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Entertainment attorney Shard\u00e9 Simpson, Esq., is working to bridge the gap in access to resources, representation, and financial empowerment for Black creators<\/a>.<\/p>\n On May 20, 2026, Simpson, whose roster includes Grammy Award-winning singer H.E.R., Meek Mill<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n 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<\/a>\u2018s 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\u2122.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cI was in the room before there was a room,\u201d Simpson told AFROTECH\u2122. \u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n 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 \u2014 a gap Simpson said she consistently saw in the industry.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s a need for people who can really afford legal services to have that staff hands-on, but then there\u2019s independent artists who don\u2019t necessarily have the finances to pay for some of those services, but they should be afforded the same opportunities,\u201d Simpson said.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cIf I can walk away with a client fully understanding a deal or points in a deal and fully understanding what\u2019s going on, to me, that\u2019s a win,\u201d Simpson told AFROTECH\u2122. \u201cAnd I think now my wins, also with Wilma, are just trying to reach that base that I haven\u2019t been reaching for so long.\u201d<\/p>\n 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\u2019s development team for helping bring the platform to life in a space where law and technology intersect.<\/p>\nThis Co-Founder\u2019s Story Behind Hello Wilma<\/h2>\n
The Shift To A Tech-Enabled Legal Business<\/h2>\n