3rd Annual Law Rocks Seattle (2026)

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

Thursday, October 1, 2026
The Crocodile
Over $92,000 fundraised!

Overall Winner: The Orphan 40 (Pfau Cochran Vertetis Amala) for Rebuilding Hope
Judges’ Choice Award: The Funk Docket (Schroeter Goldmark & Bender; Keller Rohrback; Law Office of L.M. Jones) for Academy for Creating Excellence (ACE)
Hustle & Heart Award: Side Bar (Kaplan Fox; Mauriello Law Firm; Cirlin Goldberg) for Troy & Baden Biddle Foundation
Music Matters Grant Recipient: Key to Change

Side Bar opens The Third Annual Law Rocks Seattle | Photo by Miguel Nunez

Four lawyer-led bands took the stage at The Crocodile in Belltown last night and we're still not over it! At Law Rocks, we believe in the power of music; it’s part of our mission and part of what unites our global community and inspires us to give. As the bands took the stage and shared their musical gifts with the crowd, they did so while sharing heartfelt stories that moved the crowd, slaying epic covers of songs that had everyone entranced, and showing up for their greater community to fundraise over $92K. The power of music was on full display and we could not be more proud of the participating band members.

Side Bar started off the night with an inspirational introduction about their benefiting nonprofit, Troy & Baden Biddle Foundation. The crowd was hooked from the beginning, jumping along with the band and singing along to rock classics like “I Love Rock n Roll” by Joan Jett and “Rebel Yell” by Billy Idol. Band leader Amanda Horn left it all out on the stage, lying down as their closing song “Heart Breaker” by Pat Beneath ended with the hypnotic sound of bass and drums pounding like a beating heart; an absolute rock star move from a band with killer chemistry…and a knack for fundraising that earned them the night’s Hustle & Heart Award!

Hearts kept pounding as The Orphan 40 hit the stage, opening with a heartwarming story about borrowing his mother’s guitar and never giving it back. His performance at last year’s Law Rocks Seattle was the last time his mother saw him play live. With a set list including “Like a Virgin” by Madonna, a swear-jar-worthy cover of “F*ck You” by CeeLo Green, and “Honey”, an original song released on Spotify last week, he surprised and delighted, receiving a rainfall of glow sticks from his supporters and taking home the title of Overall Winner in the end.

We were pleased to present a Law Rocks Music Matters Grant to Key to Change, an organization making world-class music instruction accessible to young people from underserved communities in South King County.

Dr. Quinton Morris, founder and Executive Director of Key to Change, accepts the Music Matters Grant from Law Rocks Associate Director of Development, Amy Rupnow on behalf of recipient Key to Change at The Third Annual Law Rocks Seattle | Photo by Miguel Nunez

The Funk Docket came in hot and never cooled down. They kept the crowd movin’ and groovin’ through the soulful sounds of hits like “Rock Steady” by Aretha Franklin and “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers. Their iconic cover of “Purple Rain” by Prince is going down as a legendary moment in Law Rocks history. The crowd was amped through their cover of anthem “9 to 5” by the great Dolly Parton. The Rock Panel of Judges joining the crowd in dancing along, and the band took home the evening’s coveted Judges’ Choice Award.

Closing out the evening, Legal Issues had no issue shredding until the very end. The band’s high energy and impressively smooth transitions between hits kept the party going until the last notes rang through the air. A brilliant guitar solo on “Summertime Blues” by The Who showed impressive chops, as did the band’s knack for choosing classics that showcased their musicianship and commitment to the craft. “Burning Love” by Elvis was a standout crowd-pleaser that had us all singing in our head long after the show’s end!

Legal Issues rocks The Third Annual Law Rocks Seattle (2026) | Photo by Miguel Nunez

All the thanks to our Seattle bands and the crowd who came out to rock with them and support our mission.

Law Rocks is able to support local communities because of the generosity within the legal community, and we are thankful for every participating band and firm! Thank you to the crew at The Crocodile; our Rock Panel of Judges: Shelby Easley; Michael Hepburn; Dr. Quinton Morris; Alexa Peters; “DJ Riz” Rollins; and Shaina Shepherd; our host Valerie Ojeda; and our nonprofit guests.

