Auction funds public interest work

Annual PILF event brings in more than $40,000 for summer grants

More than 350 USC Law students, faculty, staff and alumni attended the annual Public Interest Law Foundation auction Feb. 29.

Themed "Leap into PILF," the Leap Day event held at the California Science Center featured dinner, drinks and live entertainment in addition to the silent and live auction.

PILF raised more than $40,000 through ticket sales, auction bids and cash donations. The funds will support grants for students doing public interest work during the summer.

The hot-ticket items of the night were a BAR/BRI course that sold for $2,100 in the silent auction, and a package of two tickets to the Playboy Mansion, which went for $1,500 during the live auction.

Other top sellers included "Gin & Jean," an evening with Southern California Law Review Executive Notes Editor Jean Doherty, donated by the review ($1,000); evening drinks and a midnight screening of the "Rocky Horror Picture Show" with Professor David Cruz ($1,000); and three tickets to attend a Lakers game with James L. Perzik '62, general counsel and secretary to the Lakers, and Dean Robert K. Rasmussen ($1,050).

PILF President Nate Madsen praised the generosity of all who attended the auction and support the student group's mission.

"Funding USC Law students to do public interest work over the summer is a central part of PILF's mission," Madsen said. "The overwhelming success of the event this year will help PILF fulfill its goal of funding as many students' public interest work as possible. PILF would like to thank the USC Law administration and staff, the students, and all of the generous firms and individuals who were part of this event. The PILF Auction could not have taken place without their support and assistance."

—Photos by Steve Cohn