Author: mnemec

Omar J. Alaniz

Omar J. Alaniz, Managing Partner at Reed Smith LLP’s Dallas office and a board member of the National LGBTQ+ Bar Association, pursued a legal career to create a better life for himself and others. “I come from humble beginnings,” he explains. “My parents were young when they had me and worked multiple jobs to support […]

Maxime Matthew

Maxime Matthew, an Associate at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, has a dynamic portfolio encompassing antitrust matters, intellectual property cases, and complex multidistrict litigation. They also are involved in extensive pro bono work, including challenging Arkansas’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors. Their work on that case, Brandt v. Rutledge, helps prevent Matthew, who is trans […]

History Made in New Hampshire – LGBTQ+ “Panic” Defense Banned

Last week, New Hampshire became the 18th state to ban the heinous LGBTQ+ “panic” defense – a legal strategy wherein defendants charged with violent crimes weaponize their victim’s real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity to bolster other defenses, such as insanity, provocation, or self-defense. When employed, the LGBTQ+ “panic” defense asks the court […]