BALIF News

BALIF Joins Emergency Amicus Brief in U.S. Supreme Court Case Defending LGBTQ Youth Access to Social Media

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 29 Jul 2025 18:06:27 GMT

Last week, BALIF joined an emergency amicus brief submitted with the U.S. Supreme Court in NetChoice v. Fitch, urging the Court to vacate a Fifth Circuit decision that allowed a Mississippi law restricting minors' access to social media to take effect while its constitutionality is still being challenged. The brief—filed by LGBT Tech and joined by co-signatories, The Trevor Project, PFLAG, Inc., Hacking the Workforce, and Fight for the Future—emphasizes the law’s chilling implications for Free Speech and the unique harms it poses to LGBTQ youth who use social media to connect with affirming online communities, to express themselves, and access critical information, including mental health resources, safe sex education, gender affirming care, and legal aid.

For more information and to read the full amicus brief, visit LGBT Tech’s blog.

This is the second amicus brief filed by LGBT Tech BALIF has signed onto this year. Earlier in 2025, BALIF supported LGBT Tech’s amicus brief in Snap, Inc. v. Pina, a case before the California Supreme Court, asking the Court to preserve California’s social media privacy protections under the federal Stored Communications Act.

Protecting Our Community: DHS Policy Update & Digital Privacy Resources

BALIF Administrator — Sat, 15 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMT

BALIF opposes the recent revision to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) Policy Manual which removes gender identity from its list of protected classes in DHS’ personnel’s intelligence gathering. Previously, the manual explicitly safeguarded gender identity and sexual orientation, offering some protection against government overreach. The updated policy states, in relevant part:

"[I&A] Personnel are prohibited from engaging in intelligence activities based solely on an individual’s or group’s race, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, religion, country of birth, nationality, or disability."

Broadly defined, “intelligence activities” encompass various forms of information collection, surveillance, and analysis that the government can use to monitor individuals and groups. While these activities are often justified as necessary for law enforcement, they have historically been weaponized against marginalized communities, including LGBTQ+ individuals. Intelligence gathering has frequently been used to suppress dissent, intimidate activists, and erode civil liberties. The vague and expansive nature of these activities leaves them ripe for abuse, further endangering communities that already face systemic discrimination.

As we continue advocating for the protection of our community, digital privacy remains more important than ever. To help safeguard your online presence, we encourage everyone to explore the Electronic Frontier Foundation’s (EFF) digital privacy resources, which provide crucial guides on how to protect your data and communications. You can access these resources here.

They include:

Online Security & Encryption:

How to Use Tor
How to Use Tor on Android and iPhone
How to Use Signal
How to Use WhatsApp
How to Encrypt Your iPhone
How to Encrypt Your Windows, Mac, or Linux Computer

Device Privacy & Security:

How to Get to Know Android Privacy and Security Settings
How to Get to Know iPhone Privacy and Security Settings
How to Enable Lockdown Mode on iPhone
How to Detect Bluetooth Trackers
How to Delete Your Data Securely on Linux, Windows or macOS

Avoiding Threats & Censorship:

How to Enable Two-Factor Authentication
How to Avoid Phishing Attacks
How to Understand and Circumvent Network Censorship

BALIF remains committed to fighting for equity, privacy, and security for all members of the LGBTQ+ legal community.

BALIF and AABA Condemn Attacks on LGBTQIA+ Community

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 22:40:23 GMT

The Trump administration’s recent Executive Orders broadly targeting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts—and those specifically attacking the rights and dignity of transgender individuals—are an affront to the core values of BALIF, the Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Bay Area (“AABA”), and our members. We unequivocally condemn these actions and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to fighting back against this administration’s harmful rhetoric and discriminatory agenda. BALIF and AABA stand in solidarity with our transgender community and will continue to advocate for policies that protect, uplift, and celebrate all LGBTQIA+ individuals.

Since taking office, President Trump has signed several executive orders that aim to dehumanize and disregard transgender, non-binary, and intersex people. These attacks include:

The “Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government” executive order, which allows federal agencies to restrict transgender and non-binary people from being issued federal documents like passports that reflect their gender identity, imposes bathroom bans on federal property, halts federal funding for anything promoting “gender ideology,” and more;
Reinstating and expanding the military ban on transgender servicemembers;
Restricting coverage for gender-affirming care; and
Eliminating federal funding for schools that provide education “based on gender ideology and discriminatory equity ideology,” including prosecution of teachers who respect a student’s transition.

We recognize the deep pain, fear, and real-world consequences these attacks impose on transgender people and the broader LGBTQIA+ community. BALIF and AABA’s LGBTQ Committee also acknowledge and support the vital and ongoing work of our members, partners, and sponsors who are leading the fight against these unjust policies. Your dedication is invaluable, and we thank you for your continued efforts. As legal professionals, we bear a profound responsibility to use our knowledge and skills to challenge these injustices, ensuring that any unconstitutional, unlawful, or discriminatory actions face rigorous legal opposition.

Now more than ever, BALIF and AABA are committed to strengthening our cross-organizational collaborations, fostering a united front against bigotry, and working together to protect and advance the rights of our communities. It is important for all bar associations, not just ones specific to the LGBTQIA+ community, to stand together because attacks like these affect members in all communities. We vow to stand with our transgender siblings and the entire LGBTQIA+ community—not just in words, but through concrete action. Together, we will continue to resist, to fight, and to create a future where all people, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation, are treated with dignity, respect, and equality under the law.

BALIF’s Commitment to LGBTQI+ Rights in the Wake of the Election Results

BALIF Administrator — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 04:41:59 GMT

Dear BALIF Community,

As we reflect on the recent election results, we know this moment brings both challenges and hope for our community. With Donald Trump’s re-election and continued GOP control of the Senate, we recognize the continued threats to LGBTQI+ rights, particularly for our transgender community. However, this election also brought some historic wins: we now have the first openly transgender person elected to Congress, and, for the first time, two Black women in the U.S. Senate. These are remarkable steps forward that show our community’s impact on shaping a more inclusive future.

Here in California, voters have also passed Proposition 3, a measure that ensures that LGBTQI+ couples can continue to marry even if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns landmark cases. This legislation sends a clear message that California is committed to inclusivity, dignity, and safety for all. The passage of Proposition 3 serves as a powerful reminder of the progress we can make when we unite our voices.

BALIF remains steadfast in our commitment to protect and uplift the LGBTQI+ community, and we are dedicated to:

Advocacy and Legal Support: We will continue to work with advocacy organizations and allies to defend and advance LGBTQI+ rights, both locally and nationally. We will continue to actively monitor and respond to policy changes that affect our community.

Fostering a Strong, Supportive Network: BALIF is here to provide resources, safe spaces, and community connections that empower our members during uncertain times. Together, we will build resilience and solidarity.

Education and Empowerment: Through ongoing programs, forums, and workshops, BALIF will help our members navigate the evolving legal landscape, including the implications of federal and state-level changes.

We know this moment can be daunting, but we are here with you. BALIF’s commitment to equality, justice, and inclusion is stronger than ever, and we will continue to be a beacon of support and advocacy for our community.

Thank you for your ongoing dedication to BALIF’s mission. Together, let’s keep moving forward with courage and hope.

In solidarity,

The BALIF Board

BALIF Joins Legal Brief U.S. v. Skrmetti

BALIF Administrator — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 21:44:59 GMT

This week, we and other civil rights groups submitted a friend-of-the court brief in support of transgender youth and their families, represented by the American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders, and Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP.

The Supreme Court will be hearing U.S. v. Skrmetti, a case challenging Tennessee’s law banning medical care for transgender youth. Any law that prohibits medication for only one group of people is discriminatory.

Every family should have the freedom to love and support their children, but these bans deny that right to families of transgender youth. That's why we’re proud to stand with Kentucky families who have been challenging a similar law in their state. As we wait for the Supreme Court to hear the case in the next few months and issue its decision next summer, we will continue to support transgender youth, their families, and medical providers.

BALIF unequivocally supports the right for transgender youth to have access to gender-affirming medical care. The consequences of denying this right are not only immoral, but often life-threatening. BALIF endorses the request for the Court to reverse the Sixth Circuit’s decision and make it clear that bans on medicinal treatment for transgender adolescents violate the Equal Protection Clause. We abhor Tennessee and Kentucky’s discriminatory attacks on transgender adolescents, and we will continue to fight for policies that uplift and provide safety and dignity for transgender people all over the U.S. and world.

View the Amicus Brief Here

BALIF Foundation 2024 Law Student Association of the Year Awardee

BALIF Administrator — Fri, 01 Mar 2024 16:56:33 GMT

Law Student Association of the Year Award – OUTLaw UC Law San Francisco

UC Law SF’s OUTlaw is a dynamic and inclusive student pro bono organization, dedicated to promoting LGBTQ+ visibility, advocacy, and community within the legal profession. Through a diverse range of initiatives, including social events, career development panels, and pro bono legal clinics, OUTlaw strives to create a supportive and empowering environment for LGBTQ+ law students and allies.

BALIF Foundation 2024 Julius Turman Awardee

BALIF Administrator — Fri, 01 Mar 2024 16:50:40 GMT

Julius Turman Award – Megan Noor

Megan Noor is a third-year law student at Berkeley Law School. She’s an immigrants' rights and queer rights advocate. Megan hopes to pursue a career in transgender and queer rights litigation after graduation.

BALIF Congratulates it's 2024 Gala Awardees

BALIF Administrator — Fri, 01 Mar 2024 16:22:36 GMT

California Attorney General Rob Bonta -- Legal Service Award

San Francisco Spikes Soccer Club – Trailblazer Award

Lavender Phoenix -- Community Service Award

California Attorney General Rob Bonta -- Legal Service Award

Every year, BALIF recognizes individuals and organizations with an outstanding commitment to LGBTQ equity and justice who have significantly advanced those causes through their work in the law. This year, we recognize Attorney General Rob Bonta for his tireless efforts and advocacy on behalf of LGBTQ Californians and LGBTQ people across the nation.

On April 23, 2021, Rob Bonta was sworn in as the 34th Attorney General of the State of California, the first person of Filipino descent and the second Asian-American to occupy the position. Attorney General Bonta's passion for justice and fairness was instilled in him by his parents, who served on the frontlines of some of America's most important social justice movements. It's why he decided to become a lawyer — to help right historic wrongs and fight for people who have been harmed. He worked his way through college and graduated with honors from Yale University and attended Yale Law School. Attorney General Bonta has led statewide fights for racial, economic, and environmental justice and worked to further the rights of immigrant families, renters, and working Californians. He previously worked as a Deputy City Attorney for the City and County of San Francisco, where he represented the City and County and its employees, and fought to protect Californians from exploitation and racial profiling. He went on to pursue elected office in Alameda County, first as an Alameda Council Member and later as an Assemblymember representing Oakland, Alameda, and San Leandro. In the State Assembly, Attorney General Bonta enacted nation-leading reforms to inject more justice and fairness into government and institutions. As the People's Attorney, he sees seeking accountability from those who abuse their power and harm others as one of the most important functions of the job. He is married to Mia Bonta, and they are the proud parents of three children Reina, Iliana, and Andres, as well as their dog Legolas.

San Francisco Spikes Soccer Club – Trailblazer Award

Since 2020, BALIF has honored individuals and organizations who make great strides in LGBTQ with a vision of for the future of the LGBTQ community. The San Francisco Spikes Soccer Club is an all gender LGBTQ+ and allied soccer club. The club’s origins are as a team formed to compete in the first Gay Games. When team members wanted to keep playing soccer together after the games, the Spikes were born! Today the club is home to over 160 dues paying members who represent a multitude of identities across the queer community. The Spikes offer competitive, intermediate, and recreational soccer programming. The club plays futsal indoors during the winter and throughout the rest of the year practices, competes in local leagues, and sends teams to tournaments across North America and the world. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization the Spikes also believe that everyone should have access to an inclusive soccer community, regardless of financial means. The club provides scholarships to anyone in need who wants to play with the club.

Lavender Phoenix -- Community Service Award

Every year, BALIF also honors individuals and organizations who empower and support our LGBTQ community in the Bay Area. This year BALIF honors Lavender Phoenix (formerly known as APIENC). Lavender Phoenix builds transgender, non-binary, and queer Asian and Pacific Islander power to transform our communities. Through its organizing work, the organization trains grassroots leaders, advances community safety, and advocates for healing justice.

Love BALIF?

BALIF Administrator — Fri, 16 Feb 2024 18:49:52 GMT

Love BALIF? Want to help us grow our community and increase our LGBTQ+ advocacy and reach? For the month of February, if you refer a friend, colleague, family member or community member to join BALIF, we’ll give you a FREE drink coupon (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) for use at our 44th Annual Gala on March 1st!

How? If you refer someone new to BALIF, let them know they can provide your name in the “referred by” field when filling out their membership application:

https://www.balif.org/membership and we’ll be in touch about your coupon!

Questions? Email membership@balif.org

BALIF Foundation 2024 Julius Turman Award

BALIF Administrator — Sat, 27 Jan 2024 07:57:44 GMT

The Julius Turman Award will be granted by the BALIF Foundation to one law student each year who has shown outstanding commitment to advocacy for LGBTQI+ individuals.

The recipient must be currently a member of BALIF, enrolled at a Bay Area Law School, identify somewhere on the LGBTQI+ spectrum, and awardee will be recognized at the BALIF Gala at the Julia Morgan Ballroom on March 1, 2024. The Award will be administered annually by a committee composed of members of the BALIF Foundation directors.

The Award will include a monetary stipend (up to $1,500) to be used in support of attending Lavender Law or another appropriate conference or purpose (as identified by the award recipient and award committee).

Nominations must be received by February 9, 2024. Finalists for the Julius Turman Award may be invited to participate in an interview in mid-February.

*Please note you can nominate yourself.

Click Here to Apply

BALIF Foundation 2024 Law Student Association of the Year

BALIF Administrator — Sat, 27 Jan 2024 07:50:25 GMT

BALIF Foundation invites all LGBTQI law student associations in the Bay Area to apply for BALIF Foundation’s annual “Law Student Association of the Year” award.

Each year, the award is presented to a Bay Area law student group that has demonstrated a unique level of commitment to serving the LGBTQI community at its law school and in its community.

The selected law school association will win a cash prize of $500 and will be recognized at the BALIF Annual Gala to be held on Friday, March 1, 2024 at the Julia Morgan Ballroom. (www.balif.org)

We look forward to receipt of your application for the 2024 award.

Applications Due: February 15, 2024 by 5pm

Click Here to Apply

BALIF'S MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

BALIF Administrator — Sat, 17 Sep 2022 04:15:38 GMT

BALIF's New Lawyers Committee is accepting applications for the 2022-2023 Mentorship Program! BALIF's incredibly successful mentorship program is back and we're hoping to recruit eager law students, post-bar graduates, and lawyers of every experience level to receive mentorship from a wide array of legal backgrounds and life experiences. As any lawyer will tell you, mentoring is an integral part to any professional's success in their career.

If you are interested in applying to be either a mentee or mentor (or both if you're a practicing lawyer!), please follow the links to the appropriate application (all responses are confidential, and the entire application can be completed in 5 minutes). Applications will close Wednesday, October 5th, and pairings will be released at BALIF's Annual Mentor/Mentee Happy Hour, which will take place on Thursday, October 13. Please check your email and the BALIF newsletter for updates. If anyone has any questions, feel free to reach out to the New Lawyers and Law Students Co-Chairs at newlawyers@balif.org.

Click here for the Mentee Application.

Click here for the Mentor Application.

CALIFORNIA DEPUTY A.G. LISA CISNEROS FOR MAGISTRATE JUDGESHIP IN SAN FRANCISCO

BALIF Administrator — Fri, 19 Aug 2022 19:00:40 GMT

The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California is pleased to announce that it has selected California Deputy Attorney General Lisa J. Cisneros to fill the magistrate judgeship recently vacated by Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley upon her appointment as a U.S. District Judge.

Ms. Cisneros will join the court from the California Department of Justice, where she serves as a Deputy Attorney General in the Civil Rights Enforcement Section. In this capacity, she has represented California and its agencies in complex affirmative and defensive litigation, primarily in the federal trial and appellate courts. Ms. Cisneros has led teams litigating cases in the areas of gender equality, immigration, healthcare, workplace safety, and antidiscrimination law.

Biden Nominates Sacramento Superior Court’s Daniel Calabretta to Federal Judgeship

BALIF Administrator — Thu, 18 Aug 2022 23:57:56 GMT

Biden announced he nominated Judge Daniel Calabretta (nee Powell) to a seat on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California. If confirmed, Calabretta would be the first openly LGBTQ judge to serve on the federal district court.

Calabretta was a BALIF member, BALIF Board Member and Gala Chair for many years. Congratulations!

BALIF Stands for Reproductive Freedom

BALIF Administrator — Mon, 25 Jul 2022 05:00:00 GMT

Just last September, BALIF joined an amicus brief filed by the National Women's Law Center in support of the respondents in Dobbs v. Jackson.

On June 24th, a conservative majority of the U.S. Supreme Court devastatingly overruled the protections afforded by Roe w. Wade in that very case. BALIF stands with all persons impacted by this erroneous reversal of the right to an abortion, especially given that this decision may impact LGBTQ+ rights and the rights of other marginalized communities in the future. What may we do in the meantime?

Let us continue to foster community, share our stories, and work together to support just policies, legislation, and jurisprudence. As we prepare to celebrate SF Pride and the end of Pride Month this weekend, please join your LGBTQ+ legal community before the SF Pride Parade on Sunday morning for our BALIF & Morrison Foerster Pride Breakfast, or for the SF Dyke Marchtomorrow.

In solidarity,

The BALIF Board and Co-Chairs

Join the BALIF Board!

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 30 Mar 2022 01:33:49 GMT

A great way to serve the LGBTQI legal community and become more involved in BALIF is to join BALIF's Board of Directors. BALIF's Directors are elected by the BALIF membership and each Director holds office for two years. Any BALIF member is welcome to run for the Board or nominate another BALIF member. BALIF seeks a board that reflects the diversity of our LGBTQI legal community, and we specifically encourage people of color, women, transgender people, and non-binary/gender non-conforming people to run for the Board.

To run for the Board or nominate someone else, please send a candidate statement of up to 250 words to our secretary (secretary@balif.org) and BALIF's Administrative Director, Katie Carlson (balif@balif.org) by April 14, 2022 at 5:00 pm. BALIF's bylaws require gender parity on the Board, with a certain number of positions allocated to Directors who identify as male, female, or other genders (a broad category including but not limited to non-binary, genderqueer, gender variant, and gender non-conforming). So if you are seeking a position, please indicate the category under which you plan to run. If you are interested in receiving an endorsement from the Nominating Committee, please submit your candidate statement no later than April 10, 2022 at 5:00 p.m.

Elections will be held online from April 15 to April 26. BALIF's annual general membership meeting will be held on Thursday, April 28, 2022 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. to meet the 2022-2023 Board and give the membership a year-end update.

Thinking about seeking a position? Know someone who would make a fabulous addition to the Board? Want to learn more about BALIF and what's involved in being on the Board? Please contact Katie at balif@balif.org.

BALIF's New Lawyers Committee is accepting applications for the 2021-2022 Mentorship Program!

BALIF Administrator — Thu, 02 Sep 2021 16:23:58 GMT

BALIF's New Lawyers Committee is accepting applications for the 2021-2022 Mentorship Program! BALIF's incredibly successful mentorship program is back and we're hoping to recruit eager law students, post-bar graduates, and lawyers of every experience level to receive mentorship from a wide array of legal backgrounds and life experiences. As any lawyer will tell you, mentoring is an integral part to any professional's success in their career.

If you are interested in applying to be either a mentee or mentor (or both if you're a practicing lawyer!), please follow the links to the appropriate application (all responses are confidential, and the entire application can be completed in 5 minutes). Applications will close Thursday, September 30th, and pairings will be released at BALIF's Annual Mentor/Mentee Happy Hour, which will take place in October. Please check your email and the BALIF newsletter for updates. If anyone has any questions, feel free to reach out to Monica Valencia or Myell Mergaert at newlawyers@balif.org.

Click here for the Mentee Application.

Click here for the Mentor Application.

BALIF Statement on the 2021 California Gubernatorial Recall Election

BALIF Administrator — Mon, 30 Aug 2021 16:19:58 GMT

Dear BALIF Member,

This fall, Californians will decide on whether to recall Governor Gavin Newsom from office.

As members and allies of LGBTQI+, BIPOC, immigrant, and other marginalized communities and identities, we cannot sit out this important election. If more than 50% of Californians vote to unseat Gov. Newsom, the replacement candidate with the most votes becomes governor. The outcome impacts us and our most vulnerable at a critical time in the pandemic.

Let us be clear: BALIF is not staking out a partisan position in calling on our members to oppose the election. BALIF is taking a stand for the integrity of our future democratic processes, not yielding ground to hard-won civil rights and liberties, and most importantly, protecting the rights of the LGBTQI+ community, immigrants and BIPOC, women, transgender and gender non-conforming individuals, and so many others.

The BALIF Board strongly recommends you vote “No” on the gubernatorial recall.

August 30th is the last day to register to vote by mail. After which, voting may be done at a polling place, vote center or your county elections office through Election Day, September 14th.

Sincerely,

BALIF Board of Directors

BALIF’s Letter of Solidarity in Response to Atlanta Shootings and Rising AAPI Hate

BALIF Administrator — Sat, 20 Mar 2021 01:59:31 GMT

We write on behalf of BALIF, as the nation’s oldest LGBTQIA+ bar association, to express our rage, grief, and condolences for the victims and their families affected by the shootings on March 16, 2021 in the Atlanta area at three massage parlors, the Gold Massage Spa, Young’s Asian Massage, and Aroma Therapy Spa. As of this writing, an FBI Director and Georgia Sheriff stated that the shootings do not appear to be racially motivated. However, of the eight people murdered on Tuesday, six were of Asian descent, and seven were women. Not only was race a factor, but gender and an anti-sex work animus played a role as well. Organizations like Red Canary Song, a grassroots Chinese massage parlor worker coalition, have eloquently written about how to radically heal and mourn, and we want to uplift those voices in solidarity with the AAPI community and affirm BALIF’s commitment to work towards for a future in which low-wage workers, Asian and Asian-Pacific American/Asian-Pacific Islanders (AAPI) people, sex workers, and women are protected and respected to allow them to peacefully labor, prosper, and survive.

Much has been said about stopping AAPI hate following this tragedy, and daily incidents of brutal violence against Asian elders in the Bay Area continue to come to light, coupled with the exponential increase in hate crimes against the AAPI community since the start of the pandemic. These stories hit home for us, our families and friends, and our broader communities.

Esther K., a co-director of Red Canary Song, recently said in a Guardian article, “Removing the anti-sex-work component really removes the crux of what this specific kind of racism is about: the fetishization of Asian women’s bodies, the objectification of their bodies and the assumption that Asian women are obviously going to be providing sexual services at massage parlors,” and “the conflation of massage parlors and sex workers without any nuance is very specific to anti-Asian racism against Asian women.” Due to sexist racialized perceptions of Asian women, especially those engaged in vulnerable, low-wage work, Asian massage workers are harmed by the criminalization of sex work, regardless of whether they engage in it themselves.

As a call to action, please consider signing up for the Bay Area Workers Support (BAWS), Attorney Referral Network to offer legal help to support sex workers. BAWS welcomes any sex worker allied attorneys in any field and experience level. If you are interested in being on this referral list please fill out the form or you can contact rhanileeremedes@gmail.com for more information about this project. This Sunday, GAPA is coordinating a rally and march beginning at Harvey Milk Plaza in San Francisco at 11:00am. Please follow the event on Facebook for more information. For more AAPI Anti-Hate Community Resources, please check out our BALIF Community Forum.

BALIF supports the AAPI community in condemning these heinous acts that occurred on March 16, 2021. If you are an ally, please educate yourself and others. Look out for those in the AAPI community, train yourselves, and be there for others. We ask you to all be gentle to yourselves, and give yourself some space and breaks to process, grieve, reflect, and express your anger.

BALIF Foundation 2020 Year in Review

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 21:18:04 GMT

The BALIF Foundation is dedicated to increasing the number of LGBTQI judges on the bench through educational programming, supporting LGBTQI community organizations, and providing scholarships, summer stipends, and fellowships for LGBTQI law students and young attorneys seeking to help the LGBTQI community through legal work.

In 2020, we made donations to ALRP, the Transgender Law Center, and the BALIF Halloween Fundraiser benefiting TGIJP, in addition to awarding the below awards, fellowships and scholarships:

Inaugural Julius Turman Award - Rachel Schiff

Rachel Schiff graduated from UC Davis School of Law Class in 2020. Rachel's accomplishments include hosting one of the law school's first Trans Day of Remembrance events and founding the UC Davis School of Law Gender Name Change Project in 2018, which serves trans and gender nonconforming youth seeking name and gender changes. The Project has assisted over 100 individuals since its inception. Rachel is currently clerking in the Eastern District of California

BALIF Foundation Summer Fellowship - Nahlee Lin

Nahlee Lin is a 2L at Berkeley Law, where she serves as a Co-Chair of the Womxn of Color Collective, Associate Editor on the California Law Review, and research assistant at the Othering & Belonging Institute. She has also interned at the Health & Welfare Clinic of the East Bay Community Law Center, served as a student counselor at the Workers' Rights Clinic, and volunteered at TGIJP Legal Mail Clinics. During her 1L summer, she worked at Oasis Legal Services assisting LGBTQIA+ immigrants to apply for asylum.

APABA-SV and BALIF Foundation Joint Scholarship - Ernest Fok

Ernie is a 3L at Santa Clara University School of Law for the 2020-21 academic year. He is a member of Santa Clara Law's Equity, Justice and Engagement Committee, current Co-President of the Santa Clara Law Asian Pacific American Law Student Association, and former Co-President for EQSCU, Santa Clara Law's LGBT law student organization. After law school, Ernie will join Weil Gotshal's Silicon Valley office as a patent litigation associate, and he will continue to promote and advocate for the Asian American and LGBT legal community throughout his legal career.

