Legal Happenings
Washington, D.C., Legal Community Rocks Out for a Cause, Raises $140K
September 18, 2024
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP rock band Night Work battled against six other groups to win this year’s Law Rocks competition.
On September 12, seven bands made up of attorneys in the Washington, D.C., area battled it out at the ninth annual Law Rocks DC at the 9:30 Club, raising more than $140,000 for charitable causes.
Night Work, composed of attorneys from Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, scored its first Law Rocks DC victory after rocking in support of Legal Aid DC. Night Work also won Law Rocks’ Hustle & Heart Award for the band with the highest number of unique donors to its charity of choice. With the award, Legal Aid DC will receive $1,000 from Law Rocks, in addition to the more than $25,000 collected through the band’s fundraising efforts.
“We’re doing something that we love to do — making music — but we’re also raising money for charitable groups, and that makes it all the more fun,” said Akin partner and Night Work vocalist Matthew R. Nicely.
The band’s setlist included Gary Numan’s classic “Cars,” a rollicking cover of the B-52s’ “Love Shack,” and a mashup of The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army” and Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams.”
Night Work is made up of attorneys from a broad range of practice areas at Akin. In addition to Nicely, the band features Akin partners Jennifer Richter (vocals), Stephen Kho (keys), Brian Pomper (bass), Scott Alberino (drums), and Thomas J. McCarthy (guitar), as well as associate J.R. Molm (guitar).
Nicely, who specializes in international trade, said he mentioned his musical ability when he interviewed with Akin. When he was invited to join the firm’s band, that sealed the deal, Nicely said laughingly.
"Our firm’s involvement in Law Rocks matches our firm’s culture. Akin is a collegial place that values collaboration in our daily work, which is also required of any musical ensemble like a rock ‘n’ roll band," Nicely said. “Meanwhile, our firm and individual lawyers devote a ton of time and money to our communities through pro bono legal work and fundraising efforts. So, Law Rocks is a perfect fit for Akin."
Competition between participating bands at Law Rocks is vigorous but good spirited. Past winner Noise in the Basement took the coveted Judges’ Choice Award. The band, comprising attorneys from Venable LLP and Dickinson Wright PLLC, played in support of Friends of ROAM, which provides needs-based scholarships to young musicians.
The evening’s performances also included sets by The Precedents, starring attorneys and support staff from Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, Interactive Brokers LLC, McGuireWoods LLP, the Internal Revenue Service Appellate Division, and Shulman Rogers, who played in support of Gifts for the Homeless.
McCarter & English, LLP’s rock group Amperband competed for SOUL (Student-Athletes Organized to Understand Leadership), while Harmful Interference — featuring communications industry professionals from the Federal Communications Commission, USTelecom, Wireless Infrastructure Association, Meta, Verizon, and Somos — continued their support for Miriam’s Kitchen.
Lex Loco, which included bandmates from the Maryland Office of the Attorney General; Kator, Parks, Weiser & Wright, PPLC; and Lutzker & Lutzker LLP, played for Young Artists of America. Morgan & the Missed Opportunity, made up of professionals from Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.; Verizon; and The Authors Guild, raised funds for Guitars 4 Vets.
Founded in England in 2009, Law Rocks is a nonprofit organization that promotes music education among underprivileged youth and raises funds for various charities by producing rock band competitions around the world.
It also awards the annual Music Matters grant for local nonprofits supporting youth music education in each of Law Rocks’ U.S. tour cities. The 2024 Washington, D.C., grant recipient is the Foundation for the Advancement of Music & Education.
“Since our 2009 founding, Law Rocks has supported hundreds of incredible nonprofits, with an emphasis on youth music education organizations. The Music Matters grant is a natural evolution of our mission and a chance to formalize our support of amazing music education nonprofits across the country,” said Law Rocks director Omi Crawford.
(Photos courtesy of Law Rocks)
