Phillips Lytle Attorneys Participate at “Lawyers for the Arts” Fundraiser

Attorneys hit high notes at Sportsmen’s Tavern

For a few hours his past Saturday afternoon a large contingent of Buffalo’s legal community focused not on torts and depositions and turned their attention to the Beatles, Eagles and Bruce Springsteen.

And, it was for a good case.

The Sportsmen’s Tavern on Amherst Street was transformed into the epicenter of the legal community as nearly 40 lawyers took the stage — spread among seven groups — for the fourth annual “Lawyers for the Arts” fundraiser. The event, which packed the Sportsmen, benefited “Give for Greatness,” an initiative of the Arts Services Initiative of WNY, that provides funding for regional cultural groups.

For the lawyers-turned-musicians, it was a chance to put legal precedents aside and channel their inner Paul McCartney or Jackson Browne.

There was State Supreme Court Justice Frederick Marshall leading the Jazz Jammers while blasting out more than a few notes on the trombone.

And, there Bouvier’s George Collins, pounding away on the drums with Methane while singing Jackson Browne’s “Somebody’s Baby” and Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On.”

Or, four Phillips Lytle attorneys anchoring the Klezmergers during a 30-minute set of gypsy-styled classical tunes.

The afternoon was less about musical talent and more about bonding and raising money for a good cause.