Jules O’Riordan PKA Judge Jules
MUSIC LAWYER / INTERNATIONAL DJ
- BIO
- Day in the life
- TIPS
I spent 15 years as a presenter on BBC Radio 1 and performed over 5,000 gigs as a DJ. I have released over 100 tracks, including various Top 40 hits and set up two record labels for Universal Music. I set up and ran a music management company, as well as an event promotions business in Ibiza. From 2012 to 2018, I was a music and entertainment lawyer at Sheridan’s. Since 2018, I have been a music and entertainment partner at Sound Advice.
Whereas on the weekends I spread my wings and travel to perform as a DJ at festivals and events, during the week I focus wholly on my legal practice. To say that my hours were long would be an understatement, and it can be difficult to differentiate between the AM and PM. Throughout the day, I try to make myself as available to my clients as the day permits.
A typical working day lasts from around 6AM to 9PM, with some work being done at home and the rest at my office in London’s Kings Cross. No two days are the same, as my client base consists of artists, managers, record labels, music publishers, and various other businesses across the spectrum of the music industry. Approximately 80% of my time is spent drafting and negotiating deals and contracts. The remaining 20% is spent advising clients on legal disputes and their legal position in general.
- One can learn just as much from what people don’t say as they can from what people do say.
- Never trust someone who says or acts like they know it all because they probably don’t. Those who are the best at what they do never stop learning and aren’t afraid to admit that they’re still learning.
- Recognise the ‘10,000 hours’ principle. Only after 10,000 hours is there any hope of having expertise in a subject, so be prepared to put in the hours.