In the entertainment industry, your creative work is your livelihood—make sure it’s protected. At Sanicki Lawyers, we specialise in entertainment law, helping artists, musicians, filmmakers, and creatives navigate contracts, copyright, licensing, and disputes. Whether you’re signing a record deal, negotiating a film contract, or resolving a legal issue, we’ve got your back. With deep industry experience and a passion for the arts, we provide practical, cost-effective legal advice so you can focus on what you do best—creating.
Managing rights, publishing and distribution
Helping navigate contracts, intellectual property, and legal protections
Protect your artistry as a dancer or choreographer
Leverage the power of your brand
Entertainment law for the digital era
Supporting the unique needs of filmmakers, production companies, and broadcasters
Mary is a Senior Associate practising in Music Law, Entertainment Law, Intellectual Property, and Business and Commercial Law. She joined Sanicki Lawyers in 2025 and has extensive experience advising clients across the music and entertainment sectors, bringing a rare combination of legal expertise and first-hand industry experience to her practice.
Mary began her career in the music industry at Warner Music Australia, working in copyright, royalties, and licensing, before relocating to London to specialise in film, television, and games synchronisation licensing at Universal Music Publishing UK. Upon returning to Australia, she worked at Mushroom Music Publishing before completing a Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours) and entering private practice.
Mary represents artists, songwriters, managers, producers, screen composers, filmmakers and other businesses, and has regularly worked on matters including:
publishing, recording and distribution agreements
music catalogue sale transactions
commercial contract negotiation in the creative industries
Passionate about artist remuneration and the protection of creator’s rights, Mary has published work on the 1% radio cap and, in 2024, appeared before a Senate Committee Hearing advocating for its removal from the Copyright Act. A self-confessed music copyright nerd, she has experience advising on local collection societies such as APRA AMCOS and PPCA, as well as international royalty collection options. She enjoys helping clients understand these frameworks so they can maximise remuneration for their work globally.
Known for her down-to-earth and collaborative approach, Mary combines attention to detail with practical problem-solving and long-term strategic thinking to achieve meaningful outcomes for her clients. Outside of work, she loves bringing her teenage daughter along to gigs and sharing the joy of live music.
Mary is a member of the Arts Law Centre of Australia.
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.
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!
