“Just Bid It!” – Students Hold Fourth Annual PILF Auction

On June 8, members of STL’s Public Interest Law Foundation (“PILF”) held the “Fourth Annual PILF Auction.”  PILF is a student-run organization devoted to promoting public interest law and the pro bono responsibilities of lawyers. STL’s PILF is the first in China.

The theme of this year’s auction – “Just Bid It” – set a festive mood for the evening, where scores of students, faculty and PKUSZ community members gathered in the STL Building and actively bid on items donated by faculty, alumni, students, and local businesses. Auction items included a Hong Kong Victoria “junk boat” dinner cruise donated by Dean Philip McConnaughay; lunch in Aix-en-Provence, south of France with Professor Francis Snyder; a hiking trip at Shenzhen Bay with J.M. faculty; a beautiful calligraphy work by PKUSZ Chancellor Wu Yundong; yoga and dancing lessons from students; and many other fun and popular items.

Proceeds from the annual PILF auctions help fund students’ unpaid summer internships with pro bono and public interest organizations. Last summer, PILF funded seven students in public internships positions around the world, including Zhicheng Public Interest Lawyers in Beijing, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Beijing, and federal judicial clerkships in the United States. In prior years, PILF fellowship recipients interned with Earth Rights International in Thailand, UNCITRAL in Incheon, ABA Rule of Law Program in Beijing, ABA Justice Defender Program in Washington D.C., ACLU of Southern California, and Common Language in Beijing.

“The PILF auction is a great event which supports students and enables them to develop their skills in public service. Many thanks to the organizers who made it all happen,” said Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs Christian Pangilinan.