On Thursday, March 30, Chapman University Dale E. Fowler School of Law’s Public Interest Law Foundation (PILF) will host its annual gala dinner and silent auction, with proceeds supporting PILF’s Summer Grant Program for students pursuing unpaid public interest positions.

The semi-formal event will include a seated dinner, silent auction, live jazz music, and a presentation honoring the annual PILF Award for Excellence in Public Service and the M. Katherine Baird Darmer Commitment to Public Service Award winners.

antoinette baltaThis year’s honoree for Excellence in Public Service is Antoinette Balta (JD ’06, LL.M. ’11). Antoinette is President and Co-founder of the Veterans Legal Institute, where she oversees and has responsibility for business development, outreach, public relations, marketing, and strategic planning. She is also a reserve JAG Officer with the California State Military Reserve, assigned to the Installation Support Group at the Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos where she holds the rank of Captain.

kathleen olearyThe Honorable Kathleen E. O’Leary will be recognized with the M. Katherine Baird Darmer Commitment to Public Service Award. Justice O’Leary was appointed as Presiding Justice of the California Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division Three, in 2011. Throughout her judicial career, she has been active in judicial and law-related education. She has consistently worked to improve the administration of justice through comprehensive and quality education and training.

Past silent auction items have included fine wines, major league sports tickets, collectible movie posters, artwork, fine dining gift certificates, and much more. To RSVP for the gala dinner, or for more information, visit chapman.edu/law/events/pilf-2017.aspx.