In 2023, as part of our initiative to increase our impact, Law Rocks has begun offering a new award for each Law Rocks show: The Hustle & Heart Award. This award is given to the band that has the highest number of unique donors contributing to the “Donation” category (separate from sponsorships or ticket sales). Law Rocks makes an additional donation to the winning band's charity of choice.
Law Rock celebrates grassroot, community efforts, and The Hustle & Heart award is meant to encourage donations for each band’s nonprofit pick. We are thrilled to increase our support of small, local nonprofits who would otherwise not be receiving this funding.
Today’s spotlight is on THE ACCESS PROJECT, the winner of the Hustle & Heart Award at our Saturday Night Los Angeles show on March 11, 2023. The Access Project was the chosen nonprofit of Hustle & Heart Award Winners Privileged Communications, featuring legal talent from Perkins Coie. Based on the success of our Los Angeles event, we were able to give The Access Project an additional $5,000 grant, on top of the $15,695.20 already raised by Privileged Communications!
Band member Michael Wise had worked with the The Access Project as pro bono clients through his firm, Perkins Coie. “Most of The Access Project clients I have assisted are part of the Rising Scholars Network,” said Michael. “These are community college students that are seeking to expunge criminal records to apply for jobs and seek housing. Many of these students are individuals who are striving to be better citizens and are being held back by a criminal record that does not reflect who they are today. They are some of the most grateful clients I have assisted.”
As to his band’s success at raising donations, Michael stated: “I mobilized my community over Facebook, LinkedIn, email and by phone. I relentlessly pestered my family, friends, partners and clients for donations."
See below for our spotlight interview with Nora Cregan, Founder & Executive Director of The Access Project and learn more about the wonderful work this organization is doing.
1. Can you tell us a little about your organization and its mission?
The Access Project was founded in 2019 to improve access to high-quality legal services to people of limited means. Through creative use of technology and innovative program design, we leverage the resources and enthusiasm of law firm pro bono volunteers to complement and support the work of legal services organizations.
2. What is one success story you’re really proud of?
We built an end-to-end system to provide post-conviction (expungement) services at scale. Using our purpose-built online tools and our proprietary volunteer portal, pro bono attorneys can provide legal services to clean slate applicants online, from anywhere. This year, with a staff of just 3 FTE, we are providing clean slate services to over 600 formerly incarcerated community college students, thanks to our extensive pro bono network. Having their criminal records cleared allows these amazing students to accomplish their education and career goals.
3. What programs and initiatives do you have scheduled for the upcoming year?
We will be continuing our Rising Scholars Network services to formerly incarcerated community college students, but we will also be making our volunteer portal available to other legal services organizations so that they can scale services using our workflow and analysis tools.
Learn more about The Access Project: