Take a look at what we accomplished in October.
We launched a new website about our Trans in BigLaw Monthly Networking Program!
The most powerful way we can increase trans and nonbinary inclusion in the legal profession at this critical moment when trans people are significantly under attack is to build community and address structural change. The group is approaching close to one hundred trans and nonbinary attorneys and business professionals from fifty of the largest law firms in the world. Last month, we also hosted our first formal DEI update and networking session for our Gold and Silver sponsors who are on the front lines supporting trans and nonbinary legal professionals. Learn more here.
We hosted a State of the LGBTQ+ Communities Update with LGBTQ+ leaders!
Our Director of DEI Dru Levasseur hosted a State of the LGBTQ+ Communities Update with LGBTQ+ leaders at Jenner & Block. Dru was joined by longtime friend and LGBTQ+ advocate, partner Gail Morse along with Special Counsel Lauren Greene, Associate Dan McCord, and Associate Chasel Lee. In this moment of unprecedented legislative attacks on the LGBTQ+ community with over 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills pending across the U.S., the panelists took a hard look at how we got here, what advancements we have made, what setbacks we have faced, and the ways we need to come together in this moment to inspire, support, and reinvigorate the next generation of LGBTQ+ leadership.
We hosted a webinar on how to become a law professor!
We hosted a webinar on October 21 entitled “Becoming a Law Teacher”, designed to strengthen the pipeline of LGBTQ+ people in legal academia. Our outstanding presenters included moderator and LGBTQ+ Bar Board member Professor Ryan Nelson of South Texas College of Law, Professor Alex Chen of the Harvard LGBTQ+ Advocacy Clinic, Professor Nader Khorassani of USC Gould School of Law, Professor Anthony Niedwiecki of Mitchell Hamline School of Law, and Professor Kyle Velte of University of Kansas School of Law. Thanks to the LGBTQ+ Bar’s Law Professor Caucus for leading this effort! If you missed the webinar, find the recording here.
We spoke on a panel hosted by the Northwest Black Law Students Association and Suffolk University Law School!
Our Chief Program & Policy Officer Judi O’Kelley participated in a program hosted by Suffolk University Law School and the Northeast Black Law Student Association (NEBLSA), part of a webinar series on LGBTQ+ equality entitled “Pride and Prejudice.” This engaging program with co-panelists Yanery Cruz of the New York Transgender Advocacy Group and Chris Erchull of GLAD reviewed some history of transgender legal rights, discussed the challenges currently being faced by the LGBTQ+ community, and provided a view on where the quest for queer rights is headed next. Thanks to Gabriella Brown, Director of Gender Diverse, LGBTQIA2S+, & Inclusion Affairs on the board of the Northeast Black Law Student Association (NEBLSA) for producing and moderating the program! Get your law school involved with the LGBTQ+ Bar.
We launched a new video resource on how cisgender law students can show up as strong allies for their trans and nonbinary peers!
In honor of National Coming Out Day, we launched a new video designed to help foster a legal profession that supports transgender and nonbinary colleagues. We featured several of our law student members, discussing the important role that cisgender allies play in creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for transgender and nonbinary law students. This video is part of a larger Bar project addressing how cisgender law students can support their trans peers. While tailored to law school, all legal professionals can learn valuable tips and insights from the resource. Thank you to law students Riley Del Rey, Evonne Jefferson, and Vida Wang for being part of the video! Check out the video here, and read our Resource Sheet for cis allyship here.
We have launched our 2025 Lavender Law Conference & Career Fair Prospectus!
We finalized and distributed our 2025 Lavender Law Conference & Career Fair prospectus! We have already started signing on partners for next year’s event, taking place July 28-30 in NYC. Contact us to learn more and join us!
Our Justice Council members met with our new Executive Director!
Our Justice Council and National Sponsorship Council members met and learned more about our new Executive Director, Anya Lynn-Alesker! Members shared their hopes for the organization for the years ahead. Our Justice Council is the Bar’s major giving circle – learn more about it here and help make a difference for our community.
We held our monthly Membership Committee meeting and discussed webinars for the New Lawyers Division.
The Membership Committee met earlier this month and discussed programming ideas for the Bar’s New Lawyers Division. Stay tuned for an exciting webinar to take place for new attorneys in the beginning of 2025!