Entertainment attorney Shardé Simpson, Esq., is working to bridge the gap in access to resources, representation, and financial empowerment for Black creators.
On May 20, 2026, Simpson, whose roster includes Grammy Award-winning singer H.E.R., Meek Mill, and Rod Wave, unveiled Hello Wilma, a subscription-based legal technology platform that gives independent artists and producers legal protection by quickly generating professional-quality contracts. The launch follows the February relaunch of The Simpson Group, PLLC, her boutique entertainment law firm.
While serving two distinct audiences, both ventures share a common mission: making quality legal resources more accessible to creators. Simpson began her career in 2008 as one of Roc Nation‘s first employees, rising from executive assistant to senior roles in A&R administration and business and legal affairs. Along the way, she gained firsthand insight into how deals are structured at the highest level of the music industry, she shared in an interview with AFROTECH™.
Describing her approach as personable, intellectual, and confident, she has built a reputation for helping clients navigate the complexities of the entertainment industry, contributing to a successful career spanning nearly 20 years.
“I was in the room before there was a room,” Simpson told AFROTECH™. “I built these two entities because the industry needed them, one for artists who need a real advocate in their corner, and one for creators who deserve the same level of protection, no matter where they are in their career.”
This Co-Founder’s Story Behind Hello Wilma
For its part, Hello Wilma, a project years in the making, is designed to serve independent artists, producers, and other creatives who may not have the financial resources to retain legal counsel or maintain an in-house legal team — a gap Simpson said she consistently saw in the industry.
“There’s a need for people who can really afford legal services to have that staff hands-on, but then there’s independent artists who don’t necessarily have the finances to pay for some of those services, but they should be afforded the same opportunities,” Simpson said.
When asked what success looks like today compared to earlier in her career, Simpson said her perspective has shifted. Rather than focusing solely on major milestones and the number of clients, she now finds fulfillment in the small wins and emphasizes quality over quantity.
“If I can walk away with a client fully understanding a deal or points in a deal and fully understanding what’s going on, to me, that’s a win,” Simpson told AFROTECH™. “And I think now my wins, also with Wilma, are just trying to reach that base that I haven’t been reaching for so long.”
The Shift To A Tech-Enabled Legal Business
Simpson said one of the biggest challenges of transitioning from practicing law to building a tech-enabled business has been learning an entirely new landscape, noting that understanding software development, coding, and backend systems required her to step outside her area of expertise. However, she credits Hello Wilma’s development team for helping bring the platform to life in a space where law and technology intersect.
When it comes to AI, Simpson views it as a valuable tool rather than a replacement for human insight. She expressed pride in maintaining Hello Wilma’s foundation in legal knowledge and thoughtful contract development.
“So I’m a wholehearted proponent of AI. I just think that with respect to these types of contract management that we’re dealing with, the music industry and the creative industry, I would say, is very nuanced. It’s constantly changing, and I don’t think AI is there yet,” Simpson shared. “I think it’s a helpful tool for summarizing. It’s a helpful tool for general understanding. But when you’re talking about getting an agreement that is drafted and created by an attorney or attorneys that have been doing this for 10-plus years, we know what’s in it vs. asking it to just spit out something.”
A Black Woman Leading Change In The Industry
Looking ahead, Simpson envisions Hello Wilma evolving into a broader creator-economy platform that provides legal resources for every stage of a creative project. Future expansions could include agreements for songwriters, sample clearances, side-artist arrangements, and other contracts commonly used throughout the music industry.
“So that would be in essence what you need to clear an entire project for an album,” Simpson noted.
As she continues building both a law firm and a legal-tech platform, Simpson said she hopes her journey serves as an example for other Black women pursuing careers in entertainment, law, and entrepreneurship, encouraging them to stay the course.
The Simpson Group, the umbrella behind her growing ventures, has evolved far beyond its origins as a referral-based law practice. Today, the firm reflects Simpson’s vision for greater representation in entertainment law, creating an inclusive environment where clients feel seen, supported, and empowered in their careers.
Through her work, she wants to be remembered as someone who helped people, made an impact, and positively changed lives.
“As a black woman, there’s just a lot of different things… obstacles and things that we face, but I think more than anything, for me, I wanted to do something impactful, something that would make someone remember who I am through something that I did,” Simpson shared with AFROTECH™. “So I’m hoping that Wilma revolutionizes the way the music industry treats independent artists and creatives that don’t necessarily fall into the established artist space.”
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source afrotech.com ’