FBANC Foundation and BALIF Foundation Pamilya Joint Scholarship - Idrian Mollaneda

Idrian Mollaneda is a 3L at UC Berkeley School of Law. He currently serves as an associate editor for the California Law Review and senior articles editor for the Asian American Law Journal. Idrian previously served as co-president of the Queer Caucus and the Pilipinx American Law Society at Berkeley. After graduating, Idrian will join Farella Braun + Martel as a litigation associate.

Law Student Association of the Year - Equality Santa Clara (EQSCU)

BALIF Condemns Efforts to Disenfranchise Voters and Undermine Democracy

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 20:14:26 GMT

BALIF condemns in no uncertain terms the unprecedented effort by President Trump and GOP Members of Congress to mass-disenfranchise voters by overturning the electoral college vote. This ongoing assault on our democracy culminated this past weekend with revelations that President Trump directly asked the Georgia Secretary of State to “find” additional votes. In addition, several GOP Senators and Representatives have stated their intentions to challenge the electoral college votes from key states when Congress meets to count and certify the votes.

As lawyers, we believe we have a responsibility to speak out and not remain silent when our legal system is threatened. The President and his allies have mounted dozens of baseless lawsuits promoting a false narrative of voter fraud, but these have been uniformly rejected by courts because there is simply no evidence of fraud. In many cases, courts have said that the lawsuits do not even allege the existence of fraud. There is simply no constitutional, legal, or factual basis to support any of these claims.

The assault on our democracy is particularly dangerous because it perpetuates a revisionist narrative that election protection is a partisan issue. The past several years have seen an enormous success in increasing voter registration and turnout amongst communities of color and other groups that have historically low participation rates in elections. We must stand in solidarity with these groups and continue to demand better access to voting and full implementation of voting rights.

Amanda Hamilton & Jeff Kosbie
BALIF Board Co-Chairs

BALIF Holiday Fundraiser- Tenderloin Tessie Holiday Dinners

BALIF Administrator — Mon, 07 Dec 2020 18:43:54 GMT

DONATE HERE

BALIF is excited to host a Holiday Fundraiser to accompany our first ever Virtual Holiday Party! The Fundraiser kicks off today and will last through the end of December.

This year, BALIF is honored to raise funds for Tenderloin Tessie Holiday Dinners. Tenderloin Tessie Holiday Dinners is an all-volunteer organization that, for over 40 years, has fed the community of San Francisco on Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Their dinners average a thousand people each holiday and take place at the First Unitarian Church at the corner of Franklin Street and Geary Boulevard.

Tessie was the drag name of Perry Spink, a local performer/bartender who was very familiar with the people and character of the Tenderloin District in San Francisco during the 60’s and 70’s. Legend has it that on Thanksgiving in 1974, he received several turkeys and was inspired to cook and serve them to the local Tenderloin residents (with the help of less-than-sober bar buddies). It was a gesture that showed the San Francisco Community that no matter who you were; there was someone who cared. Read the whole story about Empress Tessie here.

The Reigning Empress of San Francisco Mimi Osa writes, "I've been volunteering for the past 5 years, and my favorite part is seeing the love shared between the community and those in need. Tenderloin Tessie's Holiday Dinners provide meals but also an atmosphere of decency and respect. Whether people are facing food insecurity or have nowhere else to go, Tenderloin Tessie's volunteers treat every client as a welcomed guest."

Please join us in raising some much-needed funds to continue this tradition of feeding the hungry in San Francisco! Whether it is $5 or $500, your contribution to this grassroots organization is appreciated!

BALIF is a community of LGBTQI+ legal professionals that envisions a world where LGBTQI+ people live with dignity and equality under the law. We value LGBTQI+ Justice & Equality, Community Empowerment & Development, and Diversity & Inclusion. Our mission is to lead our LGBTQI+ legal community through advocacy, justice, community empowerment, and professional development.

BALIF Congratulates Martin J. Jenkins on Historic Appointment to California Supreme Court

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 06 Oct 2020 00:44:38 GMT

BALIF is rejoicing today with Governor Newsom's announcement appointing the Honorable Martin J. Jenkins to the Supreme Court of California. Justice Jenkins will be the first openly LGBTQI+ person and only the third African American to serve on the high court.

We applaud Governor Newsom's decision to continue leading in the realm of LGBTQI+ equality. On July 9, 2020, BALIF authored a letter joined by other California bar associations calling on Governor Newsom to appoint an LGBTQI+ person and/or a person of color to replace Justice Chin. Read the full letter here. Our court is now more representative of our great and diverse state because of Governor Newsom's wise decision.

Justice Jenkins was born and raised in the Ingleside neighborhood of San Francisco. He is an alum of City College of San Francisco, Santa Clara University and the University of San Francisco School of Law. Justice Jenkins began his career as a law clerk in the Alameda County District Attorney's Office, where he later served as a deputy district attorney. He also served as a prosecutor in the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. In 1989 he was appointed to the Alameda County Municipal Court by Governor Deukmejian. In 1992, Governor Wilson appointed him to the Alameda County Superior Court, where he served until 1997. He then served as a United States District Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California having been appointed by President Clinton. In 2008, Judge Jenkins returned to state court following his appointment by Governor Schwarzenegger to the California Court of Appeal. In his retirement from the judiciary, Justice Jenkins has served in the Newsom administration as Judicial Appointments Secretary.

In his acceptance speech, Justice Jenkins remarked:

I want to say to some young person who may be out there watching today who is struggling with their identity. Anyone who knows me knows my identity has been as a gay man perhaps the greatest challenge of my life. And it has not been easy. But I want to say today to those young people who may be watching and those who may hear about what has transpired here: that I'm not here in spite of the struggle, I am here because of the struggle. It has deepened my character, afforded me sensibilities about the world, and about people who are not so willing to accept that people can love differently than they do, but nevertheless love sincerely, genuinely and affectively. I want these young people to know that living a life of authenticity is the greatest gift you can give yourself. And if you do that, you too will find yourself in a position where people see you and really see you and who you are, your authentic self. And in the extraordinary opportunity I'm being offered today, I thank you, Governor Newsom, for seeing me and I promise to do my best to dispatch the enormous responsibilities that are incumbent with this great office.

Justice Jenkins' message accepting the nomination is reflective of what his appointment means for Californians and Americans generally. There is no place, including the highest levels of government, that is foreclosed to LGBTQI+ people. Today we move closer to a world where all LGBTQI+ people live with dignity and equality under the law. BALIF was founded to get LGBTQI judges on the bench. At that time there were no openly LGBTQI judges. Today one of us has been nominated to serve on the State Supreme Court!

BALIF Buzz: BALIF Member Sean SeLegue Named as Chair of the State Bar Board of Trustees

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 08 Sep 2020 20:05:16 GMT

On August 24, 2020, the Supreme Court of California announced that long-time BALIF member Sean SeLegue will be the next Chair of the State Bar of California, effective September 25. SeLegue commented, “I’m very proud to be only the second openly LGBTQ Chair of the State Bar and grateful to BALIF for endorsing me when I ran for election to the State Bar Board in 2016. Since I first joined BALIF nearly 30 years ago and served on the board as a young lawyer, BALIF has been the linchpin of our LGBTQ legal community. We have come a long way in those years, and I am glad BALIF is there to help us continue toward full inclusion of LGBTQ lawyers in our legal system.” SeLegue is a partner at Arnold & Porter, and a former BALIF board member.

Click Here for Full Article

BALIF Buzz: Social Justice Summer: August Recap

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 01 Sep 2020 20:18:17 GMT

This past week, we heard from a trifecta of amazing advocates who work with LGBQAI incarcerated populations: TGIJP, Flying Over Walls, and ABO Comix for an evening of zine art, card-writing, and learning! Check out more info here.

We hope to see you at our Halloween fundraiser on October 29, 2020! 100% of proceeds will go to TGIJP. RSVP today!

BALIF STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO POLICE SHOOTING OF JACOB BLAKE

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 26 Aug 2020 22:51:46 GMT

Once again, we are horrified at the latest police shooting of an unarmed Black man. It seems like each time gets more perverse and vile. But the truth is this has been happening for all of America’s history. If you witnessed the shooting of Jacob Blake, it is abundantly clear that the excessive use of force by the police is endemic to the very structure of the police in our society. At a time when defunding the police has become a rallying call we must join our voices to radically transform the way we think about law enforcement. We must prioritize visions of law enforcement that center positive and constructive outcomes rather than lethal threats.

BALIF calls on our members to join us in standing in solidarity with other communities most affected by police violence. Being true allies means taking action to end these injustices, as well as promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in our own community, in the broader legal profession, and in our society as a whole. Since our last message concerning police shootings BALIF has put words into actions. A few highlights:

Donated $1,800 to the Black Lives Matter Global Network, Flying Over Walls: Black and Pink, and the Transgender, Gender Variant, and Intersex (TGI) Justice Project

Planned a training for attorneys wishing to represent protestors or who can crowdsource research and briefing to take place September 29, 2020

Called on the Governor to appoint an LGBTQI+ and/or person of color to replace retiring Justice Chin on the Supreme Court of California

Collaborated with the California Bar to implement improvements to survey data analysis and questions to adequately represent the overlooked diversity of intersectional identities and transgender attorneys in the annual Diversity Report

Participated in a Virtual Legal Clinic with the Oakland LGBT Center

Hosted Social Justice Summer events to fund raise with and promote the following Black and Trans-centered advocacy organizations:
- TAJA Coalition, Lyon-Martin Health Services, Transgender Cultural District, and St. James Infirmary
- Flying Over Walls: Black and Pink, ABO Comix, and the TGI Justice Project

Collaborated to present the following CLE programs:
- TGI Prison Representation During COVID-19
- Rising Power: Building an Intersectional Justice Movement in the US, and Diversity in the Legal Profession
- Recognizing and Dismantling Bias in Law Firms and Private Companies
- Discrimination, Allyship, and Commonality
- Discrimination, Allyship, and Intersectionality

Are organizing an October 29, 2020 Halloween Fundraiser to benefit the TGI Justice Project, whose mission is to challenge and end the human rights abuses committed against TGI people in California prisons, jails, detention centers and beyond

Increased the number of Board members representing the Black/African-American community

Developed a governance structure and mandate for the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee

Your ongoing support ensures we can continue to uplift our voices against injustice and furthers our mission to lead the LGBTQI+ legal community through advocacy, justice, community empowerment, and professional development.

We wish Jacob Blake a full and speedy recovery and hold his family and the community in our hearts.

Click here to view the statement.

BALIF Buzz is Back!!!

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 11 Aug 2020 20:26:04 GMT

Don’t let the pandemic drag you down! Share some of your most fabulous photos, member updates, and coping strategies with the BALIF community in our weekly newsletter! Our communications co-chairs Ari Jones and Michael Trung Nguyen lead off to show their sparkle!

Email communications@balif.org

BALIF joins LGBTQI+ Bar Associations today in a letter to Governor Newsom demanding LGBTQI/POC appointment fill the open seat on the California Supreme Court

BALIF Administrator — Sat, 11 Jul 2020 00:21:47 GMT

Click here to read the full letter submitted.

Social Justice Summer Recap

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 07 Jul 2020 21:27:53 GMT

ICYMI, we hosted and recorded our first Social Justice Summer session in conversation with local non-profits St. James Infirmary (HIV Services Manager, Juba Kalamka); TAJA's Coalition (Executive Director, Akira Johnson); and Lyon-Martin (Trans Health Consultant, JM Jaffe) to raise awareness and funds to support our trans and BIPOC LGBTQI community. Listen here, and check out these great orgs!

BALIF REJOICES: MAJOR SCOTUS VICTORY FOR LGBTQI+ EMPLOYEES

BALIF Administrator — Mon, 15 Jun 2020 19:49:04 GMT

Today the U.S. Supreme Court finally extended Title VII's protections to employees who face discrimination because of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. In the 6-3 opinion authored by Justice Gorsuch, the Court resolved a circuit split in favor of interpreting discrimination on the basis of "sex" in the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and/or gender identity and affirmed that discrimination on the basis of sex need not be the sole reason an employee is terminated to incur Title VII liability.

In the Court's own words, "An individual's homosexuality or transgender status is not relevant to employment decisions." These decisions include the selection, evaluation, compensation and/or termination of an employee. This simple statement is monumental to our community in that it validates that our rainbow of sexualities and gender identities has no bearing on our ability to perform in the workplace. By extension, our sexualities and gender identities should have no bearing on access to healthcare, housing, education, and other services and opportunities.

In stating that "homosexuality and transgender status are inextricably bound up with sex," the Court accepted the argument many of us have been making for why discrimination against a lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender, queer, or intersex person is no different from discriminating against someone because they are male or female according to the statute's unambiguous, plain, and broad command. Last Friday, on the anniversary of the Pulse Nightclub tragedy, the Trump administration finalized a rule implementing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in a way that excludes from the interpretation of "sex" protection against discrimination on the basis of gender identity and pregnancy status in health care. BALIF anticipates today's ruling will result in the invalidation of this rule as discriminatory and unlawful because the ACA's Section 1557 mandate is based on Title IX, which mirrors the language of Title VII. Similarly, BALIF expects today's ruling to impact over 100 federal statutes referenced in Justice Alito's dissent (see Appendix C) such that these statutes will now necessarily include protection for LGBTQI+ individuals. Many state statutes also mirror the language of Title VII.

While equality and justice for our community has been delayed for decades in many facets of our lives, today as a country we take a major step towards that place over the rainbow where we strive to arrive: a world where LGBTQI+ people live with dignity and equality under the law. Now we must march on, locking arms with other underserved and underrepresented communities in an intersectional approach to achieving equality.

We reiterate our call to dismantle systemic racism. Despite today's ruling, there will still remain critical gaps in our federal non-discrimination law. LGBTQI+ Americans have long lived with the fear we may lose our jobs, be denied opportunities, be denied healthcare, or even lose our lives. Many Americans still face such fears simply because of who they are. Black and African-American people in particular continue to face much of the same oppression and violence that the Civil Rights Act was intended to guard against. The legal rights secured today for the LGBTQI+ community derive from the same sentence that affords rights based on race. We cannot affirm the rights for LGBTQI+ people without affirming the rights of those discriminated on the basis of race, color, religion, and/or national origin too. Onward, together!

Sincerely,

Daniel H. Galindo
BALIF Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Chair

Amanda Hamilton & Jeff Kosbie
BALIF Co-Chairs

On behalf of the BALIF Board

A link to the full opinion is available here:

https://d2qwohl8lx5mh1.cloudfront.net/8hVHe52Cq4sPdF0wEaTaCQ/content

Membership Update

BALIF Administrator — Sat, 13 Jun 2020 05:37:51 GMT

BALIF Members-

In celebration of Pride, to ring in BALIF's New Year (which starts on July 1, 2020), and in recognition of the current financial crisis caused by COVID-19, we are automatically extending all existing BALIF memberships through the end of our 2020-2021 fiscal year -- June 30, 2021 -- for free! We are also offering free memberships to all members of the LGBTQ+ legal community who have recently graduated from law school (Class of 2020) and/or that are currently unemployed.

As noted previously, we recently transitioned to a new payment processor and updated our membership structure from a rolling annual subscription to one that tracks our July 1 to June 30 fiscal year. While we had spent many weeks planning and preparing for a smooth transition, we unfortunately were not able to anticipate and prevent the numerous hiccups that occurred and we are very sorry for any confusion that this has caused.

Our members deserve better. To right this wrong, the BALIF board unanimously approved an extension of all memberships to expire June 30, 2021. This means that existing members will all have their membership renewal dates changed, regardless of when they first joined, to June 30, 2021. Additionally, given the turbulent economic times we live in due to COVID-19, the board has also approved providing one-year memberships for free (expiring June 30, 2021) to the law school Class of 2020 and currently unemployed lawyers. Please help spread the word and help us grow our BALIF community. Folks who would like to take advantage of this special offer should email balif@balif.org.

For planning purposes, please note that all previous memberships that were enrolled in auto-renew, no longer have saved payment information. Previously auto-renewing memberships are no longer set to auto-renew and there is a 30-day grace period for renewal. This means that old and new memberships will remain active through the following year (2021-2022) as long as they are renewed before July 30, 2021. New members will be automatically set to auto-renew when they sign up to be a member, but old members who would like to auto-renew will need to log into their BALIF account (sometime before July 30, 2021) and re-enter their preferred payment information.

All of these changes will come at the cost of more than $34K in membership dues that we were otherwise set to receive during 2020-2021. We kindly ask those of you who have the means to do so to help us recoup some of this cost and/or prevent extended losses by donating to BALIF at www.balif.org/donate.

With professional networking events, educational programs, social action, community activism, advocacy with proposed state legislation, judicial appointments, amicus briefs, mentoring new lawyers and law students, and more, there are many ways to plug into BALIF and make an impact in and get support from our community! We encourage you to reach out to us with suggestions, comments, concerns, and questions by emailing us at membership@balif.org.

Sincerely,

Michael Nguyen & Christine Capuyan
BALIF Membership Committee Co-Chairs
membership@balif.org

BALIF Supports Racial Justice Organizations through a $1800 Donation

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 09 Jun 2020 20:28:15 GMT

Dear BALIF Member:

If you walk outside, turn on the news, or access social media, you are aware that we are in the midst of an unprecedented moment in history. The protests sparked by the killing of George Floyd have galvanized wide swaths of the country to coalesce against systemic racism, police brutality, and abuse of force. Along with putting out a Call to Action and condemning police brutality, the Board is planning concrete actions to address these issues from within. To that end BALIF has voted to make a monetary donation of $1,800 distributed to Black Lives Matter, the Transgender Gender-Variant & Intersex Justice Project (TGIJP), and Flying Over Walls/SF Chapter Black & Pink. Several of our Board Members have also made individual donations to these and other organizations. We encourage those of you who can to do the same. Below you will find a list of suggested organizations in addition to the recipients of BALIF’s donation.

BALIF is planning a forum for our members to address the ways in which we can support Black and African American communities and to take action towards our stated commitments in our Call to Action. We are also exploring avenues to train BALIF members to provide legal defense to those arrested during protests and serve as legal observers. Please be on the lookout for more information about these opportunities.

BALIF has also organized a remote/telephone pro bono clinic in partnership with the Oakland LGBTQ Community Center on June 13, 2020 from 11 am to 4 pm. Please let your clients, contacts, and general members of the community know about the clinic. Members of the community can register by going to https://www.oaklandlgbtqcenter.org/legal-clinic, calling 510-882-2286, or e-mailing activism@balif.org. The areas of law to be counseled on include: Family, Immigration, Employment, Healthcare, Trust & Estates law; Name/Gender Marker Change, Military Discharge Upgrade; and VA Benefits and Unemployment Benefits.

On behalf of the Board,

Daniel H. Galindo
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer
Conference of California Bar Associations Committee Chair

Anti Police-Terror Project: http://www.antipoliceterrorproject.org/

Bay Area Anti-Repression Committee Bail Fund: https://rally.org/ARCbailfund

Black Lives Matter: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ms_blm_homepage_2019

Black Organizing Project: http://blackorganizingproject.org

Families United for Justice: http://fu4jgroup.website/index.html

Flying Over Walls/SF Chapter Black & Pink: https://flyingoverwalls.wordpress.com/

Justice Teams Network: https://justiceteams.org/new-page

Law Enforcement Accountability Network: https://www.lean4change.org/

National Lawyers Guild - San Francisco: https://nlgsf.ourpowerbase.net/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=3

Transgender Gender-Variant & Intersex Justice Project: http://www.tgijp.org/donate.html

Youth Justice Coalition in LA: https://youthjusticela.org/donate2yjc/

Young Women’s Freedom Center: https://www.youngwomenfree.org/donate/

BALIF Board Opening

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 09 Jun 2020 20:03:11 GMT

Do you want to get more involved in BALIF? Have a say in how BALIF is run and join the Board of Directors!

BALIF's bylaws require gender parity on the Board, with an equal number of positions allocated to Directors who identify as male, female, and transgender/gender non-conforming/gender-variant (TGNC). One board position remains open under the TGNC category, but the Board has the authority to appoint a member of any gender.

If you are interested in being considered for this opening, please email a brief candidate statement (up to 250 words) to nominations@balif.org no later than Monday June 29 at 5:00pm. Please explain your relationship to BALIF and/or why you are interested in joining the BALIF Board.

BALIF seeks a Board that reflects the diversity of our LGBTQI legal community, and we thank all BALIF members for their continued support of BALIF. Please email BALIF's Administrator, Katie Carlson, at balif@balif.org with any questions you may have.

BALIF Call to Action & Condemnation of Police Brutality

BALIF Administrator — Sat, 30 May 2020 21:49:08 GMT

The Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom (BALIF) Board of Directors is deeply disturbed and saddened by the events that have unfolded across the country in the last couple of weeks. These events have reemphasized our country's history of violence against Black and African-American communities. We condemn the murder of Ahmaud Arbery, the harassment of Christian Cooper, and the police killings of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and Tony McDade and the unacceptable countless other similar tragedies. Enough is enough.

BALIF condemns the deep injustice and pain this violence has inflicted on the families of those lost and the community at large. This violence affects all of us. BALIF must stand with the various Black and African-American communities during these painful times and always against police misconduct, bias, discrimination, and harassment on the basis of race, whether actual or perceived. BALIF is a community of LGBTQI+ legal professionals that envisions a world where LGBTQI+ people live with dignity and equality under the law. BALIF's mission is to lead our LGBTQI+ legal community through advocacy, justice, community empowerment, and professional development. BALIF is committed to advancing the interests of all marginalized, underrepresented, and underserved communities through our power as an organization of attorneys. We know we cannot fully realize our mission without advocating against the daily violence facing our Black and African-American community members. While the State of Georgia and the Hennepin County Attorneys General have brought formal charges against those involved in the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd, justice has been unduly delayed for them and others. We call for justice to be served, equally and fairly, and for these extrajudicial killings to end now. BALIF has joined many other LGBT organizations in a letter committing to combating racial violence. You can read the letter here.

We call on our members to similarly oppose the over-policing of and violence towards Black, African-American, and POC communities by calling for police accountability, oversight, and the fair administration of the judicial process to ensure justice is served. As members of the LGBTQI+ legal community we have a distinct role to play in the fight for equality. As members of the LGBTQI+ community, we occupy intersecting identities stemming from our gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, religion (or lack thereof), physical and/or mental disability, and other characteristics. And with this intersectionality, we have a special duty to not only fight for equality for ourselves, but for others within our community, our allies, and other marginalized communities who bear dual consciousness of their LGBTQI+ identity and race, and thus are doubly victims of bias and discrimination. We must extend the political power some of us have achieved to those marginalized, underrepresented, and underserved communities that still suffer, for none of us shall find true liberation until all of us can live our lives with dignity and the equal protection of the justice system.

We cannot stand by as another Black, African-American or other person of color is murdered for going on a jog, bird watching, or encountering the police. As Justice Sotomayor wrote in her dissent in Utah v. Strieff,

We must not pretend that the countless people who are routinely targeted by police are 'isolated.' They are the canaries in the coal mine whose deaths, civil and literal, warn us that no one can breathe in this atmosphere.

In solidarity, we invoke our members to take action in the way they individually find meaningful and possible to advance the issue. We also invite our members to read Fighting Police Abuse: A Community Action Manual, created by the ACLU and designed to provide context, tools, and avenues to take action

Lastly, we would like to encourage our members to continue providing feedback to the Board by emailing the Chairs at chair@balif.org or diversity@balif.org and to continue bringing issues of importance to our attention. Please reach out to each other and those in your lives who are feeling impacted by this violence. We extend our deepest condolences to the families of those lost and wish all of you reading this message safety and good health.

On behalf of the BALIF Board,

Daniel H. Galindo, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Officer

Conference of California Bar Associations Committee Co-Chair

2020 BALIF Foundation Summer Fellowship

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 20 May 2020 23:15:17 GMT

The BALIF Foundation has awarded the 2020 Summer Fellowship to Nahlee Lin is a rising 1L at UC Berkeley School of Law. Over the summer, Nahlee will be interning at Oasis Legal Services, a non-profit organization that provides comprehensive legal immigration services to low-income, LGBTQIA+ clients. At Oasis, Nahlee’s internship will be focused on assisting LGBTQIA+ immigrants in applying for asylum and supporting these clients through the asylum process from beginning to end. Oasis serves hundreds of LGBTQIA+ asylum applicants annually with a success rate of 99%.

Congratulations to Nahlee Lin!

Thank you to those of you who were able to attend our 40th Anniversary Gala!

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 21 Apr 2020 23:13:27 GMT

Thank you to those of you who were able to attend our 40th Anniversary Gala: Over the Rainbow on March 6, 2020. We were grateful our event was able to move forward, as the restrictions around COVID-19 canceled and postponed events like ours soon thereafter. Our gala brought over 500 of us together and allowed us to celebrate 40 amazing years as an organization. Thanks to our sponsors and individual ticket purchases, we raised over $200,000 with 85 sponsors, over a fifth of whom were brand new supporters of the BALIF gala. Check out the photos here or on our Facebook page. We hope you had a blast, and we look forward to seeing you again soon!

Congratulations again to our awardees:
Oasis Legal Services (2020 Legal Services Award) Oasis Legal Services is a leading legal services provider for LGBTQ immigrants on the West Coast, serving hundreds of asylum seekers every year. Through holistic representation Oasis empowers our clients to ensure those fleeing persecution are protected from deportation so they can live safely and love freely.
Openhouse (2020 Community Service Award) For over 20 years, Openhouse has enabled San Francisco Bay Area LGBTQ seniors to overcome the unique challenges they face as they age by providing housing, direct services and community programs. Right now, they’re partnering with Mon Ami to mobilize hundreds of volunteers to address food insecurity and social isolation. If you would like to volunteer your time, you can find more information here.
BALIF Founders (2020 Trailblazers Award) See the founders’ video here.

Don’t be a stranger!

The BALIF Gala is often the one time of year we can count on seeing old and new faces, whether members or not, in celebration of our wonderful organization and all the good we do for the LGBTQI legal community. We hope you will stay connected and engaged with us! We’ve just elected our 2020-2021 Board, and are so proud of our 2019-2020 Board and how much we have accomplished in a year! We want to hear from you about how we can best support and serve our members through the coming months. Hope to see you at the next (virtual) happy hour.

