Host - Valerie Ojeda
At her core, Valerie Ojeda is a storyteller with a Chicago soul. Known for her boundless energy and a voice that can command any room, Valerie has built a career around the magic of human connection. During the week, she is the professional face of Fortune 500 leaders like Dell, 3M, and Microsoft, traveling the country as a corporate presenter and event emcee. But when the weekend arrives, Valerie finds her true home on stage.
As the lead singer and manager of "Anthem Road," she has shared the spotlight with icons like Berlin and Warrant, but her most cherished memories are the moments that move the spirit. From singing the National Anthem for a stadium of fans to her life-changing experience performing for U.S. Troops in Kuwait this past summer, Valerie’s heart is always with her audience. For her, being on stage is more than just entertainment; it is an act of service. Joining Law Rocks is the fulfillment of a lifelong dream: the opportunity to turn her "highest form of consciousness" into a tangible way to give back to the communities she loves.
Ignorantia Legis
Featuring legal talent from Carrington Coleman
Rocking for The Jensen Project
Ignorantia Legis is a father and son band sharing music spanning generations. Original songs straight from their hearts and to yours, with new takes on classic jams from the 70’s & 90’s featuring Mark Castillo (piano), Aidan Castillo (guitar), Kyler Nice (saxophone), Michael Fortner (drums), River Simpson (bass), for as much fun as you can legally have.
Just South of Nowhere
Featuring legal talent from Baker Botts
Rocking for Genesis Women's Shelter and Support
Just South of Nowhere is a Dallas-based originals band playing a mix of Texas Country and American Rock. Influenced by artists like Old 97’s, Turnpike Troubadours, Tyler Childers, Robert Earl Keen, and many more, the band introduced their debut album at the end of 2020 and currently is finishing up their second offering. For the third-annual Law Rocks Dallas show, the band will treat you to both original tunes and covers of the bands that made Just South of Nowhere what it is today. Get ready to sing along at another great night with Law Rocks!
@justsouthofnowhereband
No Recourse
Featuring legal talent from Lynn Pinker Hurst & Schwegmann
Rocking for Cannenta Foundation
“No Recourse” is a Dallas-based, all-attorney band that hit the scene in 2022 when select partners and associates of the commercial litigation law firm—Lynn Pinker Hurst and Schwegmann— fortuitously discovered they possessed just the right combination of musical talent. Backed by the drum talents of Andres Correa, guitar skills of Braden Dotson, bass guitar expertise of Chris Patton, piano artistry of Chloe Teeter, and the vocal stylings of Gloria Cange and Shane Simms, “No Recourse” is here to rock! Full of energy on stage (and in the courtroom) this band will show any crowd a great time. So give us a listen, and regardless whether you're inspired, you'll have “No Recourse.”
Ring The Bell Nunnally
Featuring legal talent from Bell Nunnally
Rocking for Head Start of Greater Dallas
Whether it is high-stakes litigation or complex real estate deals, Bell Nunnally attorneys Ben Riemer and Spencer Diebel know how to perform in their practices and on the Law Rocks Dallas stage.
Suburban Crime Spree
Featuring legal talent from Akin; Addus HomeCare
Rocking for Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts Advisory Board
Suburban Crime Spree is an East Dallas band formed in 2022 that plays a range of 80s, 90s and 2000 indie and alternative rock favorites, with the occasional classic rock or alt country thrown in the mix. SCS is comprised of Scott Barnard (vocals and guitar), Steve Haglund (guitars and keys), Frank Waterhouse (guitar and vocals), Chris Moseley (bass, harmonica and vocals), Kelley Karlseng (vocals) and Mark Ruibal (keeping the band honest on drums).
Instagram: suburban_crime_spree
T.R.O.
