Sophia Azurin ’28, president, at the student group's holiday fundraiser.
Redefining giving
Law students lead with service
A new student group at the law school is showing that giving back extends far beyond fundraising. The newly formed group, Leaders for Philanthropy, is channeling the passion of future lawyers into service that strengthens community ties and uplifts those in need. Their mission is simple yet profound: to keep alive the spirit of service that draws so many to law school, while building the skills—advocacy, leadership, teamwork—that will shape them into lawyers who advance justice and do good.
Sandy Wu ’27
“True philanthropy isn't about money; it’s about service to the community,” says Sandy Wu ’27, who founded the group last semester and serves as its chair. “In particular, it’s about using our platform and resources to help those who are often overlooked or disadvantaged.
“To us, philanthropic giving means contributing time, knowledge or any other resources we may have to support those in need. Many students come to law school with a desire to help vulnerable communities, and we hope to keep that passion alive by providing opportunities to serve beyond the classroom.”
Sophia Azurin ’28
“There’s a lot of pressure on law students, and it’s pretty easy to get our heads stuck in the books,” says Sophia Azurin ’28, president of the organization. “So it’s good to be active members of the community.
“Our goal is to promote doing what you can and being part of the community. It’s about developing our skills as future lawyers, like leadership, communication, advocacy and teamwork, while helping others.”
It has been a busy semester already for the group, which has 11 people on its board. They sold holiday treat bags to raise an initial stake, and they’ve partnered with the school’s Career Services Office to solicit donations of gifts to be distributed through Toys for Tots. That toy drive is ongoing.
Next up, a UB Law team will brave the elements in the upcoming Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics New York. On Dec. 6, members of the group will head down to Woodlawn Beach State Park and wade into the near-icy waters of Lake Erie.
Noah Kalsner-Lowe ’27
Noah Kalsner-Lowe ’27, fundraising and events director for the group, is one of them. He’s had practice: playing hockey as a youth in Sudbury, Ont., he and a roommate would swim in the lake during the winter just for fun. “It's actually enjoyable once you get in and get used to it,” he insists. “It feels good.”
The plungers are soliciting donations, which can be made online. They’re hoping to raise $5,000 overall.
“Hopefully we can make the Polar Plunge a tradition,” Kalsner-Lowe says. “The hope is that when we graduate, we can pass this on to younger students and then keep the club alive and growing. The Polar Plunge idea has been really fun, and it’s a nice way to give back to the community.”
Beyond the immediate projects, Leaders for Philanthropy is working on building long-term relationships with nonprofits, including formalizing a partnership with Special Olympics New York to promote that group’s events and activities. They are also collaborating with another new student group planned to debut next semester, the UB Law and Political Economy League, dedicated to studying how law shapes economies and power relations. “Both clubs are composed of students who value social responsibility, so it would be a natural match,” Wu says.
“We want our students to realize they can make a positive impact on this world,” she says. “They are the next generation of lawyers and advocates, which means they will hold significant power someday. Whether they use that power to accumulate wealth for wealth’s sake or they use that power to create a more egalitarian society, that choice is theirs to make.”