Amanda Hamilton & Mark Fickes
2020 Gala Committee Co-Chairs

Join the BALIF Board

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 18:17:14 GMT

Thinking about running for the BALIF board, or know someone who should run? BALIF seeks a board that reflects the diversity of our LGBTQI legal community, and we especially encourage people of color, women, transgender people, and non-binary/gender non-conforming people to run for the Board. BALIF's Directors are elected by the BALIF membership, and each Director holds office for two years. Any BALIF member is welcome to run for the Board or nominate another BALIF member. Serving on the BALIF board is a great way to serve the LGBTQI legal community by developing the programming and events that support BALIF’s commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in the legal profession on behalf of all LGBTQI people.

How To Run
To run for the Board or nominate someone else, please send a candidate statement of up to 250 words to our secretary (secretary@balif.org) and BALIF's Administrator, Katie Carlson (balif@balif.org) by April 2, 2020 at 5:30 pm. BALIF's bylaws require gender parity on the Board, with an equal number of positions allocated to Directors who identify as male, female, and trans/gender non-conforming. The following seats are open in this election: 3 trans/gender non-conforming seats; 2 male seats; 1 female seat; and 3 law student representative seats. Please indicate in your statement whether you are running for the male, female, or trans/gender non-conforming seats.

Board Member Expectations

The board retreat is currently set for May 2 and May 3, 2020, subject to change based on shelter-in-place requirements. All board members must attend the retreat. Board members are generally expected to attend monthly board meetings. We are a working board, and therefore it is expected that Directors actively support BALIF by organizing programs, attending events, participating in our mentoring program, and through other means. Board members generally find service on the board to be very rewarding, and the time commitment manageable.

Due to COVID-19 and the shelter-in-place order, elections will be held solely online. After the deadline for candidate statements closes, BALIF will announce the names of the candidates and will circulate instructions on how to vote online.

BALIF Foundation to seek nominations for the First Annual Julius Turman Award

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 07:26:40 GMT

BALIF Foundation to seek nominations for the First Annual Julius Turman Award. This year will mark the 40th anniversary of BALIF's founding, and we're spending that year celebrating and reflecting on four decades of work organizing LGBTQI lawyers in the Bay Area to advocate for a more just world. As a way of recognizing and supporting emerging leaders in our community, the BALIF Foundation has established an annual award intended for Law Student Advocates.

The Julius Turman Award will be granted by the BALIF Foundation to one law student each year who has shown outstanding commitment to advocacy for LGBTQ individuals, especially for the more marginalized communities of color and trans individuals. The recipient must be currently a member of BALIF, enrolled at a Bay Area Law School, identify somewhere on the LGBTQ+ spectrum, and must be available to receive the award at the BALIF Gala on March 6, 2020. The awardee will receive a stipend of up to $1,500 to be used in support of attending Lavender Law or another appropriate conference or purpose (as identified by the award recipient and award committee). BALIF is working on and may be able to offer additional benefits at the Lavender Law Conference as part of the Julius Turman Award.

As a BALIF member, we hope you'll take this opportunity to lift up the voices of emerging leaders in our community by submitting a nomination. To submit a nomination of yourself, or someone in your community, please complete the nomination form here. Nominations must be received by Friday, January 31, 2020 to be considered. Finalists for the award will be invited to participate in an interview in early February.

If you have any other questions about the Julius Turman Award, please feel free to write direction to the lawstudentrep@balif.org.

Halloween Fundraiser- Huge success thanks to all our sponsors!

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 06 Nov 2019 02:38:37 GMT

We hope you enjoyed our Halloween Fundraiser that benefited the Gay Asian Pacific Alliance (GAPA). BALIF partnered with the Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Bay Area (AABA) to throw an unforgettable party where we were able to raise over $8,500 for GAPA! GAPA envisions a powerful Queer Trans Asian and Pacific Islander community that is seen, heard, and celebrated. We work to unite our families and allies through inclusion, advocacy, and love. Learn more about GAPA here. Thank you to all those who supported and were able to join us last week!

BALIF at the Conference of CA Bar Associations 2019 (CCBA)

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 23 Oct 2019 01:43:20 GMT

This year's BALIF delegation to the Conference of CA Bar Associations (CCBA) is returning home with several wins and inching closer to passing a resolution to establish the Homeless Bill of Rights. Please join me in thanking the delegates who lobbied hard for these resolutions and donated their time and resources to represent BALIF at this state-wide conference: Jen Orthwein, Felicia Medina, Annick Persinger, Michael Wolchansky, Stephan Ferris, and Ari Jones.

The CCBA Committee would also like to thank past delegate, Meaghan Zore for a resolution she authored that went on to become AB 1793 and signed into law in 2018. This law requires the CA Dept. of Justice to affirmatively identify past convictions for cannabis-related offenses that are eligible for recall, dismissal, or redesignation pursuant to the Adult Use of Marijuana Act. Signed into law in the 2019 cycle, BALIF supported SB 495, which prohibits considering a parent's sex, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation in determining the best interest of the child in custody proceedings.

Each bar association delegate is eligible to vote on every resolution, which means the larger our delegation, the more BALIF members' voices are represented. We hope to have more participants at next year's September 2020 Conference in San Diego. If you'd like to attend or would like to draft a resolution, email ccba@balif.org for more information.

BALIF RESOLUTIONS APPROVED:

1. Changing Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day

2. Banning oxybenzone and octinoxate in sunscreen

3. Making Election Day a paid holiday in California;

4. Extending the statute of limitations for all claimants of death and personal injury tort claims against government entities to one year to file the government tort claim (from the currency 6 months) and a full 2 years from rejection notice to file a civil suit in state court. (Re: incarcerated individuals)

BALIF RESOLUTIONS DISAPPROVED:
1. Homeless Bill of Rights (5 votes short)
2. Affirmative defense of consent for assault and battery. See BDSM community (4 votes short)

BALIF RESOLUTION VOLUNTARILY WITHDRAWN:
1. Decriminalization of sex work

APPROVED RESOLUTIONS BALIF DELEGATES ARGUED & SUPPORTED:
1. gender-neutral language in the evidence code;
2. adding transgender as a protected status under the Fair Employment & Housing Act;
3. requiring hospitals to provide patients with the estimated cost of anticipated services;
4. allowing transgender employees access to workplace lactation/wellness rooms for post-surgical care; and
5. banning plastic bags for newspapers.

Approved resolutions will now be proposed to legislators to be introduced as bills in the 2020 legislative cycle.

BALIF's New Lawyers Committee is accepting applications for both Mentors and Mentees for the 2019-2020 year!

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 19:53:14 GMT

BALIF's New Lawyers Committee is accepting applications for both Mentors and Mentees for the 2019-2020 year! BALIF's incredibly successful mentorship program is back and we're hoping to recruit eager law students, post-bar graduates and new lawyers to receive mentorship from experienced attorneys from a wide array of legal backgrounds and life experiences. As any lawyer will tell you, mentoring is an integral part to any professional's success in their career. If you are interested in applying for either a mentee or mentor position, please follow the links to the appropriate application (all responses are confidential). Pairings will be released close to the end of September, with the annual BALIF Mentor/Mentee Happy Hour to take place in early October. Please check your email for updates. If anyone has any questions, feel free to reach out to Stephan Ferris at newlawyers@balif.org.

Click here for the Mentee Application.

Click here for the Mentor Application.

Second Annual WLAC/Rhoda and Judge Stuart Hing Scholarship

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 13 Aug 2019 15:23:43 GMT

Women Lawyers of Alameda County will again be awarding one $5,000 law student scholarship this year, courtesy of the Stuart and Rhoda Hing Charitable Trust. The scholarship will be presented by the Hings at the WLAC Annual Judges’ Dinner on October 24, 2019, at Scott’s Seafood Restaurant in Jack London Square.

The WLAC/Rhoda and Judge Stuart Hing Scholarship was created in 2018. As an attorney, Judge Hing was a Board member of WLAC, and even after his appointment to the Alameda County Superior Court in 2008, he continued to serve for almost a decade as a judicial liaison to the Board. This Scholarship represents a continuing commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equality, values shared by WLAC and the Stuart and Rhoda Hing Charitable Trust.

The ideal candidate for this scholarship is:

1. Diverse*;

2. A law student**;

3. An individual with a demonstrated commitment to advocating for issues impacting women and/or the advancement of women in the legal profession;

4. Engaged in a leadership role in her/his/their community or demonstrates significant leadership potential;

5. Actively engaged in the Alameda County legal community; and

6. Able to attend the WLAC Annual Judges’ Dinner to receive the Scholarship.

_____
* Has two or more intersecting background factors: e.g. gender, race, ethnicity, class, gender identity, sexual orientation, etc.
** Has completed at least one year of law school and is currently in good standing.

Interested candidates should email the following submissions in a single pdf file to Dorothy Chou Proudfoot at womenlawyers@gmail.com, with the subject line “WLAC/Hing Scholarship Application”:

· A copy of a certified law school transcript (including proof of good standing);

· A current resume or curriculum vitae;

· A personal statement of NO MORE THAN TWO DOUBLE-SPACED PAGES, addressing why the candidate exemplifies the description above;

· Up to one (1) letter of recommendation addressing the candidate’s suitability for this scholarship; and

· A statement confirming availability to attend the WLAC Annual Judges’ Dinner on October 24, 2019. A ticket to the Dinner will be provided to the scholarship recipient.

Finalists will be contacted in September to schedule an interview time on September 24 or 25, 2019.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: AUGUST 30, 2019

Joseph Fordjour of Thomas Jefferson School of Law, San Diego selected to receive the BALIF Foundation's Summer Fellowship

BALIF Administrator — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 06:24:59 GMT

The BALIF Foundation is proud to announce that Joseph Fordjour of Thomas Jefferson School of Law, San Diego, has been selected to receive the Foundation's Summer Fellowship. Joseph is a founding member of Equal Rights for Everyone, a student-led organization addressing intersectional issues. Joseph will be working this summer at the East Bay Community Law Center (EBCL) in the HIV/AIDS Project which addresses varied legal issues of low-income, HIV-positive residents, as well as with the Public Benefits Justice Project addressing access to care issues. Joseph will also work in the EBCL's Name and Gender Change Workshop which assists clients in the process to obtain a court-ordered name and/or gender change and helps folks update identification to reflect their gender identity.

UC Berkeley School of Law rising 3L Janani Ramachandran receives the APABA-SV/BALIF Joint Scholarship

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 11 Jun 2019 23:41:07 GMT

The BALIF Foundation is proud to announce that UC Berkeley School of Law rising 3L Janani Ramachandran has been selected as the recipient of the Joint APABA-SV/BALIF Joint Scholarship. Janani is a Board Director at the Family Violence Appellate Project, founded the student group Berkeley Resistance Against Inter-Partner Violence (BRAIV), and is involved in a number of student organizations, including Queers United in Revolutionary Subversion (QUIRS). She will be working at ADZ Law, LLP this summer.

Welcome the 2019-2020 BALIF Board

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 08 May 2019 08:46:33 GMT

Please welcome your new board! We just held our annual board retreat and are excited to get going, but we will need your help. Please email us to get involved. The board roster is listed on our website with the committees that everyone is in charge of. We're especially pleased to announce that we added a Diversity and Inclusion Chair who will sit on the executive committee (along with the co-chairs, treasurer, and secretary). We also added a governance committee that will review board procedures and recruitment. We plan to hold a "meet the board" event soon. Stay tuned for more announcements.

Join the BALIF Board of Directors for 2019-2021 Candidate Deadline Extended to April 1, 2019

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 00:31:22 GMT

A great way to serve the LGBTQI legal community and become more involved in BALIF is to join BALIF's Board of Directors. BALIF's Directors are elected by the BALIF membership, and each Director holds office for two years. Any BALIF member is welcome to run for the Board or nominate another BALIF member. BALIF seeks a board that reflects the diversity of our LGBTQI legal community, and we specifically encourage people of color, women, transgender people, and non-binary/gender non-conforming people to run for the Board.

This election, we will be seeking candidates for the following positions:

4 Gender Non-Conforming Candidates
4 Female Candidates
4 Male Candidates
3 Law Students (1 GNC, 1 Female, 1 Male)

To run for the Board or nominate someone else, please send a candidate statement of up to 250 words to our secretary (secretary@balif.org) and BALIF's Administrator, Katie Carlson (balif@balif.org) by April 1, 2019 at 5:30 pm. BALIF's bylaws require gender parity on the Board, with a certain number of positions allocated to Directors who identify as male, female, or other genders (a broad category including but not limited to non-binary, genderqueer, gender variant, and gender non-conforming). So if you are seeking a position, please indicate the category under which you plan to run.

BALIF Board Official Response

BALIF Administrator — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 18:32:50 GMT

The BALIF Board:

provides this statement as soon as was possible pursuant to notice requirements for special meetings set forth in BALIF's Bylaws;
unanimously elected Jeff Kosbie as Co-Chair and Sam Potts as Secretary for the remainder of this term at a special meeting held on March 21, 2019;
voted to post BALIF's Bylaws and Form 990 to BALIF's website, which can be accessed by logging in as a Member on the BALIF website;
confirms its commitment to its Membership, to BALIF's mission, to transparency, to continuing BALIF's regular programming, and to the expansion of BALIF's programming to be more inclusive of transgender and queer people of color who have historically been excluded from and underrepresented in BALIF;
acknowledges the concerns raised by Members after Board Directors chose to leave the BALIF board following difficult conversations for all Board Directors-both former and current-and commits to pursuing remediation efforts and critical conversations with former and current Board Directors as well as Members as soon as possible and a special announcement will be forthcoming with details on this meeting;
acknowledges specific concerns, including whether BALIF is a welcoming space for QTPOC Members; BALIF's failure to make statements or take action on issues of importance to QTPOC legal professionals and BALIF's lack of support for other community organizations; BALIF's gala sponsorship policies; and current and former Board Directors-on both sides of the issue-feeling like discussions on the Board reflected personal animus rather than professionalism;
takes the concerns raised by former Board Directors and BALIF Members seriously, including the concerns raised by transgender and QTPOC Directors and Members who have felt excluded, as well as the concerns raised by those who resigned;
thanks the Board Directors who left the Board for their service to BALIF; and
will likely extend the deadline to run for elections, and encourages Members to run for the Board to continue BALIF's important work, and reiterates the statement in BALIF's newsletter for the past several weeks that "BALIF seeks a board that reflects the diversity of our LGBTQI legal community, and we specifically encourage people of color, women, transgender people, and non-binary/gender non-conforming people to run for the Board."

BALIF's Response to SCOTUS Ruling on Transgender Ban

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 04:28:58 GMT

BALIF is outraged by the Supreme Court’s decision today to allow the Trump administration’s ban on transgender service members to go into effect temporarily while the cases against it proceed in the lower courts. In a separate order, the Supreme Court today denied the Trump administration’s request that it hear legal challenges to the ban this term.

The Supreme Court is acting as an enabler of the Trump administration, supporting the President’s cruel and outrageous preoccupation with clearing the military of brave, honorable, patriotic and hard-working service members simply because of their gender identity. By refusing to treat members and forcing transgender service members to hide when they suffer from gender dysphoria, this administration and the Supreme Court are putting transgender service members at serious risk for an array of serious medical symptoms. The consequences of not providing medically necessary treatment to some transgender service members who need it will no doubt have grave consequences.

Plaintiffs challenging the ban are transgender men and women serving in all branches of the military, service academy and ROTC members, as well as individuals seeking to enlist. Some of the Plaintiffs include individuals who have completed multiple deployments overseas.

Before Trump ordered the ban, transgender people served openly under a policy that has now been in place for more than two and a half years. President Trump attempted to put an end to that starting with a Tweet in July 2017, without consultation with military leadership.

BALIF supports our transgender members of the armed forces. It is BALIF’s hope that the ban will not survive judicial scrutiny as it progresses in the courts below and eventually to the Supreme Court.

Potential Trump Admin Action: A New Low in Attack on LGBTQI Rights

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 24 Oct 2018 20:38:23 GMT

BALIF is outraged to learn the Department of Health and Human Services is lobbying to establish a new legal definition of sex that intentionally excludes non-cisgender people. The effort, if successful, would limit the definition of gender to a male/female binary that is "based on immutable biological traits identifiable by or before birth." It would further require persons seeking to amend their birth certificate to provide "reliable genetic evidence" of their gender.

This proposal contradicts established medical and individual understanding of gender and gender identity, and judicial decisions around the country. It is one of the latest attempts by the Administration to limit civil rights protections for millions of Americans and marks a new low in its efforts to dismantle LGBTQI rights. Such an effort will not pass without a fight. BALIF stands with our transgender, queer, and intersex family in solidarity against this attack and will not be silent. We understand that this is an attempt to erase the visibility of our community and we will not be erased!

If you or someone you know is impacted and needs support during this difficult time, please contact Trans Lifeline. They provide direct service, material support, advocacy, and education to our community. For those interested in providing financial support, we encourage you to listen to those impacted and donate to trans, queer and intersex-led organizations/projects leading this fight. Here are just a few that could use your support: Transgender, Gender Variant, Intersex Justice Project (TGIJP), National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE), Trans Lifeline, Trans:Thrive, Trans Justice Funding Project, Freedom for All Americans (FFAA), Casa Ruby, Trans Pride initiative (TPI), Sylvia Rivera Law Project, InterAct, Intersex & Genderqueer Recognition Project.

Also, please consider coming to BALIF's Halloween Party fundraiser this Thursday evening at The Lookout to meet representatives from, and support the Black LGBTQIA+Migrant Project (BLMP) housed at Transgender Law Center. Let's harness our resilience and collective power to build a safe and healthy tomorrow for everyone.

BALIF is disappointed to learn that the Supreme Court recently declined to hear a case which could have strengthened the right to an impartial jury for LGBT persons.

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 03 Jul 2018 17:32:05 GMT

The case, Rhines v. South Dakota, centered around the conviction and subsequent imposition of a death sentence of an openly gay man for first degree murder. Make no mistake that the underlying facts of the case are disturbing. But what BALIF finds truly disturbing is that the case exposes the vile biases facing LGBT defendants in the justice system, and that there is seemingly no Constitutional checks and balances afforded to LGBT defendants when these injustices are exposed.

The Rhines case exposed a clear anti-LGBT bias on two fronts. First, the prosecution unnecessarily placed the defendant’s sexuality on display to apparently prejudice jurors. Largely through calling witnesses to testify that they had either engaged in sexual acts with the defendant or had witnessed Mr. Rhines engage in displays of affection with persons of the same-sex. In fact, the introduction of these witness statements was especially egregious given the fact that one juror was heard ponitificating that homosexuality was a sin during voir dire. Second, and which was the main issue on appeal, the jury exhibited a pervasive anti-gay bias throughout deliberations. Explosively, the jury went so far as to send the trial judge a note containing questions exposing the jury’s concern that the defendant would enjoy prison if sent. Specifically, asking if Mr. Rhines would be able to “marry or have conjugal visits? Or if he would “mix with the general population?” After the jury’s decision to impose the death penalty was entered, several jurors issued sworn statements that the jury’s rationale behind its sentence was that the defendant “shouldn’t be able to spend his life with men in prison.” And that there was frankly “a lot of disgust” over his orientation.

Mr. Rhines cited to these statements in his appeal arguing a clear violation of the Sixth & Fourteenth Amendment’s right to an impartial trial. However, there was just one caveat affecting the defendant’s claim. South Dakota has a “no impeachment” rule which prohibits defendants from impeaching jury verdicts with evidence of statements made during deliberations. So, Mr. Rhines could not use the evidence to challenge his sentence. But his chances appeared to improve slightly when the Supreme Court announced its landmark decision in Pena-Rodriguez v. Colorado last year. The Pena decision held that states’ “no impeachment” rules are inapplicable in situations where jurors have made clear and explicit statements indicating racial animus and if racial bias was a significant factor in the decision to convict. Naturally, Mr. Rhines challenged South Dakota’s “no impeachment” law on Constitutional grounds arguing that the Pena decision logically extends to LGBT persons. Unfortunately, with the Supreme Court’s decision to not hear the case, the holding in Pena remains confined to racial bias. It seems that LGBT defendants will have to live with the status quo for now. Or not.

BALIF's Response to the Masterpiece Cakeshop Decision Today

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 05 Jun 2018 02:56:15 GMT

In the Masterpiece Cakeshop decision today, the Supreme Court rejected the arguments of those who had hoped to chip away at the civil rights of LGTBQI individuals under the guise of religious freedom. The Court was unequivocal: "gay persons and gay couples cannot be treated as social outcasts or as inferior in dignity and worth." While the Supreme Court concluded, for factual reasons specific to this case, that the bakers at Masterpiece Cakeshop must be given another hearing before the Colorado Human Rights Commission, it also made clear that "the laws and the Constitution can, and in some instances must, protect [gay persons and gay couples] in the exercise of their civil rights."

Although BALIF is disappointed the Supreme Court declined to definitively resolve future cases involving disputes between LGBTQI people and businesses who seek to discriminate against us purportedly on the basis of religious beliefs, we are encouraged this decision reaffirms the central principle that there is no special carveout from civil rights laws, including protections for LGBTQI people, for discrimination motivated by religious beliefs. The Supreme Court also made clear that courts considering similar disputes in the future must do so "without subjecting gay persons to indignities when they seek goods and services in an open market." We are therefore confident that the Masterpiece Cakeshop decision will prove to be a hollow victory for those who seek to discriminate against the LGBTQI community. BALIF's fight to ensure full legal protections for members of the LGBTQI community continues undaunted. If you would like to join our fight through BALIF's Amicus Committee, please email us at amicus@balif.org.

BALIF IS PROUD TO SUPPORT SB 990

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 03 Apr 2018 20:50:20 GMT

In late 2017, BALIF’s CCBA Committee debated a resolution at the CA Conference of Bar Associations (CCBA) Conference of Delegates that provides for equal access to rehabilitative and other programming opportunities to LGBTQI and other prisoners at high risk for sexual assault placed in solitary confinement for their own protection. The resolution overwhelmingly passed. That portion of the resolution has now been included in current legislation being considered by the CA legislature: SB 990. SB 990 will help ensure that the dignity of transgender people is honored in incarceration settings and that LGBTQI people and others at high risk of sexual assault and harassment have an equal opportunity to access rehabilitative, educational and work programs. SB 990 will also require that people entering jails and prison be given an opportunity to specify their preferred first name, gender identity, gender pronoun, and honorific (e.g., Mr., Ms, Mx.) and will require all facility staff to use the designated name, pronoun and honorific when addressing the person. SB 990 will further require that people housed outside of the general population for their own safety be provided equal access to rehabilitative, religious and educational programs.

We are very proud to support SB 990 and submitted our Letter of Support to Senator Wiener on April 2, 2018. You can view that letter here. We are also proud to have ensured the support of CCBA’s lobbying staff as this bill moves through the legislature.

Good Luck, Cal Bar Exam Takers

BALIF Administrator — Mon, 24 Jul 2017 15:09:38 GMT

We are rooting for all of the BALIF student members taking the 2017 California Bar Exam, July 25 and July 26, 2017. We look forward to celebrating with you, and mentoring you to future success!

Congratulations to our 2017-2018 BALIF Board of Directors!

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 18 Apr 2017 06:27:26 GMT

Please join us in welcoming our new 2017-2018 Board of Directors! We Welcome our newest board members and look forward to another busy and wonderful year with BALIF!

2017-2018 BALIF Board

Peter Catalanotti

Mario Choi

Nick Clements

Sarah Nicole Davis

Jamie Dupree

Stephan Ferris

Jaclyn Gross

Kevin Jones

Felicia Medina

Nyla Moujaes

Jennifer Orthwein

Ashley Pellouchoud

Annick Persinger

Lauren Pietsch

Lindsey Rosellini

Stan Sarkisov

Alex Touma

George Tran

Meaghan Zore

BALIF Foundation Fellowship & BALIF-APABA Scholarship Deadlines EXTENDED

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 04 Apr 2017 17:05:11 GMT

The BALIF Foundation is thrilled to announce its inaugural summer fellowship of $2,500 for a law student working in the field of LGBT rights. The application can be downloaded from the BALIF Foundation's website at baliffoundation.org or by clicking here, and has been extended to April 14, 2017, with the recipient selected by April 30, 2017. Please spread the word to law students planning to do summer work in the LGBT community. Questions? Contact Jamie Dupree at jdupree@fddcm.com.

The BALIF-APABA joint scholarship deadline has also been extended to April 07, 2017. Click here for the application. The one joint $3,000 scholarship will be awarded to a law student committed to LGBT services.

Deadline to Run for BALIF Board Extended- Seeking addition Female & Non-Binary/Gender Non-Conforming Candidates

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 19:33:06 GMT

A great way to serve the LGBT legal community and become more involved in BALIF is to join BALIF's Board of Directors. BALIF's Directors are elected by the BALIF membership, and each Director holds office for two years. BALIF seeks a board that reflects the diversity of our LGBTQI legal community, and we specifically encourage people of color, women, transgender people, and non-binary/gender non-conforming people to run for the Board. All Directors must attend BALIF's Board Retreat the evening of Saturday, April 22 and during the day on Sunday, April 23.

BALIF's bylaws require gender parity on the Board, with a certain number of positions allocated to Directors who identify as male, female, or other genders (a broad category including but not limited to non-binary, genderqueer, gender variant, and gender non-conforming). To run for the Board or nominate someone else, please send a candidate statement of up to 250 words to Julie Wilensky (secretary@balif.org) and BALIF's Administrator, Katie Carlson (balif@balif.org).

To achieve gender parity on the Board, BALIF is seeking additional candidates who identify either as female or the broad “other gender” category. The deadline has been extended to March 30 for all candidates, regardless of gender.

Elections will be online starting on April 3. There will also be an opportunity to vote in person at BALIF's annual general membership meeting on Thursday, April 13, 2017 from 6 - 8:30 p.m. The results will be announced at the end of the meeting.

Want to learn more? Please contact Julie Wilensky, BALIF's Amicus Chair and Secretary, at secretary@balif.org.

Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom (BALIF) Statement of Support for Senate Bill 239

BALIF Administrator — Sat, 11 Mar 2017 17:11:00 GMT

February 21, 2017 - San Francisco, California BALIF strongly supports Senate Bill 239 (SB 239) and commends BALIF member Scott Wiener for introducing this very important legislation to repeal laws that criminalize and stigmatize those living with HIV. SB 239 seeks to eliminate criminal statutes that, in certain cases, allow people living with HIV to be prosecuted for having unprotected sex and sentenced to up to 8 years in prison.

