On only one night per year is it possible for a student to buy a movie night with Dean Minow, a champagne reception with Professor Mann, or a cocktail tasting with Climenko Fellow Epps. At the 2014 Harvard Law School Public Interest Auction, which took place on April 2, fierce auction bidders won these and many other prizes donated by alumni, professors, firms, and businesses.
Since 1994, the annual Harvard Law School Public Interest Auction has raised money for Summer Public Interest Funding (SPIF). The mission of SPIF is to make it possible for students to accept unpaid or underpaid summer employment in non-profit, government, NGO, IGO, or approved private public interest firm settings. During the summer of 2013, 467 Harvard Law students received SPIF funding totaling approximately $2 million.
This year’s auction, titled “All Bids On Deck,” had a nautical theme. Volunteers wearing sailor hats lined the hallways of Austin Hall, which were decorated with streamers and sailing pennants. Attendees enjoyed an open bar, catered food, and live music performed by students from the Harvard Law Parody. The silent auction and open bar began at 5 p.m., and by the time the live auction began at 7 p.m., the hallways were packed with students and faculty.
Professors Jeannie Suk and Jonathan Zittrain emceed the live auction. Regarding the live auction, Professor Zittrain said that “This year was terrific. Faculty became more involved in contributing special items, and in participating in auctioning them. My favorite items are ones that can welcome larger groups of students, such as Professor Mann’s Commencement champagne party, or Professors Rakoff and Wilkins’s dinner. And, of course, I was pleased that Professor Suk was game to join the Dungeons & Dragons evening that I’m hosting with writer Ethan Gilsdorf. I wonder what character class she’ll pick?”
A team of students led by six co-chairs—Isabel Broer, Karen Dildei, Julie Hamilton, Chen-Chen Jiang, Bea Paterno, and Jillian Wagman—organized the auction. The student team coordinated every logistical detail, from choosing the auction’s theme and title, to designing brochures and coordinating volunteers. Beginning in December, they solicited donations from alumni, professors, firms, and businesses. Co-chair Julie Hamilton, JD ’16, said they “probably sent over 5,000 letters to alumni alone.” One such letter was mailed to Chloe Cockburn, JD ’07, sister of actress Olivia Wilde. Ms. Cockburn donated a weekend getaway at her upstate New York farmhouse, as well as a personal voicemail greeting from her sister. The Olivia Wilde voicemail greeting went for over $750 at the live auction.
Nick Purcell, JD ’16, attended the live auction. “The auction turned out to be much more exciting than I thought it would be,” he said. “Not only was it packed with food, drinks, and lots of action, but I managed to win a doubles tennis match with my LegReg professor, Professor Freeman. I’m really pumped about the opportunity both because she was a fantastic professor who I learned a great deal from and also because I’m hoping my wicked crosscourt backhand can serve as revenge for the cold calls my section experienced.” Amanda Hood, JD ’16, was the winning bidder of a shopping date with Professor Cohen. “My husband is getting ready to head back into the business world and he digs Professor Cohen’s style,” she said. “This shopping spree was the perfect birthday/anniversary/christmas present.”
The total amount donated is still being tabulated, but high turnout at the auction suggests that this was a successful year. Kirsten Bermingham, Assistant Director for Administration at the Office of Public Interest Advising, said she was “thrilled” to see so many students and professors turn out to enjoy the auction. “The SPIF program will benefit from the generosity shown by members of the HLS community and our local businesses,” she said.