Barristers' Ball Gifts Breakthrough House More Than $10,000

Washburn Student Bar Association’s fall 2015 Barristers’ Ball raised $10,621.80 for the Breakthrough House in Topeka, ranking among the largest amount raised in the event’s history. Breakthrough House, a nonprofit organization, was established in 1978 to support the recovery of individuals with mental illness. Most, if not all, of the individuals it serves have little or no income except for disability benefit payments and/or some form of public assistance.  

The annual Barristers’ Ball brings students, faculty, and friends together for a night of dining and dancing along with a live and silent auction. Shawn Leisinger, ’99, executive director of Washburn Law’s Centers for Excellence, masterfully conducted the auction.

Washburn Law students solicited auction items from local businesses and were essential in planning the event. Students also collaborated on gift packages that included several hours of manual labor and a night of child care. Some faculty members and deans creatively packaged items such as the Iron Professor cooking competition, Texas Hold ‘Em Poker night, and a Super Bowl Bash.   

The Ball was held on Saturday, October 17 at the Kansas Museum of History in Topeka.   Photograph courtesy of Robert Pyatt, J.D. Candidate '18.