Partner Michael P. Rolland of Engelman Berger has been appointed to the Board of Directors of Rosie’s House, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, high-quality music education to underserved youth.
Rosie’s house was founded in 1996 by Rosie Schurz, a German immigrant who was forced to leave her violin behind while fleeing Munich with her family as a seven-year-old during World War II. Feeling the loss of the instrument for years, Schurz worked to establish a music school in a small home in an impoverished area of Phoenix to give neighborhood youth safety and stability through the creation of music. Having steadily grown over the years, including a new, state-of-the-art facility opened in 2022, the organization now serves hundreds of students throughout Maricopa County, providing instrument loans, meals, homework help and over 28,000 music lessons annually.
Rolland is a lifelong musician, the son of music teachers and grandson of renowned violin pedagogue Paul Rolland. Spending his childhood backstage at performances of country, bluegrass, and western swing bands, he eventually learned to play fiddle, guitar, and mandolin—skills that earned him multiple state and regional championships. Today, he continues to share his passion for music with his own children.
Professionally, Rolland is an accomplished attorney specializing in commercial litigation, Chapter 11 bankruptcies, receiverships, loan workouts, water law, and appeals. At Engelman Berger, he represents a diverse range of clients, including creditors, banks, real estate developers, commercial landlords, and municipalities. He has successfully litigated cases in both state and federal courts and has argued appeals before the Arizona Court of Appeals and the Ninth Circuit Bankruptcy Appellate Panel.
Through his new role at Rosie’s House, Rolland hopes to contribute his lifelong love of music to further the organization’s mission of empowering young musicians.
Engelman Berger is comprised of experienced lawyers who are well recognized for their expertise and commitment to resolve commercial disputes and assist clients in preventing legal problems through proper planning. The firm’s clients include national and local lenders, borrowers, lessors, tenants, family-owned businesses, developers, franchise owners, municipalities, and investors. Industries served include banking and lending, credit unions, real estate, construction, restaurant, hospitality, medical, retail, wholesale, and agricultural, among others. The firm provides creative and focused representation in all federal and state courts, bankruptcy court, arbitrations, mediations and settlement negotiations.
