1) To provide a network for experienced LGBTQ+ family lawyers; law professors who teach or write on LGBTQ+ family law concerns; and a limited number of experienced attorneys in allied LGBTQ+ practices.

2) To foster the development of LGBTQ+ family law expertise in rural and underrepresented areas and states that are hostile to LGBTQ+ rights.

In determining an applicant’s request for admission to FLI, the following criteria will be used:

1. Years of admission to bar;
2. Years of LGBTQ+ family law experience
3. Indication of LGBTQ+ practice areas on website;
4. Membership in National LGBTQ+ Bar and/or local LGBTQ+ bar association;
5. Membership in minority or diversity sections or committees of local and state bar;
6. Attendance at Lavender Law;
7. Public speaking or authorship of articles or books on LGBTQ+ family law issues;
8. Endorsement of Protecting Families document published by GLAD and NCLR http://www.glad.org/protecting-families/practitioner-pledge
9. Teaching law school courses on LGBTQ+ family law;
10. Work on legislation to benefit LGBTQ+ families;
11. Practice in allied fields of practice, such as estate planning, tax, immigration, etc. that provide meaningful contribution to the goals of FLI;
12. Meaningful contribution to the LGBTQ+ community, not just a provider of services for a fee to the community; and
13. Geographic location of practice and willingness to commit to a practice focused on LGBTQ+ family law issues in a rural, underrepresented or hostile area.

Each applicant’s situation is unique based on geography and other factors. Requirements should be relaxed for those applicants who work in underrepresented and hostile areas.

These criteria will be the same for applications to attend FLI annual or regional meetings, as well as for listserv only members.

After admission, in order to maintain membership, a member is required to attend a FLI meeting (annual or regional) at least once every three years. If the member is a listserv only member, they will be subject to re-application after three years. Re-application may be based additionally on the member’s contributions to the list serve.

All members of FLI, whether regular or listserv only, are required to be members of the National LGBTQ+ Bar Association. International members are exempt from this requirement. No law students will be admitted.