PUBLIC INTEREST LAW ASSOCIATION AT UVA LAW
Live & Silent Auctions
The organization’s primary fundraising event is the PILA Auction, held annually late in the fall semester. The PILA Auction consists of two discrete events, which take place just a few days apart:
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The Live Auction is held at the law school and features big ticket items and fan favorites, which are auctioned off by fast-talking and fiery law school professors. This event brings law students and law professors together to support PILA’s fundraising goals.
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The Silent Auction is held at a local venue in Charlottesville and is viewed by many as the social event of the season. This event features a DJ, dancing, and some exclusive auction items.
Local Charlottesville businesses and law firms across the country donate items ranging from dinners at award-winning restaurants to tuition discounts to fly fishing lessons in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The most unique and popular items are often donations from UVA Law professors, who offer to host students for a meal at their homes or challenge students to a tennis match. All proceeds of the event go towards PILA Grants, which fund students working in non- or low-paying public interest jobs over the summer.
Book Sales & Donations
What are they? The book sales are one of PILA’s largest fundraising efforts and are critical to supporting the success of the PILA summer grant program. Every year, PILA holds multiple book sales within the law school, during which donated textbooks and study supplements are sold to students at a discounted price. The profits from these sales go towards PILA summer grants, which provide summer funding for unpaid public interest and judicial internships.
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When do the sales take place? We usually hold a 1L textbook and supplement sale right before classes begin; a hornbook and supplement sale mid to late in the semester; a spring textbook and supplement sale when classes start up again; and a hornbook and supplement sale mid to late in the semester.
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Donations: PILA generally collects book donations twice a year, during and after the finals period. Fall semester donations are generally collected in October and spring semester donations are generally collected in May. Students can drop off their used textbooks and supplements in a designated area within the law school.
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For any questions regarding book sales or donations, please feel free to reach out to our Fundraising Co-Directors: Madison Clark (raj9vf@virginia.edu); Austin Mueller (buu9qb@virginia.edu); and Jina Shin (js4wh@virginia.edu).
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Graduation Weekend Housing
What is it? Graduation Weekend Housing (GWH) partners 3Ls who need graduation weekend housing for family and friends with 1Ls and 2Ls who can rent out part or all of their apartments and houses. Housing providers keep half of the money they make and donate the other half to PILA!
How does it work? 1Ls, 2Ls and other members of the law school community provide accommodations for families and friends of graduating 3Ls. PILA uses the renters’ and the providers’ information to facilitate the matching process. While PILA facilitates the contractual agreement, the parties are exclusively responsible to one another.
When is it? Guests' stays can last from 12pm, May 18 — 12pm, May 22.
How much does it cost? Each apartment will be rented at a fixed, per-night cost of $150 for a single bedroom, with an extra $50 per night for each additional bedroom.
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For any questions regarding Graduation Weekend Housing, please feel free to reach out to our Fundraising Co-Directors: Madison Clark (raj9vf@virginia.edu); Austin Mueller (buu9qb@virginia.edu); and Jina Shin (js4wh@virginia.edu).
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GWH applications are now open for hosting students!
Get paid to host families who are visiting for graduation!
Participating students can expect to be matched with their visiting families in early April.
Please send completed applications to Madison Clark (raj9vf@virginia.edu) using the subject line "Graduation Housing Program 1L & 2L." Applications will be reviewed and matched on a rolling basis, so the sooner you apply, the sooner you will be matched with a family.
Please reach out to Madison with any questions or concerns!