The evening was made possible thanks to the generosity of sponsors including Hall of Fame sponsor Pfau Cochran Vertetis Amala; tour sponsor Secretariat; top sponsors Emerald Search Partners; Ringler; Buell Realtime Reporting; Miller Shah; Shroeter, Goldmark & Bender; and additional sponsors Coldstream Wealth Management; CPT Group Class Action Administrators; Ext. 606; Firmani + Associates; Hoover Law Group; Kubik Mediation Group; Lacey O’Malley Bail Bond Agency; The Law Office of Andrew Huff; OSC Vocational Systems; and SmartAdvocate. Thank you to all for generously supporting our event and our mission!

If you had a good time rocking with us, please consider making a contribution to support the 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 Seattle 2027 now and be first to be notified when applications open!

OUR SPONSORS ROCK

THE BANDS

Featured
The Funk Docket
The Funk Docket

Featuring legal talent from Schroeter Goldmark & Bender; Keller Rohrback; Law Office of L.M. Jones
Rocking for Academy for Creating Excellence (ACE)

The Funk Docket: Where rhythm meets soul; and we are about to be in session!

The Return of the Reigning Champions:
Coming back for their third year to defend their hard-earned title, The Funk Docket is ready to prove once again why they're the undisputed masters of groove. This powerhouse ensemble has earned their reputation through sheer musical excellence and an unmatched ability to move crowds.

The Sound:
Built around an absolutely dynamic rhythm section, The Funk Docket delivers the kind of tight, pocket-deep funk that makes resistance futile. Their sound is a masterful blend of classic funk foundations with contemporary R&B sensibilities, creating something both timeless and fresh. Every beat hits with precision, every bass line locks you in, and every groove builds to something bigger than the sum of its parts.

The Voice:
At the heart of their sound stands Courtney Jones, whose soul-stirring vocals serve as the perfect complement to the band's instrumental prowess. Jones doesn't just sing – she channels emotion, tells stories, and commands attention with a voice that can whisper sweet melodies one moment and belt powerhouse notes the next. Her stage presence and vocal delivery are guaranteed to leave audiences hanging on every note.

The Experience:
From the first note to the final chord, The Funk Docket creates an experience that's impossible to ignore. This isn't background music – this is music that demands your full attention and rewards it with pure musical satisfaction. Their sets are carefully crafted journeys that build energy, create moments, and leave crowds wanting more.

The Promise:
Get ready to move. Get ready to feel. Get ready for a musical set that will surely stand out from the rest. The Funk Docket doesn't just perform – they take over, lock you in, and don't let go until they're good and ready.

Fair warning: You will sway. You will groove. You will remember this performance long after the last note fades.

The Funk Docket: Where rhythm meets soul; and we are about to be in session.

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Legal Issues
Legal Issues

Featuring legal talent from Law Office of Andrew C. Huff; Law Office of Ray Ejarque; Law Office of Greg Hoover
Rocking for Cancer Lifeline

We are three attorneys and a scientist who have been good friends for years. We're all music junkies and have always talked about forming a rock band. Once our kids were grown, we decided to go for it and started rehearsing in a rented studio. Soon after, we started playing at various functions, events, bars and other establishments wanting live music. We absolutely loved it and have been performing pretty steady ever since. Our genre tends to be classic rock, but we also have several originals and take on newer material when the mood hits us. We like to rock the house and be loud. Thank you Law Rocks!

www.legalissues.band
Instagram
Linkedin

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The Orphan 40
The Orphan 40

Featuring legal talent from Pfau Cochran Vertetis Amala
Rocking for Rebuilding Hope

