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While most of the rest of the country is focused on the race for the white house, an enterprising and committed group of IU Law-Indy students is focused on another kind of race. It’s a fun run/walk they have dubbed the “Jog for Justice” which took place Sunday, October 10th along the Canal Walk in downtown Indianapolis. 3L Emily Benfer, one of the race organizers, said the idea for the event came out of a brainstorming session at last spring’s Norman Amaker Public Interest Law Retreat. At that event, Emily and several other students from our school found out that other Midwestern law schools had been able to raise as much as $25,000 for public interest law scholarships. “We are hoping to do the same!” says Benfer.

All of the proceeds from the October 10th race help IU Law - Indy students who are interested in working in public interest law by financing Equal Justice Works’ Summer Scholars Program and the school’s Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) Endowment. The Summer Scholars Program has made it possible for students to volunteer at Public Defenders Offices around the country, the Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic, the Indiana Civil Liberties Union, the National Center for Poverty Law in Chicago, the Senior Law Project of Indiana Legal Services, and the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office. The LRAP Endowment provides financial assistance to IU-Indy law graduates pursuing public interest careers. Public interest attorneys receive very low salaries (between $15,000-$37,000) and often struggle to make ends meet with the burden of loans to repay. By repaying portions of public interest law graduates’ education debt, LRAP enables IU graduates to assist under-represented members of society, including victims of domestic violence, people who are homeless, elderly, or disabled; migrant workers; and other families and individuals in need. According to Benfer, “The 2L chairpersons of Summer Scholars and LRAP Endowment, Lauren Biloski, Kevin Resler, Katie Orton, and Lynn Grunloh, are currently coordinating the race – and doing a fantastic job with the help of other Equal Justice Works members!”

The Jog for Justice took place on Sunday, October 10, 2004 at 9:00 a.m. (registration begins at 7:30 a.m.). It was a 2 mile fun run/walk. Participants must register online at www.active.com (search ‘jog for justice’). Please register soon! In exchange for the $25 registration fee, participants will receive a t-shirt and raffle ticket for prizes at the after-race celebration, which will take place in the law school atrium. Children under 10 walk/run for free and are welcome to attend the after-party.

As of September 17, the race had the following Gold Sponsors ($500 or more): Barnes & Thornburg, Baker & Daniels, Race Judicata: IU Indy Law Faculty Runners, Professor Roisman, Indiana Civil Liberties Union Board, Indianapolis Bar Foundation/Indianapolis Bar Association, Wayne Township Fire Department; Bronze Sponsors ($150-$249): Professor Wright, Professor Edwards, Pizza Magia, Papa Johns, Einstein Bagels, Bourbon Street Distillery. Sponsorship opportunities are available at the levels listed above, as well as the Silver level ($250-$499). Anyone interested in being a sponsor should call Carol Neary, Director of Development.