University of Idaho College of Law Public Interest Law Group

Written by Jessica Mullins - Argonaut

Tuesday, 12 February 2008

It was good, home-style cooking. But the food was unlike what many community members, such as Larry and Carol Lass, are used to.
The two Moscow residents went to the Big Easy Banquet on Friday. They supported University of Idaho College of Law students while enjoying traditional Southern cooking.
The food was good and different, Carol said of the options that included gumbo, chicken po-boy, peach cobbler, cheese grits and sweet tea. The Moscow Food Co-Op donated king cakes to the event.
The Public Interest Law Group, a three-year-old UI law school organization, hosted the banquet to raise funds for alternative service break trips to New Orleans, Washington, D.C., and Boise.
“There is still a lot that has to be done down there,” said Jordan Tayor, PILG president, a second-year law student from Lewiston.
PILG member and third-year student R.J. Linnan was the main chef for the banquet. Linnan, who used to live in Florida, spent more than 15 hours preparing the food. He used his grandmother’s recipes.
“It’s comfort food for me,” Linnan said. “You don’t get that kind of food anywhere else.”
The Moscow Volunteer Peace Band’s Southern-sounding horn music filled the room at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church. Banquet attendees nodded their heads and clapped to the music.
The banquet served a dual purpose, said Lacey Rammell-O’Brien, PILG member and third-year law student.
“It’s not just a social event, but (it is about) helping people, “Rammell-O’Brien said. “It is very jovial. People seem happy to be here.”
The event was held last year and raised around $1,500. This year around 150 people attended the banquet and the goal of $2,000 was met, Taylor said.
Taylor asked the local band on Tuesday, when he saw them at the Democratic Caucus, if they would play at the event three days later.
Only 30 minutes into the three-hour event several people had arrived.
“So far I’m really excited by how many people are here,” Taylor said.
There are around 60 members of PILG, which strives to help law students prepare when going into public interest fields, Taylor said. He said the Alternative Spring Break trips fit in with the goals of the group.
The banquet and trips give PILG a good reputation, Taylor said.
“We are one of the most active groups (in the law school) and it gets us a lot of respect,” Taylor said. “It shows we are passionate.”
PILG member Brett Judd said he likes how unique the ASB trips are.
“We are tying to help out all these (different groups),” he said.
After PILG submitted the trips’ proposal to UI President Tim White and College of Law Dean Don Burnett, they were told UI would match the amount of money they raise. Taylor said the group hopes to raise $5,000 on their own, for a total of $15,000. The banquet was the main fundraiser but smaller other ones will be held, Taylor said.