“The Orphan 40” is the solo, acoustic project of PCVA Partner Ian Bauer, who spends his days representing survivors of child sexual abuse and can be otherwise found on a stage somewhere in the greater Puget Sound region with a guitar in hand, as a regular gigging musician. Prior to and during law school, Ian played in and around Seattle solo and in bands, before professional and family obligations meant stepping back from playing live. The Orphan 40 began when, during a sleepless night in the middle of a contentious trial and on the heels of his mom’s Stage IV cancer diagnosis, Ian did something he hadn’t done for years – hit the record button on his do-it-yourself home recording setup. The result? Dozens of originals and eclectic covers stripped down to their bare essentials – solo guitar and vocals recorded live, to capture and convey the raw emotion of the moment, where the imperfections and straightforward arrangements reflect an earnest authenticity all too often lacking in the modern music industry. One thing led to another, and within a matter of weeks Ian began booking shows as The Orphan 40 many months in advance, with thousands of monthly listeners checking in from Seattle to Stockholm, and everywhere in between.

instagram.com/theorphan40
https://www.facebook.com/theorphan40
www.theorphan40.com

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Side Bar
Side Bar

Featuring legal talent from Kaplan Fox; Mauriello Law Firm; Cirlin Goldberg
Rocking for Troy & Baden Biddle Foundation

Side Bar is back at Law Rocks with a brand-new lineup and a shared love of live music.

This year’s band brings together musicians from WA and CA for one night of ‘80s-inspired rock, new wave, and crowd favorites. Fronted by Bainbridge Island’s Amanda Horn on vocals, Side Bar features Jason Cirlin on guitar, Justin Farar on bass, Tom Mauriello on keyboards and Tom Zeliff on drums. Although this will be the first time this lineup takes the Law Rocks stage together, the group brings years of performing experience, a genuine love of playing live, and just enough confidence to think this is a good idea.

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the Nonprofits

We are thrilled to award our 2026 Seattle Music Matters Grant to Key to Change. Learn more in our Nonprofit Spotlight on Key to Change.

We are proud the Third Annual Law Rocks Seattle 2026 bands raised funds for the following organizations.

Featured
SEA26 NPO Cancer Lifeline.jpg
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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

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Featured
Judge - Alexa Peters
Judge - Alexa Peters

Alexa Peters is Senior Digital Music Manager at KNKX Public Radio and a freelance journalist who specializes in arts & culture. Her journalism has appeared in Rolling Stone, The Washington Post, The Seattle Times, and The Stranger, among other outlets, and she has shared her expertise on local music and gender equity in the music industry on panels for Folklife Festival, Town Hall Seattle, and the University of Washington. She is currently co-authoring a book on the modern history of the Seattle jazz community with jazz critic Paul de Barros, to be published with University of Washington Press in 2027.

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Judge - Michael Hepburn
Judge - Michael Hepburn

In the mid-and-late 1970's Michael’s music achieved worldwide professional recognition through the success of his band, "Pleasure." Michael's compositions have been featured in the works of contemporary mainstream hip-hop and rap artists, including the soundtrack for the movie, “House Party” (“Kid vs. Play, the Battle”), Janet Jackson's 1997 release, "The Velvet Rope" (“Free Xone”) and Will Smith’s 2002 release, “Born to Reign” (“1000 Kisses”). In 2019 Pleasure released "Now Is The Time," available worldwide on Pleasure Records. An interview of Michael by Orgon Public Broadcasting journalist Paul Marshall featuring Michael’s personal story about the band Pleasure can be read, or heard, at:

https://www.opb.org/article/2023/12/25/portland-oregon-1970s-jazz-soul-band-pleasure-returnsto-the-stage/

A sample of Pleasure’s 2024 outdoor performance last June in their hometown of Portland, Oregon can be seen and heard here: Portland festival-goers treated to rare performance by iconic funk band Pleasure - OPB. One can also find a fascinating reference to the musically influential legacy of the Pleasure band in Questlove’s 2021 New York Times bestselling book, “Music Is History,” where he mentions the Pleasure hit song, “Glide” and its impact on him. Questlove also included two versions of “Glide” on the curated playlist for former First Lady Michelle Obama’s book tour for her 2018 memoir, “Becoming.” Artists like Janet Jackson, Daft Punk and others have sampled Pleasure’s work.

