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Meet the rockstars of the Fourth Annual Law Rocks LA!
Click on a band name to check them out.
Meet the bands.
MARCH 6
MARCH 13
Law Rocks salutes the real rock stars - the nonprofit organizations.
Meet the Judges
We were lucky to have these awesome judges at Law Rocks LA
MARCH 6 EMCEE & ROCK PANEL JUDGE
STRYKER
Since 1999, Ted Stryker has been a staple at KROQ and millions of Southern Californians are familiar with his voice as the drive-time DJ on The World Famous KROQ weekdays from 2pm to 6pm and his popular “4:20” feature that provides exposure for the best new artists. During his tenure at KROQ, Stryker has interviewed virtually every top rock musician in the world.
Outside of KROQ, Stryker works in front of the camera as a co-host on Red Bull TV during their worldwide broadcasts of popular music festivals such as Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, etc. as well as hosting shows on AXS TV, MTV, VH1, Fox Sports, Fuse, Direct TV, AMA Red Carpet pre-show, and the 2014 Billboard Music Awards. Stryker has appeared in the movies “Grandma’s Boy”, “Out Cold”, “The Sweetest Thing”, and was part of the incredible ensemble cast in the action/thriller “Sushi Girl”.
MARCH 6 ROCK PANEL JUDGE
JOSEPH TROFINO
Joseph R. Trofino is the Vice President of Legal Affairs at ICM Partners, one of the world’s largest talent and literary agencies with offices in New York, Los Angeles, and London. The agency represents creative and technical talent in the fields of motion picture, television, books, music, live performance, branded entertainment, and new media. ICM was formed in 1975 through the merger of Creative Management Associates and International Famous Agency. In 2005, the company raised equity financing from Rizvi Traverse and institutional investors to fund strategic growth, and in 2006, ICM acquired the literary agency Broder Webb Chervin Silbermann. In 2012, the agency completed a management buyout and formed a partnership with the new name, ICM Partners. Mr. Trofino joined ICM Partners in 2008.
Mr. Trofino graduated with honors from the University of Pittsburgh and received his J.D. from Duquesne University School of Law. He is admitted in practice before the California State Bar.
A Johnstown, Pennsylvania native, Mr. Trofino lives in Los Angeles, California with his wife Melissa and son Crosby.
MARCH 6 ROCK PANEL JUDGE
DEBRA WHITE
Debbie White, partner at Loeb & Loeb LLP, has decades of music industry experience representing established and developing recording artists, songwriters, producers, managers, record companies, and publishing companies. Her clients include Carly Simon, Duran Duran, Regina Spektor and Stephan Moccio, as well as The Swon Brothers and Melanie Martinez, former contestants of The Voice.
Debbie’s primary emphasis is music negotiation and she regularly negotiates multimillion-dollar recording contracts, as well as publishing, live touring on a worldwide basis, film soundtrack and Broadway cast albums, and merchandising and sponsorship agreements. Artists and bands count on her to expand their interests beyond music through ventures such as book publishing, fragrance and cosmetic licensing agreements, non-scripted television deals, and infomercials.
She also represents a number of major brands and advertising agencies in music-related deals. Her recent experience includes licensing transactions and other agreements for brands such as Bank of America, Casio (G-Shock) and Citibank that involved deals with Eminem, The Rolling Stones, Billy Joel, Katy Perry and Billy Idol, among others.
Debbie was named to Variety Magazine’s 2014 “New York Women’s Impact Report,” which recognized her as one of the most influential women in New York’s entertainment and media industry. She was one of just three attorneys recognized in the issue, which profiled influential women in the entertainment industry across a variety of disciplines. Debbie is also a member of the Board of Governors for the New York chapter of The Recording Academy.
MARCH 6 ROCK PANEL JUDGE
BRIAN MCDONALD
Brian McDonald founded Thump Radio, Inc., in 1999 while in his 2nd year of law school. He served as President of Thump Radio until 2006 - overseeing Thump Radio's growth into the first nationally syndicated radio show specializing in the global underground sound of psytrance, guitar trance, techno, drum'n'bass, and house. In the early 2000s Thump Radio was the first to broadcast weekly 2 hour extended sets by the likes of future superstars such as Infected Mushroom, Bassnectar, Shpongle, S.U.N. Project, and Kaskade on FM stations and continent-wide on XM Satellite Radio. Brian also produced over 150 live events in the Bay Area and LA.
