Taylor Root UK Trustee Network: Interview with Danny Pamma

Author Nikki Newton

December 10, 2024

What does your Trustee organisation do?

UD Music Foundation brings communities together around black music/black music culture and acts as a bridge between talent and the music industry. UD connects with nearly 2,500 young people a year – helping develop the creative and business skills of talented, independent musicians emerging in the music industry. The young people UD has supported now work at industry institutions such as Island Records, Warner ADA, Beats by Dr Dre, Live Nation, Outlook Festival and MTV.

Why were you interested in becoming a Trustee?

Becoming a Trustee is a natural extension of my commitment to UD’s mission and values. Over the years, I’ve supported UD through pro bono legal work, gaining firsthand insight into its transformative impact on emerging talent and community-building through music. This work deepened my appreciation for the organisation’s role in fostering creativity and opportunity.

Serving as a Trustee allows me to contribute in a broader capacity—beyond legal advice—by offering strategic guidance, governance oversight and leadership to ensure UD continues to thrive. It’s an opportunity to align my personal passion with my professional skills while playing an active role in shaping the foundation’s future sustainability and impact.

Briefly describe your role as a Trustee and what involvement you have in your organisation

As a Trustee for UD, my role combines strategic oversight, governance and hands-on support to advance the organisation’s mission. While I continue to provide pro bono legal advice, I’m conscious of separating this from my Trustee duties to ensure each decision is made with the right perspective (and being cognisant of the obligations that apply to both).

Key aspects of the role include:

Shaping strategy: Collaborating with fellow Trustees and leadership to define long-term goals that align with UD’s vision
Financial oversight: Ensuring budgets are robust, resources are used effectively and the organisation remains financially sustainable
Mentoring and advocacy: Providing guidance, championing UD’s initiatives and leveraging my network to raise awareness and build partnerships.

What are the benefits to a General Counsel being a Trustee

Becoming a Trustee is more than a role; it’s an opportunity to actively contribute to a cause you care about while blending personal passion with professional expertise. For me, serving UD has been immensely fulfilling, not just in supporting its mission but in leveraging my legal (and non-legal) skills to make a real impact:

Strategic insight: The ability to think strategically and align decisions with long-term goals strengthens mission-driven operations. Trusteeship also sharpens strategic thinking and decision-making, particularly in contexts that differ from the corporate environment, offering fresh challenges and insights

Leadership development: Trusteeship enhances your leadership skills by allowing you to guide beyond your legal role. You help boards and management teams navigate challenges, inspire action and implement effective strategies, all while mentoring and influencing diverse groups.

Broadened perspective: Bringing corporate-sector insights to a nonprofit setting enriches problem-solving approaches and fosters innovative solutions. Exposure to the unique challenges of nonprofits deepens your understanding of diverse operational dynamics, improving adaptability and collaboration across different sectors.

Expanded network: Serving as a Trustee introduces you to professionals from varied industries, broadening your network and opening new opportunities. These connections can help the charity access partnerships, resources and funding while enriching your own personal and professional growth.

Enhanced skillset: Trusteeship challenges you to step beyond legal expertise and engage in areas such as fundraising, advocacy and strategic oversight. This multidimensional experience builds versatility and equips you with skills that enhance your overall effectiveness.

This dual impact—making a meaningful contribution to a nonprofit while gaining new skills and perspectives—creates a deeply rewarding and mutually beneficial dynamic for lawyers serving as Trustees. While there is a lot of personal and professional benefit in serving as a Trustee, I think it’s important to ensure that it’s exactly that – serving.

What advice would you give to any in-house lawyer looking to become a Trustee?

Research and align: Identify organisations whose mission aligns with your passions and expertise. Consider how your skills can uniquely benefit their goals.
Leverage your network: Reach out to colleagues, professional networks and Trustee recruitment platforms to explore opportunities.
Understand the role: Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities of Trusteeship, including governance and legal obligations. Resources from organisations like the UK Charity Commission
Be prepared to contribute: Beyond your legal skills, be ready to engage in strategy, fundraising, or advocacy. Trusteeship is a holistic role.
Start with pro bono: Volunteering pro bono legal services is a great way to build experience and demonstrate value.
Seek mentorship: Connect with other in-house lawyers who are Trustees to learn from their experiences and gather practical advice. The Taylor Root UK Trustee Network is a great resource but there many others.
Commit to learning: Understand the nonprofit sector’s nuances, including funding models, stakeholder management and operational challenges.