Climbing Above the Culture Clash

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