included reviewing appearance agreements, coordinating talent and travel, managing vendors, handling schedules and logistics, and serving as an on-site representative during major events. I have supported programs including the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and McDonald’s Worldwide Convention.

    I also helped design national processes for auditioning, onboarding, booking, and scheduling program talent.

  • My first large corporate role was with SMS Assist, now part of Lessen, where I worked with property managers, vendors, contractors, and residents on maintenance programs across the country.

    I started by identifying recurring operational problems and building standardized processes around it. That work eventually developed into its own department, which I led while managing a budget of approximately $20 million, more than 50 contractors, and commercial relationships with roughly 15 vendor companies.

    I also helped establish a data analytics function to improve reporting and decision-making.

  • Before moving into corporate work and eventually law, I worked professionally as an actor and producer in New York City, Chicago, Detroit, and touring productions.

    That background still shapes a significant part of my legal interests. I understand creative work from the inside, including the realities of producing, performing, negotiating, building projects with limited resources, and balancing artistic goals with practical constraints.

    I have produced and toured theatrical work, worked on commercial and live-event projects, and advised performers and other creatives on agreements and negotiations.

  • Wayne State University Law School

    I earned my J.D. through Wayne State University Law School’s evening program while working full-time, graduating in 2025 with a 3.91 GPA and finishing in the top 5% of my class.

    My coursework focused heavily on business and intellectual property, including contracts, copyright, trademark, corporations, labor and employment, sports law, and Name, Image, and Likeness issues. I also pursued practical opportunities involving legal research, contract review, document analysis, and intellectual property work.

    I am admitted to the Illinois Bar and am currently in good standing.

    Michigan State University

    I earned my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre from Michigan State University.