Media, Law & Policy

SPIN auction Nov. 13 helps law students pursue public interest careers

Monday, November 9, 2009, By Jaclyn D. Grosso

Social justice, children’s rights, environmental protection, civil liberties—these are just some of the community issues that Syracuse University College of Law students can help address with funds raised at the annual Public Interest Auction hosted by the Syracuse Public Interest Network (SPIN). The SPIN auction begins at 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 13, at the Hotel Syracuse and includes both silent and live auctions, with such items as professional sports memorabilia, airline tickets, leisure activities and fine dining eats and treats. All auction proceeds fund SPIN Fellowships, which are given to students who obtain unpaid summer internships in the public interest sector.

“My SPIN Fellowship gave me valuable experience providing direct legal services to migrant farm workers, a group that has been systematically excluded from employment legislation and faces considerable obstacles in accessing justice,” says second year law student Sovereign Hager. “The SPIN Fellowship enabled me to pursue my passion for public interest law and strengthen my conviction that dedicated advocates can effect change in situations of exploitation, even in the face of systematic barriers to equality.”

Now in its 17th year, the program continues to raise money to encourage law students to pursue careers in public interest law. Last year, the organization raised more than $48,000 to fund fellowships for students who volunteered in the public interest sector during the summer. This translated into about 4,200 hours of work dedicated to helping those who cannot afford legal assistance. SPIN members worked in legal service organizations, private nonprofit legal organizations and government agencies throughout the country. In addition, SU College of Law students completed more than 5,500 hours of community service throughout the greater Syracuse area last year.

Advance sale tickets—$10 for SU students, faculty and staff and $15 for the general public—are available Nov. 2. For more information, to donate items or to attend the event, call (315) 443-1146, e-mail SPIN@law.syr.edu or visit the SPIN website at http://www.law.syr.edu/spin.