Public Interest Auction 2010
Weeklong event will raise money for students seeking careers and in public interest law
The annual Public Interest Law Auction will begin in the Atrium on Monday, February 15 and continue each day until Thursday, February 18. The grand finale on Thursday at 6 pm in the Student Lounge will include a spirited live auction hosted by Dean Patrick E. Hobbs and Professor Paula Franzese, a Mardi Gras-themed celebration and a chance for students to see pies flung in the faces of their favorite professors.
The event, which is coordinated entirely by students, will raise funds for the Public Interest Fellowship Fund and Loan Forgiveness Fund. Seton Hall Law students pursuing public interest work enter the field knowing salaries will be comparatively minimal. Students rely on opportunities like these to work for non-profits, government agencies and other organizations dedicated to providing legal services to our most underserved populations.
Students will bid on tickets to cultural and sporting events, gift certificates to restaurants, fine wines, artwork, jewelry and, perhaps most importantly, one-of-a-kind experiences with professors. Last year, students bid on a dinner party hosted by Professor Franzese, featuring the famous Franzese pasta á la vodka, and an offer to have dinner and watch a basketball game with Dean Hobbs.
Students also bid on an invitation to watch basketball with Professor Denis McLaughlin, an offer to watch a movie about the law with Dean John Cornwell and Professor Edward Hartnett; a ping-pong and pinball party with Professor John Wefing; two hours of tax advice from Professor John Coverdale and a networking dinner with public interest lawyers. Professors John Kip Cornwell, Jon Romberg and Charles Sullivan won chances to be pied in the face. The event raised a total of $20,000.
This year students will have the chance to bid on many of the same experiences. As an added bonus, throughout the week students can eat King Cake imported from Randazzo’s in New Orleans each afternoon.