According to a 2015 report by the Williams Institute, HIV criminalization disproportionately affects women and people of color. Forty-three percent of those criminalized under California's HIV-specific criminal laws are women, despite comprising only 13 percent of people living with HIV in the state. Blacks and Latinos made up two-thirds of the people who encountered the criminal justice system based on their HIV status, despite comprising only about half of people living with HIV in California.

These laws are an artifact of a different era. During the 1980's and 90's, California passed these discriminatory criminal laws and singled out people with HIV for harsher punishment than people with other communicable diseases. Not only are these laws discriminatory, they are not based in science and are extremely detrimental to HIV prevention goals.

Today's HIV treatments are highly effective in preventing the transmission of HIV, essentially reducing the chances of transmission to virtually nil. For many years now, there has been growing evidence of the benefits of HIV treatment as a prevention method. In 2011 a landmark study showed early initiation of antiretroviral treatment in people living with HIV with a CD4 count between 350 and 550, reduced HIV transmission to HIV-negative partners by 96%. Quite a few follow-up studies since have also reported significant reductions in HIV transmission, resulting in new infections being averted. In 2014, a study called PARTNER did not find a single HIV transmission in 16,400 occasions of sex between gay men and 28,000 between heterosexuals where the HIV-positive partner had a viral load below 200 copies/ml. In 2015, a similar study exclusively of gay male couples, Opposites Attract, also found no transmissions from partners with an undetectable viral load.

This has led to the idea that treatment as prevention could be used as part of a 'test and treat' strategy - increasing testing and treatment coverage to decrease community viral load and reduce the rate of new HIV infections. However, current California law discourages people from getting tested because mere knowledge of a positive HIV status could subject a person to criminal liability for engaging in unprotected sex. Without the knowledge of one's status through testing, people do not seek treatment, thereby placing their and others' health at greater risk.

BALIF joins the organizational cosponsors of this bill (ACLU of California, APLA Health, Black AIDS Institute, Equality California, Lambda Legal and Positive Women's Network - USA) and the many other organizations including the Los Angeles LGBT Center, the Los Angeles HIV Law and Policy Project, Transgender Law Center, Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF), the Free Speech Coalition, Sex Workers Outreach Project (SWOP) and Erotic Service Providers Legal, Education, and Research Project (ESPLERP), in our support of this bill. It is time to remove these discriminatory, stigmatizing and counterproductive laws from the books and focus on a 'test and treat' strategy to eradicate HIV. There have never been any benefits to these archaic laws, but given the current science, there is no justification for any law that discourages people from getting tested and treated.

Click here for the PDF document.

U.S. Supreme Court Sends Transgender Rights Case Back to the Fourth Circuit

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 08 Mar 2017 00:24:27 GMT

On March 2, 2017, Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom (BALIF) and Impact Fund, joined by 45 additional organizations, filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court inGloucester County School Board v. G.G. The case, brought by 17-year old Gavin Grimm, challenges a school board’s resolution that facially discriminates against transgender students based on sex regarding the use of sex-segregated restrooms. The lawsuit argues the bathroom policy is unconstitutional under the Fourteenth Amendment and violates Title IX, a federal law prohibiting sex discrimination by schools.

On Monday, March 6, the Supreme Court sent the case back to the Fourth Circuit in light of the Departments of Justice and Education rescinding Title IX guidance clarifying protections tor transgender students. As Shannon Minter of National Center for Lesbian Rights said, because this move is procedural to allow the Fourth Circuit to consider the Department of Education’s new position, the Supreme Court’s decision “should not be seen as sending a negative message in any way,” and “Title IX still fully protects transgender students.” The amicus brief from BALIF and Impact Fund makes clear that federal courts across the country have consistently concluded that discrimination against transgender people violates federal laws prohibiting sex discrimination. The Department of Education’s new, ill-informed position on this issue does not change that fact.

BALIF is proud to be among the many organizations supporting Gavin’s case, including NAACP LDF’s brief on the history of segregation in restrooms and other public accommodations, the brief of school administrators from 31 states and DC, a brief from 101 transgender Americans, and many others.

BALIF Files Supreme Court Amicus Brief Supporting Transgender Student Gavin Grimm

BALIF Administrator — Thu, 02 Mar 2017 22:43:22 GMT

On March 2, 2017, Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom (BALIF) and Impact Fund filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court in Gloucester County School Board v. G.G. The case, brought by 17-year old Gavin Grimm, challenges a school board’s resolution that facially discriminates against transgender students based on sex regarding the use of sex-segregated restrooms. The lawsuit argues the bathroom policy is unconstitutional under the Fourteenth Amendment and violates Title IX, a federal law prohibiting sex discrimination by schools.

The amicus brief demonstrates that the board’s policy is sex discrimination prohibited by Title IX. The brief explores the current treatment of transgender people under federal laws prohibiting sex discrimination and shows that penalizing transgender people because of their transgender identity or their perceived non-conformity with gender stereotypes is prohibited discrimination.

“Federal courts across the country have consistently concluded that discrimination against transgender people, which often takes the form of sex stereotyping, violates laws prohibiting sex discrimination,” said Julie Wilensky, Chair of BALIF’s Amicus Committee. “The policy at issue in Gavin’s case is no different.”

Lindsay Nako, Jocelyn Larkin, and Lynnette Miner of Impact Fund are counsel for amici.

In addition to BALIF and Impact Fund, a broad coalition of 45 bar associations and non-profit and legal advocacy organizations joined the brief: Advocates for Children of New York, Inc., Alameda Contra Costa Trial Lawyers Association, AIDS Legal Referral Panel, Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles, Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Bay Area, Bar Association of San Francisco, Bet Tzedek, BiLaw, California Employment Lawyers Association, California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc., Centro Legal de la Raza, Civil Rights Education and Enforcement Center, Dallas LGBT Bar Association, East Bay La Raza Lawyers Association, Equality California, Equality Federation, Equality Florida Institute, Equality NC, Equality New Mexico, Equality Ohio, Equality Utah, Garden State Equality, Hawai`i LGBT Legal Association, Hispanic National Bar Association, Intersex & Genderqueer Recognition Project, Kansas City Lesbian, Gay and Allied Lawyers, Legal Aid at Work, Legal Aid Society, LGBT Bar Association of Greater New York, LGBT Bar Association of Los Angeles, LGBT Bar Association of Wisconsin, Massachusetts LGBTQ Bar Association, National Employment Law Project, National Employment Lawyers Association, National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance, New Mexico Lesbian and Gay Lawyers Association, North Carolina Advocates for Justice, OutFront Minnesota, QLaw, Queen’s Bench Bar Association of the San Francisco Bay Area, SacLEGAL, Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders, Stonewall Law Association of Greater Houston, Tom Homann LGBT Law Association, and Virginia Equality Bar Association.

Statement Regarding the Trump Administration’s Attacks on Transgender Students

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 28 Feb 2017 17:59:14 GMT

Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom (BALIF)

Statement Regarding the Trump Administration’s Attacks on Transgender Students

February 23, 2017 – San Francisco, California

We are heartbroken and outraged President Trump’s administration rescinded guidelines that directed schools to allow students to use restrooms and participate in activities that correspond with their gender identity, as well as the Department of Justice's recent withdrawal from a court challenge related to that guidance. These actions signal a complete lack of compassion for some of our most vulnerable members of society: our trans and gender variant youth. These decisions fail to contemplate the scientific facts that supported this guidance and the reasoning applied by our Courts in affirming Title IX protects transgender and gender variant students.

The guidance issued by the Departments of Education and Justice last May was informed by the alarming statistics from multiple social science studies indicating transgender people feel ostracized for their identity and that their high rates of suicide reflect rejection, discrimination, violence, harassment, and the negative life circumstances that result from such treatment. The Obama Administration’s interpretation of Title IX was aligned with mounting case law, as well as our society’s growing understanding of gender and the devastating impact discrimination and oppression has on transgender and gender variant youth. Most importantly, it assured transgender and gender variant students that federal law does, and the federal government will protect them. The guidance signaled acceptance and provided access, factors social scientists have identified as significant in reducing suicide and other negative mental health outcomes among transgender and gender variant youth.

The Trump administration cannot undo a federal statute. The protections of Title IX and the Constitution remain. The battle over these protections will continue in the Courts and BALIF has, and will continue to play an important role in this battle. We will continue to file amici briefs in critical cases related to transgender students, as we did recently in Carcaño v. McCrory, the case challenging H.B. 2, North Carolina’s discriminatory law, and as we will next week to the U.S. Supreme Court in Gloucester County School Board v. G.G. We will continue to support organizations serving LGBTQ youth as we have supported organizations such as LYRIC in the past. We will continue to endorse and support LGBTQ judges on the bench. And we will continue to stand strong, fight for and support all members of our community as we face an onslaught of targeted attacks on our diverse identities and our very existence by this administration.

Click here to see a PDF of the document.

Join the BALIF Board of Directors for 2017-2019

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 28 Feb 2017 06:14:05 GMT

A great way to serve the LGBT legal community and become more involved in BALIF is to join BALIF's Board of Directors. BALIF's Directors are elected by the BALIF membership, and each Director holds office for two years. Any BALIF member is welcome to run for the Board or nominate another BALIF member. BALIF seeks a board that reflects the diversity of our LGBTQI legal community, and we specifically encourage people of color, women, transgender people, and non-binary/gender non-conforming people to run for the Board. All Directors must attend BALIF's Board Retreat the evening of Saturday, April 22 and during the day on Sunday, April 23 .

To run for the Board or nominate someone else, please send a candidate statement of up to 250 words to Julie Wilensky (secretary@balif.org) and BALIF's Administrator, Katie Carlson (balif@balif.org) by March 27, 2017 at 5:30 pm. BALIF's bylaws require gender parity on the Board, with a certain number of positions allocated to Directors who identify as male, female, or other genders (a broad category including but not limited to non-binary, genderqueer, gender variant, and gender non-conforming). So if you are seeking a position, please indicate the category under which you plan to run.

Elections will be online starting on April 3, and there will be an opportunity to vote in person at BALIF's annual general membership meeting on Thursday, April 13, 2017 from 6 - 8:30 p.m. The results will be announced at the end of the meeting.

BALIF Joins Amicus Brief in New Jersey Transgender Rights Case

BALIF Administrator — Sat, 25 Feb 2017 06:02:04 GMT

On February 24, 2017, BALIF joined 11 other LGBT rights groups and advocacy organizations in submitting an amicus brief in federal district court in Doe v. Arrisi, a case challenging New Jersey’s requirement that people seeking to change the gender marker on their birth certificate must first submit proof that they have had sex reassignment/gender confirmation surgery. The plaintiff also raises disability discrimination claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The amicus brief, filed in support of the plaintiff's opposition to New Jersey’s motion to dismiss, addresses the importance of allowing people to bring claims under the ADA when they have experienced discrimination on the basis of gender dysphoria. It argues that the ADA’s explicit exclusion of “transsexualism” and “gender identity disorders,” as a matter of statutory interpretation, does not exclude people with gender dysphoria. The brief also argues in the alternative that the ADA’s exclusion is unconstitutional because it violates the guarantee of equal protection.

Julie Wilensky, chair of BALIF’s Amicus Committee, said, “BALIF is thrilled to join this brief on an important topic at the intersection of transgender rights and disability rights – the ADA’s exclusion of gender identity disorders and the moral animus behind that exclusion.”

Click here to read the brief.

Amici are represented by Professor Kevin Barry and the Quinnipiac University School of Law Legal Clinic.

BALIF Will Print and Mail to You Free Postcards to Send to Elected Officials (Women’s March: The First Action)

BALIF Administrator — Fri, 27 Jan 2017 03:52:31 GMT

BALIF supports participation in the 10 Actions / 100 Days Women’s March Campaign (https://www.womensmarch.com). A generous donor has donated funds to print 8,000 postcards in support of the First Action: sending postcards to elected officials and other decision makers on the issues that matter most to you. Please email chair@balif.org with your name, address, and the number of postcards you would like mailed to you (limit of 100). Together we can apply pressure to keep elected officials and other decision makers accountable.

BALIF Participates in Women's March Across the US

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 18:55:24 GMT

Our new president is the complete opposite of what we value in our friends. Our friends are kind; he is mean. Our friends are elevate women; he grabs and leaves them behind. Our friends are inclusive; he scrubs diversity out. Our friends are eloquent; his communications are limited to 140 characters. Our friends are compassionate; he is a bigot. Our friends are generous; he has a business to run. We will keep that in mind, and value our friendships even more. Our friends will be there when he is not. Our friends will march with us and will hold our hands. BALIF will march with you, and we will be your friends.

BALIF Files Fourth Circuit Amicus Brief in Case Challenging North Carolina’s Anti-Transgender Law

BALIF Administrator — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 23:34:51 GMT

On October 25, 2016, Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom (BALIF) filed an amicus (friend of the court) brief in the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Carcaño v. McCrory, a case challenging H.B. 2, North Carolina’s discriminatory law that targets transgender people for discrimination in public schools and facilities.

The plaintiffs sought a preliminary injunction enjoining enforcement of the portion of H.B. 2 that bars transgender people from using single-sex restrooms consistent with their gender identity. Although the district court granted a limited injunction barring enforcement of H.B. 2 by the University of North Carolina against three of the plaintiffs who are transgender, the court declined to bar broader enforcement of H.B. 2 under the Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause, leaving transgender people who live in or visit North Carolina vulnerable to the harms imposed by H.B. 2. The plaintiffs appealed the denial of broader injunctive relief under the Equal Protection Clause to the Fourth Circuit.

BALIF’s brief argues that H.B. 2 facially discriminates against transgender people based on sex, and that it is a classic example of unlawful sex stereotyping. Its restroom provisions are rooted in the stereotype that all people should act in a manner consistent with society’s expectations about the sex they were assigned at birth. The brief highlights the significant body of law confirming that targeting transgender people for their perceived gender non-conformity is sex stereotyping that violates constitutional and statutory prohibitions on sex discrimination.

“In a variety of contexts and for many years, the federal courts have recognized that sex stereotyping of transgender people is a form of unlawful sex discrimination,” said Julie Wilensky, chair of BALIF’s Amicus Committee. “H.B. 2 is no different.”

The Impact Fund and its attorneys Lindsay Nako and Lynnette Miner served as BALIF’s amicus counsel, and Impact Fund also joined the brief.

In addition to BALIF and Impact Fund, a broad coalition of 35 additional bar associations and non-profit legal organizations joined the brief: AIDS Legal Referral Panel, Alameda Contra Costa Trial Lawyers Association, Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Bay Area, Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles, Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach, Atlanta Women for Equality, Bar Association of San Francisco, Bet Tzedek Legal Services, BiLaw, California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc., Centro Legal de la Raza, Civil Rights Education and Enforcement Center, Dallas LGBT Bar Association, East Bay La Raza Lawyers Association, Georgia Association for Women Lawyers, Hawai‘i LGBT Legal Association, Kansas City Lesbian, Gay, and Allied Lawyers, LatinoJustice PRLDEF, Legal Aid Society - Employment Law Center, LGBT Bar Association of Greater New York, LGBT Bar Association of Wisconsin, Massachusetts LGBTQ Bar Association, National Employment Law Project, National Employment Lawyers Association, National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance, New Mexico Lesbian and Gay Lawyers Association, North Carolina Advocates for Justice, Queen’s Bench Bar Association, SacLEGAL, Santa Clara County Bar Association, Stonewall Law Association of Greater Houston, Tom Homann LGBT Law Association, Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund, Inc., Vietnamese American Bar Association of Northern California, and Virginia Equality Bar Association.

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Click here to read the brief

PROTECT THE VOTE NOVEMBER 8TH

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 18:40:09 GMT

Hillary Clinton's voter protection team is looking for lawyers who are willing to travel to battleground states to protect the vote. (Law students and people with paralegal experience are also needed.)

Is voter suppression still a thing?

In spite of recent court rulings, yes! See this recent NY Times article:
Some Republicans Acknowledge Leveraging Voter ID Laws for Political Gain .

If I go to a battleground state, what will I do?

You will monitor the polls on Election Day as a poll observer. The state voter protection team will assign you to work at a polling place. They'll train you in advance on state law and how to report and handle incidents at the polls. You may also answer calls on the voter assistance hotline or take on other tasks.

What's the time commitment?

You should travel to your state no later than Monday, 11/7, and stay through Tuesday night until the last vote has been counted.

If you can arrive the weekend or the week before, you can help with Get Out the Vote (GOTV) activities like door-knocking.

Are expenses provided?

No. And you have to make your own travel arrangements. (But think of the price we'll pay if Hillary is not elected.)

If you have a place to stay and can house other volunteers, please let Victory Counsel know.

Can I travel with friends or relatives who are not legal types?

Absolutely. There will be plenty of GOTV activity for all. Just tell your state voter protection team when they contact you.

Do I have to go to Florida or Ohio?

No. Lawyers are also needed in the swing states of:

Iowa

Michigan

Nevada

New Hampshire

Wisconsin

North Carolina

Virginia

Pennsylvania.

Please fill in the items below and send your response to victorycounsel@hillaryclinton.com .

1. Name and address

2. Email

3. Cell phone

4. State(s) you are willing to travel to (indicate preference, if any)

5. Dates you can be there

6. Do you have housing there (and where)?

7. Will or can you have access to a car?

8. Please specify if you are a lawyer, law student, or have significant paralegal experience, and if you have special skills or experience.

9. Please specify any languages you speak other than English.

10. Will you be traveling with any other volunteers? Please indicate their dates and activities.

When will I know my assignment?

The voter protection team in the battleground state you have chosen will be in touch with you over the next several weeks. If you have questions before you hear from them, email victorycounsel@hillarycl inton.com .

Reminder: Get your absentee ballot

If you are thinking of traveling, request an absentee ballot soon. Each state has its own procedures, e.g., http://www.elections.ny.gov/VotingAbsentee.html . Vote even if you are in a "safe" state as there will be other important races and issues on your ballot.

I can't travel, but what else can I do?

Recruit other lawyers to poll watch, host a grassroots fundraiser, travel to a swing state on the weekends to canvass. (Watch the video!) Volunteer here: www.hillaryclinton.com/p age/volunteer-home/ .

Can I forward this email to friends?

Yes. Please ask them to register with Victory Counsel here: www.hillaryclinton.com/f orms/volunteerattorneys/ and someone will call them.

Please Donate Today! LavLaw Conference Scholarship

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 17:40:21 GMT

The Lavender Law Conference is just around the corner! This year, the annual conference hosted by the National LGBT Bar Association is in DC from August 4-6. We hope to see you there!

We are still seeking additional donations for our Lavender Law scholarship! If your company has not already done so, please make a contribution to help Bay Area LGBT law students attend Lavender Law. Please send your check to BALIF with “Lavender Law” in the memo line, at BALIF, P.O. Box 193383, San Francisco, CA 94119.

BALIF Scholar Recipient

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 16:39:33 GMT

BALIF and the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Silicon Valley (APABA-SV) are pleased to announce Ian Barber, a rising 2L at Hastings, as their 2016 BALIF/ABAPA-SV Joint Scholarship recipient. Out of many applicants who submitted applications by 06/13/16, Ian was selected to receive the one $3,000 scholarship. Ian's commitment to LGBT representation and helping asylum seekers find safety in the United States were some of the determining factors leading to his selection. Congratulations, Ian!

BALIF Extends Outrage and Sorrow for the Victims of the Orlando Massacre

BALIF Administrator — Sun, 12 Jun 2016 23:35:02 GMT

BALIF extends outrage and sorrow for the victims of the Orlando massacre, for their families and friends, and for queer and people of color all across the world who remain the target of hate and homophobia.

Please join us at 8:00pm tonight at Harvey Milk Plaza for a vigil for the victims in Orlando. And during this Pride month and beyond, please continue marching and demanding justice and change. We are stronger than hate.

Congratulations to the 2016-2017 BALIF Board

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 22:49:45 GMT

BALIF would like to congratulate the following attorneys and law students who were elected to the 2016-2017 BALIF Board:

Sarah Nicole Davis
Lauren Putsch
Peter Catalanotti
Nick Clements
Stan Sarkisov
Alex Touma
Ashley Pellouchoud

Law Student Representatives:

Stephan Ferris
Sam Potts

Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom (BALIF) Joins Bar Associations Around California and California State Bar President, David Pasternak to Call on President Obama and Senate to Fill Supreme Court Vacancy

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 01:49:17 GMT

For Immediate Release
Date: March 8, 2016
Contact: John Unruh and Jessica Bogo at Chair@balif.org

Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom (BALIF) Joins Bar Associations Around California and California State Bar President, David Pasternak to Call on President Obama and Senate to Fill Supreme Court Vacancy

San Francisco, CA – Today, Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom (BALIF) joined bar associations from across the state of California to send a letter to President Barack Obama and Senate leaders urging them to heed their constitutional duty to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court. The bar associations, representing over 30,000 lawyers throughout the state, called on the president to quickly nominate a qualified candidate to the Supreme Court, and for the Senate to consider that nominee without delay. In addition to BALIF, the signatories to the letter include the Los Angeles County Bar Association, the Alameda Country Bar Association, the Lake County Bar Association, the Yolo County Bar Association, and over a dozen other statewide and local bar associations. California State Bar President David Pasternak also signed on to the letter in his individual capacity.

Commenting on the decision to join forces with other bar associations in this effort, BALIF Co-Chair Jessica Bogo said, “BALIF stands with tens of thousands of California lawyers in calling on our nation’s elected officials to fulfill their constitutionally required duties to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court.” BALIF is the nation's oldest and largest association of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons in the field of law. BALIF’s decision to join in the letter was taken after a vote of the members of its governing board on March 4, 2016.

In addressing the possibility that the nomination and confirmation process might be thwarted, the letter warns that “[t]he implications of this course of action would be significant, subjecting people in different regions of the country to different legal standards on matters of constitutional importance and leaving open the specter of an unresolved constitutional crisis.”

The letter goes on to explain that “the framers placed in the hands of the executive and legislative branches of our government a duty to ensure that the third pillar of our democracy, our courts, would be protected from entanglement in partisan politics.” “While careful evaluation and reasoned debate regarding the qualifications of the nominee are central to the Senate’s role to advise and consent, it would undermine the rule of law and risk nullifying the Supreme Court’s power to serve its constitutional role as arbiter of disputes, were the confirmation process to be delayed until a new president is inaugurated.”

With the issuance of this letter, bar associations representing the two most populous cities in the United States, New York and Los Angeles, have now called on the Senate to consider a nominee to the Supreme Court without delay. The California letter comes on the heels of similar calls by the New York State and New York City Bars respectfully requesting the Senate to reconsider its refusal to consider a nominee put forward by the president. Constitutional law scholars at universities around the country have also weighed in via a joint statement, pointing out that the Constitution “has no exception for election years.”

The letter signed by the California bar associations ends, “We ask that you carry out your constitutionally prescribed roles with full fealty to the oaths you have taken so that our Supreme Court is returned to its full membership.”

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BALIF Joins Supreme Court Amicus Brief Supporting Immigrants’ Rights

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 00:55:16 GMT

On March 4, 2016, BALIF joined the National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA) and a coalition of other organizations in an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court in United States v. Texas. The case concerns Texas’s challenge to President Obama’s Executive Actions on immigration, which expanded the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and created a new Deferred Action for Parental Accountability (DAPA) program.

NQAPIA’s brief informs the U.S. Supreme Court of the special concerns of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Asian Americans, South Asians, Southeast Asians, and Pacific Islanders (API). An estimated 267,000 undocumented immigrants are LGBT, of which a disproportionate share are API.

According to Glenn D. Magpantay, NQAPIA Executive Director, “The Supreme Court is extremely supportive of LGBT people, and we aim to show how immigration laws and policies have a direct impact on the lives of LGBT people.” He continued, “We also lift up the voices of Asian Pacific Islanders to demonstrate the ethnic diversity of undocumented immigrants.”

Julie Wilensky, chair of BALIF’s Amicus Committee Chair, said, “Immigrants rights are LGBT rights, and BALIF is proud to stand with NQAPIA. The brief vividly illustrates how the expanded immigration programs protect LGBT immigrant families, especially APIs, from harassment, discrimination and hardship.”

Click here to read the brief.

Amici are represented by McDermott Will & Emery LLP.

2016-2018 Public Interest Fellowship Opportunity

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 18:11:45 GMT

Public Justice, a national public interest law firm dedicated to pursuing high impact lawsuits to combat social and economic injustice, protect the Earth’s sustainability, and challenge predatory corporate conduct and government abuses, seeks to hire a law school graduate to serve as a Fellow for two years in either its Washington, D.C. headquarters or its Oakland, California office. The Fellow will help develop and litigate Public Justice’s cases. The position will start in the fall of 2016.

Click here for more details!

BALIF Joins Coalition of National LGBT, Racial Equality, and Health Groups in Filing Amicus Brief in U.S. Supreme Court Challenge to Texas Abortion Restrictions

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 17:30:26 GMT

On January 4, 2016, Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom (BALIF) and a coalition of 13 other LGBT, racial justice, and health equity organizations filed an amicus brief in Whole Woman’s Health v. Cole asking the U.S. Supreme Court to strike down draconian restrictions on abortion providers enacted by the State of Texas in 2013 which, if upheld, would lead to the closing of most abortion clinics in the state. The brief urges the Court to carefully scrutinize the state’s asserted justification for the law, just as the Court has done with other laws that infringe upon fundamental freedoms. The State of Texas has argued that the law protects the health of women seeking abortion, but the evidence at trial showed just the opposite. In fact, medical organizations such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Medical Association, and the American Public Health Association have explained that the restrictions imposed by the new law are medically unnecessary and endanger, rather than advance, women’s health.

In addition to BALIF, the organizations filing the brief are the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Gay & Lesbian Advocates and Defenders, the Equal Justice Society, the National Black Justice Coalition, the Family Equality Council, the Human Rights Campaign, the National LGBTQ Task Force, GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBT Equality, Equality Federation, the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States, Immigration Equality, the National Health Law Program, and Movement Advancement Project.

