Darren completed his law degree with honours at Monash University in 2003 and has also completed post graduate courses in copyright law, trade marks, intellectual property, and industrial designs. Darren also holds a Bachelor of Economics degree from Latrobe University.
Darren’s legal career was forged at Marshalls & Dent Lawyers where he worked in areas including: residential and commercial conveyancing, business sales and acquisitions, commercial leases, corporate restructuring, and civil litigation. He was made a senior associate after three years.
As a one-time musician, Darren used his networks in Melbourne’s music scene, to commence and expand his music and entertainment client base while continuing to work in areas of commercial and property law.
Since opening the firm in 2009 (originally Darren Sanicki Lawyers), Darren has consolidated a substantial entertainment industry client base representing some of Australia’s best known bands, artists and creative businesses.
Darren has been selected by the Artists from The Voice for all 5 Seasons as their legal representative having previously represented contestants from X-Factor and Australian Idol. He has represented clients in high profile litigious matters including the current Federal Court Case concerning a legend of the Australian music scene and the fixing of a statutory licence for use of an iconic song for the services of the Commonwealth. Darren also successfully represented Michael Barker (Split Enz) in a defamation action against News Ltd and Today Tonight.
Darren also has a substantial commercial client base comprising creative and corporate businesses including Moshtix, Windor Smith, Medical One, Strikeforce AMC, Wesley College and the Meatball & Wine Bar.
Darren also volunteers his services as a pro-bono solicitor for the Arts Law Centre of Australia and is a 3 time recipient of the Arts Law Pro Bono award.
Darren is a board member of The Push, a not-for profit Government funded Victorian youth music organisation, and has held the role of Chairman since 2007. In 2010, Darren was a founding board member of Music Victoria, Victoria’s peak contemporary music industry body, leading the fight to preserve the Victoria’s live music scene and the general rights and well being of musicians. Darren has also taught in the Music Business and Music Law degrees at Victoria University.
Notwithstanding any of this, Darren is still best known for having a song he co-penned, “More Than A Game” used as the theme song for Channel 9’s The Footy Show for the past 23 years!