Featuring legal talent from Winstead; Weil, Gotshal & Manges; Wray, Willet & Stoffer
Rocking for A Model Patient
T.R.O. plays popular classic rock, rock, and alternative hits and is made up legal professionals and closet musicians Kevin Kosoris (lead vocals and rhythm guitar), Weston Allen (lead/rhythm guitar and vocals), Almir Lucevic (lead/rhythm guitar), Steve Ellis (keyboard and vocals), Thomas Hanes (bass), and John Bruzina (drums).
Vinyl Siren
Featuring legal talent from Scheef & Stone
Rocking for The Concilio
Do you love singing along to Gen X anthems? Pumping your fist to alt-rock riffs? Dancing to recent hits? Well then, Vinyl Siren is your new favorite band!
Dynamic frontman Adam Ramirez (Chris Cornell’s range plus Scott Weiland’s attitude) engages crowds with his powerful voice and clever banter. Debbie Rendon — a triple threat on keyboard, auxiliary percussion and vocals — has a gift for harmonies that captivate audiences and linger in their minds; yes, just like The Cranberries.
Guitarist Charles McCallum deftly replicates the tones of tried-and-true rock ‘n’ roll legends (ZZ Top, Rolling Stones) and alternative icons (Radiohead, The White Stripes), making audiences say, “That sounds just like the record!”
Laying down the rhythms, Keith Rawlins is a classically trained percussionist whose precision and versatility on the kit (blues, progressive rock, metal!!!) provide a deep pocket for Robert Tracy’s propulsive bass playing (equal parts Jane’s Addiction and Muse).
Judge - Michelle Rodriguez
Michelle Rodriguez is a celebrated radio personality with over 20 years in the industry. She currently co-hosts the popular morning show, Hawkeye in the Morning with Hawkeye & Michelle on "New Country 96.3" in Dallas/Fort Worth, where her engaging presence and relatable storytelling have made her a beloved voice in the community.
Michelle's exceptional talent has earned her numerous accolades, including being named "Best Radio Personality" by D Magazine, winning the prestigious CMA Award for "Major Market Personality of the Year," and being a three-time nominee for the Marconi Award for "Major Market Personality."
Beyond her on-air success, Michelle is deeply committed to giving back. She has worked extensively with Cook Children's Medical Center, raising over $2 million through her Radiothon efforts and organizing annual diaper drives for the hospital. Her passion for service extends to organizations like the American Red Cross, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Communities in Schools, and Patriot Paws Service Dogs, where she has helped sponsor multiple service dogs for veterans with mobility challenges.
Michelle's personal initiative, "Michelle's Little Miracles," provides essential services and items to community members in need, helping to make their lives a little brighter. Together with her co-host Hawkeye, she leads the annual "10,000 Letters for the Troops" campaign, which collected an astonishing 215,000 cards and letters for overseas service members in its latest effort.
Her vibrant career has also brought her to national platforms like CNN, Fox 4, and CBS 11, where she has interviewed high-profile celebrities, from Eva Longoria to country music icons like Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, and more.
Michelle and her husband Tim, an Intellectual Property lawyer, are proud parents to their son Diego, whom they welcomed in August 2024. With her warmth, talent, and dedication to her community, Michelle continues to inspire and make a lasting impact both on and off the airwaves.
Judge - Krystina Ray
Krystina Ray is a producer for the Ben & Skin show and host 6p-10p on 97.1 the Eagle, when she’s not on the radio, she’s hanging with her dog Hendrix or playing shows in her Nirvana cover band, Oatmeal Pizza.
Special Guests: The Recusals
Featuring legal talent from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
The only band in the country featuring 10 federal judges (along with some other real musicians).
The Latent Defects
Featuring legal talent from Greenberg Traurig; Troutman Pepper Locke; Bergeson; Shook Hardy & Bacon
Rocking for City of Hope
Formed in 2017, The Latent Defects (f.k.a. Attractive Nuisance) are proud to return at Law Rocks for the fifth time! The band was originally formed as Greenberg Traurig San Francisco’s house band and now includes a Verein of weekend warriors from four different law firms all flying a united banner of rock. This band goes to 11 and they are psyched to be with the people again.
