April 02, 2012
The Law School community’s strong commitment to serving the common
good was on display at this year’s Public Interest Auction.
Students, faculty, administrators and alumni came together to
Shake, Rattle and Bid in support of the Law School’s
Public Interest Fellowship Program and other public interest
initiatives. Sponsored by the Public Interest Center, student
Public Interest Committee and BarBri, the event raised
more than $115,000 ― a record amount ― through silent and live
auctions and other festivities.
Photo Gallery 1
Photo Gallery 2
This year, auction items included a walk-on role in HBO’s Boardwalk
Empire donated by Executive Producer and writer Terence Winter ’88,
theater and sporting events tickets and autographed memorabilia and
gift baskets. With a great assist from returning auctioneer Harmer
Johnson, participants also vied for experiences with faculty and
administrators, including dinner at the home of Dean Michael A.
Simons and a weekend in Vermont with Vice Dean Emeritus Andrew
Simons. Professor John P. Clarke donated two full Summer Public
Interest Fellowships and the Law School Alumni Association and
Erica B. Fine ’82 each donated one full Summer Public Interest
Fellowship. Several other alumni and friends contributed partial
fellowships and other monetary and in-kind donations.
“I am delighted that the Auction was such a success,” said
Rachel Andron, Director of the Public Interest Center. “The
Public Interest Committee’s student chairs and volunteers worked
tirelessly and our donors ― administration, faculty, alumni, local
vendors and students ― were incredibly generous.” Thanks to this
collaborative effort, students will have the support they need to
work in the public interest this summer and engage in public
service projects. “At St. John’s, we are committed to creating a
legal community that emphasizes lawyers’ ethical obligation to
pursue social justice and that builds upon our Vincentian mission
to serve the needy and less fortunate,” said
Dean Simons. “The Auction’s success allows our students to act
on that mission purposefully and meaningfully.”
Reflecting on the evening, Public Interest Committee President
Melanie Lazarus ‘12 said: “The Auction was successful beyond what I
ever could have imagined and I am so proud and excited that we were
able to, yet again, break the previous years' records. The Public
Interest Committee board and our volunteers worked really hard
planning and executing the event, but ultimately it would not have
been possible without the support of the Law School’s wonderful
faculty, staff and administration."