Auction aids law students' careers

Students interested in dining with former U.S. presidential candidate Bob Dole or acquiring a signed copy of the First Amendment by Howard Stern attended last night's seventh annual Law School Student Funded Fellowships Auction to benefit Law students interested in public interest opportunities.

Each year, the auction raises money to provide grants for Law students interested in unpaid summer internships in the public sector. The grants make public interest work a viable option for many Law students by alleviating some of the financial strains of accepting the summer position.

DAVID ROCHKIND/Daily Law Prof. Andrea Lyon acts as an auctioneer at last night's Law School Student Funded Fellowships Auction in Hutchins Hall.

Law third-year student Wendy Marantz, one of the auction co-chairs, said the funds raised at the auction provide financial support for students who otherwise would not be able to take unpaid jobs.

"Public interest work is what most of us envision coming into Law school. It's easy to take the $2,000 paycheck offered by law firms. These grants provide students with the opportunity to directly impact the lives of people," Marantz said.

The auction's proceeds will enable 67 students to participate in unpaid internships this summer. The Fund provides each student with a $3,000 summer stipend. The 12-person, student-run board selects the recipients based on the nature of their public service job, past interest and financial need.

Law third-year student Lisa Douglass is a past recipient of one of the grants. She originally had thought that she would not be able to take a public interest internship several summers ago because of financial limitations.

"The jobs I was interested in were all unpaid. I still had Law school loans to pay. I would have gone into further debt," Douglass said. "The grant enabled me to take that unpaid job at the" American Civil Liberties Union.

Douglass said her public serve internship experience helped her to get another job - this one with the Seattle public defender's office, where she plans to work after graduation.

Law third-year student Angie Setzer said she believes it is important for the Law School to provide different job options for its students.

"It is important that the Law School not only encourage its students to go the corporate route. This program encourages students to go the public interest route as well," Setzer said.

Law School Dean Jeffrey Lehman, an event auctioneer, also stressed the need for the Law School to encourage careers in the public sector.

"What has sustained the law profession is the willingness of lawyers to step forward and be community leaders," Lehman said.

Lehman said he realizes that the law profession is often portrayed negatively.

"One of the challenges nowadays is to balance the public perception of the law profession. It is important that Michigan grads step forward and contribute to the public good," Lehman added.

Law Prof. Andrea Lyon said her work as a public defender made her realize the importance of a program of this nature. She said many faculty members were involved in the event as auctioneers, bidders and donation providers.

"A lot of the faculty donated items. Dinner for six at my home is one of the items for bid tonight. I'm always enthusiastic about helping out with this event," Lyon said.

Other auction items included a signed script of "The Big Chill" and lunch with "Ally McBeal" actor Gil Bellows.

04-09-99