Entertainment

Ant joined Sanicki Lawyers in late 2024 as a Special Counsel, bringing a strong background in media, entertainment, and the live events space. Most recently, Ant held the position of Director of Legal & Business Affairs for the Secret Sounds Group (part of Live Nation) which owns some of Australia’s leading Festival brands (Splendour In The Grass, Falls Festival), along with operating large-scale touring, artist management, agency representation, sponsorship and live music venues.  Previously, Ant was Head of Legal for leading TV production company, Shine Australia (Endemol Shine), working on some of the world’s largest TV formats (The Voice, MasterChef, The Bachelor), and Director of Legal for pioneering social media giant, MySpace.

Ant’s legal career commenced at Minter Ellison Lawyers in 2003, where he worked in the corporate and intellectual property practice areas, before moving in-house where he held several senior legal roles.  Ant completed his law degree with honours at Monash University in 2001, also holding a Bachelor of Commerce degree.

Ant’s passion for music and understanding of the industry extends to being a songwriter and musician playing in various bands, including a Triple J Unearthed winning band (2003).  Ant has also lectured at the Australian Institute of Music in areas of IP Law and Contract Negotiations. With extensive industry experience and solid commercial acumen, Ant focuses on building strong client relationships and thinking strategically in providing pragmatic advice.

Darren is principal lawyer and founder of Sanicki Lawyers which he opened in March, 2009. Darren completed his law degree with honours at Monash University and has 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 mid-tier firm Marshalls & Dent Lawyers, where he worked primarily as a commercial lawyer, specialising in business sales and acquisitions, franchising, commercial leases, corporate restructuring, and civil litigation. He was made a senior associate after three years.

Darren has also represented clients in high profile litigious matters including a leading Federal Court Case concerning the fixing of a statutory licence for use of an iconic song for the services of the Commonwealth. With a wealth of first hand business experience, Darren’s expertise extends to all aspect of commercial law with a particular emphasis on contract negotiations & drafting, corporate structuring, large scale commercial transactions and dispute resolution.

Darren’s client base now includes many iconic businesses; Windsor Smith, Bad Workwear, Medical One, Step One, Cargo Crew, Morris Jones and the Meatball & Wine Bar to name a few. He assists in a variety of

Through his passion for music and the law, Darren has become a fixture in Melbourne’s music and entertainment scene. Together with his team, Darren has seen Sanicki Lawyers also become one of Australia’s leading and respected music and entertainment law firms. Darren’s client base includes many of Australia’s best-known bands, artists and creative businesses. With a commitment to helping young creatives, Darren was personally selected by the Artists from The Voice as their legal representative for all 12 Seasons of the show, having previously been selected to represent contestants from X-Factor and Australian Idol.

In recent years, Darren has also developed an extensive practice and reputation as a defamation lawyer. He successfully represented Michael Barker (Split Enz) in a defamation action against News Ltd and Today Tonight and together with his team, have successfully advocated in a number of high-profile defamation matters.

Darren volunteers his services as a pro-bono solicitor for the Arts Law Centre of Australia and is a 9 time recipient of the Arts Law Pro Bono award! Darren spent 10 years as Chairman of The Push, a not-for profit Government funded Victorian youth music organisation. Darren was also a founding board member of Music Victoria, Victoria’s peak contemporary music industry body. Darren has also taught in the Music Business and Music Law degrees at Victoria University.

When not working (when exactly is that??), Darren enjoys spending time with family comprising his wife Carly and 2 young boys Jacob and Oscar (both under 2 years old!). His other passion is the Carlton football, which has helped him learn patience and resilience if nothing else!

Notwithstanding any of this, Darren is still best known for a song he co-penned more than 30 years ago, “More Than A Game” being the iconic theme song for Channel 9’s The Footy Show!

Chelsea is a solicitor at Sanicki Lawyers specialising in music and entertainment law. Chelsea holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and Arts from Monash University and was admitted into the legal profession in 2022. Chelsea primarily acts for artists, producers, record labels, managers, writers, publishers and industry representatives on matters mostly concerning contracts and intellectual property laws within the music and entertainment industries. In her role at Sanicki Lawyers, Chelsea works alongside some of the biggest names in the Australian entertainment industry.

Outside of Sanicki Lawyers, Chelsea lectures at the Australian Institute of Music in Arts and Entertainment Law, is a pro bono panel lawyer for Arts Law Australia, and is an ambassador for The College of Law. Chelsea also performs as a vocalist in various bands for corporate events and at various public venues across Melbourne. Chelsea offers practical commercial advice to her clients based on a foundation of well-rounded knowledge of the music and entertainment industry and a strong passion for the arts.