The Lavender Law Conference & Career Fair is an annual event organized by the National LGBTQ+ Bar Association, dedicated to advancing LGBTQ+ diversity and inclusion within the legal profession. In 2020, the conference was held virtually from August 12 to 14, providing a platform for legal professionals, students, and allies to connect, share knowledge, and foster professional growth.
The 2020 conference featured a comprehensive program that included over 60 workshops and panel discussions. Key topics addressed during the event encompassed racial equity within the LGBTQ+ legal community, the implications of the Supreme Court's decision in Bostock v. Clayton County on civil rights protections, and strategies for reimagining policing with a focus on LGBTQ+ and racial equity issues. These sessions aimed to equip attendees with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate and influence the evolving legal landscape.
In addition to educational sessions, the conference offered practical opportunities such as a virtual career fair, which took place on August 14. This event connected attendees with leading law firms, corporations, nonprofits, and government agencies from across the United States. Notable speakers included Nancy Abudu, Deputy Legal Director for the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Voting Rights Practice Group, and Diana Adams, Executive Director of the Chosen Family Law Center, among others. The conference also recognized outstanding contributions to the LGBTQ+ legal community through various awards, including the Dan Bradley Award presented to David Lat and the Frank Kameny Award awarded to GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ Equality.
The Lavender Law Conference & Career Fair is designed for legal professionals, law students, and allies committed to promoting LGBTQ+ diversity and inclusion within the legal field. Attendees benefit from a rich array of educational sessions, networking opportunities, and resources tailored to support their professional development and advocacy efforts.
Speakers(23)
AK Shee
Law Student at University of California, Berkeley School of Law
AK Shee, a law student at the University of California, Berkeley School of Law, was the first runner-up for the 2020 Student Leadership Award.
Abby Rubenfeld
Attorney at Rubenfeld Law Office, PC
Abby Rubenfeld is an attorney at Rubenfeld Law Office, PC, recognized with the 2020 Leading Family Law Practitioner Award for her work in family law.
Alexander Chen
Founding Director at Harvard Law School LGBTQ+ Advocacy Clinic
Alexander Chen is the Founding Director of the Harvard Law School LGBTQ+ Advocacy Clinic, contributing to analyses of civil rights protections post-Bostock.
Anjelica Hendricks
Lecturer at University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School
Anjelica Hendricks is a Lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, contributing to discussions on law enforcement and equity issues.
Bendita Cynthia Malakia
Global Head of Diversity and Inclusion at Hogan Lovells
Bendita Cynthia Malakia serves as the Global Head of Diversity and Inclusion at Hogan Lovells, focusing on promoting equity within the legal profession.
Cassidy Duckett
Law Student at University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law
Cassidy Duckett, a law student at the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law, won the 2020 Michael Greenberg Student Writing Competition.
David Lat
Founder at Above the Law
David Lat is the Founder of Above the Law and was honored with the 2020 Dan Bradley Award for his contributions to the legal profession.
Diana Adams
Executive Director at Chosen Family Law Center, Inc.
Diana Adams serves as Executive Director of Chosen Family Law Center, Inc., a nonprofit supporting LGBTQ, polyamorous, platonic, and non-nuclear families, and offers professional training on cultural competency and legal skills for serving these communities.
Ellen Bertels
Law Student at University of Kansas School of Law
Ellen Bertels, a law student at the University of Kansas School of Law, was the first runner-up in the 2020 Michael Greenberg Student Writing Competition.
Gabriel Arkles
Senior Counsel at Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund
Gabriel Arkles is Senior Counsel at the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund, discussing LGBTQ+ and racial equity issues in law enforcement.
Ian F. Tapu
Law Student at University of Hawaii at Manoa William S. Richardson School of Law
Ian F. Tapu, a law student at the University of Hawaii at Manoa William S. Richardson School of Law, received the 2020 Student Leadership Award.
James Esseks
Director at ACLU LGBT & HIV Project
James Esseks serves as the Director of the ACLU LGBT & HIV Project, discussing the impact of the Bostock decision on LGBTQ+ rights.
Jon W. Davidson
Chief Counsel at Freedom for All Americans
Jon W. Davidson serves as Chief Counsel at Freedom for All Americans, engaging in dialogues on reimagining policing concerning LGBTQ+ and racial equity issues.
Justice Sabrina McKenna
Justice at Hawai'i Supreme Court
Justice Sabrina McKenna is a member of the Hawai'i Supreme Court, contributing to discussions on racial equity within the LGBTQ+ legal community.
Karen DeMeola
Assistant Dean for Diversity, Belonging, and Community Engagement at University of Connecticut School of Law
Karen DeMeola is the Assistant Dean for Diversity, Belonging, and Community Engagement at the University of Connecticut School of Law, moderating discussions on law enforcement and equity.
Nan Hunter
Professor Emerita at Georgetown University Law Center
Nan Hunter is a Professor Emerita at Georgetown University Law Center, facilitating discussions on civil rights protections in the aftermath of Bostock.
Nancy Abudu
Deputy Legal Director at Southern Poverty Law Center
Nancy G. Abudu leads the Voting Rights Practice Group at the Southern Poverty Law Center, focusing on protecting and strengthening voting rights for minority communities and other politically vulnerable populations.
Robert Raben
President at The Raben Group
Robert Raben is the President of The Raben Group, engaging in dialogues on addressing racial equity within the LGBTQ+ legal community.
Senator Jamie Pedersen
Senator at Washington State Senate
Senator Jamie Pedersen represents the Washington State Senate, participating in panels on reimagining policing and equity issues.
Sharon McGowan
Chief Strategy Officer and Legal Director at Lambda Legal
Sharon McGowan is the Chief Strategy Officer and Legal Director at Lambda Legal, analyzing the implications of the Bostock decision for LGBTQ+ rights.
Sunu Chandy
Legal Director at National Women's Law Center
Sunu Chandy is the Legal Director at the National Women's Law Center, participating in discussions on the scope of civil rights protections following the Bostock decision.
Taylor Brown
Staff Attorney at ACLU
Taylor Brown is a Staff Attorney at the ACLU, contributing to discussions on addressing racial equity within the LGBTQ+ legal community.
Yemi Adegbonmire
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at The Bail Project
Yemi Adegbonmire is a Los Angeles-based intellectual property and entertainment attorney, recognized as a member of the 2019 National Black Lawyers Top 100, and currently serves as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of The Bail Project.
Event Details
- Date
- August 12-14, 2020
- 3 days
- Location
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Audience
- Legal professionals, law students, and allies committed to promoting LGBTQ+ diversity and inclusion within the legal field.
- CLE Credits
- Up to 6 CLE credits