Rock 4 Justice 2024 Recap: Celebrating Community and Music for a Cause

Rock 4 Justice Recap: Celebrating Community and Music for Charity

On November 8, 2024, the legal community came together once again for the annual Rock 4 Justice event, benefiting Advocates for Public Interest Law at the University of Hawaii’s William S. Richardson School of Law. This night brought out everyone from judges and court staff to public defenders, prosecutors, and law students — all gathering to support a shared cause: providing access to justice for underserved communities.

Rock 4 Justice first kicked off in 2017, thanks to Honolulu attorneys Jason Burks and Nam Phan, who saw an opportunity to bring musically inclined members of the legal field together. Over the years, the event has grown, raising over $11,000 in 2019 alone, with every dollar supporting public interest internships for law students. These students take on projects that help those facing challenges with poverty, language barriers, citizenship, discrimination, and more.

This year, the fundraiser continued its tradition of raising funds through sponsorships from private firms and donations at the door. An estimated 250 attendees came together as a “Courthouse Ohana” for a night of “Rock-n-Roll Fellowship.” The support was electric — from attorneys and judges playing music to law students connecting with experienced professionals.

A Wildcard Moment with Law Students

A special shoutout to defense attorney Daniel Kawamoto for making me, the humble bail agent, a "wildcard" guest during the icebreaker game. While my field of commercial surety (or bail bonds, as most know it) is a niche area within the criminal justice system, it was exciting to be included. The game involved law students going on a scavenger hunt to find judges, attorneys, or court staff to sign their raffle sheets. As a wildcard, my signature could be applied in any spot, and it gave me the chance to connect with students and introduce them to the lesser-known world of surety.

One student even told me over a slice of pizza that my signature completed his form and helped him win the $100 raffle prize. Seeing his excitement gave me a real kick — moments like this make events like Rock 4 Justice so meaningful. It was a fun way to meet future legal professionals and share a glimpse of my unique corner of the justice system.

Musical Highlights: The Judicats Rock the Stage

In past years, Hawaii Supreme Court Justice Sabrina McKenna has rocked the crowd with classics like Queen’s “We Will Rock You” and Santana’s “Oye Como Va.” This year’s lineup didn’t disappoint either, with the legal band The Judicats delivering a powerful set, keeping the crowd engaged and energized.

As Catherine Lowenberg, one of the organizers and performers, put it, “It’s not every day you see judges, attorneys, and law students performing together on stage — but it’s all for a cause that brings us closer to our ideals.”

Lowenberg also emphasized the importance of the grants supported by the event: “For students truly passionate about serving the community, this funding solidifies that commitment and keeps the door open for them to give back.”

The Night’s Impact

This year’s Rock 4 Justice exemplified how Hawaii’s legal community comes together, not just in courtrooms but on the stage, supporting those who need it most. Here’s to another successful year of music, fellowship, and advocacy — and a brighter future for students and clients alike.

The success of Rock 4 Justice this year wouldn’t have been possible without the generous contributions from sponsors. With $11,500 pledged in sponsorships and an additional $2,700 raised at the door, this event was a true community effort! A special shoutout to law firms and legal professionals like Myles S. Breiner, Coates Frey & Hackett, Brian S. Kim, Thomas Otake, Jason Burks, Daniel Kawamoto, Pedric Arrisgado, Christian Enright, Ben Ignacio, Pat McPherson, Alen Kaneshiro, Jason Say, and many others who helped make this night a success. Nam Pham, APIL's community chair, is already thinking ahead to next year, with a fresh idea for a more intimate “unplugged” style event. I would love to hear your thoughts — Reply with comments!

Cheers,

Got Bail Nick

PS: For more photos, click here.