LGBTQ Attorneys

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

Sotomayor discusses friendship with Thomas, shares advice during ABA’s inaugural Equity Summit

When U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor thinks back to her first year of law school, she wishes someone would have told her not to be afraid to ask more questions.

Sep 29, 2021 3:58 PM CDT

What does it take to retain female lawyers in criminal justice? ABA task force has some ideas

More job flexibility and mental health support are among the solutions that could help lead to improvements in the hiring, retention and promotion of female lawyers in the criminal justice system, according to an ABA task force.

Sep 28, 2021 3:50 PM CDT

ABA’s inaugural Equity Summit will highlight importance of inclusion; guests include Justice Sotomayor

Throughout the summit’s four days of programming, registrants can attend five CLE programs; four TED-style talks; three workshops on critical diversity equity and inclusion issues; and a fireside discussion Sept. 29 with U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor.

Sep 22, 2021 11:51 AM CDT

This online platform aims to help pro se litigants with complex civil cases

Unlike many other technological tools for pro se litigants, its creators say Courtroom5 is particularly well suited to help people with complex civil matters and can be utilized by consumers nationwide.

Aug 18, 2021 9:14 AM CDT