LGBTQ Attorneys

SCOTUS should uphold long-standing precedent in case involving objection to same-sex marriage, ABA says

The ABA is urging the U.S. Supreme Court to again reject arguments by private businesses that claim First Amendment exemptions from laws that prohibit discrimination in the provision of public accommodations.

Aug 22, 2022 9:23 AM CDT

Washington Supreme Court justice shows ‘representation does matter’

G. Helen Whitener brings several different perspectives to her work as a state supreme court justice. She is the first Black woman and fourth immigrant-born justice to sit on the Washington Supreme Court. She is the first Black LGBT judge in the state of Washington. She also identifies as an individual with a disability.

Jul 20, 2022 8:42 AM CDT

Weekly Briefs: Transgender students would be covered by Title IX; lawyer’s contempt conviction upheld

Title IX protections would be expanded The Biden administration has proposed changes that would expand protections for sex discrimination under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the federal law that applies to schools that receive federal assistance. The changes clarify that protections against discrimination apply to sexual orientation,…

Jun 24, 2022 3:42 PM CDT

These law firms had ‘noteworthy moves’ in head count; which were tops for female, LGBTQ attorneys?

The National Law Journal’s latest list of the top 500 U.S. law firms by head count saw some significant changes in rankings.

Jun 22, 2022 3:36 PM CDT

Scott Schoettes has ‘personal stake’ in work for individuals living with HIV/AIDS

In a landmark ruling in April, the Department of Defense was ordered to stop discriminating against people with HIV and permit them to deploy and commission as military officers. Scott Schoettes represented the two plaintiffs who brought the suit, a case with personal meaning for him as an attorney living with HIV.

May 31, 2022 1:12 PM CDT

Law firm leaders are still mostly white and male, ABA diversity survey says

White male attorneys continue to constitute the highest percentages of equity partners, non-equity partners and associates at law firms, according to an ABA report released Monday.

May 16, 2022 2:35 PM CDT

As states consider regulation targeting transgender youths, some minds have been changed

A lawyer at the National Center for Lesbian Rights says despite several legislative obstacles, many LGBTQ clients are finding support from churches, neighbors and schools.

Apr 25, 2022 8:39 AM CDT

Transgender lawyer wins suit for declaration that trans discrimination violates attorney ethics rules

A transgender lawyer has won her lawsuit seeking a declaration that attorney ethics rules in Illinois do not allow discrimination based on gender identity. “I am absolutely overjoyed at this result, because for the first time trans litigants and attorneys in Illinois can walk into court knowing that misgendering, deadnaming and genital inspections are prohibited and they have recourse for violations,” Sheryl Ring said.

Apr 18, 2022 3:30 PM CDT

ABA’s new CLE policy appears to comply with state ban on diversity ‘quotas,’ Florida Bar says

The ABA Board of Governors on Tuesday revised the association’s diversity policy for continuing legal education programs after the Florida Supreme Court banned course credit in the state for programs with panel “quotas.”

Apr 6, 2022 2:38 PM CDT

Lawyer who led Human Rights Campaign sues for alleged racial discrimination

The former president of the Human Rights Campaign filed a lawsuit Thursday alleging that he was underpaid and fired because he is Black.

Feb 3, 2022 3:14 PM CST

The 2021 class of summer associates was ‘most diverse ever measured in every way,’ new NALP report says

The percentage of summer associates of color in major U.S. law firms increased by nearly 5 percentage points in 2021, increasing to 41.34%, according to a report released Wednesday by the National Association for Law Placement.

Jan 12, 2022 9:38 AM CST

August Hieber helps create access to legal services for older LGBT adults

August Hieber created Proud to Thrive, the first program in Chicago specifically designed to provide culturally responsive legal advocacy to LGBT older adults. Hieber recognized this population is less likely to access resources because of past experiences with discrimination and worked with the Center for Disability & Elder Law to host legal clinics and train other legal professionals on how to offer services.

Dec 14, 2021 1:19 PM CST

Some law firms are promoting record numbers of associates to partnership

Several law firms have announced their largest new partner classes on record amid a push to reward lawyers and create an incentive for associates to stay.

Nov 15, 2021 3:35 PM CST

Senate confirms first openly LGBTQ woman to a federal appeals court

The U.S. Senate confirmed Vermont Supreme Court Justice Beth Robinson to the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals at New York on Monday, making her the first openly LGBTQ woman to serve on a federal appeals court.

Nov 2, 2021 11:31 AM CDT

This New York City litigator advocates for transgender rights and is teaching other lawyers how to do it, too

“BigLaw requires a certain personality and way of doing things,” says Jillian Weiss. “I had always known I was transgender … and I just viewed it as something I had. I didn’t view it as bad, but I knew it was bad in the eyes of other people, so I had to hide it.”

Oct 1, 2021 1:40 AM CDT