Shay M. Lawson Esq is the Managing Attorney of the Law Firm of Lawson McKinley. Her keen understanding of the entertainment business and leveraging IP has allowed her to negotiate millions in client deals with brands such as Nike, Apple Music, Capital One, NBC Universal, and AT&T. Billboard Magazine has named Shay a Top Music Attorney in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 for her work protecting the brand and legacies of multi-platinum, GRAMMY award winning artists, songwriters, engineers, and producers. Her work protecting clients has been featured by Essence, Rolling Stone, The Hollywood Reporter, Atlanta Business Chronicle, and Black Enterprise. Shay’s passion for political advocacy drives her volunteer service as chair of Policy and Civic Engagement for the Black Music Action Coalition, three terms as Governor for the Atlanta Chapter of the Recording Academy (GRAMMYS®) as co-chair of legislative advocacy, and past Social Action chair of the Gwinnett County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Shay is an alumna of Hampton University, Case Western Reserve University College of Law, and holds a certificate in Minority Political Leadership from the Grace E Harris Leadership School at Virginia Commonwealth University and is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.