U.S. history is replete with attempts to use pseudo-science and unsupported health-related justifications to exclude individuals and groups from the full protection of essential constitutional liberties, including laws barring interracial marriage, excluding women from certain professions, permitting the forced sterilization of those deemed “inferior,” and criminalizing and discriminating against LGBT people. BALIF and its fellow amici urge the Court to remember this history and to fulfill its constitutional obligation to look carefully at the State’s asserted justifications for restricting women’s fundamental right to reproductive autonomy.

“The brief powerfully reminds us of the history of using empirically indefensible social science to justify discrimination against vulnerable groups," said Julie Wilensky, chair of BALIF’s Amicus Committee. “With this history in mind, it is especially important for the Court to meaningfully review the public health rationales Texas has asserted here."

BALIF and the other amici are represented by Rosen, Bien, Galvan & Grunfeld LLP and the National Center for Lesbian Rights.

Click here to read the brief.

Click to view a PDF of the press release.

BALIF Mourns the Loss of Dennis Nix

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 18:23:32 GMT

Dennis Nix, a treasured BALIF member and dear friend and neighbor, was killed early Sunday morning while driving his scooter home, in an apparent hit and run (SF Gate Article).

If you would like to assist with plans for a celebration of Dennis's life, please email chair@balif.org.

Vote for Bayview Hunter's Point Community Legal

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 16:56:15 GMT

Bayview Hunters Point Community Legal is the only legal aid office in the entire zip code, and they are doing something that's never been done before -- attempting to offer universal access to civil representation for everyone who lives in the zip code, regardless of issue. Currently, they only have two full-time attorneys on staff. They were just selected by Google as one of the "10 most innovative nonprofits in the Bay Area". Google will be giving a half-million dollar grant to four of the ten organizations -- the four who get the most votes. You can vote for Bayview Hunters Point Community Legal here.

KABA 2015 Bar Study Scholarship via KABANC

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 22:52:10 GMT

The Korean American Bar Association of Northern California (KABANC) is pleased to announce the 2015 Bar Study Scholarship. The scholarship will be awarded by the KABANC Foundation at KABANC's upcoming 2015 Annual Gala, and is open to all graduating law students or recent grads in Northern California who are planning to take the California State Bar examination in July of 2015, or February or July of 2016. Selection factors include academic achievement/work experience, demonstrated leadership and commitment to community service, particularly to the Korean and Korean American community and other diverse communities, and financial need. The deadline has been extended to August 24th. Please contact Liz Kim , KABANC Scholarship Committee Chair, with any questions.

link: http://kabanc.com/kaba-2015-bar-study-scholarship-deadline-extension

Joint BALIF/APABA-SV Scholarship- Deadline 9/9/15

BALIF Administrator — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 16:05:25 GMT

Law students, have you demonstrated a commitment to the Asian Pacific American and LGBT communities? BALIF and the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Silicon Valley (APABA-SV) are partnering to offer a $3,000 joint scholarship to deserving APA/LGBT students. Learn more and apply by September 09, 2015.

Click here to apply!

BALIF's Connections Mentorship Program

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 04:38:48 GMT

It's that time of the year again! BALIF's Connections mentorship program is seeking mentors and mentees for 2015-2016. For more information, see the program guidelines and description on the BALIF website. If you are a law student, recent law school graduate, or newer attorney seeking a mentor, or if you are an experienced attorney interested in serving as a mentor, please contact the Young Lawyers and Students Programs Committee, younglawyers@balif.org. Mentor/mentee pairs will be assigned on a rolling basis from July-September.

Lavender Law

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 04:34:11 GMT

The Lavender Law Conference is just around the corner! This year, the annual conference hosted by the National LGBT Bar Association is in Chicago from August 4-7. We hope some of you have booked your trip!

BALIF has raised a limited amount of funds for BALIF Student Members who are attending the Lavender Law Conference this year. We apologize for the late notice, but late is better than never! If you are attending the conference and would like to apply for a limited amount of reimbursement for your travels, please notify us by Friday, August 14 and include the following documents:

Your registration receipt for the Lavender Law Conference
Receipts for flights to and/or lodging in Chicago
A copy of your BALIF membership card

To be eligible for reimbursement, you must be a current Northern California law student and a current BALIF member. The amount available for reimbursement depends on how many applicants send us their information. No late applications will be accepted.

Please send all the required documents in .doc or .pdf format by Friday, August 14 to lawstudentrep@balif.org. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email us with any questions.

See you in Chicago!

2015-16 BALIF Student Board Members

Alex Lemberg

Sam Potts

Joe Deignan

BALIF Files Ninth Circuit Amicus Brief Supporting Medical Care for Transgender Prisoner

BALIF Administrator — Sun, 14 Jun 2015 21:44:00 GMT

June 12, 2015 – San Francisco – Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom (BALIF) filed an amicus curiae brief in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in Norsworthy v. Beard. Ms. Norsworthy is a transgender woman held in a California men’s prison. The district court concluded that the denial of necessary medical care to Ms. Norsworthy violated the Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It issued a preliminary injunction requiring the CA Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) to provide Ms. Norsworthy with adequate medical care, including sex reassignment surgery. CDCR appealed the preliminary injunction to the Ninth Circuit.

BALIF’s brief in support of Ms. Norsworthy argues that when sex-reassignment surgery – or any medical treatment required for a serious medical need – has been identified as medically necessary for a prisoner, CDCR must provide it. There is no authority for a blanket denial of a particular procedure due to anticipated security and administrative issues. The brief explains that state and local detention systems throughout the country, including CDCR, have developed policies and procedures that ensure the health and safety of transgender prisoners while effectively balancing security and administrative issues. CDCR’s asserted security issues ignore important aspects of California’s prison system and are entirely manageable with respect to Ms. Norsworthy. Constitutional and other federal law require that CDCR take steps to ensure both the health and safety of a transgender prisoner like Ms. Norsworthy, as the district court correctly held.

“CDCR cannot hide behind its asserted security and administrative concerns to avoid its constitutional duty to provide medically necessary care to all prisoners, including Ms. Norsworthy,” said Julie Wilensky, chair of BALIF’s Amicus Committee.

BALIF’s brief was filed by pro bono amicus counsel Rosen, Bien, Galvan & Grunfeld LLP, whose team includes attorneys Aaron J. Fischer and Sanford Rosen, summer associate Abbye Klamann, and paralegal clerk Charlotte Landes.

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BALIF is the nation’s oldest and largest bar association of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons in the field of law. Founded in 1980, BALIF represents its members’ interests in the wider San Francisco Bay Area. BALIF members and supporters include San Francisco Bay Area judges, lawyers, law students, and legal workers.

Click here to read the brief.

Congratulations to the newly elected members of the 2015-2016 BALIF Board of Directors:

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 06:11:34 GMT

Please join me in

congratulating the newly elected members of the 2015-2016 BALIF Board of Directors:

Jessica Bogo

Mario Choi

Joseph Deignan

Jamie Dupree

Daniel Faessler

Alex Lemberg

Shauna Madison

Jennifer Orthwein

Sam Potts

Linsey Rosellini

David Sims

John Unruh

Julie Wilensky

Thank you to all candidates this year. It was a very competitive race! Thanks to all the members that voted online or at our meeting.

BALIF Files Amicus Brief in U.S. Supreme Court Supporting Marriage Equality

BALIF Administrator — Sat, 07 Mar 2015 21:09:02 GMT

MARCH 6 – San Francisco – Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom (BALIF) filed an amicus curiae brief yesterday in the United States Supreme Court in the consolidated cases Obergefell v. Hodges , Tanco v. Haslam, DeBoer v. Snyder, and Bourke v. Beshear, in support of the Petitioners’ positions that the Fourteenth Amendment requires a state to license a marriage between two people of the same sex and to recognize a same-sex marriage lawfully licensed and performed out-of-state. BALIF’s brief argues that it is the duty of the courts to decide the equal protection challenge, that the marriage bans are unconstitutional applying even the most deferential rational basis review, and that the bans inflict profound legal, economic, and emotional harm on same-sex couples and their children.

“Contrary to the Sixth Circuit’s holding, it is the role of the judiciary to evaluate the constitutionality of state provisions and not to defer the question to the state voters and legislators who enacted them,” said Leah Nutting, BALIF’s Amicus Committee chair. “Fundamental rights such as the right to marry cannot be denied by majority vote. The institution of marriage is too special and the harms caused by the bans are too costly to just ‘wait and see’ for the democratic process to recognize that right.”

Thirty bar associations and legal organizations from around the nation joined BALIF in signing the brief. The coalition of amici includes state, metropolitan, local, and minority bar associations and local non-profit organizations. The brief was filed with pro bono support from Jerome C. Roth and Amelia L. B. Sargent of the law firm Munger, Tolles & Olson.

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Click here to read the amicus curiae brief.

Click here to view the press release.

$5000 BALIF - SF La Raza Fellowship

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 00:43:44 GMT

Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom (BALIF) and the Bay Area Latino Lawyers Fund is proud to partner together to offer a $5,000 Public Interest Law Fellowship. The fellowship is designed to provide financial assistance to law students working with Bay Area community-based legal service providers to improve legal access for the LGBT population, especially in the Latino community.
We encourage all law students who are in good academic standing and meet the fellowship guidelines to apply. The original February 16, 2015 deadline has been extended to March 2, 2015.

Download the application here.

Candidate interviews will take place the week of March 9, 2015 and the awardee will be recognized at the San Francisco La Raza Lawyers Association’s Annual Noche de Gala at the InterContinental Hotel in San Francisco on March 19, 2015.

BALIF Attends CCBA

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 16:18:04 GMT

This past weekend, BALIF sent a delegation to the Conference of California Bar Associations’ (CCBA) annual conference of delegates in San Diego. One of the core missions of the CCBA is to help the resolutions approved by the Conference become law. Resolutions proposed by bar associations are voted on at the conference, and if approved, are eligible for inclusion in the CCBA legislative agenda. CCBA has become a respected body in Sacramento, with numerous CCBA-sponsored bills enacted each year. In recent years, BALIF has been the only LGBT bar association to propose resolutions and participate at CCBA.

This year, BALIF proposed a resolution that would require state, local and private correctional facilities to create a safe environment free from sexual abuse for inmates or detainees by adopting policies implementing the U.S. Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA). These standards, widely seen as groundbreaking by corrections professionals, advocates, and survivors of sexual abuse in detention, lay out a comprehensive framework for ending abuse in adult jails and prisons, lockups, community confinement facilities, and juvenile facilities. LGBT prisoners are significantly more likely to experience assaults, including sexual assaults, than non-LGBT prisoners. This problem is particularly severe for transgender people. Also, as a means to procure safety, some facilities have designated involuntary LGBT specific units, which limit programming in some circumstances to those housed in these units, as well as designates their placement solely based on their LGBT status. Furthermore, these units, in some circumstances, have become a cesspool for discrimination and harassment by guards and other inmates. If enacted, the resolution would ensure federal guidelines to protect prisoners from attacks from guards and other prisoners are followed. It would also establish protections so that prisoners subject to violence will not be subject to punitive measures such as segregation.

The BALIF-sponsored resolution was approved by CCBA, making it eligible for inclusion on CCBA’s legislative agenda! More work is still to be done, however, and we can use your help in Sacramento to lobby for this proposal in February. If you are interested in joining the CCBA Committee to help lobby or to propose resolutions for next year’s Conference, please email CCBA@balif.org.

Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom Statement on Judge Ashley Tabaddor

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 16:16:25 GMT

For immediate release:

Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom Statement on Judge Ashley Tabaddor

Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom (BALIF) joins the growing chorus of fellow minority bar associations who are outraged and deeply concerned by the facts underlying a lawsuit recently filed by the Honorable Ashley Tabaddor, an Iranian American Immigration judge, against the Department of Justice (DOJ). The DOJ issued an order disqualifying Judge Tabaddor from cases involving Iranian nationals given her activities within the Iranian-American community. Judge Tabaddor alleges that the disqualification order violates Title VII and her First Amendment rights. Notably, other immigration judges active in their ethnic and religious communities have not been subject to similar, blanket recusal orders.

Just as we stood against the calls for the recusal of the Honorable Judge Vaughan Walker in the Prop 8 case based on his sexual orientation, BALIF strongly objects to any efforts to recuse judges based on their immutable characteristics, such as their race, ethnicity or sexual orientation. BALIF is particularly concerned that the DOJ, which is charged with enforcing civil rights laws in this country, issued the recusal order. A copy of the lawsuit, Tabaddor v. Holder et al., which is filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, can be accessed here.

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Message from BALIF BBoard Member (September 9, 2014)

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 00:29:30 GMT

Hi BALIF Members and Friends-

It was great to share drinks and tater tots with so many BALIF members last week at the kickoff happy hour for BALIF's mentorship program. This year, more than sixty BALIF members are participating in the mentorship program. We are grateful to this year's mentors - including judges, partners at large and small firms, senior public interest and government attorneys, corporate in-house counsel, and solo practitioners - who have committed to sharing their experience with and providing guidance to BALIF's law students and more recently admitted attorneys.

The last week has brought more developments on the marriage equality front. On September 3, a federal judge in Louisiana upheld Louisiana's constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, the first time a federal court has ruled in favor of marriage discrimination post-Windsor. But on September 4, in cases in which BALIF filed an amicus brief, the Seventh Circuit unanimously affirmed district court rulings striking down same-sex marriage bans in Wisconsin and Indiana. Commentators have already called Judge Posner's opinion, which has some zingy sound bytes about drunk heterosexuals and elderly first-cousin marriages, a potential roadmap for the Supreme court. Closer to home, on September 8 in San Francisco, the Ninth Circuit heard arguments about same-sex marriage bans in Idaho and Nevada in Latta v. Otter, in which BALIF filed an amicus brief, and Sevcik v. Sandoval.

In other LGBT news, the California Senate recently passed AB 2501, which would ban people from using "trans panic" or "gay panic" defenses in court. Such defenses seek to excuse crimes such as murder or assault on the grounds that the victim's gender identity or sexual orientation is to blame for the defendant's violent reaction. The bill, which was passed by the Assembly this year, is headed to the Governor's office. BALIF sent a letter of support for AB 2501 to the Governor last week and we are very hopeful he will sign the bill. If Governor Brown signs the bill, California will be the first state to enact such a law.

Have a great week everyone!

Julie Wilensky

BALIF Young Lawyers & Law Students Chair

Message from BALIF Board (September 2, 2014)

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 01:25:40 GMT

Hello BALIF Members and Friends,

This past month, I had the privilege of attending the 2014 Lavender Law Conference in New York City. To be honest, it had been years since I formally attended the Conference. Initially, I was reluctant to attend. Taking off time from work, traveling, and being away from home were my main concerns. Within 5 minutes of the first session, I realized I had made the right decision.

During the Conference, I learned about the fundamental legal issues that arise with surrogacy (and how it works); the current status of LGBT protection under the Equal Protection Clause (still rational basis?); the ongoing difficulties facing smaller LGBT Bar Associations in less progressive states; the path to the judiciary of 6 outstanding, brave, amazing LGBT Judges (including 2 BALIF members); and so much more.

At different times during the Conference I was upset and angry, excited and driven. But, I left the Conference with one feeling. Pride. I am so proud of all of our LGBT brother and sister attorneys and law students across the country. That includes each and every BALIF member. I give a special shout out to those BALIF members that attended (from memory: Dave, Jennifer, Nick, Lilah, Ken, Laura, Ethan, Sasha, Robb, Mike, John, Craig, Judges Flanagan, Kolakowski, and Bowen).

Courtesy of National LGBT Bar Association Lavender Law Conference

I look forward to seeing you at BALIF Connections Mentorship Program - Kickoff Happy Hour on Thursday at 6pm at the Holding Company (all BALIF members are welcome).

Peter Catalanotti

BALIF Board Secretary

Sher Kung Memorial Fund

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 20:55:51 GMT

It is with deep sadness that we inform you Sher Kung, an amazing person and former BALIF member, was tragically killed in a bike accident on August 29th. She was an active BALIF member, assisting with the 2009 Gala and attending many happy hours, panels and other BALIF events until she moved to Seattle a few years ago. Sher is survived by her partner, Christine Sanders, and their 7-month-old baby girl, Bryn.

A memorial fund has been set-up in her honor: http://www.youcaring.com/memorial-fundraiser/in-memory-of-sher-kung/226786

Message from BALIF Board (August 26, 2014)

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 15:23:48 GMT

Summer is almost up (calendar wise anyway, the Bay Area has its own mind when it comes to acceptable weather) and we're slowly getting back to the real world. School is starting for many of you, while others are getting back into the swing of things after some well-deserved vacation time. As you are making plans for the next few weeks, I urge to keep in mind exciting volunteer opportunities and BALIF networking events. I am hoping you all signed up for the Second Chance Legal Clinic, and a quick reminder that the clinic is happening today, with a happy hour to follow. Also mark Thursday, September 4^th for our mentorship happy hour. I took part in the mentorship program last year and made a truly wonderful friend in my mentee, Sean. I am signed up again this year, this time I am looking for a mentor. I absolutely urge everyone of you to take advantage of this rewarding opportunity, and sign up for a knowledgeable mentor, or impart your wisdom to an enthusiastic mentee! If you want more information about the mentorship program, and to sign up, check out our website or email Julie at jwilensky@lewisfeinberg.com.

Hope to see you all at our future events!

Dmitri Pikman

BALIF Board Programs Co-Chair

Message from BALIF Board (August 20, 2014)

BALIF Administrator — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 00:22:37 GMT

The rush of the end of summer is upon us, and that fresh crisp in the air is the sound of fall and the academic year beginning. It's a time to cherish our fond memories and dive back in to work! But even if you're caught up in work, I hope everyone remembers to take time out of their schedule to focus on growing their career-especially by finding a mentor!

BALIF's "Connections" Mentorship program is in full swing, and mentor/mentee pairs are being assigned on a rolling basis right now. Both young lawyers and law students are welcome to apply to have a mentor. The first Mentor/Mentee event will be a kick off happy hour on September 4, 2014, so make sure you get your applications in soon so you have a mentor to greet when you get there! For more information, read on below or contact Julie Wilensky at jwilensky@lewisfeinberg.com.

As summer comes to a close, I want to pay special respects to the new 1Ls who have just started or are soon starting their law school career! Congratulations on making it this far, and please remember that we're here for you!

Midori Hirai

BALIF Board Law Student Representative

Message from BALIF Board (August 12, 2014)

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 08:27:34 GMT

I hope you are enjoying your summer. It was great seeing such a big turnout at last week's happy hour!

BALIF's Amicus Committee and our pro bono counsel, Munger, Tolles & Olson have been busy this summer working on the marriage equality front. BALIF has recently filed amicus briefs for cases in the 6th, 7th, and 9th Circuits, and will submit a brief in the 5th Circuit next month, challenging state statutory and constitutional gay marriage bans in Michigan, Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, Wisconsin, Idaho, and Texas.

The amicus briefs argue that the marriage bans inflict tangible legal and economic harm on same-sex couples and their children without any legitimate governmental purpose. We are pleased that the decisions coming out of the 4th and 10th Circuits (where BALIF also submitted amicus briefs) have struck down as unconstitutional the marriage bans in Virginia, Utah, and Oklahoma, though it is still a waiting game pending the disposition of the petitions for writ of certiorari that were recently filed with the U.S. Supreme Court for each of the cases.

BALIF is proud to have coordinated with numerous other bar associations, LGBT organizations, and civil rights groups from around the country in submitting these briefs. If you would like to join BALIF's Amicus Committee, or wish to recommend a case for the submission of an amicus brief, please contact us at amicus@balif.org.

Leah Nutting
BALIF Board Amicus Chair

BALIF Files Amicus Curiae in the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 06 Aug 2014 08:14:21 GMT

BALIF filed an amicus curiae brief yesterday in the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in the consolidated cases Baskin v. Bogan, Fujii v. Commissioner of the Indiana State Dept. of Revenue, Lee v. Abbott, and Walker v. Wolf, supporting the right of same-sex couples in Indiana and Wisconsin to marry and to have out-of-state marriages recognized. The press release can be viewed here.

The brief argues that the marriage bans of Indiana and Wisconsin are unconstitutional and that the tangible legal and economic harm inflicted by the bans, including the denial of substantial benefits and the perpetuation of stigma and discrimination, cannot be remedied by the availability of domestic partnerships or civil unions.

"We applaud the decisions out of the 4th and 10th Circuits striking down similar bans," said Leah Nutting, BALIF's Amicus Committee chair, noting recent cases where BALIF has also submitted amicus briefs. "And we are heartened by the 7th Circuit's emergency order requiring Indiana to recognize the out-of-state marriage of a set of plaintiffs in this case, where one spouse is suffering from a terminal illness. The case illustrates the very real and irreparable harm suffered by same-sex couples while waiting for the marriage bans to work their way through the courts."

Fourteen other civil rights groups joined BALIF on the brief. The brief was filed with pro bono support from Jerome C. Roth and Nicole S. Phillis of the law firm of Munger, Tolles & Olsen.

Click here to read the amicus brief.

Message from BALIF Board (August 6, 2014)

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 06 Aug 2014 08:09:13 GMT

Happy August everybody! I want to give huge congratulations to all the people who recently took the bar exam. You should be extremely proud of yourselves for not only finishing law school but for also surviving three days with one of the hardest exams in the country.

I want to invite everyone to come out to our August Happy Hour this Thursday, August 7 at the Lookout starting at 6:00pm. Mix and mingle with fellow BALIF members and other LGBT professionals in the Bay Area.

I leave you all with a quote from Bill Cosby: "In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure."

Brandon Lawrence
BALIF Social Chair

Latta v. Otter Amicus Brief Filed

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 29 Jul 2014 08:05:01 GMT

BALIF filed an amicus curiae brief on Friday, July 25, with the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in Latta v. Otter supporting the right of same-sex couples in Idaho to marry and same-sex couples who have been married out-of-state to have their marriages recognized in Idaho. The court will hear in Idaho. The Court will hear Latta, on appeal from the District of Idaho, in September. Sevcik v. Sandoval, the Nevada marriage equality case on appeal from the District of Nevada, for which BALIF filed an amicus brief last October, is also scheduled to be heard by the court in September.
The brief argues that excluding same-sex couples from the institution of marriage causes tangible legal and economic harm and denies substantial benefits, including the federal benefits extended to same-sex marriages following the Supreme Court's decision in United States v. Windsor.

"Some critical federal benefits are linked to the place of domicile, so even same-sex couples married legally in other states are prevented from enjoying these benefits if they currently reside in states, such as Idaho, that do not recognize same-sex marriage," said Leah Nutting, chair of BALIF's Amicus Committee.

More than thirty other civil rights groups joined BALIF on the brief. The brief was filed with pro bono support from the law firm of Munger, Tolles & Olsen, with Jerome C. Roth and Amelia L. B. Sargent heading the effort.

Message from BALIF Board (July 29, 2014)

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 29 Jul 2014 08:03:45 GMT

Please join us Tuesday, August 26 from 5pm - 8pm for a BALIF Pro Bono event with the Lawyer's Committee for Civil Rights (LCCR) Second Chance Legal Clinic. Volunteers at the Second Chance Legal Clinic help clients overcome barriers to employment and housing by assisting with criminal record expungement, occupational licensing, criminal background reports, housing applications and denials, driver's license suspensions, and other employment concerns.

Training for the Clinic will be Wednesday August 20 from 1pm - 2:30pm at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP.

The Nuts and Bolts:
Training (lunch provided):
8/20 1pm - 2:30pm at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP (Four Embarcadero Center, 22ndFloor SF, CA)

Volunteer Day (happy hour to follow):
8/26 5pm - 8pm at the West Bay Community Center (1290 Filmore Street SF, CA)

More details on the Clinic: http://www.lccr.com/re-entry.php

Please register in advance so we know how many people to expect!

Jessica Bogo
BALIF Social Action Chair

Join BALIF's California Conference of Bar Associations Committee!

BALIF Administrator — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 08:07:24 GMT

Do you want to help shape California's laws? Join BALIF's California Conference of Bar Associations (CCBA) Committee. Each year, BALIF sends a delegation to the California Conference of Bar Associations, a group of attorneys from local, specialty, and minority bar associations across the state that are focused on improving California's laws. BALIF's CCBA Committee reviews and determines BALIF's position on resolutions that are debated at the Conference. This year, the Conference will be in San Diego from September 12-14.

BALIF's representation and participation at the Conference are crucial to ensure visibility of the LGBT legal community at the statewide level and to bring LGBT issues before the Conference. This year, BALIF is sponsoring a resolution to address sexual violence in correctional settings in California, a problem that disproportionately affects LGBT inmates.

If you want to weigh in on this year's proposed resolutions and/or join BALIF's delegation to the Conference, please email Denise Bergin at ccba@balif.org by August 9.

Message from BALIF Board (July 22, 2014)

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 22 Jul 2014 07:53:46 GMT

It's been another great week for LGBT rights. Yesterday, President Obama signed an executive order banning federal contractors from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The order also makes clear that federal employees, who were already explicitly protected from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, are also protected from gender identity discrimination.

And the good marriage equality decisions continue. On July 18, in a case in which BALIF filed an amicus brief, the Tenth Circuit affirmed the district court's decision striking down Oklahoma's same-sex marriage ban as unconstitutional, marking the second ruling by a federal appellate court in favor of marriage equality in the last year. On July 17, a judge in state court in Monroe County, Florida struck down Florida's ban on same-sex marriage.

If you're thinking about how you can get more involved in the Bay Area's LGBT legal community, consider participating as a mentor or mentee in BALIF's Connections mentorship program. Mentor and mentee pairs are being assigned on a rolling basis, and there will be a happy hour to kickoff this year's program on September 4. Links to more information are below.

Julie Wilensky
BALIF Young Lawyers & Law Students Chair

Message from BALIF Board (July 15, 2014)

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 15 Jul 2014 23:39:49 GMT

I hope you all enjoyed the gorgeous weather the Bay Area was spoiled with this weekend. As we move into the dog-days of summer riddled with vacations and relaxation for some (hopefully you), I am pleased our progress toward full marriage equality is not enjoying a similar break.

Over the weekend, Attorney General Eric Holder said that if the Supreme Court decides to hear a case on same-sex marriage, the Department of Justice will file a brief urging the courts to uphold the rights of gay couples to wed. With Utah's Federal Court of Appeals striking down the ban on gay marriage, the possibility of the high court hearing the issue is becoming more likely. It is comforting to know we have the Department of Justice behind the fight, not just in word, but in action as well.

