Lawyers have a reputation as community-minded people: serving on boards, giving their time and talents through volunteer work, and financially supporting many worthwhile causes.

Instilling that mindset begins in law school, and in 2018-19 Queen’s Law students put their money where their mouths are – raising nearly $42,000 for a pair of Kingston-area charities.

One of the students’ enduring charitable efforts is the Queen’s Law Cancer Society annual campaign in support of the Canadian Cancer Society, Kingston, Ontario Division; and cancer research and awareness projects. QLCS Co-Chairs Kristin AuCoin and Erin Jamieson, both Law’20, spearheaded this year’s highly successful campaign, which raised $34,000.

“Our biggest event by far is the Queen’s Law Cabaret for the Cure, a variety show with dancers, fashion lines, a speaker and a live auction,” says Jamieson. “It was a huge success and a shining example of how supportive and involved the entire community can be when they get behind a meaningful cause. What is especially important about this event is that it is not just a fun opportunity to dance in front of friends – it is about supporting a very important cause.”

This year’s Cabaret alone raised $25,000. The campaign also included a Movember drive, Run for the Cure, and soccer baseball. The fundraising took on an especially poignant note this year, as Bill Flanagan will be stepping down as Dean in the summer.

“Each year, Dean Flanagan auctions off dinner with himself during the Cabaret for the Cure silent auction, and it went for more money than it has ever gone for before – $1,000,” Jamieson adds. “When we started to see how much some of the auction items were going for, we began to realize we were not only going to meet our event goal of $20,000, but that we would exceed it. It was an exciting moment for us.”

Proving that law students are a talented bunch, the Cabaret for the Cure was not the only opportunity for students to strut their stuff. In February, the annual Lawlapalooza talent show took over Trinity Social in downtown Kingston. With support from Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP, the event raised $7,800 for the Joe Chithalen Memorial Musical Instrument Lending Library (“Joe’s MILL”), a local charity that provides instrument rentals and lessons to youth and adults in Kingston.

“A few hours in, we saw people bopping to the music and dancing and realized it was a good event,” says Nicholas Baldwin, Law’20, and event co-chair along with Kate Martini, Law’20. “No matter what you do on stage, you’re in front of friends – it’s a very supportive atmosphere. Even though I broke my bass pedal during my set, my friends were chanting my name, everyone had a good time, and we raised a significant amount of money for Joe’s MILL. It was a great night.”

Check out photo galleries for Lawlapalooza and Cabaret for a Cure!

By Phil Gaudreau