LeGaL News & Events
LeGaL President Contributes Law Day Column to NYLJ. LeGaL President Carlene Jadusingh contributed a column to the New York Law Journal as part of its special Law Day section. Law Day's theme this year encouraged participants to assess and celebrate the legacy of John Adams. A copy of the column can be read here. _________________________________ Defending (and not defending) DOMA: the King & Spalding Controversy A Panel Discussion Presented by LeGaL & NYCLA's LGBT Issues Committee Tuesday, May 24, 2011 6:30-8:00p.m. NYCLA, 14 Vesey Street, NYC (2nd Floor Lounge) (click here for program flyer) King & Spalding's initial decision to represent the Congressional Republicans in litigation concerning the Defense of Marriage of Act (DOMA) was met with a public campaign of criticism organized by one of the nation's leading LGBT rights organizations, the Human Rights Campaign. The controversy, which culminated in the firm's request to withdraw from such representation and the resignation of a prominent partner, has fueled significant debate in the legal community and beyond. Join the distinguished panelists listed below for a lively and timely discussion of recent events: · Is advocacy aimed at encouraging a law firm to drop a client ever appropriate? What responsibility, if any, do members of the legal profession have in the face of such pressure?
· Does the answer depend, in part, on whether the law being defended can be characterized as resting exclusively on historical animus or whether it's a civil or criminal matter?
· Is this any different from the criticism leveled at lawyers/firms for defending Guantanamo prisoners? How far can or should law firms go in prohibiting certain activities of its attorneys in deference to its client's wishes?
· Should the withdrawal be viewed simply as a testament to an increasing societal commitment to equality or, instead, as evidence that the legal profession's tradition of defending unpopular clients is increasingly under assault? Panel Kevin Cathcart Executive Director, Lambda Legal
Professor Katherine Franke Director, Center for Gender & Sexuality Law, Columbia Law School
Pery D. Krinsky Krinsky PLLC Chair, NYCLA, Comm. on Professional Discipline Chair, NYSBA, Ethics Committee of EASL Section
Wesley R. Powell* Partner, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP * Lead counsel to six men challenging their detention in Guantanamo Bay Register Today ___________________________________________________ "Should We or Shouldn't We?" A CLE Presented by LeGaL
  Increasingly clients are inquiring about the right to marry and the benefits or burdens they acquire when they marry in a State that permits same sex marriage and then return to NY to live. Many clients have heard that NY will recognize their out-of-state marriage and come to attorneys with the misconception that their marriage will receive full recognition in NY.
In this program Ralph Randazzo, Esq. will discuss the current state of NY State rights for same sex couples who are married elsewhere, the ethical issues of counseling same sex couples on marriage and other complexities involved with such counseling.
Whether you practice in this area or just want to stay up-to-date on developments affecting our community, this program is for you.
This program is generously supported by Christopher Street Financial.
Register Today! Date: May 11, 2011 Time: 6:00p.m. - 7:30p.m. Location: The LGBT Community Center (208 W. 13th Street) Credits: 1.5 credits (.5 credits in Ethics / 1.0 credits in Areas of Professional Practice) Cost: LeGaL Member*: $20.00 Non-Member: $40.00 Law Student: $10.00 * Rate available only to members in good standing. For scholarship inquiries, e-mail info@le-gal.org. _______________________________________________  Out At Your Law Firm in 2011: A Discussion for LGBT Associates A Panel Discussion & Networking Reception Sponsored by the LeGaL Partners Group & generously hosted by Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP Join the distinguished panel listed below for a discussion of the following questions and more relevant to LGBT associates: · Does being "out" as an LGBT associate even matter at law firms today? Does it hurt - or does it help? · Have the old stereotypes really died - or are they just kept hidden behind closed doors? What can you do if you think that your openness is hurting your career prospects? · How do clients respond to LGBT diversity - not just in general terms, but when it's their lawyer who will be representing them in a deal or in court? · Are we too shy about leveraging our diversity as a positive factor? What more can we LGBT lawyers do - in our firms, with our clients, and in the community? · How much do the answers (and even the questions) change for an associate based on gender identity and expression? Register Today! Date: May 12, 2011 Time: 6:00-8:00 p.m. Location: Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, 1285 Avenue of the Americas Cost: Complimentary Panel: David C. Bryan, Partner Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz Joseph Evall, Partner (Moderator) Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP Roberta A. Kaplan, Partner Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP Elizabeth A. McNamara, Partner Davis Wright Tremaine LLP ______________________________________ Using Technology to Manage Your Practice. A workshop with LeGaL member Russ Korins and special guest Tom Crimmins, founder and president of Business Technology Services, Tuesday, May 17, 9:00-10:00am in midtown. Free for LeGaL members who are practicing attorneys, this small and interactive workshop will show participants how technology can benefit client development and managing your office. Learn how to choose the best solutions for organizing your contacts, staying in touch from anywhere, backing up your data, and improving security. We will encourage participants to share their own tips and to ask questions. Limited space; registration required. Details and registration information are available at www.russkorinsconsulting.com/legalworkshop.html ______________________________________
The Normal Heart. Join LeGaL members and friends for a night out on Broadway for one of the season's most well-received and important plays - Larry Kramer's The Normal Heart. Tickets are limited. Date: Friday May 13, 2011, 8:00p.m. Location: Golden Theatre (252 West 45th Street) Cost: $60.00 Buy Your Tickets Today! |