Recently retired from practice as a Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for King County, Michael continues his songwriting, recording production, arranging, keyboard and vocal performance work in Seattle. He volunteers and serves as the Board President of Arts Corps, a Washington non-profit that delivers qualitative arts education to children and young adults in underserved communities in King County. You can find out about Arts Corps and its mission here: https://artscorps.org/

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Judge - Dr. Quinton Morris
Judge - Dr. Quinton Morris

Dr. Quinton Morris is a concert violinist, educator, entrepreneur, radio host and filmmaker. A Renton native, he founded Key to Change to provide South King County’s underserved youth and students of color with opportunities to study violin and viola.

As the Professor of Violin at Seattle University, Dr. Morris has been teaching violin since 2007, becoming not only the university’s first tenured music professor in over 40 years but also the second living Black violinist in the United States ever to receive university tenure. As Artist-Scholar in Residence at Classical King FM 98.1, he hosts Unmute The Voices, a radio and video show that celebrates classical music composed and performed by artists of color.

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Judge - Riz Rollins
Judge - Riz Rollins

Riz Rollins has been a DJ since, about ten years. A record player, a spindle, metal for the big records, and this circular pyramid for records with the big holes.

He is from Chicago, but not the Chicago you're thinking of. He lives in Seattle, but not the Seattle you're thinking of. He likes rock, hip hop, soul, gospel, funk, but not the rock, hip hop, soul, gospel, funk you're thinking of. His mom played jazz, but not the kind of jazz you're thinking of. He only remembers his dad liking Miles and Sinatra. But then he left. Riz was in a gospel group in Bible college, but not the kind of Bible college you're thinking of.

He bought records because nobody seemed to know how. At least, not the people he lived with.

He's played music on turntable, transistor radio, TV , 8-tracks, cassettes, reels, CDs, USBs. He's hummed, whistled, sang, hooted, hooered music, but maybe not the music you're thinking of, in bedrooms (lots of bedrooms, more bedrooms than he can remember), basements, alleys, libraries, church basements (but prolly not the kind of churches you're thinking of), barns, in the woods, in the desert, on the ocean, in cities, villages, and lots and lots of clubs. For as few as 2 and as many as thousands.

When his best friend John suggested he be a DJ at a radio station for a living, he told him, "I couldn't possibly, because I didn't have the skills to do something as joyful as that." And then, maybe 2 years later, Riz joined a radio station. That was almost thirty years ago. He been there since.

He loves to eat and to kiss. Music is not his first, second, or even third biggest love. When he's down, he prays. When he's up, he prays too.

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Judge - Shaina Shepherd
Judge - Shaina Shepherd

Shaina Shepherd is a performance artist and songwriter in Seattle, WA. Known for her pervasive style as front woman to soul- grunge band BEARAXE, a featured favorite to rock legends Soundgarden and a celebrated songstress the Seattle Times call “a singular symphony”, she is also a mainstay in Seattle’s celebrated soul scene.

Shaina builds a home on stage and then belts until the bricks come down.

Her notable vocal stylings have brought her into various creative spaces — from sharing stages with rock stars like Dave Matthews, The Head and the Heart, Matt Cameron and Thunderpussy to being a soloist with the Seattle Symphony. When she’s not performing, she finds fulfillment as a choir director, teacher and event producer in the Seattle music scene. www.shainashepherdmusic.com

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Judge - Shelby Easley
Judge - Shelby Easley

Shelby Easley is a Federal Way, WA-born singer-songwriter who blends raw emotion with folk-inspired storytelling. Writing music since the age of 11, Shelby’s lifelong passion culminated in the release of her 2025 debut album, Soft Spot, which captures the honest, and heartfelt energy of her live performances. Her vocal talents also earned her the title of 2018 Female Karaoke National Champion.

Alongside her musical pursuits, Shelby has been a member of the Seattle legal community for almost two decades. She began her journey at age 16 as a receptionist, steadily working her way up to now serve as the Office and Events Manager for Williams Kastner. Shelby is incredibly excited to combine her two worlds and be a part of this great cause!

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VIDEO

Coming soon…

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