The Third Annual Law Rocks Dallas (2026)

QUICK LINKS: 2027 Interest / Bands / Nonprofits / Judges / Sponsors / Photo / Video

Thursday, February 26, 2026
Trees Dallas
Over $94K fundraised - a new record for Law Rocks Dallas!

Overall Winner: Just South of Nowhere for Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support with legal talent from Baker Botts
Hustle & Heart Award: Ignorantia Legis for The Jensen Project with legal talent from Carrington Coleman
Judges’ Choice Award: No Recourse for Cannenta Foundation with legal talent from Lynn, Pinker, Hurst, & Schwegmann
Music Matters Grant Recipient: Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts Advisory Board

Seven bands took the stage at Trees in Deep Ellum last night, blending impressive musicianship with serious swagger. From gritty guitar riffs to the sweet sound of the sax, bands brought an eclectic blend of styles to the stage and wowed the crowd from start to finish. As with our first two events in Dallas, the crowd filling Trees had the best of vibes, making it a magical night for all. By the evening’s end, a new record was set for Law Rocks Dallas with nearly $94K raised!

We welcomed two bands new to Law Rocks: Ignorantia Legis and Vinyl Siren, both of whom made a strong debut performance. Five bands returned to remind us just how hard they rock (as if we could forget!): Just South of Nowhere; No Recourse; Ring the Bell Nunnally; Suburban Crime Spree; and T.R.O. All bands absolutely rocked, and we’d like to thank every band member who took the stage to give us an incredible night of music. Your energy (and talent) was off the charts, and we loved every minute!

Thank you to the Trees Dallas team; our outstanding Rock Panel of Judges: Lisa Hardaway; Krystina Ray; Michelle Rodriguez; and Geno Young; the evening’s emcee Valerie Ojeda; our Law Rocks Dallas City Advisory Board; and our nonprofit guests. The event was made possible thanks to Hall of Fame sponsor Winstead PC; Headliner sponsors Baker Botts; and Lynn Pinker Hurst & Schwegmann; tour sponsor Secretariat; and additional sponsors Akin; Bell Nunnally; Carrington Coleman; Saltu; Scheef & Stone; Thomson Reuters; and Trustpoint.One.

Thank you for making our third year in Dallas just as memorable as the first! We’ll see you next year!

Please consider making a contribution to support Law Rocks World Tour and ensure we keep rocking the globe for years to come!

PHOTOS

ROCK WITH US!

Are you ready for your turn in the spotlight? Join the Interest List for Law Rocks Dallas 2027 now, and be first to be notified when applications open in August 2026!

OUR SPONSORS ROCK

THE BANDS

Featured
Ignorantia Legis
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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).

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the Nonprofits

Law Rocks is thrilled to continue our Music Matters in 2026! This grant, established in 2023, is presented in each of our US tour cities to benefit a local organization that supports music education. This year’s Dallas recipient is the Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Click through to read our Nonprofit Spotlight interview with BTWHSPVA.

We are proud The Third Annual Law Rocks Dallas 2026 bands raised funds for the following organizations:

HOST & ROCK PANEL

Featured
Host - Valerie Ojeda
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.

aTradeShowPresenter.com

AnthemRoadBand.com

Featured
Judge - Lisa Hardaway
Judge - Lisa Hardaway

Lisa Hardaway is a native of Dallas TX and frontwoman for Dallas/Ft. Worth rock band, Darstar.  She picked up a guitar at the age of 12 and has been writing ear worms ever since.

Darstar's Spotify
Darstar's EPK
Darstar's Instagram
Darstar's Bandcamp
Label - Idol Records - Idol Artists

Judge - Krystina Ray
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.

Judge - Michelle Rodriguez
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 - Geno Young
Judge - Geno Young

Performing Artist, Producer, Musical Director, and Educator are a few spaces in which Geno Young's musical influence lives.  

A Dallas, Texas (Oak Cliff) native, Geno is a proud Graduate of Booker T. Washington HSPVA. He holds a BFA from Howard University and a  Master of Music Education from Boston University. 

As a Grammy-nominated musician and award-winning musical director, he has influenced many areas of today's musical landscape.  Geno has toured extensively as a performer, musical director, producer, conductor, and lecturer. He has been a featured lecturer and panelist at SXSW, The Juilliard School, and Oberlin Conservatory. He travels the country as a highly revered musical director for many established and emerging musical theater productions. Geno has served as musical director and producer for some of soul music’s most influential performers. His tenure as musical director/arranger/producer for Erykah Badu cemented him as a force on the contemporary music scene. Geno has served as Board Governor for the Recording Academy (Texas) and is a voting member of the Grammy Awards. 

An electrifying performer, Geno brings his passion to audiences worldwide as they bear witness to the "southern-drenched" soul music that he creates. 

Geno Young, MMEd
Educator, Artist, Advocate

VIDEO

Coming soon…

QUICK LINKS: 2027 Interest / Photos / Sponsors / Bands / Nonprofits / Judges / Video