25th Annual Public Interest Auction, 3/26
Presented by the Walter A. Lucas '88 Public Interest Fellowship Program (PIFP)
Saturday, March 26
7:00–9:00 p.m.
John F. Scarpa Hall
Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law
299 N. Spring Mill Road, Villanova, PA 19085
Join the Walter A. Lucas '88 Public Interest Fellowship Program (PIFP) for our 25th Annual Public Interest Auction, benefitting Villanova Law students who dedicate their summers to public interest and public service legal work. Over the past 25 years, PIFP has funded 242 law students working at over 130 public interest law organizations, raising over $1,000,000 for Villanova Law’s public interest community. We are celebrating these accomplishments back in person at the law school, with virtual options to participate available. Additionally, we will host a reunion cocktail hour for our PIFP alumni—board members, fellows or members—the hour before the auction.
In honor of the 25th anniversary of the Auction, Jane Lessner '88 and Gerry Donnelly '66 have generously committed up to $10,000 in a dollar-for-dollar match for donations toward the Walter A. Lucas '88 Public Interest Fellowship Program (PIFP).
Registration for this event is required. A link to the virtual event will be sent to all registered participants. If you select to attend virtually, a link for the simulcast of our ceremony and live auction will be sent in February. Once registered, you will be automatically entered into a raffle for the chance to win Apple AirPod Pros, an iPad or a Yeti Cooler. You may also purchase additional $5 raffle tickets to improve your chances!
The silent auction website is now open for registration; bidding will open a week prior to the event on Friday, March 18.
We look forward to seeing you!
Established in 1998, the Walter A. Lucas '88 Public Interest Fellowship Program (PIFP) of Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law is a student-run, non-profit organization that provides financial support to law students who commit their summers to public interest legal work. In turn, PIFP Fellows work in otherwise unpaid positions with various public interest organizations throughout the region to advocate for the common good and to deliver free legal services to underserved and underrepresented populations.
PIFP also provides financial support through its Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) to recent graduates pursuing careers in public interest law. In 2019, PIFP's LRAP was renamed the Detta and Joseph Tate Loan Repayment Assistance Program, in honor of our generous donors who now fund the program. In 2009, PIFP was named in memory of Walter Lucas '88, who dedicated his legal career to helping others and fighting employment discrimination.
Taylor Bourguignon '23
Office of Disciplinary Counsel of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
"This internship was an opportunity to not only learn about the integrity and ethical awareness within the legal profession but also be introduced to a variety of law such as family, immigration, and criminal. This summer was truly an invaluable experience that allowed me to work directly with experienced attorneys, learn more about government work, and hone my legal advocacy skills."
Alicia Broderick '23
Bucks County Public Defender’s Office
"During my time with the office, I saw firsthand how committed public defenders are to being zealous advocates for their clients. I was able to work with and help clients who are from my community, which was an invaluable experience. Overall, my experience with the office has made me eager to learn more about criminal law so I can pursue a career as a public defender."
Melissa Durante '23
Bucks County District Attorney’s Office
"This was a really valuable experience as well as I had the chance to be exposed to a variety of court proceedings – everything from preliminary hearings to full jury trials and sentencing hearings. As someone who would like to work as a litigator in the future, this was particularly interesting to me and helped me to better understand the processes that go on in criminal proceedings as well as what it takes to be an effective litigator. Moreover, this experience really helped guide me moving forward by helping me discover areas I enjoy in the law and further helping me sort out what I am looking for in my legal career."
Annalise Hodges '22
Deschutes Defenders - Bend, Oregon
"I assisted the attorneys with several felony cases and had the opportunity to manage a small caseload of clients under attorney supervision. My role included conducting client interviews, negotiating settlement agreements with the district attorneys, developing legal defenses/theories, discussing settlement offers with the clients, and representing the clients during court hearings."
Juliette Mogenson '23
New Jersey Office of the Attorney General Division of Law
"These experiences showed me the enormous value the state government places on research. I am thankful that I had the opportunity to hone my research skills and contribute to complex legal issues that have a lasting impact on citizens in the community. The internship experience reaffirmed my passion for serving my community through government work."
Destynee Speaks '23
Philadelphia Lawyers for Social Equity (PLSE)
"PLSE is focused on providing legal service to low-income individuals who have come in contact with the criminal justice system and continue to feel adverse effects from that interaction, even after their time is “served.” It was extremely rewarding to see clients freed from their criminal record and have opportunities which were previously denied. My summer working with a public interest organization provided me with invaluable client interaction, legal experience and further solidified my interest in serving the most marginalized and vulnerable communities in our society."
Rachel Wolfman '23
Montgomery County Public Defender’s Office
"I worked as a legal intern with the Montgomery County Public Defender’s Office. At the outset of the internship, I was paired with an assistant public defender who I worked closely with throughout the summer. I also volunteered to help with expungement clinics that the PD’s office hosts to help individuals clean up their records free of cost. I thoroughly enjoyed my public interest work this summer and I am returning to the PD’s office next summer as a certified legal intern."
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