Climbing Above the Culture Clash

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Public Interest Project Celebrating 25 years at BU Law Suffering Kaudwane natives, disabled war veterans and distraught homeowners are just a few examples of the clientele assisted by BU Law students. These students are spending their entire summers providing pro bono legal services to clients traditionally underrepresented by the law. But without funding from the law school, summers spent working at nonprofits would be financially impossible for many students. Since 1984, the law school’s Public Interest Project (PIP) has raised funds in order to allocate grants to BU Law students pursuing unpaid public sector work. Now the largest student-run organization on campus, PIP is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Over the years, PIP has grown into more than just a fundraising organization; it creates opportunities that bond students with underprivileged communities throughout the world. Resources for students working with nonprofit, public-interest and government organizations are even more crucial during an uncertain economy. Now more than ever, nonprofits providing legal services are facing shrinking budgets and corresponding layoffs. PIP grant recipients are invaluable to these firms. BU Law alumna Anna Schleelein (’08) [see story on Schleelein, page 6] is grateful for the number of PIP grant recipients able to assist with her work at Boston’s Shelter Legal Services (SLS). Due to limited resources, SLS, which provides services to homeless or lowincome women and veterans through onsite clinics throughout Boston, relies on law student volunteers to staff its clinics. “We currently have 17 BU Law students who are volunteering with our organization, which is more than any of the other Boston-area law schools,” said Schleelein. “Without their assistance, we would not be able to serve nearly as many clients as we have this year.” In 2008, PIP provided grants to more than 60 students, nearly one-third of the law school’s 1L class. All students are eligible for a maximum of $4,000, equal to working 40 hours per week for 10 weeks. Recipients report weekly work hours, and are paid each week via grants processed through Boston University’s payroll system. Though sending a weekly timesheet to Boston from Africa was a bit of a hassle for Andrew Novak (’09), he describes his Botswana experience as amazing. “I spent most of my time working on indigenous rights issues and Zimbabwean refugee issues,” said Novak, who worked for a grassroots NGO, the Ditshwanelo Botswana Centre for Human Rights in Gaborone. Life-affirming experiences are in no shortage among past PIP grant recipients. Margaret Barusch (’09) said her 2007 and 2008 PIP grants jump-started her career. Her PIP grants allowed her to spend her summers working for the Committee for Public Counsel Services, a 15-member body appointed by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. The Committee oversees the provision 28 | Boston University School of Law | www.bu.edu/law
Public Interest Project Auction 2009 of legal representation to indigent persons in criminal and civil court cases and administrative proceedings in which there is a right to counsel. “When I entered law school, I knew I wanted to become a public defender,” said Barusch. “At the Committee for Public Counsel Services, I was able to spend time in court representing clients, visiting clients in local jails, researching criminal law issues and writing memos and motions. Because of my PIP grant, I was able to work with dozens of fascinating clients, and at the same time get experience that will help me get my dream job as a public defender.” While many students only apply for grants for their 1L summers, grant recipients often stay involved with PIP’s board, helping to raise financial support for the next wave of 1Ls. Almost immediately after the spring semester comes to a close, new board members start working on the upcoming year’s fundraising initiatives. “I think the organization has a lot to offer,” said Adrienne Bossi (’10), a PIP student director. “I like the idea that each year, a new board helps PIP evolve a little more. We’re constantly growing with each new board’s unique background and creativity.” With ideas such as book sales, finalsweek moustache contests, and “Men of BU” calendars, PIP students are constantly inventing new opportunities for fundraising. “We do the ‘Beantown Shootout’ basketball game against Boston College every fall, raise money from our spring and fall phone-a-thons, and host events like a private showing of the most recent James Bond movie at the Fenway cinema,” said Bossi. The organization’s main source of income, however, is its annual auction gala, which draws generous donations from students, faculty, alumni and the Boston community for both its live and silent auctions. While there are high-value items like Cape Cod getaways and signed movie scripts up for bid, the law school’s tight sense of community and camaraderie is reflected in the most-coveted faculty-themed donations, such as the dean’s parking spot and dinners with professors. Hefty financial donations from Goodwin Procter, Lexis Nexis, Westlaw and Barbri also help to augment the PIP fund. Over the years, PIP has become more than a fundraising organization. For BU Law students and alumni, the organization’s efforts have led to priceless experiences. “From a personal perspective, working with my clients was the best part of the summer,” said Barusch. “From a professional perspective, the opportunity to sit in on a variety of lawyers’ meetings with clients and witnesses was the best part.” In the future, PIP directors hope the organization will not only be a great “ Without [PIP’s] assistance, we would not be able to serve nearly as many clients as we have this year. ” —Anna Schleelein (’08) professional resource, but also a valuable networking opportunity. “We tried this year to be more of a social group than just a funding organization,” said Bossi. “I hope that has taken root.” • Fall 2009 | The Record | 29
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