Dinner and dancing with UConn Law deans, a bartending class, Disney park passes and more will be on the block starting today in the 2023 Public Interest Law Group Auction.
“The PILG Auction raises money to provide stipends to students working unpaid summer internships serving underrepresented communities in areas they are passionate about,” explained Meg Phillips ’24, president of the Public Interest Law Group at UConn Law . “There are many students who have expressed to PILG that they would not have been able to have those internship experiences without the PILG Fellowship.”
In the past, the fellowships have enabled students to work for organizations such as the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General, Greater Hartford Legal Aid, and the United Nations Refugee Agency.
Bidding in the 30th Annual Public Interest Law Group Auction will begin online at 6 p.m. and continue through Friday. Guests are encouraged to register on the GiveSmart platform to review the times up for grabs. They include a spa and massage package at the Delamar hotel in Blueback Square in West Hartford, tickets for a UConn men’s basketball game, an all-inclusive Mystic experience package, a Themis Bar Review course, and four day passes to any Disney theme park.
Tickets to the Dancing With the Deans, featuring Dean Eboni S. Nelson and the law school’s associate and assistant deans, will not be subject to bidding but will be available for sale at $20 each. The event will be held on Feb. 24 in the Reading Room of William F. Starr Hall on the UConn Law campus at 55 Elizabeth St, in Hartford. DJ Q-Boogie will provide music and entertainment.
The auction will continue on the GiveSmart platform until Feb. 10 at 8:30 p.m. Participants may check items and place bids throughout the week. Only the winners will be charged for bids, and credit cards will be charged after the auction closes on Feb. 10.
To close the bidding, the Public Interest Law Group will hold a celebratory Auction Reception on Feb. 10 in the Reading Room. The event will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. and is open to the public. Winning bidders may claim their items at the event.
“We are thrilled to be returning to an in-person format while maintaining the virtual component to make bidding accessible for everyone,” said Kim Luciano ’25, an evening student at the law school and one of the group’s auction chairs.
Nelson and members of the Public Interest Law Group will offer remarks. Refreshments and a credit bar will be provided. Advance registration is required via the GiveSmart platform.
“We are so excited to be celebrating our 30th Annual Public Interest Law Group Auction this year.” said Caroline McCormack, co-auction chair. “We have an incredible support system in our student volunteers, faculty, and staff. We also have a thoughtful and generous community of businesses in Connecticut and beyond that helped to make this event possible.”
Donations to the Public Interest Law Group are also welcome and may be made on the UConn Foundation website
