Today we’d like to introduce you to Shay M. Lawson Esq.
Shay, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I graduated from law school right at the height of the recession so I didn’t immediately go straight to law because there really weren’t jobs for lawyers. I had a friend graduate and worked at Macy’s, another at Starbucks. So I actually spent my first year or so out of school working in law school admissions doing recruiting and assisting with diversity efforts. In the midst of all that I took the bar and started networking around the entertainment industry. At one point I packed a suitcase and moved to New York City to ‘make it’ as an entertainment attorney. While I looked for clients, I worked as a Maître d at a restaurant co-owned by Master Chefs Todd English and Ian Kittichai in the theater district of Times Square to make ends meet. Chef Todd’s team taught me so much. Justin Timberlake opened a restaurant next door we would hang out at late night. It was really awesome.
But moral of the story, yes I had a law degree working as a restaurant hostess.
I worked there days and nights, trailed a girlfriend who was an entertainment writer to various industry events, and just hustled. Once my roommate and I decided to not renew our lease I really felt my time in NYC had expired and so I moved back to Atlanta honestly a little defeated but still focused on entertainment. At the point I moved back, Ludacris had a restaurant called Straits in midtown off Juniper where there was a weekly Industry night that I faithfully attended.
One of the chefs at the restaurant, Jason Ellis, was selected as a contestant on FOX’s Hell’s Kitchen right when the show was at its height of popularity. Others at the restaurant told him I was a lawyer and he should talk to me about representing him. Jason is definitely the strong upfront personality viewers saw on the show. When we met, I was really upfront with him about what I had been doing thinking my inexperience would rule me out but to my surprise he decided to work with me out of all the lawyers he met. Primarily because of my time working in hospitality he trusted I would not only represent his best legal interest but trust I understood his work as a chef.
The rest is really history, my practice really took off from there and I’m incredibly grateful for every single step of the journey, even the not so glamorous parts. I can’t tell you how many clients and amazing connections I made from my time here in Atlanta. New York is where I built my resilience by Atlanta is where I made my connections and really flourished.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Hell no it hasn’t been easy! Its definitely been a rough ride, but everything has happened exactly has it was supposed to because without it I wouldn’t be here. That sounds super cliche but it is the truth.
Working at the restaurant to make ends meet got me, my first client.
Having to let go of a client who was a really good friend actually propelled the focus of my business back in alignment
I had a less than flattering exchange with a city councilwoman lobbying for music creators but my presence at that meeting is how I became involved with the Recording Academy on a deeper level.
Not having a job fresh out of law school actually probably saved me from a life of mediocrity collecting a paycheck, chained to a desk, doing something less than what sets my heart on fire.
Getting betrayed, not paid, having the unthinkable done to me has thickened my skin, given me foresight and helped me better protect both myself and my clients because I can combine those life lessons with my expertise and anticipate the unthinkable and set the best path forward.
To quote Janelle Monae, “I’m always left of center and that’s right where I belong.” I count it all blessings; bumps, bruises, detours…I know I’m on MY right path.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Shay M. Lawson Esq. Tell us more about the business.
In business card terms I am an intellectual property attorney. I operate a solo practice and represent mostly music creators and cultural influencers. My clients range from GRAMMY nominated songwriters, producers, engineers, and musicians to cultural influencers like Trap Karaoke and social influencers like @itsLovelyMimi who boasts over 2 million Instagram followers.
In a nutshell, I help creatives protect their passion and profits through copyright, trademarks, and contracts.
I’ve negotiated deals for my clients with companies like Apple, Under Armour, Pottery Barn, Universal Music, VH1, and more, but the work I am most proud of actually happens outside of work hours. I sit on the Board of the Lee Thompson Young Foundation that provides mental health resources to students in Atlanta area public schools. I am a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. where I currently chair Social Action for my chapter in Gwinnett County and am excited about the work we have done and are doing to bridge the gap between our community and local police.
I also sit on the Board of the Recording Academy, Atlanta Chapter as a Governor and co-chair of Advocacy where I have spent the past two years lobbying members of Congress on behalf of music creators to pass the Music Modernization Act. The Act was signed into law this year and is the first major change in the copyright law in decades. I was given the honor of being asked to speak in Atlanta during a national toast to music on its passing, and as a lawyer and music lover there are few things that could really top that moment.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Nothing was luck. Good or bad it was all in divine order with grace and perfect timing.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shaymlawson.com
- Instagram: @shaymlawson
- Twitter: @shaymlawson
Image Credit:
Jay Wiggins, Cameron Mitchell
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