Candidly, I went to law school because I didn't know what else to do after college and my best friend said he'd go with me. While in law school, I worked at several law firms, including at a medical malpractice law firm and a bankruptcy/real estate law firm. I soon realized that I had made a big mistake. Thinking the fun in my life was going to be over once I graduated and passed the bar exam, I decided I needed to do something that I had always wanted to do but never did - while I still had a life... That something was be in a band and play shows. So, in my last semester of law school, I formed a band with some buddies, recorded a couple of songs, and convinced my best friend to book us some shows. It was a fulfilling endeavor to say the least, and it was what finally led me to the realization that I could work in the music business and not be miserable for the rest of my life!

I ended up finding a job at a reputable independent music publishing company right out of law school, where I eventually became General Counsel / VP of Business Affairs and had the opportunity to help manage the catalogs of some of the most successful songwriters of all-time, including some of my musical heroes. In 2016, I hung up my shingle as Shackelford Legal and have had the good fortune of representing some pretty amazing music creators and music companies. Needless to say, I'm grateful that I found something to do as an attorney that excites me.