(Webcast) Name Changes: A How-to-Guide with Special Considerations for Transgender and Non-binary Individuals

Originally held on Tuesday, September 1, 2020 | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

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Program Chair:

Geoffrey Wertime
NYC Commission on Human Rights

  • The name change process in New York is an important tool for transgender and non-binary people, but it also presents challenges. A panel of experts in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer rights will review the importance of legal name changes, the history of the law, and the nuts and bolts of the name change process, with practical advice for a successful outcome. The panelists will also discuss how to work with transgender clients, how to change other identity documents, and considerations regarding criminal and immigration issues.

    Program Fee: Free for Members | $50 for Nonmembers

  • Charlie Arrowood, Arrowood Law

    Jose Abrigo, Manhattan Legal Services

    Alejandra Caraballo, Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund

    Julian Castronovo, Brooklyn Legal Services

  • 6:00 pm: Introduction/Overview of Program

    6:05 – 6:20 pm: Need for court-ordered name changes

    ● Discrimination facing people whose ID does not match their identity
    ● Need for court-ordered name changes vs. common law name changes
    ● Need for attorney involvement

    6:20 – 6:30 pm: Working with transgender clients

    ● Overview of transgender and nonbinary communities
    ● Demographics of typical clients
    ● Tips for interacting with transgender clients
    ● Client communication

    6:30 – 6:55 pm: History of name changes

    ● The name change law’s history
    ● Recent amendments to the law
    ● Current legislative advocacy in NY related to name changes
    ● How our name change law/process compares to other states

    6-55 – 7:20 pm: Name Change Process in New York City

    ● Need for birth certificates
    ● Elements of the petition
    ● Publication & waiver of publication
    ● Cost & fee waivers
    ● Filing & hearing
    ● Obtaining certified copies & closing the case

    7:20 – 7:35 pm: Criminal and immigration considerations

    ● Issues of criminal convictions
    ● Immigration status

    7:35 – 7:45 pm: Changing identity documents

    ● Federal documents
    ● NY State documents
    ● Birth certificates
    ● Gender marker changes

    7:45 – 8pm: Q&A

  • New York: 2.0 Total: 1.0 Skills, 1.0 Diversity, Inclusion and Elimination of Bias
    New Jersey: 2.3 General
    California: 2.0 General
    Pennsylvania: 1.5 General
    Connecticut: Available to Licensed Attorneys

    Please Note: Newly admitted NY attorneys cannot fulfill ethics or skills credits through our on-demand programs under OCA rules. For more information on this, please see http://www.nycourts.gov/attorneys/cle/changes_for_2016.shtml.

    Newly admitted New York attorneys (attorneys admitted to the New York State Bar for two years or less) cannot earn CLE credit in the category of Diversity, Inclusion and Elimination of Bias.

  • Sponsoring Association Committees:
    Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Queer Rights, Noah Lewis & Geoffrey Wertime, Co-Chairs
    Small Law Firms, Gary M. Kaufman, Chair

    Sponsorship Opportunities are Available! Please Contact:
    Angie Avila, Manager, Membership Outreach and Sponsorships | (212) 382-6608 | aavila@nycbar.org

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