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LawLawPalooza to showcase students in talent show

by Andre Salhab
Student Writer

Lawyers are known for their analytical skills, writing skills, public speaking skills but did you know of their other talents?

LawLawPalooza, an annual event which features talented law students from the University of Florida Levin College of Law School, will be held on Thursday, March 19, at the Backstage Lounge.

The event, hosted by the Association for Public Interest Law (APIL) and the John Marshall Bar Association (JMBA), will open doors at 8 p.m. and will begin promptly at 9 p.m.

“It is essentially just a law school social,” said Asghar Syed (3L), treasurer of APIL. “We just want to have a big event there everyone can enjoy the law school community.”

Though fun and entertainment is a big factor in LawLawPalooza, APIL and JMBA’s main goal is to raise money for a good cause. All of the funds raised through ticket sales from this event will be donated to the APIL fellowship. The APIL fellowship is a 2,000 stipend that is raised to give to law students in the summer that have accepted unpaid public interest internships. Other donations will also be acceptable.

Syed said the show is going to be a fun time because of the mix of talent that will be performing.

“It’s kind of like a variety show,” said Syed. “We are kind of going for SNL or something like that. You know like comedy sketches, music, pretty much all of the above.”

In addition to the solo acts, five bands will be rocking the house. Bands scheduled to perform include Dean Jerry’s Mustaches, Crazy Dicta, Superfish, and the monster. Jeffrey Davis, professor of law at UF Levin College of Law, will be his own band and will play some folk songs.

Zachary Lawton, a member of Crazy Dicta, has been a regular at UF’s annual LawLawPalooza. Other band members include: UF Law grad Randy Porcher, who plays bass, guitar, mandolin, and vocals, and journalist Joe Chaves, who plays lead guitar.

Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. Advance tickets will be sold in the UF Levin College of Law Marcia Whitney Schott Courtyard at the throughout Public Interest Week. JMBA members are $8 regardless of the ticket purchase time.

Lawton said that LawLawPalooza is a great event and people should come because it is for a good cause.

“APIL is a terrific organization, so I'd say they should come primarily because they know their money will go to good use.”

For more information about the event, contact Syed at asghar.a.syed@cba.ufl.edu, or Jennifer Hartzler at jennifer.hartzler@gmail.com. To donate to the fellowship make checks payable to LSA (memo line: APIL Fellowship) and send it to Kristen Bryant in the Center for Career Services.

Public Interest Week Schedule of Events

Tuesday, March 17, 5 p.m.: Practicing Criminal Law the Public Interest Way
The first event of the week will consist of lawyers discussing how they practice from the opposite side of the courtroom and how they see their work contributing to the welfare/benefit of society. Featuring attorneys include Whitney Untiedt from the Public Defender’s Office and Teresa Drake from the State Attorney’s Office. The event will be held in Faculty Dining Room

Wednesday, March 18, 5 p.m.: Florida Amendment 2, Civil Unions, Concerns and Consequences
Wednesday will showcase a discussion on the recent enactment of Florida Amendment 2, the discriminatory effects of the ban on civil unions, and its adverse legal consequences. The event will feature Shelbi Day of the ACLU of Florida LGBT Advocacy Project and will be held in Bailey Courtroom

Thursday, March 19, 8 p.m.: LawLawPalooza
LawLawPalooza, co-hosted by JMBA and APIL, will feature live music, law school talent, and a great night out. All proceeds from tickets will go toward the APIL Fellowship. The event will be held at the Backstage Lounge from 8 pm to Midnight. Tickets are available at the APIL table.

Monday, March 23, 5 p.m.: Student Experiences in Public Interest Law
The last event of Public Interest Week will feature students discussing their internship/externship experiences in public interest law. Panelists will include students who have worked for the state attorney, public defender, legal aid, in immigration, and in prisoner right's advocacy. This event will be held in Bailey Courtroom

For more information the events, contact Tariq Khan at gtkhan@ufl.edu.