With Colorado's ban on same-sex marriage struck down last Wednesday we are up to 19 states where same-sex couples may legally wed. Are you thinking of marrying your loved one, or did you just marry? Come learn about the pros and cons of marriage and the rights and responsibilities that come with it this Wednesday, July 16th at "Marriage...The Fine Print: 5 Surprising Facts Everyone Needs to Known."

It was great to see many of your shining summer faces at the July 10th happy hour last week. I hope to see many of you this Tuesday at the LGBTQ Partners and Associates Reception, sponsored by BASF and BALIF.

Lilah Sutphen
BALIF Board Judiciary Co-Chair

Message from BALIF Board (July 8, 2014)

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 08 Jul 2014 13:35:23 GMT

I hope you all had a fantastic Fourth of July weekend!

As we continue to enjoy the right to marry in California, I'd like to recognize a couple in my home state of Indiana who are leading the charge for equal rights there. Amy Sandler and Niki Quasney have a civil union in Illinois and were married in Massachusetts in 2013. Five years ago, Ms. Quasney was diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer. They need their marriage legally recognized in Indiana to receive the full protections that every other married family in Indiana receives.

On June 25th, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana found Indiana's ban on gay marriage to be unconstitutional. However, on June 27th, at the Attorney General's request, the 7th Circuit issued an emergency order stopping gay marriages in the state. Based on the gravity of Ms. Sandler and Ms. Quasney's circumstances, Lambda Legal's request for the 7th Circuit to lift the stay as to only Ms. Sandler and Ms. Quasney's marriage was granted July 1st. I cannot imagine the emotional toll this back-and-forth takes on a family with two small children who are simultaneously dealing with stage four cancer.

While I'm grateful that the limited stay will afford Ms. Sandler and Ms. Quasney some peace so they can continue to focus their energies on their family during this difficult time, I hope that no other Indiana families will have to struggle in the same manner to achieve the simple act of having one's death certificate accurately recognize the surviving partner as the deceased's spouse.

Meaghan Zore
BALIF Board Membership Chair

BALIF Congratulates Therese Stewart on Her Appointment to the First District Court of Appeal

BALIF Administrator — Thu, 03 Jul 2014 13:33:22 GMT

BALIF applauds the milestone appointment of Therese (Terry) Stewart to a position on the California Courts of Appeal. Gov. Jerry Brown appointed Terry during San Francisco's LGBT Pride weekend. If confirmed, Terry, who is currently the Chief Deputy Attorney at the San Francisco City Attorney's Office, will be the first out lesbian appellate judge in the California state court system. BALIF endorsed Terry for the position last December after the unanimous recommendation of the BALIF Judiciary Committee based on Terry's decades of tireless and successful advocacy on behalf of the LGBT community, women, minorities, and other marginalized communities.

"Therese Stewart is an ideal candidate for the California judiciary, and we were pleased and honored to deliver BALIF's endorsement," said Elizabeth Pritzker, partner at Pritzker Law in San Francisco and former BALIF Judiciary Committee Co-Chair. "Therese will bring to the Courts of Appeal a multitude of strengths: a brilliant legal mind, an exceptional aptitude for solving difficult legal questions, and a great judicial temperament. Her appointment to the appellate court is a significant legacy for the LGBT community."

Terry has led a distinguished career as a top litigator, as one of the first female partners at Howard Rice Nemerovski Canady Falk & Rabkin (now Arnold & Porter LLP) in San Francisco, and since 2002, at the City Attorney's Office. As Chief Deputy Attorney, she was instrumental in securing the rights of same-sex couples to marry, from representing San Francisco when then-Mayor Gavin Newsom first attempted to legalize same-sex marriage in 2004, to winning marriage equality at the California Supreme Court in 2008, and finally successfully challenging Proposition 8 in Federal Court. Terry is a former member of the BALIF Board of Directors and the recipient of the 2013 American Bar Association's Margaret Brent Women's Lawyers of Achievement, the highest award for a female attorney in the United States.

Check out Terry's It Gets Better video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haZgvvw0-8Y

Message from BALIF Board (July 2, 2014)

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 16:57:13 GMT

I hope you all had a wonderful Pride weekend. I, for one, enjoyed the weather and all the festivities. I'm now looking forward to this long weekend! BBQ anyone?

I want to give a shout-out to our own Therese Stewart, who, this past Saturday, was appointed by Governor Brown to the First District Court of Appeal. Subject to confirmation by the Commission on Judicial Appointments, Therese will be the first openly lesbian justice to serve on the California Court of Appeal. Congratulations, Therese!!

And, don't forget that our July Happy Hour will happen July 10 at Blanc et Rouge from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Come out and savor a glass of white (or rouge) while you meet some new folks!

Have a happy and safe Independence Day!

Mario Choi
BALIF Board Treasurer

BALIF Applauds Tenth Circuit Decision in Utah Marriage Equality Case

BALIF Administrator — Thu, 26 Jun 2014 04:49:22 GMT

Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom Applauds Tenth Circuit Decision in Utah Marriage Equality Case

Court Strikes Ban on Same-Sex Marriages

JUNE 25, 2014 – San Francisco – Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom (BALIF) applauds the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals decision issued today in Kitchen v. Herbert, on appeal from the District of Utah. The decision upheld the District Court ruling striking down Utah’s discriminatory ban on marriage for same-sex couples.

BALIF Co-Chair Jamie Dupree said, “Amongst the recent unbroken string of decisions in favor of marriage equality, this decision is particularly significant as the first federal appellate court ruling since last summer’s decision by the Supreme Court in United States v. Windsor striking down Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act. It is wonderful that this came out of Utah – a state where achieving marriage equality is unlikely to happen without judicial intervention.”

BALIF filed an amicus brief arguing that following Windsor, the Utah ban is unconstitutional as the principle purpose and effect of the ban were to impose inequality on same-sex couples.

Message from BALIF Board (June 24, 2014)

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 10:48:05 GMT

As the current Social Chair, I am looking forward to the many events that are being planned. Be sure to attend this year's Pride Breakfast on Sunday, June 29th graciously hosted by Jones Day at 555 California Street, 26th Floor from 8:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m. Come enjoy great food and drink before heading out to watch the parade. Trust me, this is an event you definitely want to attend! If there are any wonderful people out there interested in volunteering to help with clean-up after the Brunch (I promise not to keep you longer than 30 minutes), please e-mail me at social@balif.org.

Next month, be sure to attend our summer happy hour on July 10th at Blanc et Rouge from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Come enjoy a glass of wine (or two) and catch up with old friends and hopefully make some new ones.

I am excited to be a part of the board. I have many plans and ideas for events this year and I look forward to meeting all current and prospective members of BALIF. Please check our website regularly and if you are not currently a member of BALIF, please sign up today!

I leave you all with a quote by Dr. Seuss: "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." Happy Pride Month Everybody!

Brandon Lawrence
BALIF Board Social Chair

Message from BALIF Board (June 17, 2014)

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 05:48:13 GMT

It's June, and Pride season is in full swing, as we are celebrating our past accomplishments, while looking to the future. I wanted to take this opportunity to give a little plug for a wonderful event happening this Thursday, June 19th.

Celebrating Pride at the 50th Anniversary Of the Civil Rights Act of 1964: Perspectives on Title VII and LGBT Employment Rights

This panel discussion features a number of amazing speakers and is moderated by our very own BALIF member, Felicia Medina. I encourage you all to come June 19th, at 3:30 p.m. to the Phillip Burton Federal Building (450 Golden Gate Avenue) -the Ceremonial Courtroom (19th Floor).

This event is just the start, as the Programs committee is working hard this year to organize a full calendar that will be of interest to our membership. This includes: MCLE trainings; opportunities for our members to get involved with the community, both locally and globally; working groups for attorneys with specialized interests; and other informative, yet fun events.

I encourage you to get in touch with me or my Co-Chair Felicia, at programs@balif.org with your feedback or ideas for future trainings, panel discussions, meetings, and other events. We want our programs to reflect the interests of all our members!

Thank you for making me part of the BALIF Board, and I look forward to meeting all of you in the months to come!

Dmitri Pikman
BALIF Board Programs Co-Chair

2014-2015 BALIF "Connections" Mentorship Program

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 05:58:31 GMT

It's that time of year again! BALIF's Connections mentorship program is seeking mentors and mentees for 2014-2015.
The Connections mentoring program gives law students and newer lawyers the opportunity to be matched with established Bay Area attorneys who practice in a variety of settings, including large and small firms, nonprofit and public interest organizations, and governments. Mentors provide guidance about the nuts and bolts of careers in the law, as well as practical advice to help mentees build their job seeking and networking skills. For mentees, the Connections program offers a great opportunity for networking, skills development, and career building in the LGBT legal community by some of the best in the field, including judges, law firm partners, senior public interest and government attorneys, and corporate in-house counsel.

BECOME A MENTEE or MENTOR! If you are a law student, recent law school graduate, or newer attorney seeking a mentor, or if you are an experienced attorney interested in serving as a mentor, please contact Julie Wilensky, jwilensky@lewisfeinberg.com. Mentee applicants will be required to submit a brief questionnaire that will assist us in making a mentor-mentee match, including asking about the type of law you wish to practice and other specific information to help make your mentoring relationship a success. Mentors will be asked some basic questions to ensure that a prospective mentee is a good fit in terms of the mentor's practice area and time availability. Mentors and mentees must commit to meeting at least three times in person during the mentorship year (from September to May) and be willing to communicate more frequently by phone and email. Mentor/mentee pairs will be assigned on a rolling basis between July and September. Stay tuned for more details on a happy hour to kick off the Connections program this fall.

Message from BALIF Board (June 10, 2014)

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 05:46:52 GMT

Happy Pride Everyone!! Stay informed about Pride events and stay connected with other BALIF members on a variety of social mediums.

BALIF has groups on LinkedIn and Facebook where group members can post events or comments. Just search for BALIF and request to join these groups. BALIF is also on Twitter, where you can follow us to see BALIF news, event info, #ThrowbackThursday posts, and more!

All members who are not currently on the BALIF Listserv should have received an invitation to join through Google Groups earlier today. Once a member of the Listserv, you can communicate with other members on specific legal issues, request referrals, announce events, access professional support, enhance your practice and elevate your professional development. To join, just follow the instructions in the email invitation. If you do not respond to the invitation promptly, it will expire. If you did not receive an invitation today, please let us know by emailing technology@balif.org.

BALIF also posts photos from events on our website, so check those out too. The website and Newsletter provide a wealth of information and resources of which every BALIF member should be aware. So please explore and use these fun and useful tools today!

Jennifer Orthwein
BALIF Board Communications & Technology Chair

Message from BALIF Board (June 3, 2014)

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 05:45:05 GMT

As we enter Pride Month in San Francisco, let us look back at how far our movement has come in the past year. U.S. District Court Judge John E. Jones put it most eloquently:

"...that same-sex marriage causes discomfort in some does not make its prohibition constitutional. Nor can past tradition trump the bedrock constitutional guarantees of due process and equal protection. Were that not so, ours would still be a racially segregated nation according to the now rightfully discarded doctrine of "separate but equal." . . . In the sixty years since Brown was decided, "separate" has thankfully faded into history, and only "equal" remains. Similarly, in future generations the label same-sex marriage will be abandoned, to be replaced simply by marriage.

We are a better people than what these laws represent, and it is time to discard them into the ash heap of history." Whitewood v. Wolf, 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 68771, 50-51 (M.D. Pa. May 20, 2014).

Happy Pride Month BALIF Members, you deserve it.

Pete Catalanotti
BALIF Board Secretary

Message from BALIF Board (May 27, 2014)

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 28 May 2014 05:44:15 GMT

I hope everyone had a great Memorial Day weekend! Membership has been busy creating new opportunities to add value to being a BALIF member. Be on the lookout for new BALIF Membership cards, which can be used to access discounts from local merchants thanks to our BALIF partners. Click on the "Member Discount" section of the website to view our current list of participants.

I'm also excited to announce the new BALIF Affinity Group Grants. BALIF's new micro-grant program will provide financial support for BALIF members seeking to host small gatherings within the BALIF community. Want to host a networking brunch in Walnut Creek for 7 BALIF members? Great! We want to help. Maybe you'd like to gather BALIF legal professionals who specialize in family law for an outdoor hike. Please reach out to us! BALIF Affinity Group Grants provide a means for BALIF to support our members' varied interests on a smaller scale than our typical BALIF social offerings.

I look forward to seeing everyone at the next BALIF event!

Meaghan Zore
BALIF Board Membership Chair

Message from BALIF Board (May 20, 2014)

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 21 May 2014 05:28:02 GMT

The Social Action Committee is a flurry with several upcoming opportunities to have fun while doing good! Please save the dates, and if you are interested in serving on the Social Action Committee, please email socialaction@balif.org

June 8: Lazy river rafting down the Russian River with Pride Law Fund.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1385050155076998/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming.

Aug. 17: Sunset Bay Cruise with Pride Law Fund.

http://www.pridelawfund.org/events/bay_cruise_2014.php

Aug. 26: BALIF Volunteer Day with Lawyer's Committee for Civil Rights (LCCR) (Training Aug. 20).

http://www.lccr.com/re-entry.php

We look forward to seeing you!

Jessica Bogo

BALIF Board Social Action Committee Chair

Message from BALIF Board (May 13, 2014)

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 14 May 2014 05:24:26 GMT

I hope everyone is enjoying this LA-type weather and is getting the requisite tan in the process (and one that will last you through the dark days of the impending San Francisco summer). After a flurry of activity over the past few months - including an eventful election night saw several new members welcomed to the Board - all is quiet on the BALIF front. This is typically the time where we hunker down and plan out the next year before the rush of Pride and summer-related events and activities overtake us all. That being said, it's never too early to start planning for Pride so keep your calendars clear and watch for periodic updates from your friends at BALIF.

And, for those football fans out there, in case you missed it: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/10/michael-sam-kiss_n_5302824.html.

Happy Tuesday.

Nick Clements

BALIF Board Social Committee Chair

Message of BALIF Board (May 6, 2014)

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 07 May 2014 05:20:16 GMT

Please join me in congratulating the BALIF members who were recently elected (or re-elected) to the BALIF Board of Directors:

Denise Bergin

Pete Catalanotti

Nick Clements

Brandon Lawrence

Felicia Medina

Dmitri Pikman

Meaghan Zore

Law student representatives:

Midori Hirai

Joseph Rocha

Thanks to all those who ran for the Director positions. We had a great turnout this year for the online elections, and it was great to see many familiar and new faces at the BALIF annual meeting and election happy hour on April 24. Looking forward to seeing everyone at the next BALIF event!

Julie Wilensky

BALIF Board Secretary & CCBA Committee Chair

Message from BALIF Board (April 29, 2014)

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 05:18:44 GMT

Last Thursday evening, the results of this year's BALIF Board of Directors' election were announced at our Annual Meeting and I could not be more excited about our newest directors. I know the 2014-2015 BALIF Board will carry on and build upon the amazing legacy that is BALIF. Our annual board retreat will be in early May where all the outgoing, incoming and mid-term board members will meet to discuss this past year and the year that is to come. We invite feedback from our members, so please reach out to me or any of the other current board members if you have feedback about how the board can better serve its members and the Bay Area LGBT legal community. Thank you and see you at the next BALIF event!

John Unruh

BALIF Board Treasurer & Gala Co-Chair

Message from BALIF Board (April 22, 2014)

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 23 Apr 2014 05:15:10 GMT

BALIF has important events planned over the next couple of weeks that you won't want to miss!

This Thursday, April 24th, is BALIF's Annual Meeting and Election Happy Hour. Please join us at the Sausage Factory from 6-8:30pm for our happy hour for BALIF members, meet the candidates for the Board of Directors, and cast your ballots if you have not already voted online. The election results will be announced at the end of the evening. Good luck to all of our candidates!

Also next Thursday, May 1st, is BALIF's second GIVE 'EM L! LGBT LADIES SALON & TALK-SHOW: THE JUDGES' EDITION! We have an amazing panel of judges -- Angela Bradstreet, Teri Jackson, and Tara Flanagan -- who will share their perspectives from the bench and touch upon issues concerning women, LGBT, and women of color in the legal profession and judiciary. This Salon promises to be a lively discussion and offers a fun opportunity to network and mingle. Register online today!

We look forward to seeing you!

Leah Nutting

BALIF Board Programs Committee Chair

Message from BALIF Board (April 15, 2014)

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 05:03:34 GMT

It's time to mix it up a little! It was great to see everyone who came out to the BALIF mixer with CAOC & the Minority Bar Coalition this past Thursday, and hopefully everyone is geared up for our discussion about the LGBT legal and political developments in Israel on April 17th and our 'Give 'em L!!' LGBT Ladies Salon & Talk-Show: Judge's Edition coming up on May 1st!

As we move towards the end of our year, I hope that everyone does their due diligence and votes in our BALIF elections for next year's Board of Directors! Your vote is your voice, and your voice counts, whether it's online or at the Sausage Factory on April 24th. We have a great group of dedicated people running for next year's Board, so go vote!

Midori Hirai

BALIF Board Law Student Representative

Message from BALIF Board (April 8, 2014)

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 09 Apr 2014 04:51:16 GMT

Today, we discussed, "What business development technique(s) have you tried in the last 30 days? What worked? What didn't?"

It was a fabulous buffet feast at The SF City Club. I had the opportunity to lunch with nine other BALIF partners and firm owners to learn from their experience and insight with regards to business development.

What a dynamic exchange of ideas to stimulate my own thinking about how to attract more, and better, clients. Here's a sampling...

Utilizing online key-word searches through professional marketing companies to attract more leads;
Joining BNI and other networking and business referral group;
Hiring a life coach to identify core values of my practice;
Leveraging creativity to pinpoint and then expand a client's business needs;
Selling the "person", as opposed to the firm;
Identifying the business development medium that you're best suited for, and using it.

I also loved meeting new colleagues and catching-up with old friends - both of which are invaluable resources to refer/receive business leads.

This is part of BALIF's PARTNERS EXCHANGE - an ongoing effort to create a vibrant and thriving LGBT environment that invites networking and an exchange of business. Here's a peek at the incredible ladies and gentlemen that make up the Exchange and the specialties they bring to our community:

http://www.balif.org/partners_exchange

We're always looking to welcome new colleagues. Shoot me an email if you're interested in joining: on.lu@novakdruce.com.

I look forward to seeing you soon!

On Lu

BALIF Board Co-Chairs

Message from BALIF Board (April 1, 2014)

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 04:44:50 GMT

In the true spirit of Spring cleaning, the BALIF Judiciary Committee is streamlining BALIF's judicial endorsement process.

BALIF's founding mission is to seek to diversify the state and federal bench with LBGT judges. To further this goal, the BALIF Judiciary Committee has streamlined the process for securing BALIF endorsements for judicial candidates.

Historically, the endorsement process required a plebiscite. This meant that candidates vetted by BALIF's Judiciary Committee and recommended for endorsement had to receive an affirmative vote of 30 percent (later reduced to 20 percent) of the BALIF membership. The plebiscite was time consuming, costly (requiring thousands of dollars in election administration costs) and ineffective: in most instances, the required vote percentage was not achieved, and the BALIF Board would then take up the issue at its next regularly calendared meeting.

On March 17, 2014, the BALIF Board unanimously voted to adopt the recommendation of the BALIF Judiciary Committee to do away with the plebiscite. Going forward, judicial candidates vetted and recommended by the BALIF Judiciary Committee for endorsement will automatically receive BALIF's endorsement unless three or more members of the BALIF Board request discussion and affirmative action by the BALIF Board as a whole. This streamlined process ensures that BALIF will continue to thoroughly vet candidates for the state and federal bench, and complete the endorsement process without delay and added expense.

We are the BALIF Judiciary Committee...and we want to recruit you!

Diversifying the bench is a multi-faceted process. The BALIF Judiciary Committee and its Attorney and Judicial Advisory Committees are working hard to identify qualified LGBT candidates for the bench. The path to the bench includes several stages of formal evaluation, which include evaluation by the State Commission, the Commission on Judicial Nominations and Evaluations (JNE), and local county bar association judicial commissions. Each of these commissions need greater diversity and input from the LGBT legal community, and BALIF is urging its members to participate in the formal evaluation process by:

1. Applying to be a JNE Commissioner: The California State Bar's Commission on Judicial Nominations (JNE) assists the Governor in the judicial selection process by providing independent, comprehensive, accurate and fair evaluations of candidates for judicial appointment and nomination. We need LGBT representation on this 37-member commission. Please consider applying: www.calbar.ca.gov/About Us/JudicialNomineesEvaluation.aspx. The deadline for applications is June 1, 2014.

2. Participating in your Local Bar Judiciary Committee: Each of the San Francisco Bay Area bar associations has a judiciary committee that regularly vets judicial candidates in contract with the Governor's Office. If you are active with your local county bar, or want to be, this an excellent way to increase LGBT participating in the judicial vetting process. BALIF can help facilitate your involvement with your local bar association judiciary committee. Email us at judiciary@balif.org.

3. Joining BALIF's Judiciary Committee: The Committee's ongoing work program is sowing the seeds for greater LGBT diversity on our state and federal benches. Get involved. Join us. We have lots for you to do. Email us at judiciary@balif.org.

Grow our Judiciary with LGBT judges.

There are an unprecedented number of vacancies on the state and federal bench - an historic opportunity for the LGBT community. There is one vacancy on the California Supreme Court, and at least two vacancies on the California Court of Appeals, First Appellate District. There are vacancies at many Bay Area Superior Courts. Some positions on the Northern District Court of California bench also are open.

Currently, however, there are no LGBT Article III judges in the Northern District of California. There are no LGBT judges on the California Supreme Court. There is only one openly gay justice serving on the California Court of Appeals.

The time to get involved is now. Help grow our judiciary with LGBT judges by getting involved in the evaluation and selection process. We need you.

For more information on how you can help, contact judiciary@balif.org.

Elizabeth Pritzker & Andrew Vu

BALIF Board Judiciary Committee Co-Chairs

Message from BALIF Board (March 25, 2014)

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 04:39:25 GMT

Happy Spring! We at BALIF have been actively planning a number of events to keep your social and professional calendars full. Here are two happening this week.

This Thursday, March 27, from 6:00 to 8:00, join us for our March Happy Hour at Fusion Lounge (124 Ellis Street), graciously hosted by Courtroom Sciences. Have a drink, some good eats, and mingle with friends. And stay for the drag show that starts immediately after the Happy Hour!

For those of you looking for a job or a career change, bring your resume and join us this Saturday, March 29, from 12:30 to 6:00, for BALIF's Second Annual CAREER & NETWORKING EXPO. Details, including registration info, are below, but with over 40 organizations presenting, a number of employers hiring, resume reviews, and panels that will teach you the skills necessary to land that job, you cannot miss this opportunity! And, join us for our post-Expo reception 111 Minna Art Gallery, from 6:00 to 7:30, generously sponsored by Robert Half Legal, to put those skills to work!

Don't miss these events!

Cheers,

Mario Choi

BALIF Board Young Lawyers &

Law Student Programs Committee Chair

Join the BALIF Board of Directors!

BALIF Administrator — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 04:36:12 GMT

A great way to serve the LGBT legal community and become more involved in BALIF is to join BALIF's Board of Directors. BALIF's Directors are elected by the BALIF membership, and each Director holds office for two years. Any BALIF member is welcome to run for the Board or nominate another BALIF member. BALIF's bylaws reflect the Board's commitment to "equality, parity, and diversity," and we specifically encourage people of color, women, and transgender and/or gender non-conforming individuals to run for the Board. All Directors must attend BALIF's Board Retreat the evening of Friday, May 9 and all day Saturday, May 10, 2014.

To run for the Board or nominate someone else, please send a candidate statement of up to 250 words to Julie Wilensky (secretary@balif.org) and BALIF's Administrator, Katie Carlson (balif@balif.org) by April 3, 2014 at 5:30 pm. BALIF's bylaws require gender parity on the Board, with a certain number of positions allocated to Directors who identify as male, female, and gender non-conforming. So if you are seeking a position, please indicate the category with which you identify.

Elections will be online starting on April 10, and there will be an opportunity to vote in person at BALIF's annual general membership meeting on Tuesday, April 24, 2014 from 6 - 8:30 p.m. The results will be announced at the end of the meeting.

Questions about the Board? Thinking about seeking a position? Feel free to contact Julie Wilensky at secretary@balif.org.

Message from BALIF Board (March 12, 2014)

BALIF Administrator — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 04:35:06 GMT

Although we continue to relish over this year's successful gala and the amazing photos you can view here, our committees are busy organizing a whole variety of upcoming events! From BAILF's Career and Networking Expo on March 29th to an East Bay Family Friendly Social on April 5th to a Mixer with Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC) and the Minority Bar Coalition (MBC) on April 10th, opportunities to be social and connect with attorneys and law students from around the Bay Area abound! Check out all of the upcoming opportunities to network and just be social below!

The BALIF committees are also busy taking action for LGBT rights! The Amicus Committee just drafted and filed an amicus curiae brief last week with the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals supporting the right of same-sex couples in Utah and Oklahoma to marry. The Judiciary Committee continues to encourage and promote LGBT judges to the bench and the BALIF Board of Directors organized and drafted a letter to Arizona Governor Jan Brewer urging her to veto SB 1062.

A great way to serve the LGBT legal community and become more involved in BALIF is to join BALIF's Board of Directors and the time to elect our new directors is just around the corner! To run for the Board or nominate someone else, please send a candidate statement of up to 250 words to Julie Wilensky (secretary@balif.org) and BALIF's Administrator, Katie Carlson (balif@balif.org) by April 3, 2014 at 5:30 pm.

Hope to see you all at one or two of the many upcoming events!

Jennifer Orthwein

BALIF Board Communications Chair

Message from BALIF Board (March 4, 2014)

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 05:32:44 GMT

Greetings BALIF-ers!

Thank you for all who attended BALIF's 34th Annual Gala! It was an incredible event with amazing company, food and atmosphere. A big round of applause is in order for BALIF's Gala Chairs Lilah Sutphen and John Unruh and the Gala Committee for putting on yet another outstanding party.

