Fundraising
The primary purpose of PILF is to provide grants for students pursuing otherwise unpaid summer internships in organizations throughout the country (and even internationally) that provide legal services to traditionally underrepresented individuals and interests. To that end, we have many fundraisers throughout the year. Due to the annual success of our fundraising efforts, we are able to assist an average of 30 students with summer funding. The organizations that our members intern at are diverse not only in their focuses but also in their locations. Whether your interest is in criminal defense work, international human rights, or environmental law, PILF endeavors to finacially assist its members.
Annual Spring Auction
The most celebrated of PILF's fundraisers is its annual auction that is held each spring and is widely recognized as the best annual law school event. The auction is open to students, faculty, and alumni and typically raises over $12,000.
Fall Fundraiser
PILF seeks to revive its tradition of throwing a fall fundraiser and plans to do so starting in 2009. The ideas that have been discussed have included a softball tournament, karaoke night, or a roast.
Breakfast Table
Throughout the school year, the first thing you see in the morning as you enter Weinmann Hall are the faces of PILF members selling coffee and breakfast snacks to help pay for their summer grants.
Faculty Lounge
Not only does PILF provide for breakfast needs of students, but also of faculty. Early rising PILF volunteers prepare the faculty loune every morning all year, including the summer.
PILF Catering Service
In its constant search for new ways to raise money, PILF's entrepreneurial spirit kicked in and gave rise to its recents catering service. Throughout the year, Tulane Law hires PILF to cater numerous events. This is one of PILF's most promising fundraisers and endeavors to maximize its potential in the years to come.
Book & Study Aid Sales
At the beginning of each semester, PILF publishes a list of the used casebeooks that have been donated to PILF and that are for sale to Tulane Law students. Additionally, at the end of the semester approaches and students get the urge to purchase all the study aids they can find, PILF sells its collection of donated hornbooks and study aids.
Promote public interest law
PILF also promotes public interst work in the law school by inviting public interest attorneys to speak and by encouraging pro bono work. In addition, PILF will help you find volunteer opportunities in the New Orleans community so you can gain important legal experience and give something back to this great city.
Finally, PILF collaborates extensively with the Career Development Office (CDO) to assist interested students with their public interest job searches. PILF and the CDO work together to make sure that public interest-minded students are informed with regard to available fellowships, grants, loan repayment assistance, internships, and, of course, post-graduate employment.
Street Law
Participants in the PILF Street Law program team up with the Orleans Public Defender's Office to educate young adults about their search and seizure rights. After being trained, volunteers go out to local high schools and organizations and convey this information through skits, open discussion, and targeted questioning. Volunteers will get as much out of the experience as the individuals in the audience. Street Law is weekly program offered in both the fall and spring semesters.
Public Interest Week
PILF is a key component of Public Interest Week as it gives several presentations, helps fund the speakers that attend, and provide essential volunteer support.
Speakers
Throughout the year, PILF invites attorneys from New Orleans' several public interest organizations, from the Innocence Project to Catholic Charities. These events give students the great opportunity to hear from and meet with leaders in the legal community.
Equal Justice Works
Equal Justice Works holds an annual conference and career fair in Washington, D.C. each October. PILF assists interested members in attending this event by providing travel grants.
Loan Repayment & Forgiveness Education
Many times a year, PILF members give presentations to inform law students about the loan repayment and forgiveness programs that may be available to them upon graduation.