Magnum P.I.
Featuring legal talent from Walkup, Melodia, Kelly + Schoenberger
Rocking for Bay Area Urban Debate League
From one of the premier personal injury firms in the Bay Area comes a musical ensemble that will compel you to move. If the Battle of the Bands doesn’t settle out of court, this outfit is ready to go to verdict.
Morgan, Lewis, & ROCKius
Featuring legal talent from Morgan Lewis & Bockius
Rocking for Child Advocates of Silicon Valley
Morgan, Lewis & ROCKius brings together musical talent from Morgan Lewis’s Northern California offices, with amazing vocals, guitar, keys, and rhythm with a wicked horn section to lay down a '70s R&B/Motown/funk vibe, with current hits and classic chart-toppers in the mix. At Law Rocks, we’re honored to be rocking for Child Advocates of Silicon Valley to support children in the foster care system. We love playing together, and believe that music makes the world a better place. Join us for a great show—for an even greater cause! #morganlewisrocks
The R-23s
Featuring legal talent from Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein
Rocking for Arc of the East Bay
Lieff Cabraser's R-23s are celebrating thirteen years of rocking varied and eclectic covers for a cause. Featuring legal talent from Cahron Cross and Liana Harris on vocals, Melissa Gardner on vocals and flute, Phong Nguyen on guitar, Charles Gonzalez on bass, Elizabeth Cabraser on drums, and Mark Chalos on keyboards, we are delighted to be back at Law Rocks-SF!
Blackacre
Featuring legal talent from McDowell Hetherington
Rocking for Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Houston
Thank you for soliciting our services. Below is an accounting of McDowell Hetherington’s time.
Client: Blackacre
Matter: Law Rocks
Entry: 10.8 - Recruit six attorneys from McDowell Hetherington (2.1); analyze, review, and revise setlist to accommodate two vocalists, two guitarists, a death metal bassist, and a washed-up drummer (2.4); develop arguments regarding and debate merits of song choices from the 90s and early 2000s (2.20); research and identify practice spaces around Houston and maybe sometimes in our conference room (2.20); perform at LawRocks Houston for a worthy cause (4.10).
Joint Custody
Featuring legal talent from Mo Lovett Law
Rocking for Houston Area Women's Shelter
Firm Founder Mo Lovett has literally known all of the members of Joint Custody since they were babies in her hometown of Whitehouse, Texas. Special guest performers include her goddaughter and godson, Mary-Ellen and Lee Abshire, son Jack Lovett, and the Houston Grand Opera's own David Krohn!
Little Victories
Featuring legal talent from Andrews Myers
Rocking for Lone Star Legal Aid
Ladies and Gentlemen, We are honored to rock for Lone Star Legal Aid. Last year, we melted faces. This year, we will be kicking ass and taking names. Next year, we wont be invited back. We are the the band equivalent of finding street parking on the first try. We are the exhibit you forgot you needed. We are the redlines they actually accepted. We are the settlement conference for your inner chaos. Your Honor, we move to enter these sick riffs into evidence: Little Victories.
Material Breach
Featuring legal talent from Latham & Watkins
Rocking for Belong Kitchen
The Overcommitments
Featuring legal talent from Chamberlain Hrdlicka
Rocking for Children at Risk
A bunch of family men with too many projects, this band got started as a way to relax and have fun with our own favorite songs. None of us are pros but we all play, and when we get together it just fits. Rock to our collection of classics that don’t bend to a genre but which you’ll know and love.
