Alums Raise Money in Friendly Competition
By Steffi Lau
Each year, the Law Firm Challenge encourages USC Law alumni to show their competitive spirit while giving back to the law school. This year, alumni at 60 firms have taken up the challenge, which ends on June 17.
Alumni in participating firms and organizations compete by encouraging 100 percent of their alumni colleagues to make a gift of any amount to USC Law.
The participating firms are grouped into three different categories, based on the number of alums at their organizations: 2-10, 11-29 and 30+.
“One of the main reasons alumni are involved and get excited about LFC is there is an amazing allegiance to the law school,” said Brooke Sanders, assistant director of development and graduate relations. “They feel that through programs like this, they can give back through time or through making small annual gifts that collectively really do a lot for the law school.”
Firms that reach 100 percent participation get a private lunch at their firm with the dean or a faculty member as well as signage prominently displayed in common student areas at USC Law and during on-campus interviews in the fall. Announcements are also featured in USC Law publications, the website and the annual donor report.
On average, 35 percent of competing firms reach full participation.
In years past, awards have been given only to firms reaching 100 percent participation, but this year awards will also go to firms with the most improvement in participation and the most funds raised. Sanders also is planning a mid-challenge reception in May to get alums excited about competing.
This year’s LFC chair, Daron Watts, encourages alums to compete not just with other firms but also with themselves by increasing their donations, as he plans to do.
He wants all alumni to know that their contributions are valued.
“Many people assume law school doesn’t need us,” said Watts, a partner at Sidley Austin. “I hear many friends and classmates say ‘I’ll give something if I get really rich.’ They assume the law school doesn’t need small contributions, and I think those assumptions are false.
“We need to make people understand the school does need them. The school wants to provide scholarships to the best and brightest students who may not have the money to attend, it needs to keep up with technology, it always needs it, it always has.”
Sanders echoed this sentiment.
“Their gifts make a huge difference in the law school’s activities,” she said. “They allow us to raise more money for scholarships and fund amazing student programs like PILF summer grants. It really makes a difference in law school operations and the caliber of the students here.”
Watts hopes that alumni considering a contribution will reflect on their time in law school.
“I, like many people I know, enjoyed very much my years at the law school and I’m thankful for that,” he said. “I’ve benefited greatly from the education I got there and from being part of the USC Law community, and I think it’s important people take stock of that and if they feel gratitude, give back to the place that’s given back to you.”
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