Law School Auction to Raise Funds for Students’ Public Interest Work

Lunch with the Rev. Al Sharpton and former New York mayor Ed Koch. A trip to Mexico. A cruise in San Francisco Bay. These are just a few of the more than 300 items up for bid at the Seventh Annual Public Interest Auction at Harvard Law School on Thursday, April 6.

Auction proceeds will benefit Harvard Law students who take low-paying or volunteer public interest jobs this summer. Last year, the auction raised more than $65,000, or about $700 per student. Students then spent the summer working with children’s and civil rights organizations, district attorneys, and public defenders, among others.

This year’s auction items also include two week-long passes at Vail, Colo., lunch with Justice Charles Fried, a vacation for two to London, a stay at the Charles Hotel including dinner for two, and use of a Hawaii beach house for seven days. Law students are offering lessons in cooking, sports, and music as well as babysitting services.

Auction items are listed online at http://record.law.harvard.edu/auction.

The silent auction starts at 5:30 p.m. in Austin Hall and the live auction begins at 7:00 in the Ames Courtroom, Austin Hall. Austin Hall is located at 1515 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge. Professors Phil Heymann and Carol Steiker will serve as auctioneers. Refreshments will be available.

The auction is free and open to the public; Austin Hall is wheelchair accessible. For more information, call (617) 495-3134 or e-mail auction@record.law.harvard.edu.