Name: Sandra Namusiitwa
Company: Sound Advice (Legal) LLP
Job Title: Music Lawyer
Sandy is a Music Lawyer, training as a solicitor at Sound Advice LLP, a music law firm that represents artists and creative talent across all genres of music. Sandy’s passion for music, advocacy, and representing the best interests of artists and creatives continues to be the core driving force of her work today. Sandy started her career in the music industry as a Junior Lawyer at BPI where she handled the legal and commercial matters for the BRIT Awards, Mercury Prize, the Official Charts, the Great Escape Festival and National Album Day performers such as Adele, Dave, Little Simz, Ghetts, Stormzy, Ed Sheeran and Harry Styles. She then went on to work as a Legal Consultant for the BRIT Awards 2023. Her passion expands beyond music law, as in her spare time she volunteers and provides management services to talent in the wider entertainment industry via CRCL, a talent services company.
Question 1: Who would you say is someone pivotal to your journey so far?
Mulika Sannie . Founder of UK Black Music Lawyers Network.
Question 2: Who would be your ideal mentor, and why?
Bernie Lawrence-Watkins. Not only is she a tremendous music lawyer with a-list clients but she also started a law firm with the purpose enabling her clients would have access to esteemed lawyers from diverse backgrounds and have representation from lawyers who look like and can relate to them (which is still very much a rarity in the industry today). Her firm represents growth and the world that we live in today.
Question 3: What advice would you give the next Trailblazer looking to break into your field?
Always be kind and do not be afraid to network! When starting out in my industry, I quickly found it was essential to meet new people, build relationships and market myself/ my skills. The music industry seemed so huge and daunting at the time but I as worked on my skills and craft, I made it my mission to also network and get to know my peers. I’ve now built some meaningful relationships which have proven to benefit my career in a fortunate way.
Question 4: Who would you like to spotlight as your Trailblazer?
Charlene Wango and Elsie Cullen.