Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Foundation “Rock the Foundation”

Members of the Nurenberg Paris Law firm, left to right: Dana Paris, Max Soroky, Michelle Paris, Amy Herman, David Herman, David Paris, Lisa Wiborg and Ben Wiborg

Darrell Clay, president of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, shows his Carnival colors.

Creole came to Cleveland for Rock the Foundation 13, as the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Foundation turned the Music Box Supper Club into a rousing Mardi Gras festival. Upstairs and down, 500 patrons mixed and mingled among basins of jewel-toned beads, jumping Louisiana jazz and the redolent aromas of jambalaya and étoufée.

Laura and Dave Rowan

Local tastes were not overlooked, with such CLE treats as Lake Erie walleye, pierogi, and Bertman Original Ballpark mustard gracing a buffet station of their own. The culinary choice gave a nod to the focus of the evening, supporting “Lawyers Giving Back” public outreach and pro bono legal service programs in northeast Ohio. According to the foundation statement, “These programs promote equal access to justice, diversity and inclusion, law-related education and community service provided by members of our legal community – all of which are critical to strengthening the fabric of our community.”

Frank Sullivan, center, CEO of RPM International and winner of the third annual Richard W. Pogue Award for Excellence in Community Leadership & Engagement, with Connie and Jim Roop.

“We raised $200,500,” said Mary Groth, director of member and donor engagement at the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Foundation, adding that among the beneficiaries is 3Rs – Rights, Responsibilities, Realities program in the Cleveland and East Cleveland city schools.

Outside, the iced-over Cuyahoga River matched the sculpture on the chocolate-laden dessert table. But inside the party blazed on, with the bluesy notes of the Nitebridge group musically asking, “Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?” STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY PEGGY TURBETT