As a personal injury attorney, I see more than my fair share of tragic car accidents. When I represent accident victims (or their families), my team and I work tirelessly to ensure that they receive the maximum financial compensation possible. A born and raised San Fernando Valley resident, I also feel it is important to give back to my community in other ways.
Recently, the Moorpark College Music Department lost one of its extremely talented pianists, Rohith Gopal, in a car accident. In memoriam of Rohith, who was accepted to Berklee College of Music one week after his death, Moorpark College created an annual instrumental music scholarship in Rohith’s name. I played with Rohith for two years and knew him to be an exceptional young man and a great musician.
The Moorpark College Music Department welcomed me as a returning musician after a 30 year hiatus and helped me reconnect with my passion for music. I credit music director, Brendan McMullin, himself a professional trombonist, for helping me regain some of my competence on the trombone. I am now able to play with my legal colleagues and am the principal trombonist in the Los Angeles Lawyers Philharmonic and Big Band of Barristers. 
In honor of Rohith, and to show my gratitude to Brendan, all the college kids who welcomed me and to the Moorpark College Music Department, I am pleased to announce that I have contributed to the music scholarship. My contribution will cover the costs of tuition and books for one student pursuing a degree in Applied Music at Moorpark College.
Since Moorpark College does not have the resources to internally fund the scholarship, I am asking my legal colleagues, fellow musicians, and friends to make a tax deductible donation in any amount to support this worthy scholarship. To donate to the fund, you can write a check payable to the “Moorpark College Foundation” and mail it to Moorpark College Foundation, 7075 Campus Rd., Moorpark, CA 93021. Please indicate in the notes section of the check that it is meant for the scholarship in honor of Rohith Gopal.
