The Iberian Lawyer
Rock’n’Law 2024, the main music and charity event in the legal sector in Portugal and Spain, will celebrate its 15th edition in Lisbon on November 8, at the LX-Factory. This year, with Iberian Lawyer as media partner, nine bands made up of lawyers from the organizing law firms and one DJ will take the stage to raise donations for Une.Idades, an association tackling the lack of student housing and the social isolation of seniors.
The organizing law firms in Portugal include Abreu Advogados; CMS Rui Pena & Arnaut; Cuatrecasas; DLA Piper – ABBC; Eversheds Sutherland FCB; Garrigues; Gómez – Acebo & Pombo; Linklaters; Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados; PLMJ Advogados; SRS Legal; Sérvulo & Associados; Uría Menéndez, and Vieira de Almeida. Since 2009, the festival has chosen a different cause to support each year.
Over the past 14 editions, the initiative has raised more than €950,000 and supported 21 social projects. This year, the organization aims to reach the milestone of €1,000,000 in donations, according to João Louro e Costa, counsel at Uría Menéndez in Portugal and spokesperson for the event. “Even during the pandemic, we never stopped supporting those in need. In 2020, Rock’n’Law supported professionals in the entertainment and audiovisual sectors, which were heavily impacted by COVID-19. In 2021, even without the live event, we collected donations that were directed towards mental health issues, helping vulnerable people access medication”, he explains. In 2010, the idea spread to Spain, where some of the largest law firms organize the Spanish version of the festival since then.
Housing support for youth and seniors
For the 15th anniversary of Rock’n’Law, the chosen cause is particularly distinctive, according to Louro e Costa. Une.Idades is a non-profit association established in 2023. In its project, seniors offer a room for youngsters in their home and, in return, benefit from the company of a student, along with light domestic help and a small monthly contribution to household expenses. On the other hand, young people gain access to safe, comfortable, and affordable housing, while also benefiting from the company and support of the senior. The intergenerational house-sharing service is managed by the NGO, which remains in contact with all parties throughout the experience. “We chose this cause because we recognize that the lack of access to housing perpetuates the cycle of poverty, and today the problem is worsening in various vulnerable populations”, notes the counsel from Uría.
According to the organization, the 2024 edition will feature some new elements, including a DJ—who is also a lawyer from one of the organizing firms—and a new venue in a pedestrian area surrounded by restaurants and bars. The event will also have a variety of food trucks in the concert area for those who want to have dinner on-site before or during the party.
Those interested can secure their tickets on the website www.rocknlaw.pt. Those unable to attend can still participate by making a donation online via the “I want to donate” section on the website.
The bands performing at the 15th edition of Rock’n’Law are:
- One Night Band, by Cuatrecasas
- A Bandalhoca, by Vieira de Almeida & Associados
- Out of Office, by CMS Portugal and Linklaters
- Tier One Band, by Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados
- Heróis del Despacho, by Uría Menéndez
- The Walkers, by Garrigues
- Fora da Lei, by PLMJ
- Lawcura, by SRS Legal
- A Torto e a Direito, by Eversheds Sutherland, DLA Piper ABBC, Abreu Advogados
Lawyers on stage: Rock‘n’Law plays in Lisbon for housing access