Since leaving Thump Radio, Brian became a new media product specialist working for Fox Interactive Media, Demand Media, and Live Nation. He now works as a consultant to a variety of technology, media and film production companies in the LA area. He recently launched a beta version of his new radio endeavor, Psybiza Radio, exclusively on www.psybiza.com.
MARCH 6 & 13 ROCK PANEL JUDGE
MARCO COSTALES
Marco Costales is a partner at Nossaman LLP and an avid music fan. He has in-depth experience in business transactions with an emphasis in the healthcare and hospitality industries. Marco represents non-profit hospitals, other healthcare facilities, and nonprofit research institutions in connection with a wide variety of transactions. Marco also represents clients in all three tiers of the alcoholic beverage industry (manufacturers, distributors/importers/ wholesalers and retailers). His clients include breweries, beverage importers and distributors, major restaurant groups, national grocery store chains, hotel owners/operators, golf course facilities and airlines carriers. He assists his clients in connection with alcoholic beverage license transfers, compliance and regulatory matters (including compliance with California's "Tied-House" restrictions).
Marco has been an avid music fan his entire life (he was a member of the Elton John fan club at the age of 12), and enjoys a wide variety of musical styles and genres. His favorite activity (outside of practicing law and spending time with family) is seeing artists -- both new and old -- perform live. Since his first concert in 1978 (Yes “In the Round” at the Fabulous Forum), he has seen over 430 shows (including several at the Whiskey A-Go-Go).
MARCH 6 & 13 ROCK PANEL JUDGE
ANDREW RADDEN
Andrew H. Radden currently works as an Account Executive for KROQ-FM 106.7 and serves as a Board Manager for the Stuart M. Ketchum Downtown YMCA. Andrew received his undergraduate degree from the University of Vermont and MBA from the Peter F. Drucker School of Business at Claremont Graduate University. He is married to Patrice and has two sons - Davis (7) and Hudson (5).
MARCH 13 ROCK PANEL JUDGE
DANIEL FLORES
Dan Flores is currently the head of litigation at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. Prior to joining MGM in 2013, he practiced in the Los Angeles office of Gibson Dunn in the areas of entertainment, intellectual property, and antitrust law. Dan received his J.D. degree from Columbia Law School in 2002 and graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in Music from the University of Nevada Las Vegas in 1999. He wrote his undergraduate thesis on John Coltrane and his favorite band is Fishbone. Once upon a time he played tenor and alto saxophone, clarinet, guitar, bass, and piano reasonably well but now he is admittedly kind of a hack.
ATTRACTIVE NUISANCE
Played for Los Angeles County Bar Association Counsel for Justice
Featuring talented legal professionals from Allen Matkins, Greines, Martin, Stein & Richland, and Payne & Fears
Attractive Nuisance roared onto the Whisky stage for its inaugural Law Rocks! set in 2014. Law Rocks! is thrilled that the Nuisance is bringing back its mosh-inspiring sound for 2015, in support of the Los Angeles County Bar Foundation. The Nuisance is: Eric Kennedy, Robin Meadow, David Ellis, Merritt Raff and Chuck Jarrell.
Their awesome nonprofit pick:
The Counsel for Justice brings together law firms, foundations, corporations, donors and volunteers in support of a more just Los Angeles. Together, we stand at the forefront of providing equal access to legal services in our community by raising funds and directly contributing at the frontlines of justice in five key areas: domestic violence, support of our veterans, immigration assistance, AIDS legal services and civic mediation.
Proudly sponsored by
Proudly sponsored by
BIG DICTA
Played for Manhattan Beach Nursery School
Featuring talented legal professionals from Doll Amir Eley
Last year's judges' favorite, Big Dicta, are back and ready to rock! Doll Amir & Eley lawyers, Sunset Strip veterans -- the danger of rocking too hard is indeed present. This year, all amps will be set at 11.5 and more cowbell is guaranteed.
