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18th Annual BLSPI Auction Raises Record $53,000
Summer Fellowships Funded

Mar. 17, 2008 – Brooklyn Law Students for the Public Interest held its 18th annual charity auction at the Law School on March 6, and it was a resounding success. The live and silent auctions combined raised a record-setting $53,000, which will fund summer fellowships for students who want to pursue careers in public interest.

Students, faculty, alumni, staff, and others attended the event. Associate Dean Lawrence Solan started the auction, calling it “the best BLS event of the year.” Attendees Geraldo Rivera ’69, Gerald Lefcourt ’67, and Professor Gerald Shargel donated “Los Tres Geraldos: Dinner at Professor Shargel’s Manhattan Apartment,” and Rivera ratcheted up the bid for the prize. The dinner was the big ticket item of the evening, selling for $950.

“Everyone really got into the spirit, and our auctioneer worked the crowd hard to ensure we got the highest bid on each item,” says Michael Dailey ’09, a BLSPI Fellow and co-organizer of this year’s auction.

Among the more than 65 prizes that were a part of the live auction were an Apple iPhone, fajitas and margaritas with Professor Serkin, a helicopter ride over Manhattan, and plenty of BarBri gift certificates. Additionally, all attendees were automatically entered in a raffle for 25 watches.

In a new spin this year, Professor Robert Pitler moderated “Law School Jeopardy” as part of the event. Before the auction began, professors teamed up with students to take on the board and compete for the title of champion. Jeopardy topics included, torts, criminal procedure, property potpourri, and much more.

“We really love that students, faculty, alumni, and staff all got involved,” says Michael Pope ’10, a 1L and co-organizer of the event. “It is what makes the auction different.”

By Laurie DePalo ’09

View photos from the event.

Read about last year's event.