LGBTQ+ Representation and the Federal Judiciary CLE & Pride/Leonard Award Reception

Monday, June 3, 2024 | 5:00 pm – 6:45 pm

Format: In-Person

Register for the In-Person Program

Program Chair and Moderator:

Steve Benathen
Principal Court Attorney to the Hon. Audrey E. Stone, Supreme Court, Bronx County-Criminal Term

  • While roughly 7% of the United States population identifies as openly LGBTQ, there are few openly LGBTQ federal judges nationwide. There are entire circuits of the United States Court system with no openly LGBTQ judges. Numerous states lack openly LGBTQ federal judges, and openly LGBTQ people are not represented on the benches of multiple federal appellate courts. These realities exist despite the important decisions made in federal court that affect LGBTQ people. In this program, attendees will hear from advocates for greater LGBTQ representation on the federal courts, an openly LGBTQ federal judge, and an LGBTQ rights advocate, about the importance of increased representation and what can be done to effect change.
    Special Feature: Attendees of this CLE program are invited to attend the Pride/Leonard
    Award Reception immediately following this program at the NYC Bar.

    Program Fee:
    Free for Members | $50 for Nonmembers

  • Hon. Allison Claire
    United States Magistrate Judge, United States District Court for the Eastern District of California

    Janice Grubin
    Partner, Barclay Damon LLP

    Harper Seldin
    Staff Attorney, American Civil Liberties Union LGBT & HIV Project

    Lena Zwarensteyn
    Fair Courts Campaign Director, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights

  • 5:00 pm – 5:05 pm
    Welcome Remarks, Introductions & Program Overview

    5:05 pm – 5:35 pm
    Federal Judicial Selection & Advocacy within that Process

    5:35 pm – 6:05 pm
    Discussion of Cases Affecting LGBTQ+ People & the Importance of Representation

    6:05 pm – 6:35 pm
    Perspectives from the Bench

    6:35 pm – 6:45 pm
    Question/Answer Session & Closing Remarks

  • New York: 2.0 Diversity, Inclusion and Elimination of Bias
    New Jersey: 2.1 Diversity, Inclusion and Elimination of Bias
    California: 2.0 Elimination of Bias
    Pennsylvania: 1.5 Professional Responsibility
    Connecticut: Available to Licensed Attorneys

  • Sponsoring Association Committee:
    Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Rights, Hayley Gorenberg & Jared M. Trujillo, Co-Chairs
    Federal Courts Committee, Richard Hong

    Sponsorship Opportunities are Available! Please Contact:
    Yelena Balashchenko, Manager, Business Development & Sponsorships | (212) 382-6608 | ybalashchenko@nycbar.org

Register for the In-Person Program

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