Public Interest Law Foundation's 'Bid for Justice' Auction a Big Success
Annual Event Raises Funds and Spirits as Hundreds in the Law School Community Came Together for Good Cause
New York, April 17, 2013—Columbia Law School's Public Interest Law Foundation's Annual Bid for Justice Auction brought together students, alumni, faculty, staff, and special guests for an entertaining evening that raised over $70,000. Those funds will support the Community Grants Program and the Law School’s guaranteed summer funding initiative, which provides financial support for students working at public interest organizations during the summer after their first year.
Held at Columbia University's Lerner Hall on March 7, the auction was ably organized by co-chairs Stephanie Grajales '14 and Samantha Wishman '14. Auctioneers for the night were Dean Michelle Greenberg-Kobrin, Professor Trevor Morrison, Professor Ariela Dubler, and Professor Gillian Metzger.
The biggest-selling items of the night were two trips to Hawaii, a weekend at Professor Scotts' Nantucket home, and a weekend at Professor Strauss's Berkshire cottage. Quirkiest items included a serenade by law revue boy band 12(b)(6), buyer's choice of an article for the next edition of the Bluebook in correct citation format, tax preparations, and a portrait painting by a student.
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During the evening, the following 12 students were nominated by their peers for their contributions to the field of public interest legal work:. Muna Baig LL.M. ‘13, Becky Besdin ’13, Roxane Cassehgari ’13, John Fowler ’13, Ashley Starr Kinseth ’14, Megan Lacey ’13, David Lepard ’13, Oscar Lopez ’13, Sarah McCarthy ’13, Jared Miller ’14, Amy Sanderson ’13 and Lily Zaragoza ‘13. The Public Interest Law Foundation at Columbia is an independent, non-profit corporation of law students, faculty, alumni and friends. Founded in 1980, it raises money through membership dues, donations, bookstore sales, and the annual auction to support and promote the practice of public interest law at Columbia and across the country.
Since its inception in 1980, PILF has provided summer funding to students working at a wide range of organizations, from legal aid services to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and has awarded grants to a diverse group of community organizations.