BLSPI Committees

Alumni Committee

Ricky Levy - alumni@blspi.org

BLSPI invites alumni to our annual Auction, where we provide a great opportunity to network in a relaxed setting with former members who now work in various types of public interest and public service work. BLSPI also holds smaller alumni gatherings throughout the year, produces a semi-annual alumni newsletter, and relies on alumni support for a variety of events, such as scoring bar grant applications each spring. BLSPI’s alumni network generously donates various items to its annual auction and frequently mentors and assists BLSPI members as they begin their careers. BLSPI is grateful for the support and continued involvement of its alumni members.

 

Auction Committee

Syd Oliver - auction@blspi.org

The BLSPI Auction is the largest on-campus event and BLSPI’s primary fundraising initiative. Preparation for the Auction starts as early as the first few weeks of school and volunteers do everything from canvassing for donations and promotion to setting up and staffing the event itself. Funding from the Auction is the main funding source for BLSPI Fellows. For more information about past years’ BLSPI Auctions, how to donate, and this year’s auction, click here.

 

Fellowship Committee

Eva Van Ophem - fellowship@blspi.org

Every year, approximately fifteen to twenty Brooklyn Law School first- and second-year students pursuing unpaid public interest internships are selected to be BLSPI Fellows, receiving a $5,000 stipend for unpaid summer public interest work. New Fellows are interviewed and selected by current BLSPI Fellows and Executive Board members early in the spring semester. Not only do Fellows commit to meaningful work during their Fellowship summer, but they also develop a network within their Fellowship community, supporting BLSPI and its initiatives throughout the school year and serving as leaders in the larger public interest community at the law school. BLSPI’s Auction proceeds, as well as the school, fund the Fellowship. For information on how to support the Fellowship, application requirements, and the application process, click here.

 

Mentorship Program

Julia McHale - mentorship@blspi.org

BLSPI's Mentorship program, one of the largest on campus, pairs first-year law students with upper-class students who share similar interests. Mentors are encouraged to help mentees navigate the public interest legal community by assisting with job applications, advising aboutclasses, and working together on pro bono projects. Events include a mentorship mixer, resume workshop, career fair interview practice, and an informational session about registering for classes and clinics. To learn more about BLSPI’s mentorship program, click here.

 

Pro Bono Committee

Alessandra Antuzzi - probono@blspi.org

The Pro Bono Committee works to build awareness and participation in Brooklyn Law School's pro bono organizations. Toward the end of the fall semester, the Pro Bono Committee organizes BLSPI's Pro Bono Mixer, in which the school's pro bono organizations come together to celebrate their hard work and donate goods to a partner charitable organization.

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Community Development Committee

BLSPI’s Community Development Committee is responsible for instituting public service “days of action,” overseeing annual donation drives, and coordinating public service events with other BLS student organizations. Their programming and outreach includes, but is not limited to: spring and fall blood drives; a Halloween fundraiser for domestic violence shelters; canned immunity drives for a local food pantry; an orientation week service project and a volunteer opportunity on MLK Day of Service; and organizing speakers and panels around a topic concerning race and the law. To learn more about the work of BLSPI’s Community Development Committee, click here.

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1L Delegates and Volunteer Opportunities

BLSPI offers many opportunities for 1Ls to gain leadership experience, starting in their first semester. Many of our committees have one or more 1L representative positions. These positions and the application process are open to all first year full- and part-time students. Feel free to contact any of our committees for more details.

 

There are many opportunities to volunteer throughout the year and to get involved in the public interest community at BLS. Sign-up for our listserv to receive updates on these various opportunities.