The Law School to celebrate two decades of BPILP at annual auction February 27

The Buffalo Public Interest Law Program (BPILP) will host its 20th annual auction at 6 p.m. on February 27 at the Pearl Street Grill & Brewery, 76 Pearl Street. Tickets are available for $40 at the door, which includes two hours of drinks and food catered by Pearl Street.

This event is the largest fundraising effort for BPILP, organized to fund numerous fellowships for law students who have obtained non-paid summer positions with various public interest organizations in Western New York and around the world.

"Public interest" encompasses many areas of the law, including domestic violence, child advocacy, human rights, poverty law, elder law and environmental law, to name a few. While many organizations are in need of legal assistance that law students can offer, they often cannot afford to provide a paycheck.

“Many of the law students want to work in the public interest, but often feel forced to take a paid position instead,” says Corey Chapin ’15, the president of the BPILP board in the law school.

“BPILP allows students to explore public interest careers as paid interns. It’s a win for the community and for the law students,” she says.

Up for auction this year are items for the silent and live auction, as well as raffle items that will include fine art; theater, concert and sporting-event tickets; restaurant and salon gift certificates; themed gift baskets; jewelry and many other objects. The event typically draws SUNY Buffalo Law former BPILP recipients, alumni and friends from throughout Buffalo's legal community.

Fellowship recipients have recently interned at the Prisoners’ Legal Services of NY, Volunteer Lawyers Project, Legal Services of the Elderly, Disabled and Disadvantaged, the Federal Public Defender’s Office, the Erie County District Attorney’s Office, as well as many others.

To attend or support the event with money or items to auction, please contact Corey Chapin at corey.chapin@gmail.com.