Public interest alumni mixer

Students, alumni mingle at annual event

—By Maria Iacobo

About 50 students, faculty and alumni attended Wednesday night’s Public Interest Law Foundation Alumni Mixer, held at the Carl M. and Carolyn C. Franklin Faculty Lounge. The annual event is a prelude to the upcoming PILF Auction, which will be held at the California Science Center on Friday, Feb. 29.

“It’s important we ensure that our students have the opportunity to engage in public work while they’re still students,” said Dean Robert K. Rasmussen addressing the group.

He praised the students for the variety of experiences they provide and the important services they offer the community.

“A lot of people can’t get what they’re entitled to and everyone at PILF helps these folks benefit from our legal system,” he said.

Last year, the organization was able to provide 31 students with grants for public interest legal work last summer. Dean Rasmussen encouraged the group to promote this year’s auction, where much of their funds are raised.

One of the students who benefitted from a PILF grant is Nathaniel Madsen ’09, this year’s PILF president.

“PILF is trying to create a culture that emphasizes giving back to the community regardless of what area of law a student chooses,” said Madsen (pictured at left with Dean Rasmussen).

“There are public interest opportunities available everywhere. Students who get interested in public interest law in law school keep that interest when they graduate and can provide pro bono services.”

The many alumni who return to the law school for the mixer and the auction are a testament to the strong interest public interest work holds.

“It’s a great outlet to get out of the library and the classroom so you can put some of what you’re learning into practice,” said Madsen.

Challenged to identify what he will be contributing to this year’s PILF auction, Dean Rasmussen said he might auction off the opportunity for a few students to be “Dean for a Day.” Presumably — after writing memos, taking phone calls and administering to faculty and staff — the lucky winners will be happy to go back to the classroom.