PILP Raises Over $63K to Help Public Interest Law Students

The Public Interest Law Project (PILP) hosted their 30th Annual Auction on February 18, 2021 in a first-ever virtual format. Over 350 households attended the event which raised over $63,000 to provide stipends for students working in unpaid, public interest internships this summer. PILP is a student-run organization with a commitment to helping provide the financial means for students to take on public interest work.

“We are so grateful for our faculty, staff, student volunteers, and community members who continue to value public interest work even during these tumultuous times,” PILP President Natalie Hollabaugh ’21 stated “We could not have expanded our reach both on campus and in the community this year without that support.”

The student organization put together the all virtual event this year with a week-long silent auction that culminated in a live auction hosted by Professor Aliza Kaplan and Misty Marquam from Marquam Auction Agency. The money raised will go to provide summer stipends for students working in unpaid legal work at nonprofit legal advocacy organizations, legal aid clinics, public defender’s offices, and other public interest organizations.

“Not only did our annual auction happen in the face of a pandemic, but a winter storm and blackouts appeared as surprise obstacles,” Auction Co-Director Faith Fox ’22 stated. “This unique year still allowed us to further the necessary cause of public interest law. Special thanks to the Auction Team and to our donors, sponsors, and bidders from Massachusetts to California and everywhere in-between.”

“This year PILP was faced with unprecedented challenges when it came to hosting the very first virtual auction but we were blown away,” PILP Procurement Director Eliza Silverman ’22 stated. “We credit the relative success of the auction to our big cheerleaders: the Lewis & Clark Law faculty, staff, and community. We are so grateful for the kindness of the community who enabled such a successful event with their generosity.”

A recording of the live auction is available here.

PILP is currently accepting student applications for the 2021 Summer Awards. Applications are due by April 5, 2021.