Their awesome nonprofit pick:
Manhattan Beach Nursery School - a parent participation co-operative preschool since 1950.
INTEGRATORS
Played for Hillview Mental Health Center
Featuring friends of the legal community from Afinety
The Integrators – The hardest working band in the legal IT business
Featuring:
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Larry “Nigel” Gootkin – Guitar, Vocals, Bon Vivant
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Kevin “Nigel” McCarthy (formerly “Fingers McCarthy”) – Bass, Guitar Vocals, Song Writer, Soccer Savant
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Paul “Nigel” Brantley – Drums, Percussion, Banging stuff together and player with many famous bands
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Mike “Nigel” Sweeney – Keyboards, Sanity Maintenance, Jazz fusion player and lover of Phish
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Doug “Nigel” Hafford – Vocals, (out of) Rhythm Guitar, Song Writer and Power Guard available for NBA consideration
The Integrators have produced two albums, play both classic rock and blues covers as well as Integrators originals – all with panache and fully licensed. If you just want to get down and rock we’re your band.
Their awesome nonprofit pick:
The mission of Hillview Mental Health Center is to assist in empowering individuals and families affected by mental illness to assess their needs, strengths and goals, and work collaboratively with mental health professionals and other staff to plan services that are person-centered, culturally competent and effective in promoting recovery and the ability to live as fully participating members of the community.
OCEAN PARK SOUND SYSTEM
Played for Good Shepherd Center for Homeless Women and Children
Featuring talented legal professionals from Raines Feldman
Ocean Park Sound System is a soul/funk reggae party. Featuring members of Raines Feldman LLP, Ocean Park Sound System came together out in the surf lineup and create a live groove mix of soul, reggae, funk, surf, and rock. The band plays around town and at fundraisers to keep the soul shakedown going!
Their nonprofit pick:
The mission of the Good Shepherd Center for Homeless Women and Children is to empower women and their children to move from homelessness to self-sufficiency, through housing, employment and support services offered with dignity and love.
DIVERSION
Played for Foster Care Counts
Featuring talented legal professionals from Latham Watkins
Formed in late 2012, Diversion primarily perform at charity events to raise money for various causes. In 2014, Diversion raised $56,687 for a variety of charities throughout California. The band is comprised of a diverse group of law firm professionals from Latham & Watkins who perform a fun and energetic mix of classic and contemporary rock songs with the highest level of musicianship.
Their awesome nonprofit pick:
Foster Care Counts improves the lives of youth in foster care and ensures they thrive.
JIMMY'S BROTHER
Played for Read to a Child Los Angeles
Featuring talented legal professionals from Winston & Strawn
Jimmy's Brother is an LA-based rock n’ roll band. No gimmicks, no nonsense. Just vocals, guitars, and attitude. Formed in 2009 after a chance meeting around an old hotel piano in downtown LA, the band is known for its high energy mix of originals and cover songs, late night impromptu concerts at the Omni, and their legendary one night only show at Casey's last August. Some boldly claim that Jimmy's Brother is one of the best acts to emerge from Winston & Strawn's Los Angeles office in recent years.
Their awesome nonprofit pick:
The mission of Read to a Child Los Angeles is to increase children's success in reading and in life by inspiring adults to read to them regularly.
MATTHEW UMHOFER
Played for Planned Parenthood Advocacy Project Los Angeles County
Featuring talented legal professionals from Spertus, Landes & Umhofer
The artist presently known as MATTHEW UMHOFER is a former federal prosecutor who probably should stick to the law. He is a partner at the intergalactic mega-firm of Spertus, Landes & Umhofer, a civil and criminal litigation phenomenon that has been called the “Skadden Arps of Olympic and Bundy.” The artist is best known for “performing” several songs that deserved better at Law Rocks LA I and II, after which his mortified guitar left to pursue a solo career gathering dust in the corner of his man-cave. Guitar and artist have patched things up and reunited for a “world tour,” which will likely include a gig next to the bouncy house at your neighbor’s kid’s birthday party and several poorly produced videos posted on Facebook that will be “liked” by his mother and that dude from junior high who awkwardly comments on every single one of his posts. The artist suggests that his gig at Law Rocks would be a perfect time for audience members to use the restroom, endorse friends on LinkedIn for some obscure skill, or step outside to vape.