Twenty 24 Souls
Featuring legal talent from Brown Rudnick; Baker & O'Brien
Rocking for Home Base Texas
Fifth-annual Law Rocks Houston champion Twenty 24 Souls is returning this year to light up the stage and rock your faces off with a powerful setlist packed with classics and high-energy hits. Born from the combined talents of Houston favorites "The Muchachones" and "The Patrick Squier Band", Twenty 24 Souls delivers a singular, soulful ROCK sound. Hailing from across North and South America, this dynamic group of lawyers, engineers, entrepreneurs, fathers and sons passionately pours pure passion into every performance. Our mission: to jam, escape, entertain, and unite. Twenty 24 Souls is: Adam Schiffer (guitar), Luis Rey (guitar, vocals), Jorge Squier (bass), Patrick Squier (lead guitar and vocals), Alexander Squier (keyboard) and David Duerr (drums).
Twenty 24 Souls is honored to rock for Home Base Texas. HBTX treats Military Veterans for the invisible wounds of war including post-traumatic stress. HBTX offers the only private evidence-based treatment for Veterans in Houston in partnership with the Menninger Clinic. This local treatment as well as a two-week intensive program offered at Home Base's Center of Excellence in Boston is vital for Veterans to successfully transition back to civilian and Family life with the hope of the brighter future they have earned and deserve. Your contribution will enable more Houston Veterans to receive this critical care at no out-of-pocket cost to them.
Host - Alexander Ansari
Alexander Ansari is thrilled to return as the host of Law Rocks Houston for a 3rd time! As an experienced event emcee with a passion for energizing crowds, he's a natural at rocking the mic. His background as a Global Sales Enablement leader for Meta, a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach, and a Samsung Global Master Trainer has equipped him with the skills to connect with diverse audiences. He approaches every event with enthusiasm, eager to share his love for music and create an exciting experience for all.
Alexander's professional journey encompasses global sales enablement, learning and development, AR/VR technology, and human resource consulting, providing him with a comprehensive perspective. He is also the founder of Stay Diverse Inc, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting multiculturalism and diversity, actively working to foster unity and respect across all backgrounds.
Beyond his professional life, Alexander finds joy and inspiration in attending live rock shows. He believes music is a universal language that breaks down barriers, bridging cultures and forging connections worldwide. Through his passion for music, Alexander champions cultural exchange and global harmony, reinforcing the idea that our shared humanity unites us despite our differences.
Judge - Amanda Fisher
Native Houstonian, pioneering non-profit leader, and arts education advocate, Amanda Fisher serves as the Executive Director of American Festival for the Arts (AFA), where she leads the organization’s mission to provide world-class music education to over 2,000 students annually. With a career at AFA spanning 33 years—including a 25-year tenure as COO—Amanda has been instrumental in the organization’s growth from a startup inaugural summer program to Houston’s largest provider of year-round youth music programming.
An active community volunteer, Amanda has served in volunteer leadership positions across the non-profit and philanthropic sector focusing on education, athletics, social service, performing arts, and visual arts, and is a sought after advisor on best practices, non-profit and artistic management and fundraising.
Amanda and her husband David, Director of Foundations for The Episcopal Diocese of Texas, are the proud parents of Elizabeth, Marketing and Communications Director for Houston Children’s Charity, and Vivian, a junior at St. Agnes Academy.
Sustained!
Featuring legal talent from McNicholas & McNicholas; Judicate West; Mandell Trial Lawyers
Rocking for Inner City Law Center
Sustained! is a mix of both young and seasoned legal professionals with a prowess and passion for music. They are so excited to be returning to the Whisky stage to rock in support of Inner City Law Center, a nonprofit poverty-law firm serving the poorest and most vulnerable residents of Los Angeles.
Featuring talent from McNicholas & McNicholas, Judicate West, and Mandell Trial Lawyers, this band rocks in the legal world and beyond. Sustained! is proud to have the talent of: Alan Bruni (Drums), Bill Caras (Guitar), Alec Mandell (Keys/Vocals), Rob Mandell (Harmonica/Vocals), Patrick McNicholas (Guitar), Kaya Ramos (Guitar), Kela Sachs (Vocals/Keys), and Bob Tessier (Bass).
Objections to "all work and no playing rock n roll" are hereby SUSTAINED!
Instagram: @McNicholasLegal, @FirstRespondersLaw
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