Show Taper/Defense Attorney Represents George Floyd Protesters Pro Bono

As demonstrations swelled across the country in reaction to the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, one key piece of advice for protesters spread around social media: Write the number of an attorney on your arm in case of arrest.

Many attorneys boosted this info, sharing cellphone numbers and promising pro bono services for those who needed it. One offer in New York City came from an unexpected place, though — a Twitter account dubbed @NYCTaper, billed as “New York’s live music archivist,” and also, “Attorney by day.”

For the past three decades, Dan Lynch has worked as a criminal-defense and civil rights attorney in New York City, all while moonlighting as the local music scene’s top concert taper. In 2007, he launched NYCTaper to showcase his recordings for free. Its archive is massive, boasting sets from artists like Pavement, Phish, Angel Olsen, Bob Weir, Sharon Van Etten, Pup, Hurray for the Riff Raff, and Drive-By Truckers. On top of all that, Lynch also helps run two independent music venues in New York City: Market Hotel and Trans-Pecos.

As for his day job, Lynch began his career as a public defender in New York City in 1988 then opened his own practice five years later. He’s worked cases involving false arrest and police brutality and provided services to tenants on the Lower East Side pushed out by gentrification. He’s also regularly offered pro bono help to protesters, whether they were marching after the 2000 election, during Occupy Wall Street in 2011, or against police brutality and systemic racism.

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/show-taper-defense-attorney-takes-on-george-floyd-protesters-pro-bono-1010053/