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(42)
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.
Alan York
Partner at Reed Smith
Alan York has been involved in appellate law since 1989 and has served in various appellate bar activities.
Alejandra Caraballo
Staff Attorney at Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund
Alejandra Caraballo handles all stages of impact litigation to advance the rights of transgender people.
Alexander Chen
Founding Director at Harvard Law School LGBTQ+ Advocacy Clinic
Alexander Chen leads the LGBTQ+ Advocacy Clinic at Harvard Law School, focusing on civil rights protections post-Bostock/Stephens/Zarda.
Ames Simmons
Attorney
Ames Simmons is licensed to practice law in North Carolina and Georgia.
Anjelica Hendricks
Lecturer at University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School
Anjelica Hendricks lectures on reimagining policing, addressing LGBTQ+ and racial equity issues in law enforcement.
Arli Christian
Campaign Strategist at ACLU
Arli Christian advocates for legislative and administrative policy changes to further transgender rights.
Asaf Orr
Transgender Youth Project Staff Attorney at National Center for Lesbian Rights
Asaf Orr works to safeguard the rights of transgender and gender-expansive youth through litigation, public policy, and advocacy.
Bendita Cynthia Malakia
Global Head of Diversity and Inclusion at Hogan Lovells
Bendita Cynthia Malakia leads diversity and inclusion efforts at Hogan Lovells, focusing on addressing racial equity within the LGBTQ+ legal community.
Brennan Suen
LGBTQ Program Director at Media Matters
Brennan Suen monitors and researches media coverage of LGBTQ issues and related narratives, focusing on dismantling conservative misinformation.
Cameron Faber
General Counsel at Los Angeles LGBT Center
Cameron Faber serves as General Counsel at the Los Angeles LGBT Center.
Carrington "Rusty" Mead
Attorney
Carrington Mead has been practicing law as a solo practitioner since 2004, focusing on family, military, and LGBTQ+ legal issues.
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.
Colin Wright
Intellectual Property & Technology Counsel at Landis+Gyr
Colin Wright serves as Intellectual Property & Technology Counsel at Landis+Gyr.
Diana Adams
Executive Director at Chosen Family Law Center, Inc.
Diana Adams serves LGBTQ, polyamorous, platonic, and non-nuclear families, offering professional training on cultural competency and legal skills for 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 addresses LGBTQ+ and racial equity issues in law enforcement, advocating for reimagining policing.
Greg Fosheim
Associate Attorney at McDermott Will & Emery LLP
Greg Fosheim is an Associate Attorney at McDermott Will & Emery LLP.
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.
Ike Osaki
General Counsel, EMEA at Bank of America
Isaac (Ike) Osaki oversees legal matters for Bank of America's Europe, Middle East, and Africa region.
James Esseks
Director at ACLU LGBT & HIV Project
James Esseks directs the ACLU's LGBT & HIV Project, analyzing civil rights protections following Bostock/Stephens/Zarda.
Jon W. Davidson
Chief Counsel at Freedom for All Americans
Jon W. Davidson contributes to discussions on reimagining policing, focusing on LGBTQ+ and racial equity issues.
Judge Mike Jacobs
Judge at State Court of DeKalb County
Judge Mike Jacobs has served since June 2015 and is one of only two openly bisexual or pansexual judges in the United States.
Justice Sabrina McKenna
Associate Justice at Hawai'i Supreme Court
Justice Sabrina McKenna serves on the Hawai'i Supreme Court and moderates 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.
Kasey Suffredini
CEO and National Campaign Director at Freedom for All Americans
Kasey Suffredini is a nationally recognized campaign strategist and expert on LGBTQ issues and advocacy with 20 years of experience.
Libby Skarin
Policy Director at ACLU of South Dakota
Libby Skarin develops and implements strategies to advance civil rights and civil liberties throughout South Dakota.
M. Dru Levasseur
Deputy Program Officer at National LGBT Bar
M. Dru Levasseur works to deepen the Bar’s programmatic work and increase outreach to constituencies including law schools and students.
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 post-Bostock/Stephens/Zarda.
Nancy Abudu
Deputy Legal Director at Southern Poverty Law Center
Nancy G. Abudu leads a team protecting and strengthening voting rights for minority communities and other politically vulnerable populations.
Nicole Porter
Attorney
Nicole Porter has served on the NAACP New Haven Legal Redress Committee and Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Multicultural Advisory Council.
Rachel Shalev
Attorney at Orrick
Rachel Shalev represents clients in high-stakes, complex litigation, focusing on constitutional law, administrative law, and statutory interpretation.
Robert Raben
President at The Raben Group
Robert Raben leads The Raben Group and participates in panels addressing racial equity within the LGBTQ+ legal community.
Senator Jamie Pedersen
State Senator at Washington State Senate
Senator Jamie Pedersen participates in panels discussing reimagining policing, focusing on LGBTQ+ and racial equity issues.
Sharon McGowan
Chief Strategy Officer and Legal Director at Lambda Legal
Sharon McGowan leads legal strategies at Lambda Legal, focusing on civil rights protections following Bostock/Stephens/Zarda.
Shelly Skeen
Senior Staff Attorney at Lambda Legal
Shelly Skeen has practiced law for 20 years and focuses on LGBTQ+ rights and online free speech.
Sumaya Noush
Attorney
Sumaya Noush counsels health care clients on strategic and operational matters, including transactions, corporate governance, and regulatory compliance.
Sunu Chandy
Legal Director at National Women's Law Center
Sunu Chandy contributes to discussions on the scope of civil rights protections in the aftermath of Bostock/Stephens/Zarda.
Taylor Brown
Staff Attorney at ACLU
Taylor Brown is a staff attorney at the ACLU, contributing to discussions on racial equity within the LGBTQ+ legal community.
Tiffany Chang
Counsel at Crowell & Moring
Tiffany Chang focuses on claims recovery in large antitrust and tort settlements and advocates for the LGBTQ+ community through pro bono work.
Yemi Adegbonmire
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at The Bail Project
Yemi Adegbonmire is an intellectual property and entertainment attorney, recognized as a member of 2019 The National Black Lawyers Top 100.
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