Coming up quickly is BALIF's hugely successful 2nd Annual BALIF Career Expo on Saturday, March 29, 2014 from 12:30pm-6pm hosted at Golden Gate University. This is a not-to-be-missed opportunity for law students, baby lawyers, and attorneys looking for a change of scenery. We will have panel discussions about how to network, what to do if you don't find that dream job, and what kinds of law careers are out there. Then after the panels, we will host our Career Fiar with over 30 employers from all fields of law from big firms, solo practitioners, non-profits and government agencies to share with you what they do and how they can help you find that next job.

If you are an attorney and interested in tabling for this event, please contact Mario Choi at younglawyers@balif.org.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Dustin Helmer

BALIF Board Law Student Representative

BALIF Files Amicus Brief in Utah and Oklahoma Marriage Equality Cases

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 22:17:55 GMT

BALIF filed an amicus curiae brief today with the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals supporting the right of same-sex couples in Utah and Oklahoma to marry. A three-judge panel from the court will hear Kitchen v. Herbert, on appeal from the District of Utah, and Bishop v. Smith, on appeal from the Northern District of Oklahoma, in April. The press release can be found here.

“These two cases are particularly important, because without judicial intervention it is unlikely that marriage equality will come to states like Utah or Oklahoma any time soon,” said Nickolas Kacprowski, partner at Kirkland & Ellis in San Francisco and chair of BALIF’s Amicus Committee.

The brief argues that because the sole purpose and effect of the Utah and Oklahoma bans on same-sex marriage is to impose inequality on same-sex couples, the bans are unconstitutional in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision in United States v. Windsor. Further, because Windsor opened the door to federal recognition of same-sex marriage, the tangible benefits associated with same-sex marriage and denied to same-sex couples by the bans are substantial.

The brief was filed with pro bono support from the law firm of Munger, Tolles & Olsen. Jerome C. Roth and Nicole S. Phillis of Munger Tolles led the effort. Another great effort by Munger Tolles and the Amicus Committee!

Click here for the Amicus Brief.

BALIF AND THE MINORITY BAR COALITION SUPPORT VETO OF ARIZONA ANTI-LGBT BILL

BALIF Administrator — Fri, 28 Feb 2014 05:31:33 GMT

FEB. 27, 2014 - San Francisco - Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom (BALIF) thanks members of the Minority Bar Coalition (MBC) in joining BALIF in urging Governor Jan Brewer to veto legislation passed by the Arizona state legislature last Thursday that, under the guise of religious freedom, would enable discrimination against individuals who identify as LGBT. Governor Brewer announced her veto earlier yesterday.

"We thank our Minority Bar Coalition allies for standing with us. It is clear that the bill was vetoed in part because Governor Brewer feared the political backlash caused by pressure by organizations like ours," said Jamie Dupree, BALIF Board Co-Chair. "We must remain vigilant as similar bills across the country are still pending."

The Asian American Prosecutors Association, Asian Pacific Bar Association of Silicon Valley, South Asian Bar Association of Northern California, Korean American Bar Association of Northern California, Vietnamese American Bar Association of Northern California, Filipino Bar Association of Northern California, Queen's Bench Bar Association, East Bay La Raza Lawyers Association, Board Members of the Iranian American Bar Association, Northern California, La Raza Lawyers Association of California and Thai American Attorneys of Northern California are among the MBC members who stood with BALIF to condemn the legislation. These bar associations have a long-standing commitment to supporting the civil rights of all members of our community.

Message from BALIF Board (February 25, 2014)

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 05:25:15 GMT

Our annual Gala is upon us! I cannot wait to see all of you this Friday at the Bently Reserve!!! Just in case you have not bought your tickets, you can do so here!

Photo by Trish Tunney Photography

As we reflect on another amazing year of advancing the rights of our LGBT brothers and sisters nationwide, let us look at the most recent opinion overturning Virginia*s legislated prohibition on same-sex marriage:

*Gay and lesbian individuals share the same capacity as heterosexual individuals to form, preserve and celebrate loving, intimate and lasting relationships. Such relationships are created through the exercise of sacred, personal choices--choices, like the choices made by every other citizen, that must be free from unwarranted government interference.* Bostic v. Rainey, 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 19080 (E.D. Va. Feb. 14, 2014).

While we hold these truths to be self-evident, we must remember that the fight against LGBT discrimination is far from over. More importantly, it cannot be fought alone. At the Gala this year, look around the room of 600+ attendees. It is because of these generous, wonderful, thoughtful, creative people that BALIF is able to advance this fight.

Peter Catalanotti

BALIF Board Outreach Committee Chair

Message from BALIF Board (February 19, 2014)

BALIF Administrator — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 05:19:25 GMT

New clients!

Who doesn't want (or need) more?

In our ongoing effort to address the needs of our membership, BALIF is finally giving some love to a group that has long deserved more attention - our partners and firm owners.

Partners and firm owners have always been the bedrock of the BALIF community. These are the folks that are first to pitch-in when BALIF events need to be staffed. They're always on the front line when it comes to sponsorships, donations, and gift-giving. They're also the go-to contacts for job referrals, resume reviews, and mock interviews that have helped so many of our members find employment.

In appreciation for all that our Partners and firm owners do, Jamie and I created the BALIF PARTNERS EXCHANGE. Our goal was to create a vibrant and thriving LGBT environment that invites networking and an exchange of business among the LGBT community.

We held our inaugural luncheon last week at the San Francisco City Club. We had ten spots - which "sold-out" within hours. Our topic was Business Development: What Works and What Doesn't? We brought together a wonderful and diverse collection of BALIF partners and firm owners - all of whom were interested in generating more clients.

We plan to do this every month - with varying topics, and at different locations. But the basic foundation will be helping each other develop new clients and business. If you're interested in becoming a part of the innovative group, shoot me an email at on.lu@novakdruce.com. We want BALIF to be the source of your next new client.

I look forward to seeing you soon...

On Lu

BALIF Board Co-Chair

Message from BALIF Board (February 11, 2014)

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 05:12:35 GMT

What a whirl-it's that wonderful, busy time of year for BALIF! We've had a rush of events in the past few weeks, and I'd like to thank everyone who came out to our first ever BALIF Law Student "Need for Speed" Networking event this past January 30th! We had a great event, and we could not have done it without the participation of our wonderful BALIF community.

Thanks to everyone who came out for our Sochi Happy Hour co-sponsored by ALRP and supporting Horizons Foundation, an organization helping LGBT Russian refugees. We hope that you'll all join us at the end of February when, we will be Standing Proud at the 2014 BALIF Gala! We hope to see all of you on Friday, February 28 at the Bently Reserve in San Francisco to honor Judge Vaughn Walker and LYRIC, a local LGBTQQ youth organization. Mark your calendars and purchase your individual tickets to the Gala or sponsor BALIF today!

Midori Hirai

Law Student Representative

Message from BALIF Board (February 4, 2014)

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 04:57:43 GMT

The countdown to Standing Proud, the 2014 BALIF Gala, continues - it's only few weeks away! This year's event is on Friday, February 28 at the Bently Reserve in San Francisco. We will be honoring Judge Vaughn Walker and LYRIC, a local LGBTQQ youth organization, for their service and contributions to our community. It's not too late to sponsor BALIF for 2014 or purchase individual tickets to the Gala.

Looking ahead to the spring, elections are coming up for open positions on BALIF's Board of Directors. Each Director holds office for two years, and we invite all BALIF members to nominate themselves or others for open positions. BALIF specifically seeks candidates who will contribute to the diversity of the Board. More information will follow, but in the meantime, please save the dates of April 3 as the deadline for candidate statements, and the evening of April 24 for the annual meeting of BALIF members and the election of new Directors.

See you at the Gala on February 28!

Julie Wilensky

BALIF Secretary & CCBA Committee Chair

Message from BALIF Board (January 28, 2014)

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 04:46:19 GMT

It is hard to believe Standing Proud, the 2014 BALIF Gala, is now only one month away! This year's event will be held on Friday, February 28, 2014 at the Bently Reserve in San Francisco and it will be a night to remember! In addition to the food, drinks, dancing, and festivity that always make the BALIF Gala the best lawyer party of the year, we will be honoring Judge Vaughn Walker and LYRIC, a local LGBTQQ youth organization with awards for their service and contributions to our community.

If you have not already done so, please consider sponsoring BALIF in 2014. Each sponsorship comes with many perks, including complimentary tickets to the Gala. Individual tickets are also available to the Gala on our website. Your sponsorship of BALIF and attendance at our Gala will help BALIF to continue to provide the quality programming and networking opportunities that you've come to expect from the nation's oldest and largest LGBT Bar Association. See you at the Gala!

Best,

John Unruh

BALIF Treasurer & Gala Co-Chair

BALIF honors Jerome Roth and Munger, Tolles & Olson

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 18:42:10 GMT

Last month at the holiday party, BALIF honored Munger, Tolles & Olson as its pro bono counsel. In 2013, Munger Tolles represented BALIF on a pro bono basis in amicus briefs before both the United States Supreme Court and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Munger Tolles authored the briefs, and helped coordinate dozens of other organizations as co-amici with BALIF. BALIF recognized Jerome Roth, partner at Munger Tolles, as lead counsel on each of the amicus briefs for his dedication to BALIF and BALIF’s causes.

Thank you Jerry and Munger Tolles!

BALIF Endorses Therese Stewart for the California Courts of Appeal

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 18:27:58 GMT

BALIF is proud to announce the endorsement of Therese (Terry) Stewart for a position on the California Courts of Appeal. The press release can be found here.

If appointed, Terry, who is currently the Chief Deputy Attorney at the San Francisco City Attorney’s Office, would be the first out lesbian appellate judge in the California state court system. The decision was made by the BALIF Board of Directors after the unanimous recommendation of the BALIF Judiciary Committee based on Terry’s decades of tireless and successful advocacy on behalf of the LGBT community, women, minorities, and other marginalized communities.

“Therese Stewart is an ideal candidate for the California judiciary, and we are pleased and honored to deliver BALIF’s endorsement,” said Elizabeth Pritzker, partner at Pritzker Law in San Francisco and BALIF Judiciary Committee Co-Chair. “Therese will bring to the Courts of Appeal a multitude of strengths: a brilliant legal mind, an exceptional aptitude for solving difficult legal questions, and a great judicial temperament. If successful, her appointment to the appellate court will be a significant legacy for the LGBT community.”

Terry has led a distinguished career as a top litigator, as one of the first female partners at Howard Rice Nemerovski Canady Falk & Rabkin (now Arnold & Porter LLP) in San Francisco, and since 2002, at the City Attorney’s Office. As Chief Deputy Attorney, she was instrumental in securing the rights of same-sex couples to marry, from representing San Francisco when then-Mayor Gavin Newsom first attempted to legalize same-sex marriage in 2004, to winning marriage equality at the California Supreme Court in 2008, and finally successfully challenging Proposition 8 in Federal Court. Terry is a former member of the BALIF Board of Directors and the recipient of the 2013 American Bar Association’s Margaret Brent Women’s Lawyers of Achievement, the highest award for a female attorney in the United States.

Check out Terry’s It Gets Better video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haZgvvw0-8Y

Message from BALIF Board (January 22, 2014)

BALIF Administrator — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 04:39:01 GMT

It's hard to believe that January is almost over! However, there is no shortage of BALIF action and we have some great events coming up on the horizon.

For law students, BALIF is hosting its first ever "Need For Speed" Speed Resume review and Interview Skills workshop January 30th from 6-8pm at Pillsbury-Winthrop. This is a unique, BALIF member-only event just for law students and space is limited! Come get some valuable one-on-one advice on how to answer those tricky interview questions and see where you can improve on your resume, followed up by a reception at the end. To RSVP for this not-to-be-missed event, simply email BALIF at lawstudentrep@balif.org or sign up on the BALIF website at www.balif.org.

BALIF's 34th Annual Gala, Standing Proud, is coming up quickly on February 28th! Sponsors of Standing Proud get complimentary tickets and many other awesome benefits. Contact John Robert Unruh at gala@balif.org or go to the BALIF website at www.balif.org for sponsorship information and how to become more involved. BALIF knows how to throw a party, so don't miss THE gala of 2014!

Dustin Helmer

Law Student Representative

The CWL Rose Bird Memorial Award

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 17:35:45 GMT

CWL is now accepting nominations for the ROSE BIRD MEMORIAL AWARD. This annual award is named for one of CWL's founding members and is given to a jurist from Northern California.

NOMINATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY FEBRUARY 28, 2014.

The candidate should be from the Northern California area and will be evaluated on excellence as a jurist with longstanding or groundbreaking public service and inspiration to women lawyers in California.

The nominations will be reviewed by the Awards Committee and the Board of Governors will announce the recipient of this honor on March 7, 2014. The Award will be presented at the Northern California Judicial Reception to be held in April of 2014. The awardee must be available to attend the reception held in their

The nomination should consist of the following:
A. Nominee's Resume/Bio - Include the nominee's resume or biography.
B. Nominee's Photo - Include a high resolution photograph of the nominee.
C. Supporting Statement - A letter supporting the nominee as a worthy recipient of this honor with a description of the candidate's qualifications for this award.
D. Articles and Letters - To present a comprehensive picture of the nominee, you may include news/magazine articles written by or about the candidate and letters of support from individuals or organizations.

The nomination and supporting materials should be sent to co-chairs of the Awards Committee, Jaimi Groothuis at Jaimi@bermanandmore.com and Amee Mikocich at Amee.Mikacich@sedgwicklaw.com.

As they say in Hollywood, "May the odds be ever in your favor!"

Lambda Legal 2014-2015 Tyron Garner Memorial Fellowship

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 17:12:01 GMT

Lambda Legal is pleased to announce its posting for the 2014-2015 Tyron Garner Memorial Fellowship for African-American LGBT Civil Rights, expanded in 2013 from a summer position to a year-long funded fellowship. Lambda Legal is a national nonprofit organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (“LGBT”) people and those with HIV through impact litigation, education, and public policy work. Founded in 1973 and headquartered in New York City, Lambda Legal has regional offices in Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta and Dallas. The Garner Fellowship is a paid, full-time, year-long legal internship awarded to a recent law graduate to work in any of Lambda Legal’s five offices.

Lambda Legal’s law reform, policy, and education work encompasses a wide range of areas critically important to LGBT people and those living with HIV, such as federal and state constitutional law issues; sexual orientation, gender identity, and HIV discrimination in employment, schools, youth in out-of-home care systems, health care, identity documents, the criminal justice system, and other areas; asylum and immigration policy; and harassment and violence. Lambda Legal has been involved in numerous landmark United States and state Supreme Court cases, including Lawrence v. Texas, Romer v. Evans, Boy Scouts of America v. Dale, University of Alabama v. Garrett, In re Marriage Cases, Varnum v. Brien, Benitez v. North Coast Women’s Care Medical Group, and Brandon v. County of Richardson. For more information about Lambda Legal, visit www.lambdalegal.org.

This fellowship honors the memory of Tyron Garner, one of the men Lambda Legal represented in our groundbreaking Supreme Court victory Lawrence and Garner v. Texas (which struck down all remaining state sodomy laws in the country) and helps expand Lambda Legal’s work in African-American LGBT communities. Tyron Garner died in 2006, after his case vindicated the constitutional right to express sexual intimacy in adult relationships.

The fellowship constitutes one of Lambda Legal’s efforts to increase the diversity of attorneys within the LGBT movement. Through the Garner Fellowship, we seek to encourage and mentor law students dedicated to LGBT issues within African-American communities to become engaged in civil rights work on behalf of LGBT individuals and people living with HIV. The Garner Fellowship will contribute to Lambda Legal’s expansion of our current work to serve more communities of color and address the intersection of LGBT discrimination and racism, sexism, and poverty that affects African-American LGBT communities.

Qualifications and Responsibilities: We are looking for recent law school graduates who have first-hand understanding of the issues that affect communities of color and have demonstrable interest in working with LGBT and HIV issues affecting African-American communities. The Garner Fellow will work with colleagues to:

identify and connect with key African-American leaders and organizations to further inform and guide our efforts to serve African-American LGBT communities;
identify important LGBT and HIV legal issues that affect African-American communities, particularly considering inequities and barriers that disproportionately affect African-American LGBT communities;
identify poverty-, class- and race-related legal issues that particularly affect African-American LGBT communities that Lambda Legal should address;
develop legal resources focused on the specific challenges of people living with HIV in LGBT African-American communities;
develop legal resources focused on the specific challenges LGBTQ youth of color face in school, foster care, shelter and juvenile justice systems.

Compensation: The salary for the Fellowship is $50,000 for the year, and includes health insurance, vacation and other employment benefits. Excellent employer-paid benefits package including medical, dental, life and long-term disability insurance. Generous vacation.

Application: The position is open until filled. The fellowship anticipates an early fall start date, but may be flexible depending upon the successful candidate’s needs. Please send résumé, writing sample, and letter of interest indicating the Lambda Legal office(s) in which the applicant would be interested in working; a description of experience working in African-American communities; a description of interest in addressing LGBT and HIV issues in African-American communities; and particular areas or legal issues of interest relating to the position to:

Amy Shapiro, Legal Administrative Manager
Lambda Legal
120 Wall Street, 19th Floor
New York, New York 10005-3904
Fax: 212-809-0055
ashapiro@lambdalegal.org

Include the words “Tyron Garner Memorial Fellowship” on the first line of the address of the envelope or the subject line of the email transmitting your application materials. Please indicate which of our offices you would consider.

NO CALLS PLEASE. Due to the high volume of applications, Lambda Legal cannot return phone calls about the position and does not notify applicants of status except when an interview is granted.

Lambda Legal is an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, transgender people and people with disabilities, including HIV, are encouraged to apply.

Message from BALIF Board (January 14, 2014)

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 04:27:02 GMT

The new year is in full swing and so is BALIF! The Communications and Membership Committees have reinstated BALIF Buzz to our Newsletter to show off all the great things our members are doing, and the Membership Spotlight on our website to highlight members of our community. If you would like to let our Newsletter readers know about the exciting things happening in your life (i.e. a new job, promotion, new baby, marriage, etc) please write us at membership@balif.org to have it included in BALIFBuzz.

Law students, join us for the BALIF Law Student Speed Networking & Resume Review Event Thursday, January 30th, 2014. Space is limited to the first 40 law student BALIF members who RSVP, so be sure to to let us know as soon as possible if you would like to attend. More information on the event is below.

Standing Proud, BALIF's 34th Annual Gala, is right around the corner on February 28th! Sponsors of Standing Proud get complimentary tickets and many additional benefits. You may contact John Robert Unruh at gala@balif.org or go to the BALIF website at www.balif.org for sponsorship information. We hope to see you there!

Jennifer Orthwein

Communications Chair

Message from BALIF Board (January 7, 2014)

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 00:14:35 GMT

Happy New Year!

We are excited to bring BALIF law students Speed Networking and Resume Review on Thursday, January 30th from 6:00pm - 8:00pm at Pillsbury Winthrop in San Francisco. Please RSVP ASAP as there are limited spots available.

Join the Pride Law Fund for the Gay Ski Bus to Tahoe on January 25th and for its third annual Boat Cruise around the Bay on May 31st. PLF promotes legal rights for LGBT people and people living with HIV, in part, by providing fellowships to law students and new lawyers who are willing to fight for such rights.

The grand jewel of all BALIF events, the Annual Gala, is right around the corner on February 28th. With all the recent legal victories related to Marriage Equality, this year's theme is "Standing Proud."

And if you enjoy events such as the BALIF Gala, the Community Ambassador Committee might be the perfect fit for you. Among other things, Committee members attend the annual Galas and Dinners presented by fellow members of the Minority Bar Coalition. If you are interested, please email me at communityambassador@balif.org.

May 2014 bring you peace, prosperity and happiness.

Edward Joy

Community Ambassador Chair

Message from BALIF Board (December 17, 2013)

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 18 Dec 2013 22:43:40 GMT

Hello BALIF Members and Friends-

Happy Holidays!

As we enter the holiday season, we think about how important it is for all of us to give and support the people and causes we care about so dearly. The Social Action Committee has been a flurry of activity, planning service events for 2014 and continuing our work with the Jewish Community Relations Council, the Horizons Foundation, and the Council for Global Equality to identify and execute initiatives to help improve the lives of our brothers and sisters in Russia.

As the situation in Russia continues to get dire, even in the bright international limelight of the upcoming Sochi Olympics, LGBT Russian civil society needs help. Fortunately, there's something Americans can do: support the Russia Freedom Fund.

There are fewer than 20 paid staff for LGBT groups in Russia in a country of over 140 million people, a depressingly low number for a country of its size. Persecution of LGBT people, especially LGBT community leaders and youth, continues to carry on at a worrying pace. By supporting the Russia Freedom Fund, we have the opportunity to strike back against Putin's grotesque clampdown on civil society and his efforts to single out and demonize a minority group, all for the sake of appearing anti-Western to shore up his power.

We hope that you will join celebrities, athletes, and community leaders with the Uprising of Love campaign to spread the word and support the Fund. If you love social media, than this campaign is tailor-made for you!

Also, if you are interested in helping LGBT immigrants seeking asylum or refugee status in the U.S., especially here in California , please stay tuned for pro bono opportunities and an important announcement from the Horizons Foundation.

We look forward to celebrating 2013 and seeing everyone at the BALIF Holiday Party this Wednesday, December 18 from 5:30 - 9:00pm at Tank 18 wine bar. Please RSVP here!

Jessica Bogo
BALIF Social Action Committee Co-Chair

Message from BALIF Board (December 10, 2013)

BALIF Administrator — Thu, 12 Dec 2013 22:42:05 GMT

BALIF Members and Friends-

As you sift through your holiday party invitations, there is one that you should be sure not to miss. Please join us on Wednesday, December 18, from 5:30- 9:00 pm at the Tank 18 wine bar in Soma for BALIF's annual holiday party. Please RSVP here! BALIF has planned a special event for a truly extraordinary year. In 2013, tens of thousands of Californians entered into same sex marriages that were previously prohibited. For many of our colleagues and friends, a long wait has finally ended. At this year's party, we will both celebrate tremendous advancements in the law that led to these joyous results, and honor BALIF's pro bono counsel at Munger Tolles for its devotion to both BALIF and marriage equality. I hope to see you all there.

Nickolas Kacprowski
BALIF Amicus Chair

Message from BALIF Board (December 4, 2013)

BALIF Administrator — Fri, 06 Dec 2013 22:36:40 GMT

Hello BALIF Members and Friends-

I hope that you all had a nice and relaxing holiday with friends, family, and significant others. I had a lovely day, spending it in Miami with my partner's family stuffing my face full of Cuban-style pork and black beans (for my money, pork beats turkey any day!).

As we kick off the holiday season and the accompanying holiday parties, make sure that December 18 from 5:30 - 9:00 p.m. is blocked off for the best one: BALIF's annual Holiday Party, Wednesday, December 18, from 5:30- 9:00 pm at the hip Tank 18 wine bar in Soma. RSVP on the BALIF website.

We will, of course, be celebrating a momentous year in the advancement of gay rights. We will also be honoring Munger Tolles & Olson LLP with the BALIF Community Service Award for their many contributions to those advancements. It's an event you will not want to miss.

That's it for now - but if you see one of our law school members in the next week or two, be sure to wish them good luck on finals (and buy them a cup of coffee if they look exhausted!).

Nick Clements
BALIF Social Chair

Message from BALIF Board (November 26, 2013)

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 27 Nov 2013 22:32:34 GMT

Hello BALIF Members and Friends-

Union Square resurrected the San Francisco Christmas Tree weeks ago, but for me, this week is the real kick-off to the season. I am sure many weekends were spent planning those Thanksgiving menus, reserving that turkey, or maybe trying to find a last-minute place to consume your mashed potatoes and gravy. I spent my weekend ruminating on just how many brussels sprouts one should plan on 23 people eating, and whether great offense will be taken if the sweet potato casserole evolves into roasted sweet potatoes with a bourbon maple glaze.

This week is a great time to reflect on the year and acknowledge all for which we have to be thankful. DOMA and Prop 8 were huge victories we all carry in our back pockets. We also have marriage equality in more states than ever, most recently adding Illinois to the list. The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) has passed in the U.S. Senate, the first transgender person, Amanda Simpson, has been appointed by President Obama to the administration as a senior technical advisor to the Department of Commerce, and so much more. Take a minute to reflect and be thankful. Baby steps...

As we head into the month of December, I hope you join BALIF at our Holiday Party December 18th at Tank 18. After Christmas, join BALIF at the Castro Theatre to laugh along with us at The Kinsey Sicks.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving and I hope to see you soon!

Lilah Sutphen
BALIF Gala Co-Chair

Message from BALIF Board (November 19, 2013)

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 20 Nov 2013 22:28:21 GMT

BALIF Members and Friends-

The holidays are quickly approaching and BALIF has some awesome events coming up to help you through them. The National Center for Lesbian Rights and BALIF are co-hosting a happy hour mixer at Pause Wine Bar this Thursday, November 21st. Also, the BALIF Holiday Party is just around the corner on Wednesday, December 18th at Tank 18. RSVP here! It will be an event you don't want to miss.

If you missed the FBANC fundraiser benefiting Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda, there are still ways to support the victims. Just visit http://nafconusa.org/ to find out more.

Did you know BALIF has a Twitter account? Follow us to see BALIF news, event info, #ThrowbackThursday posts, and more. If you haven't joined the BALIF Listserv on Google Groups, email me at technology@balif.org and I will make sure you get connected.

Hope to see you soon!

Sincerely,

Jennifer Orthwein
BALIF Technology Chair

Message from BALIF Board (November 12, 2013)

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 13 Nov 2013 22:20:07 GMT

Hello BALIF Members and Friends-

I hope this finds you smiling.

Visiting Hawaii this past weekend, the press coverage of the proposed Hawaii Marriage Equality Act of 2013 was widespread and diverse. When I see and hear other states struggling with LGBT equality issues I often wonder what I, as a San Francisco resident, can do to help.

I think I figured out one small way I can help. I can support my LGBT brothers and sisters right here in the Bay Area (and stop feeling helpless).

As attorneys and law students we are constantly asked for referrals. You all know you can search for BALIF members by name, but did you know you could search by practice area, Law Firm, or Organization?

