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Northwestern Law's Student Funded Public Interest Fellowship (SFPIF) will honor three prominent alumni, including former Illinois governor Jim Thompson, for their outstanding contributions to public service and the legal community.

Thompson (JD '59), current chairman and CEO at Winston & Strawn; Jeffrey Cummings (JD '87), co-administrative partner at Miner, Barnhill & Galland; and Diane Geraghty (JD '72), professor and interim dean at Loyola University School of Law, will be recognized at SFPIF's Second Annual Public Service Benefit Dinner on Thursday, April 14, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the School of Law, 357 East Chicago Avenue.

Governor Thompson is being recognized for his decades of service to the state of Illinois and the nation, first as U.S. Attorney for the Northern District and then as the state's longest-serving chief executive, as well as his contributions on critical national boards and commissions. Geraghty receives recognition for her many contributions to the field of children's law and her years of service in the protection of civil liberties. Cummings is being honored for his efforts to advance the cause of civil rights, both through his private practice and his extensive service with the non-profit sector. 

SFPIF is a nonprofit organization run by students at the Law School. The group is dedicated to funding law students working in unpaid positions at public interest organizations during the summer. The SFPIF Grant was renamed the Len Rubinowitz Public Interest Fellowship in 1991 to honor Professor Rubinowitz's public service contributions to the Law School and greater Chicago community.

Last year SFPIF raised nearly $90,000 and awarded 30 Len Rubinowitz Public Interest Fellowship Grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 to students working full-time summer internships in public interest law. The organization plans to raise at least that amount again this year.

Tickets for the benefit dinner are $100 for individuals and $900 for tables of 10. All proceeds go towards SFPIF grants.

This event is sponsored in part by Winston & Strawn LLP.

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