LeGaL Looks Back...
Take a look at some of what we've been up to...and let us know if you have an idea for an event at info@le-gal.org!
*** Panel Discussions & Networking Receptions How Marriage Equality Was Won
Hosted by Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP
August 1, 2011 LeGaL was pleased to present a special event in partnership with NYCLA's LGBT Issues Committee celebrating marriage equality in New York and featuring a discussion moderated by LeGaL Board Member Richard Socarides with some of the advocates and government officials who made the achievement possible (below from left to right: Brian Ellner of HRC, Sen. Tom Duane, Marc Solomon of Freedom to Marry, Ross Levi of ESPA, Richard Socarides, Deputy Secretary Alphonso David of Gov. Cuomo's office, and Assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell. 
Photo by Dasha Gavrylova *** Defending (and not Defending DOMA): the King & Spalding Controversy Hosted by NYCLA May 24, 2011 On May 24, 2011, LeGaL & NYCLA's LGBT Issues Committee presented a panel discussion, moderated by LeGaL's Executive Director, Brad Snyder, of King & Spalding's initial decision to represent Congressional Republicans in litigation concerning the Defense of Marriage of Act (DOMA) and the firm's subsequent withdrawal.
Photo courtesy of NYCLA (From left to right: Stephen Lessard, Chair of NYCLA's LGBT Issues Committee; Pery D. Krinsky of Krinsky PLLC, Chair, NYCLA Comm. on Professional Discipline; Brad Snyder; Kevin Cathcart, Executive Director, Lambda Legal; Professor Katherine Franke, Director, Center for Gender & Sexuality Law, Columbia Law School; Wesley R. Powell, Partner, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP & lead counsel to six men challenging their detention in Guantanamo Bay). ***  Out at Your Law Firm in 2011:
A Discussion for LGBT Associates Hosted by Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP May 12, 2011 The LeGaL Partners Group sponsored this Panel Discussion & Networking Reception which was generously hosted by Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. The distinguished panel (consisting of David C. Bryan, Partner, Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz; Joseph Evall, Partner, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP; Roberta A. Kaplan, Partner, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP; Elizabeth A. McNamara, Partner, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP) discussed questions relevant to LGBT associates such as: Does being "out" as an LGBT associate even matter at law firms today? and How do clients respond to LGBT diversity? along with a host of other questions. *** In-House Corporate Legal Careers: The Perspective of LGBT In-House Lawyers Hosted by BNP Paribas April 26, 2011 This Panel Presentation & Networking Reception was sponsored by LeGaL's In-House Corporate Counsel Committee and generously hosted by BNP Paribas. A panel of in-house lawyers discussed the advantages and disadvantages of practicing in a corporate legal department, pathways to get there, the pros and cons of being Out in a corporate environment and ways that in-house LGBT lawyers can use their role to advance our community's interests. Panelists included John Myung of Prudential International Insurance; Marla Hassner of UBS; Sheila E. Carson of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Nancy Louden, of Estee Lauder Inc., John Genovese of MetLife, and Matthew Merrick, Chair of LeGaL's In-House Corporate Counsel Committee. _________________________________ CLEs and Professional Workshops & Networking Events Summer Marketing for Lawyers: July 27, 2011 Russ Korins led this workshop, which provided suggestions for simple things that could be done over the summer months in support of your practice. It aimed to equip attendees with tips for marketing and business development including cultivating a well-established base of promising contacts and referral sources. ***  Recent Changes to the Estate Tax Laws: Impact on the LGBT Community
May 23, 2011
In this CLE program, Tom Sciacca and Gregory Matalon discussed changes & amendments to the Federal estate and gift tax laws, with a focus on the LGBT community. *** Envisioning Your Ideal Career, Creating an Action Plan to Get There. May 19, 2011 Certified Life/Career Coach and Entertainment Lawyer Jim Arnoff led a highly interactive workshop to learn the insider's take on envisioning the career(s) that embraces your strengths, skills and passions. The workshop helped attorneys, law students and recent law graduates plan careers or a career change. *** Should We or Shouldn't We? May 1, 2011 
In this CLE program, Ralph Randazzo discussed NY State rights for same sex couples (pre-marriage equality) who are married elsewhere, the ethical issues of counseling same sex couples on marriage and other complexities involved with such counseling. The program was generously sponsored by Christopher Street Financial. *** Starting, Maintaining & Improving
Your Own Practice April 26 & April 28, 2011 LeGaL's Solo & Small Law Firm Practitioners Committee presented this two-day CLE program and networking reception geared towards attorneys in all practice areas considering starting their own practice and attorneys wishing to enhance their existing practice. Faculty members for the program included R. Brent English, Ethan Ganc, Carlene Jadusingh, Gregory Matalon, Tom Sciacca & Chad Young. Sponsors and contributors to the event included the Andaz Hotel, Titlevest, Earhart Leigh Associates, Hudson Court Reporting & Digital Media, Ameriprise Financial and Scott Holman Creative.
_________________________________ June Pride Events Celebrating our LGBT Judges and Judicial Officers & 15 years of LeGaL's Hank Henry Judicial Internship Program Hosted by Morrison & Foerster June 23, 2011 On June 23, 2011 LeGaL held a Pride event, hosted by Morrison & Foerster, which honored the judges and judicial officers of the LGBT community and commemorated the 15th Anniversary of the Dr. M.L. "Hank" Henry, Jr., Fund for Judicial Internships. Check out some pictures below!   Hon. Michael Sonberg LeGaL Members & Friends   
Justice Lobis & LeGaL Board Virginia Goggin & her LeGaL Board Member Matt Member Jaime Piazza partner Karen Merrick & LeGaL President Carlene Jadusingh 
Justice Feinman & Ed Liao Photos by Charles McFaul & Allison Madwatkins
*** City Bar Pride Reception June 13, 2011 On June 13, 2011 LeGaL was proud to serve as a co-sponsor of the New York City Bar Association's annual reception and cocktail party celebrating LGBT Pride Month 2011 where LeGaL Founder Arthur S. Leonard and Jennifer L. Colyer, were honored for their significant contributions to the LGBT communities. The committee also announced that the awards will be renamed in honor of Art Leonard. Congrats, Art! ***
LeGaL President Carlene Jadusingh Participates in MetLife's Panel on the Economic Impact of Marriage Equality. In late June, President Carlene Jadusingh (pictured below) served as a panelist at a discussion & reception hosted by MetLife, entitled "The Economic Impact of Marriage Equality." CJ joined with panelists from MetLife, SAGE, ESPA, the NGLCC and the New York Times for this timely event.
Photo courtesy of MetLife
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