Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Shraybman.
Hi Jessica , we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was the first in my family born in the States, and I grew up watching what it takes to build something from nothing. To be proud of hard work. That shaped how I see opportunity and why I’m drawn to people creating their own paths rather than following those prescribed.
I studied philosophy and entrepreneurship at the University of Miami—a combination of my interests that turned out to be the perfect mix for being able to counsel entrepreneurs. Philosophy developed my innate tendency to question assumptions and think critically about power structures. Entrepreneurship chiseled my understanding of how ideas become businesses, and how fragile that process is without the right foundations, knowledge, and advisors.
Before law school, I spent a few years exploring my own business and creative interests. I started a private tutoring company, which was my first significant experience in establishing, running, and growing a business. That hands-on work taught me what it actually takes to build something sustainable—the operations, the relationships, the daily decisions that either move you forward or hold you back.
I also worked as an assistant on indie film sets, music projects, and photo shoots. Not as an attorney, but as part of the hands-on team. Doing some dirty work and getting a close-up of how creatives operate and how hard it can be without having someone in their corner who understood both the vision and the fine print.
That experience stayed with me through law school at FIU, where I focused on international human rights as well as intellectual property. After practicing for a few years, I realized I didn’t want to work in a traditional firm structure. I wanted to build something that felt more like a production company — where I could serve as a strategic partner. Not just someone reviewing contracts after they’d already been negotiated by someone else.
Now, I get to be the advisor my clients go to first when it matters most. My role is to protect what they’re building, close gaps before they become problems, and make sure every move is backed by a strategic foundation that supports their ambition – not limits it.
I’m also a certified personal trainer and yogi, competitive bodybuilder, and acrobat-in-training. The discipline these pursuits require is the same discipline my clients give to their crafts and expect from the person they trust to help build their businesses. Understanding that rhythm makes me a better advocate.
And Miami has been the perfect home for this work. The city has its own creative pulse, and the clients here are bold and unapologetically themselves. They’re my real inspiration. Secretly I just want to be like them 🫣😂
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not even close to smooth. Building a practice from scratch – like founding any business, especially as a solo – means you wear every hat. The strategist and visionary, the manager, the salesperson, the assistant and billing department; not to mention the workhorse. You’re building from scratch, and in my case – without much of a safety net. There was no partner to defer to when I was unsure. Every decision carries weight because you’re building something that didn’t exist before and it’s <u><i>all</i></u> on you.
One of the earliest challenges was being taken seriously. I started young-ish, I’m a petite female, and I wasn’t coming from a big firm. In entertainment and media, that credibility often comes from proximity to power, and I had to earn mine deal by deal. There were moments I walked into rooms and could feel the skepticism before I even spoke. The only way through was to be more prepared, more poised, and more pragmatic than anyone expected.
Another struggle was convincing creatives that legal protection isn’t just damage control — it’s a must for sustainability. Not to mention growth. Many of my clients have been burned before, or they’ve always seen lawyers as expensive obstacles rather than worthwhile allies. Changing that perception required building trust slowly and proving I wasn’t there to slow them down, but to make sure their boldest moves were also their smartest.
I also had to reconcile with not fitting the traditional mold of what people expect of a lawyer. I work to live rather than live to work, and have boundaries around when I am and am not accessible to clients. I’m also an idealist and value honesty, collaboration, and kindness above pretty much all else. For a long time, I worried those beliefs would make me seem less serious. Turns out the opposite is true – you can be multidimensional and also be formidable. I’m grateful my clients see this as adding value.
None of this has been smooth, but more and more, it’s becoming intentional. And that’s making all the difference now.
As you know, we’re big fans of Shraybman Law. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Shraybman Law is a boutique media and entertainment practice built for people breaking stereotypes — entertainers, athletes, public figures, and creative entrepreneurs navigating visibility, reputation development, and high-stakes opportunities.
I specialize in strategic planning, contract negotiation, and intellectual property. But more than that, I get to be a trusted advisor. Most law firms are reactive. Clients call when there’s a problem. And often the hourly billing makes it too expensive for independents to be proactive. That’s the void I wanted to fill. thankfully, it’s been working, and I have the pleasure of being part of my clients’ teams from the beginning, anticipating issues before they surface and structuring deals that protect their interests and create the path for their growth.
Think of it like this: if my clients are the talent in front of the camera, I’m a manager behind the scenes. Handling the legal side of their business with the same precision and foresight as a creative dealmaker. I’m not just reviewing contracts; I’m helping clients understand what they’re signing, why it matters, and what leverage they have to negotiate better terms.
What sets me apart is I’ve been in their world. I’ve worked on sets and been backstage, and I’ve also performed on stage. I understand the pace, the improvisation, and the stakes. I also understand what it’s like to build something from nothing, to be underestimated, and to have to prove yourself repeatedly. These experiences inform everything I do.
What I’m most proud of is the trust my clients have in me. They’re not just hiring a lawyer. They’ve brought me into their inner circle during some of the most critical moments in their careers. I’ve earned that trust, and that’s an honor.
I want readers to know that legal protection isn’t an obstacle to creativity—it’s the foundation that makes bold moves possible. My job is to make sure clients can take risks confidently, knowing that everything they’ve worked for is protected.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
This is totally not legal related. Weekends with my Babushka Betya (my father’s mom). Sitting under the magnolia trees in Centennial Park in Nashville doing math problems (how she made that fun for a child I’ll never know), feeding ducks in the pond, watering the plants on her balcony, catching her cheating while playing durak (a Russian card game), and making oladyi (pancakes) for breakfast. She’s always been a part of my soul, and I love and miss her beyond words.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shraybmanlaw.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/shraybmanlaw/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/shraybmanlaw/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jrshraybman/
Image Credits
AMANDA JULCA PHOTOGRAPHER & DIRECTOR
