For the second consecutive year, Rev. Jesse Jackson (above), pictured with Antonio M. Romanucci, a partner in the Chicago personal injury firm of Romanucci & Blandin, LLC, offered dinner with himself as an auction item at a gala at the Public Justice Foundation's annual meeting in Philadelphia on July 15. The two top bids combined sold for $48,000, with Raymond P. Boucher, of Los Angeles, and Lee J. Rohn, of the Virgin Islands, agreeing to pay $24,000 each for the opportunity to dine with Rev. Jackson.

Last year, when the foundation held its annual meeting in Chicago, dinner with Rev. Jackson snagged a $61,000 contribution for the organization from the two top bidders. Romanucci, a Foundation board member, arranged for the rather unusual - and profitable - auction item.

The Public Justice Foundation, headquartered in Washington, D.C., is a nonprofit national membership organization that supports the work of Public Justice, a national, public interest law firm. Public Justice supporters - over 3,500 of the nation's most dedicated attorneys and concerned citizens - provide the legal talent and financial backing necessary to allow Public Justice to pursue significant lawsuits with a broad public interest impact.