Annual Report of the National Lesbian and Gay Law Association and the National Lesbian and Gay Law Foundation
2007
The National Lesbian and Gay Law Association (NLGLA) and the National Lesbian and Gay Law Foundation (NLGLF) are dedicated to improving the quality of life for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender legal practitioners. In 2007, NLGLA expanded its efforts to provide critical information on LGBT legal issues to its members and the broader legal community. This year also marked the beginning of a period of growth for NLGLA, with the addition of a new staff member and the commencement of an intensive, long-term planning process.
Mission Statement
NLGLA is a national association of lawyers, judges, other legal professionals, law students, activists, and affiliated lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender legal organizations. NLGLA promotes justice in and through the legal profession for the LGBT community in all its diversity. The National Lesbian and Gay Law Foundation is an IRS Code 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports NLGLA, encouraging its charitable, scientific, and legal education purposes.
Lavender Law
A leading source of information on cutting-edge legal issues affecting the LGBT community, the Lavender Law Career Fair and Conference (Lavender Law) continued to grow in 2007. Conference registration reached an all-time high, up 73 percent over 2006. The 2007 conference focused on providing advanced legal education to returning Lavender Law attendees by presenting more practice tips and theoretical workshops designed for experienced practitioners. Two dozen workshops addressed topics such as practical litigation and transaction skills, constitutional law developments, estate planning and drafting, employment discrimination, HIV/AIDS, immigration, domestic violence, the Solomon Amendment, and “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Additional sessions focused on issues affecting out legal practitioners – from those working in solo practice to those in large firms.
NLGLA added several new activities to Lavender Law in 2007. A special event for affiliate members provided the opportunity for them to learn about NLGLA’s strategic planning process and provide input on the future direction of the organization. For the first time this year, students were able to participate in individual career counseling sessions during the conference. The sessions allowed students to meet with qualified legal services professionals and obtain advice about resumes, cover letters, and interviewing. Prior to the conference, NLGLA also distributed tips to help students have a successful career fair experience. In response to a high volume of requests, NLGLA added a transgender networking lunch to Lavender Law in 2007. Created by members of the transgender community for the transgender legal community, the lunch provided the opportunity for participants to network and address specific issues affecting transgender individuals.
Awards and Writing Competition
NLGLA continued to recognize excellence in LGBT legal practice and scholarship in 2007 through its awards and writing competition. Patricia Logue, Associate Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County received NLGLA’s highest honor, the Dan Bradley Award. NLGLA presents this lifetime achievement award each year to an LGBT legal professional whose work has led the way in the struggle for equality under the law. Ms. Logue received the award for her work as a litigator with Lambda Legal, including her work on Lawrence v. Texas.
The Allies for Justice Award honors leaders who have allied with the LGBT community to make noteworthy contributions to the struggle for LGBT civil rights and legal equality under the law. In 2007, NLGLA presented the award to San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsome and ABA President William Neukom. NLGLA recognized Mayor Newsome for his courageous support of equal legal rights for LGBT couples and Mr. Neukom for his leadership in developing a new ABA Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.
This year was the tenth anniversary of the Michael Greenberg Student Writing Competition, which is dedicated to encouraging and recognizing outstanding law student scholarship on legal issues affecting the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community. Adam R. Pulver from Columbia Law School won the 2007 award for his essay “Gay blood revisionism: A critical analysis of advocacy and the ‘gay blood ban’.”
Education and Member Services
Educational efforts in 2007 centered on sharing information and resources with members and preparing public comments on legal issues affecting the LGBT community. Electronic newsletters kept members informed about events, professional opportunities, and resources. NLGLA’s first in-house counsel event allowed members to meet other professionals who are addressing LGBT legal issues in their work. The event brought together firm associates, law firm partners, and law students from around the country.
On behalf of its law student members, NLGLA submitted comments to the Department of Defense opposing proposed Solomon Amendment regulations, highlighting the strain that the new enforcement requirements and penalties would place on law schools with limited logistical, financial, and human resources. NLGLA also submitted an amicus brief to the California Supreme Court, urging the court to overturn an appellate decision that upheld California’s ban on same-sex marriage.
Organizational Growth
NLGLA added a second full-time staff member in 2007, further strengthening the organization’s commitment to its membership activities and giving programs. The organization also began an intensive strategic planning process in 2007 that will enable it to refine its goals and identify clear objectives for the future. The process began with an online membership survey to ensure that the strategic plan reflects the needs and perspectives of the organization’s members. More than 300 members responded to the survey, providing valuable input on the future direction of the organization. These combined efforts have helped strengthen NLGLA and build a strong foundation for the future.