Unlike the artist, the artist’s charity, the Planned Parenthood Advocacy Project, is the real deal. It does amazing work in Los Angeles advocating for women’s health, preventing unwanted pregnancies through access to contraception, providing critical health care services to those in need, and giving young people the information they need to make responsible decisions and stay healthy.
PRIVILEGED COMMUNICATION Played for City of Hope
Featuring talented legal professionals from Perkins Coie
Privileged Communication formed in early 2013 to represent Perkins Coie in the Law Rocks! competition in Hollywood, California against other firms such as Latham & Watkins and DLA Piper. Privileged Communications comprises partner Michael Wise on lead vocals, partner Joe Hamilton on guitar, counsel Lara Dueppen and associate Oliver Gold on keyboards and drums, respectively, and non-Perkins attorney Niall Fordyce on bass. While Privileged Communications does not have any available recordings currently, the group is in contract discussions with several large record labels and expects to perform at the Super Bowl Halftime Show within the next few years.
Their nonprofit pick:
City of Hope is a leading nonprofit research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases.
Proudly sponsored by
Jim and Shannon Mora
RUN DLA
Played for Jim Mora Count on Me Foundation
Featuring talented legal professionals from DLA Piper and eHarmony
Run DLA, winner of the 2013 Law Rocks Los Angeles, is back to rock, roll, rap, dance, and funkify your minds. Not to be mistaken for your typical law-firm-charity-classic-rock-cover band, Run DLA has discovered its musical destiny by covering artists like Run DMC, Tina Turner, Coldplay, Janis Joplin, Adele, Def Leppard, and Justin Timberlake. The band is known to bring sexy back, roll in the deep, and pour some sugar on you, while curing fevers with the only prescription – more cowbell.
This year, Run DLA is lucky to be featuring:
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Perrie Weiner – drums
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Shindale Seale – vocals
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Tim Carreon – vocals/cowbell
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Ron Sarian – guitar/vocals
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Noel Evangelista – keys/vocals
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Ramon de Vera – bass
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Jason Lim – guitar/vocals
Their awesome nonprofit pick:
The Jim Mora Count on Me Foundation was created to support children in need, primarily children from low socio-economic backgrounds, mentally and/or physically challenged children and children at risk.
Proudly sponsored by
HOSTILE WITNESS
Played for United Cerebral Palsy of Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties
Featuring talented legal professionals from Norton Rose Fulbright and Case Knowlson
Hostile Witness is the love child of Norton Rose Fulbright US and Case Knowlson. Hostile Witness’s rock roots run deep, which is reflected in the mix of classic rock tunes the band features at area bars, charity gigs, and summer BBQs. Hostile Witness is excited to be supporting the excellent folks at United Cerebral Palsy of Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara Counties, an organization committed to advancing the independence, productivity and full citizenship of children and adults with developmental disabilities and those with similar service requirements. UCPLA is near and dear to the hearts of Hostile Witness, and the band is dedicating this performance to all of the residents at UCP in Chatsworth.
Proudly sponsored by
Proudly sponsored by
Meet the Bands
2 nights. 10 bands.
Over $134,000 raised.
Thank you, Los Angeles!
For the fourth year in a row, talented bands of brilliant legal professionals battled it out for amazing LA nonprofits (and rock glory). Both nights sold out and all ten bands rocked the Whisky for some truly deserving charities. In the end, BIG DICTA and DIVERSION won Night 1 and Night 2 respectively, and raised over $47,000 between the two of them.
Scroll down for photos & more.
 Big Dicta |  Big Dicta |  Big Dicta |
|---|---|---|
 Diversion |  Diversion |  Attractive Nuisance |
 Attractive Nuisance |  Hostile Witness |  Hostile Witness |
 Integrators |  Integrators |  Ocean Park Sound System |
 Ocean Park Sound System |  Jimmy's Brother |  Jimmy's Brother |
 Matthew Umhofer |  Matthew Umhofer |  Privileged Communication |
 Privileged Communication |  Run DLA |  Run DLA |