An Introduction
Lawyer by trade. Human by nature. Welcome to The Desk of Eb.
Hi! I’m Ebonee Swilley, affectionately known as Eb.
You can call me Eb (phonetic) or “E-B.” I hear both daily.
Before I tell you what I do, I want to tell you who I am.
I’m a Lawyer by Trade, Human by Nature.
I’ve worked in and across entertainment, brands, media, and tech. I’ve had jobs that looked cool on paper, jobs I prayed for, jobs I thought I’d stay in forever… and jobs that ended before I was ready.
Turns out forever don’t last too long these days.
And yet .. every twist, pause, loss, and pivot led me here.
Today, I work at the intersection of brands, entertainment, media, and culture. I advise artists, creators, athletes, and businesses on how to protect what they’re building; names, ideas, partnerships, and long-term vision.
I didn’t always work for myself. In fact, my path here was anything but linear.
I’ve had what people would call “the coolest job ever.” I’ve also been fired from one. I’ve worked inside companies, alongside creatives, and behind the scenes of industries people romanticize from the outside. Some chapters ended unexpectedly. Others outgrew me. All of them taught me something.
And somewhere along the way, I realized I didn’t just want a legal career — I wanted a life that fit.
How I Got Here
After years of working in and around entertainment and brand-driven businesses, I’m now building my own practice to serve the people I know best: those creating culture in real time.
The ones with vision and momentum.
The ones with questions no one ever really explains.
The ones building something personal, not just profitable.
What I offer now is the result of experience, mistakes, and clarity. Not just about the law but about how people actually live and work.
How and Why I Practice
Traditional legal culture asks people to separate who they are from what they do.
Your humanity over here. Your professionalism over there.
That never worked for me.
So I built a practice grounded in something different: being a Professional Human.
Not informal. Not unserious.
Just honest, intentional, and sustainable.
What Being a Professional Human Means in Practice
Being a Professional Human means:
You can be excellent and evolving
You don’t have to abandon your personality to be taken seriously
Your business should support your life, not consume it
Strategy and empathy can coexist
It’s real talk for artists, creators, athletes, and culture-shifting brands alike.
I care about the person behind the brand. The season you’re in, the risks you’re weighing, and what you’re actually trying to build long-term.
Why I Reject Traditional Legal Culture
I don’t believe in intimidation as expertise.
I don’t believe in confusing language for ego’s sake.
And I don’t believe clients should feel small, rushed, or afraid to ask questions.
Heck, how could I - I have thousands of em’
Yes, Legal work is serious, but it doesn’t have to be cold.
My goal is clarity, confidence, and partnership. I explain the why, not just the what. I don’t upsell fear. And I don’t separate business from life, because the two are inherently intertwined.
What You’ll Find at The Desk of Eb
This newsletter is a mix of work, life, and everything in between.
From my desk, you can expect:
Real talk about law, brands, creativity, and ownership
Legal insights grounded in real-world application
Observations from life outside of work — travel, events, culture, quiet moments, my family
Lessons from wins, losses, and the sometimes uncomfortable in-between
The occasional lyric or movie line woven in, just like I do in real life
Always honest. Always human.
Some weeks will be educational. Some will be reflective. Some might just be a reminder that you’re not behind, you’re just building differently.
If you’re here, I’m glad you found your way to my desk.
From my desk to yours —
what season are you in right now?
I hope you’re giving yourself permission to build differently.
Until next time,
Talk soon,
—Eb
Lawyer by trade. Human by nature.
Soundtrack for this entry: "Forever Don't Last" — Jazmine Sullivan