The next time someone needs a real estate attorney or the next time someone is interviewing at a particular law firm, send them to our Member Directory to see if any BALIF members can help. Or better yet, locate an attorney in the directory that would be a good referral and reach out to them yourself before sending the referral. Strengthening our community here will help strengthen our communities in other states.

Another way you can help is to join me for a casual drink at all of the following:

1. 2013 Minority Bar Coalition Unity Awards Reception Thursday, November 14th at 5:30 at UC Hastings (honoring our own Chelsea Haley Nelson!)

2. BALIF/NCLR Happy Hour on November 21, 2013 at 6:00 at Pause Wine Bar.

3. BALIF's Holiday Party on December 18, 2013 at 5:30 at Tank 18.

Click on the link and click on "Add to my calendar" and you're set.

Thank you!

Peter Catalanotti
BALIF Outreach Chair

Message from BALIF Board (November 5, 2013)

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 06 Nov 2013 22:13:59 GMT

Greetings from the Programs Committee! November is finally here, Thanksgiving is around the corner, and there is much for which to be thankful for!

Please join BALIF and other local minority bar associations next Thursday, November 14th for the 2013 Minority Bar Coalition Unity Awards Reception at UC Hastings. Come celebrate the extraordinary contributions of this year's honorees, including BALIF's very own Chelsea HaleyNelson.

Also, mark your calendar for Thursday, November 21st for BALIF's happy hour mixer with the National Center for Lesbian Rights. The Programs and Social Committees are planning a great evening for mingling with fellow BALIF members and NCLR representatives and supporters.

We hope to see you at both events. Have a great week!

Leah Nutting
BALIF Programs Committee Chair

Message from BALIF Board (October 29, 2013)

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 30 Oct 2013 05:12:26 GMT

Dear BALIF Members and Friends-

Greeting from the Public Relations Committee! We have been keeping busy getting the word out about all the amazing work BALIF members are doing. Last week was an exciting and busy week for BALIF. First, the Judiciary Committee held a kickoff reception for the LGBT Judges Council and Advisors Council. The LGBT Judges Council includes Bay Area active and retired judges who will serve as informal mentors to LGBT attorneys who aspire to join the bench and the Advisors Council includes senior and well-connected LGBT attorneys to build a pipeline for the bench. Several judges spoke at the reception, held at Keker & Van Nest LLP. Kudos to Andrew Vu and Elizabeth Pritzker, Judiciary Committee Co-chairs for a wonderful kickoff event and great work in increasing the LGBT presence on the bench.

The Amicus Committee was also busy, filing amicus curiae briefs Friday in the Hawaii and Nevada Ninth Circuit challenges to those states' marriage bans. A copy of the press release can be found here. Kudos to Nick Kacprowski, Amicus Committee Chair, for leading the charge.

The Social Action Committee helped beautify Glen Park Elementary Sunday and is taking a leadership role in a coalition of organizations mobilizing to help the LGBT crisis in Russia. Kudos to Social Action Committee Co-chairs Jessica Bogo and Dmitri Pikman.

The Conference of California Bar Associations (CCBA) Committee led by Julie Wilensky is working with the CCBA to pursue legislation guaranteeing inmates in California access to prescribed medicines, including hormone maintenance therapy for transgender inmates. A copy of the press release can be found here.

Here on the Public Relations Committee, we are gearing up to expand our social media presence. Email PR@balif.org if you are interested in getting involved in this effort. We are also creating a directory of BALIF members who are experts in their fields to provide to our media contacts. It's a great way to get your name out there, so if you are an expert in your field and want to be included, email PR@balif.org.

Denise Bergin
Public Relations Committee Chair

Press Release: BALIF Amicus Brief in Nevada and Hawaii Marriage Equality Cases

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 30 Oct 2013 04:03:50 GMT

For immediate release: Please contact Nick Kacprowski BALIF Board Member & Amicus Committee Chair (415) 439-1989, amicus@balif.org

Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom Files Amicus Brief in Nevada and Hawaii Marriage Equality Cases

Brief argues civil unions are inherently unequal and unconstitutional

OCT. 25, 2013 – San Francisco – Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom (BALIF) filed an amicus curiae brief today with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals supporting the right of same-sex couples in Nevada and Hawaii to marry. A three-judge panel from the court will hear Jackson v. Abercrombie, on appeal from the District of Hawaii, and Sevcik v. Sandoval, on appeal from the District of Nevada, with the oral argument schedule to be set.

“The Nevada and Hawaii cases are critically important, because they will likely be the first time a federal court of appeals evaluates a state same sex marriage ban in the wake of the Perry and Windsor decisions,” said Nickolas Kacprowski, partner at Kirkland & Ellis in San Francisco and chair of BALIF’s Amicus Committee, referring to the historic decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court in June of this year upholding marriage equality in California and extending federal benefits to legally married same-sex couples. “The cases in Nevada and Hawaii will be key precedents in the effort to attain marriage equality in all 50 states, and therefore the need to achieve a favorable outcome before the Ninth Circuit cannot be overstated.”

The brief argues that the bans on same-sex marriage in Nevada and Hawaii stigmatize gay men and lesbians and their families, expose them to increased discrimination, and deprive them of benefits enjoyed by their heterosexual counterparts in violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Notably, the availability of civil unions (in Hawaii) or domestic partnerships (in Nevada) for same-sex couples does not cure the marriage bans’ constitutional deficiencies, but creates impermissible state-sponsored separation of a disfavored class.

More than thirty other civil rights groups joined BALIF on the brief, with pro bono support from the law firm of Munger, Tolles, & Olsen. Jerome C. Roth and Nicole S. Phillis of Munger, Tolles, & Olsen led the effort.

Click here to view the Press Release as a PDF

###

About BALIF

Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom (BALIF) is the nation’s oldest and largest bar association of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgendered persons in the field of law. Founded in 1980, BALIF represents its members’ interests in the wider San Francisco Bay Area. BALIF members and supporters include San Francisco Bay Area judges, lawyers, law students and legal workers.

Press Release: BALIF Pursues Legislation to Guarantee Hormone Therapy Maintenance for Transgender Inmates

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 30 Oct 2013 03:38:59 GMT

For immediate release: Please contact

Julie Wilensky BALIF Board Member & BALIF’s Conference of California Bar Associations Committee Chair

(510) 839-6824 ccba@balif.org

Jennifer Orthwein BALIF Board Member technology@balif.org

Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom Pursues Legislation to Guarantee Hormone Therapy Maintenance for Transgender Inmates

Resolutions Approved by Conference of California Bar Associations; Effort Moves to Sacramento

OCT. 29, 2013 - San Francisco – Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom (BALIF) is pushing for legislation to require county and city jails and state prisons in California to provide prescribed medicines, including hormone therapies, to inmates, which would significantly protect the rights of transgender inmates. Two BALIF-sponsored resolutions on this topic were approved by the Conference of California Bar Associations (CCBA) at the CCBA’s annual conference of delegates held October 11-13, 2013. One of the core missions of the CCBA is to help the resolutions approved by the Conference become law. In 2013, sixteen CCBA-sponsored or supported resolutions were approved by the California Legislature and became law.

"We are excited to have the support of so many local bar associations on this important issue,” said Elizabeth Pritzker, BALIF board member and CCBA delegate. “In the coming months, we are committed to working with CCBA's lobbyist, as well as with fellow supporters and our local State legislators, to bring this to the California Legislature, testify at legislative hearings, and get a bill enacted into law."

If enacted into law, BALIF’s resolutions will significantly increase access to medical care for transgender inmates, for whom there are no policies or regulations at the city and local level to guide correctional and medical personnel for proper evaluation, assessment, and provision of medical care, and who often encounter extreme bias and misunderstanding by correctional and

medical staff. The proposals will also provide an enforcement mechanism for failure to provide adequate medical care, which currently does not exist at the state or local level.

Access to appropriate medical care, including hormones, is necessary to prevent serious medical problems for transgender individuals in prisons and jails. “For transgender individuals, depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation and attempts, and self-injurious behavior such as cutting and auto-castration are just some of the physical and mental health risks associated with not being able to access adequate and appropriate medical care. These problems are exacerbated as a result of withdrawal from the hormones,” explained Jennifer Orthwein, BALIF board member and pro bono attorney for the Transgender Law Center. “Resistance to providing prescribed hormones often revolves around the belief that treatments for gender identity disorder and gender dysphoria are still experimental. However, we are increasingly seeing this argument fail as hormone treatment has become a widely accepted form of treatment for gender identity disorder and gender dysphoria.”

Click here to view the Press Release as a PDF

###

About BALIF

Message from BALIF Board (October 15, 2013)

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 16:09:30 GMT

BALIF Members and Friends-

Calling all those eager to improve the lives of others! The Social Action Committee is in high gear, with two exciting initiatives launching his month. And please welcome Dmitri Pikman of ALRP: our new co-chair of the Social Action Committee!

First, we're excited to announce our Fall BALIF Service Day at Glen Park Elementary from 10am - 2pm on October 26, 2013. BALIF will be assisting GPE along with other community members in their grounds beautification project, planting trees, installing an irrigation system, and amending soil. This a great opportunity to help the community, soak up some sunshine, and enjoy the company of great people. Click HERE to register!

We're also excited to announce BALIF's campaign to assist with the LGBT crisis in Russia. Led by Dmitri and Stan Sarkisov, BALIF is working in cooperation with multiple groups across the country including the Jewish Community Relations Council and the Council for Global Equality to identify and execute initiatives to help improve the lives of our brothers and sisters in Russia. The campaign is designed to be holistic-addressing more pressing concerns with the upcoming Olympics and with immigration possibilities and also identify and execute programs to assist with long-term improvement. If you are interested in assisting with this effort, please email Dmitri at dmitri@alrp.org.

Jessica Bogo
BALIF Social Action Committee Co-Chair

Are you an expert in your field? Get your name in BALIF's new Expert Directory and get quoted!

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 08 Oct 2013 17:47:09 GMT

BALIF members are experts in almost every legal specialization from antitrust to family law and we want to leverage our extensive media contacts list to raise the profiles of our experts. When a journalist needs an expert on securities law, prison law, employment law, or whatever your specialization is, she'll call you for that quote.

If you want to be included in the BALIF Expert Directory,
please send a short email with the following to PR@balif.org:

Name, title and place of business

Fields and/or sub-fields you are an expert in (E.g., Employment and ERISA)

No more than 500 words on what makes you an expert: specific work experience, length of experience, published articles or books, and speaking appearances related to your topic.
Please reply only if you can truly be considered an expert in your field; general guidelines are at least 7-10 years of practice and/or additional qualifications that separate you from other attorneys.

Message from BALIF Board (October 8, 2013)

BALIF Administrator — Mon, 07 Oct 2013 17:08:32 GMT

BALIF Board Members and Friends-

BALIF Judiciary 2.0 launched !

In this first week of October, as the justices of the United States Supreme Court begin a new term, we are excited to announce that BALIF has kicked off a very ambitious work plan for BALIF's Judiciary Committee this coming year. Our Judiciary Committee has long served as a key endorsement mechanism for LGBT candidates seeking positions on the federal and state judiciary. The Committee's new work plan is to supplement these efforts with a series of new initiatives that are designed to identify qualified LGBT judicial candidates, and to support and groom those candidates for successful appointment to the bench.

The Judiciary Committee had quite a busy summer. We reformulated the Committee's goals and work plan for the year; recruited a brand new committee, bringing on a total of 17 committee members, and establishing 10 subcommittees spearheaded by the committee.

The Committee's new strategic goals for the year are: establish ties with the Minority Bars Judiciary Committees to share intelligence and efforts regarding judicial appointments; establish connections to other CA state, out of state, and national LGBT judiciary committees regarding judicial appointments of LGBT candidates; establish connection to the Governor's Office; work to place LGBT / BALIF members on Bay Area county judiciary committees such as BASF Judiciary Committee; Alameda Judiciary Committee; San Mateo, Santa Clara; establish an LGBT Judges Council to advise our Committee and mentor our judicial candidates; establish an Advisors Council composed of senior LGBT attorneys from our community to build a pipeline and mentor our community for the bench; kick off a summit of LGBT Judges in the Bay Area, Advisors Council, and LGBT judiciary committees; revisit the feasibility of the BALIF plebiscite while continuing the important work of the BALIF endorsement process; and establish a Media Plan & Campaign for awareness of LGBT Judiciary issues.

In an effort to bring attention to the need for more LGBT diversification in judicial appointments, in July, BALIF and AABA co-sponsored a historic -- "Shattering the Judicial LGBT Glass Ceiling" Event, at Orrick featuring out LGBT jurists: Justice Rives Kistler (Oregon Supreme Court); Justice Sabrina McKenna (Hawaii Supreme Court); Justice Barbara Lenk (Massachusetts Supreme Court); and Magistrate Judge Donna Ryu (N.D. California). We had over 100 attendees at the standing room only event.

It's going to be quite an ambitious and busy upcoming year!

Andrew Vu & Elizabeth Pritzker
BALIF Judiciary Committee Co-Chairs

Message from BALIF Board (October 1, 2013)

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 02 Oct 2013 17:06:21 GMT

Hello BALIF Members and Friends-

I hope everyone is enjoying the fall sunshine - I'm thrilled that it's finally the season for root beer floats.

In committee news, BALIF's California Conference of Bar Associations (CCBA) Committee is gearing up to represent BALIF next week at this year's conference in San Jose. BALIF is sponsoring several proposed resolutions seeking to amend the California Penal Code to require medical providers in prisons and jails to provide appropriate medical treatment to transgender inmates. If you'll be in San Jose on October 11, please join BALIF's delegation and other CCBA delegates in kicking off the conference LGBT-ish style with a happy hour at Brix Nightclub.

Don't forget to mark your calendars for BALIF's October events. Meet and greet your fellow BALIF members at happy hour on October 10, at Osha Thai in SF's Financial District. On Saturday, October 26, BALIF members will join other members of the community to beautify Glen Park Elementary. As we say in my home state of Minnesota : Come With!

Julie Wilensky
BALIF Secretary & CCBA Committee Chair

Message from BALIF Board (September 24, 2013)

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 25 Sep 2013 17:36:46 GMT

BALIF Members and Friends-

Fall is officially here, which means (mostly) warm days in San Francisco, the Folsom and Castro Street fairs, and the work of the 2014 Gala Committee begins! I am honored to be co-chairing this committee for the third year in a row. Our first committee meeting is this Thursday where we will begin planning the event's theme, awardees, and one totally amazing party. We promise next year's event will be a night to remember with amazing food, drinks, dancing, and a few surprises. So, reserve Friday, February 28th, 2014 on your calendar for BALIF! The Gala will be here before we know it.

In the meantime, please check out the many exciting upcoming events sponsored by BALIF and our allied organizations listed in this newsletter. Have a great week and I hope to see you soon.

John Robert Unruh
BALIF Gala Committee Co-Chair, Treasurer

Message from BALIF Board (September 17, 2013)

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 17 Sep 2013 17:34:36 GMT

It was great to see so many of BALIF's female (and male) members at the Give 'em L! LGBT Salon & Talk-Show last Thursday. The speakers were engaging, the views of our new Bay Bridge in the backdrop were stunning, and the two rooms filled with BALIF women were vibrant throughout the evening. Thank you for all who attended. I hope you enjoyed the event as much as I did!

With the change of seasons we are going to help change the look of our local Glen Park Elementary school. Mark your calendars to join us on October 26, 2013 to help give the school a new face, meet other BALIF members and members of the community, and pay-it-forward to our community.

Enjoy the warm weather, treat yourself to a scoop (or two) at one of San Francisco's iconic ice cream shops, and have a great week!

Lilah Sutphen
BALIF Gala Committee Co-Chair

BALIF’s Inaugural LGBT Ladies Salon

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 17 Sep 2013 16:06:49 GMT

San Francisco, Sept. 13, 2013 – On Sept. 12, over sixty women came out to see an all-female panel of legal luminaries including Therese Stewart, chief deputy attorney at the San Francisco City Attorneys Office, in BALIF’s first ever LGBT Ladies Salon. The event was hosted and co-sponsored by Novak Druce Connolly Bove + Quigg LLP.

The participants focused their discussion on decisions that arose from this year’s Supreme Court term. Stewart related her personal experiences litigating on behalf of San Francisco in the fight for marriage equality starting from San Francisco’s issuing of marriage licenses in 2004 to the Supreme Court’s June decision in Hollingsworth v. Perry upholding the invalidation of Proposition 8.

Other featured speakers included Theodora Lee, attorney and shareholder at Littler Mendelson; Ilona Turner, legal director of the Transgender Law Center; and Pamela Fulmer, partner at Novak Druce and early contributor to the marriage equality litigation. Leah Nutting, programs committee chair at BALIF, moderated. In addition to Perry, the participants discussed the impact of decisions related to the Defense of Marriage Act and employment law.

The Bar Association of San Francsico (BASF) LGBT Equality Committee served as the other co-sponsor of the inaugural event.

Message from BALIF Board (September 10, 2013)

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 11 Sep 2013 17:22:09 GMT

Hello BALIF Members and Friends-

It has been quite a summer! I've had so much fun seeing all the pictures and receiving the announcements from my friends about their "official" weddings. My wife and I went to San Francisco City Hall to make it official a few weeks ago and I have to say, despite being Domestic Partners for 2 years, it really does feel different to be married.

We got a lot of great feedback last week regarding the first BALIF "Connections" Mentorship Happy Hour. If you couldn't make it, there is still an opportunity to become a mentor or mentee. Please email Mario younglawyers@balif.org to let him know you are interested.

This week, we have an exciting event led by an amazing panel of legal wonder women. Please join us Thursday, September 12th from 6pm-8pm at Novak Druce Connolly Bove + Quigg LLP for Give 'em L! LGBT Salon and Talk Show- Supreme Court Edition. It will be a great opportunity to network and learn more about the key decisions that have launched our movement forward. I hope to see you there!

Have a great week!

Jennifer Orthwein
Chair, BALIF Communications and Technology Committee

Message from BALIF Board (September 3, 2013)

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 04 Sep 2013 17:12:44 GMT

Hi BALIF Members and Friends-

This month's premier event is BALIF's first ever LGBT Ladies Salon & Talk-Show - Supreme Court Edition. (Gentlemen welcome.) Featured guests include Therese Stewart, Chief Deputy City Attorney at the San Francisco City Attorneys Office, Ilona Turner, Legal Director of the Transgender Law Center, Theodora Lee, Attorney and Shareholder at Littler Mendelson and more! Tired of stale panels and connection-less networking events? Come try something different. Give 'em L! will take place on Thursday, September 12, 2013.

On another note, if you love Galas and other grand events, then BALIF's Community Ambassador Committee is right for you. Through ticket swaps with other minority bar associations, Committee members attend other minority bar association's grand events as BALIF's representatives. Lined up for this month alone are the Korean American Bar Association of Northern California's 30th Anniversary Gala and the Women Lawyers of Alameda County's Annual Judges Dinner. If you are interested in joining the Community Ambassador Committee, please contact Edward Joy at communityambassador@balif.org.

Have a Great Week!

Edward Joy
BALIF Community Ambassador Committee Chair

P.S. Looking forward to seeing all you mentors and mentees to be this Thursday September 5, 2013 at BALIF's first "Connections" Mentorship Happy Hour from 6pm-8pm at the Lookout!"

Message from BALIF Board (August 27, 2013)

BALIF Administrator — Thu, 29 Aug 2013 04:33:57 GMT

Dear BALIF Members and Friends,

A Big Thanks to all of the BALIF members who came out to welcome the 2013 Lavender Law attendees at 111 Minna last Thursday! Special thanks to Nick Clements for organizing and Seyfarth Shaw LLP for co-sponsoring this event! A good time was had by all!

Mark your calendars for the upcoming BALIF / BASF LGBT Women's Networking Event on September 12, 2013 at Novak Druce Connolly Bove + Quigg. It is going to be AMAZING!

Finally, BALIF is working on a response to the recent draconian anti-gay "propaganda" laws passed in Russia . Any and all ideas on how BALIF should respond on behalf of our members are welcome. Please email OUTreach@balif.org

Have a great week.

Pete Catalanotti
BALIF Outreach Committee Chair

Message from BALIF Board (August 20, 2013)

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 21 Aug 2013 18:10:19 GMT

Hello BALIF Members and Friends-

I'm going to keep this short and sweet, since this week is going to be BUSY.

Lavender Law 2013: Celebrating 25 Years, is happening this week at the Marriott Marquis Hotel. From the career fair to the featured speakers to the more than 50 workshops to the Gala Dinner, this year's Lav Law will be nothing less than phenomenal! More information can be found here. Of particular note is our Lavender Law welcome reception, co-hosted with Seyfarth Shaw LLP, this coming Thursday (August 22, 2013) at 111 Minna Gallery at 8:00 p.m. Drinks and hors d'oeuvres will be served. Come join us!

Of course, I would be remiss if I did not promote the BALIF "Connections" Mentorship Program. More information can be found below. If you're interested in either becoming a mentor or are seeking mentorship, or just want more information, please email me at younglawyers@balif.org.

Have a good week and see you at Lav Law!

Mario Choi
BALIF Young Lawyers& Law Student Programs Committee Chair

Join BALIF's California Conference of Bar Associations Committee!

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 20 Aug 2013 21:33:16 GMT

Do you want to help shape California 's laws? Join BALIF's California Conference of Bar Associations (CCBA) Committee. Each year, BALIF sends a delegation to the California Conference of Bar Associations, a group of attorneys from local, specialty, and minority bar associations across the state that are focused on improving California's laws. BALIF's CCBA Committee reviews and determines BALIF's position on resolutions that are debated at the Conference. This year, the Conference will be in San Jose from October 11-13, 2013.

BALIF's representation and participation at the Conference are crucial to ensure visibility of the LGBT legal community at the statewide level and to bring LGBT issues before the Conference. Last year, BALIF sponsored resolutions to ensure that transgender people in jails and prisons receive appropriate medical treatment.

If you want to weigh in on this year's proposed resolutions and/or join BALIF's delegation to the Conference, please email Julie Wilensky at ccba@balif.org by August 23, 2013.

Message from BALIF Board (August 13, 2013)

BALIF Administrator — Thu, 15 Aug 2013 04:26:36 GMT

Hi BALIF Members and Friends-

Thank you for all that came out to the super awesome kickball event this weekend. We had a blast and we hope to do another one in the near future!

I hope that all of you are getting pumped about Lavender Law which is being held here in beautiful San Francisco August 22-24! We are seeking last minute donations from firms or attorneys so if you want to give please contact balif@balif.org or lawstudentrep@balif.org for more information. For those firms and attorneys who have donated - Thank you!!! Your generosity is greatly appreciated. BALIF wants to send as many law students as possible to take advantage of the great opportunities Lavender Law has to offer.

Finally, BALIF is seeking mentors and mentees for our annual BALIF "Connections" Mentorship program. We are looking for attorneys willing to volunteer their time to become a mentor for law students and baby attorneys looking to find their way through the legal profession. Going through the mentorship program myself, I found the experience incredibly meaningful professionally and personally. If you are interested in being a mentor or a mentee, please contact Mario Choi (my illustrious mentor) at younglawyers@balif.org.

I hope you all have a fantastic week. And a warm welcome back to our law students!

Dustin Helmer
BALIF Law Student Representative

Message from BALIF Board (August 6, 2013)

BALIF Administrator — Thu, 08 Aug 2013 04:33:22 GMT

Dear BALIF Members and Friends-

I don’t know about you but I can’t believe how quickly this summer has passed me by (perhaps it’s because it is overcast, cold and windy in San Francisco while the rest of the country is burning up?). With all that is upcoming in August though, I doubt things will seem to slow down any time soon. Two major events for LGBT lawyers will be taking place in San Francisco in the next three weeks - the ABA litigators conference on August 9-11 and the 25th annual Lavender Law conference on August 22-24. In conjunction with the ABA conference, on August 9, 2013 Navigant Consulting is sponsoring an LGBT Reception at Bisou French Bistro, 2367 Market Street, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. BALIF is also co-hosting a Lavender Law welcome reception with Seyfarth Shaw LLP on August 22, 2013 at 111 Minna Gallery at 8:00 p.m. Drinks and hors d'oeuvres will be served. All BALIF members are welcome to join both events.

Not to be left out, there are activities and opportunities in August for law students and young lawyers as well. For law students seeking cost assistance with Lavender Law registrations fees, please reach out to Law Student Representatives Dustin Helmer and Midori Hirai for more information (or if you’re an established lawyer and would like to sponsor a law student’s registration fees, likewise reach out to the Law School Representatives). Additionally, on August 10 from 1-3 p.m., Law Students are invited to play in a Law Student kick ball game at the Eureka Valley Recreation Center in San Francisco. Drink specials to follow the game at Hi Tops in the Castro. Contact Dustin Helmer for more information.

I hope everyone has a wonderful week!

Nick Clements
BALIF Social Committee Chair

Nominations Now Being Accepted for 2014 Barristers Club Board of Directors

BALIF Administrator — Thu, 01 Aug 2013 08:39:21 GMT

The Barristers Club Board of Directors is accepting applications for 2014. Directors determine the club's mission and set policy and procedures to fulfill the club's mission.

Directors supervise and facilitate Barristers Club activities by serving as liaisons to Barristers Sections and Committees, and participating on ad hoc committees in connection with major events (e.g., the Judges Reception). Directors represent the Barristers to the legal community and the public.

Candidates must be BASF members who were admitted to the bar on January 1, 2004 or later. The Barristers Club and its board encourage diverse eligible members of BASF to apply for the Barristers board.

To be considered for a nomination, you must submit a personal statement no later than September 3, 2013.
The statement should include your education and legal background, area of practice, your involvement with the Barristers Club, other bar associations, or community service organizations. We encourage you to include any other information that you believe will assist the committee in making an informed decision. Your statement should not exceed 350 words and should not include the names of endorsers. In addition, you may include your resume, if you like.

Submit your statement by email to barristers@sfbar.org.

Message from BALIF Board (July 30, 2013)

BALIF Administrator — Thu, 01 Aug 2013 08:35:11 GMT

Dear BALIF Members and Friends-

As a month of wonderful programming in July comes to a close, BALIF is excited about some unique opportunities arising in August. The stars are aligned this year for LGBT Bay Area attorneys, as San Francisco is hosting both the ABA Annual Convention and Lavender Law. In conjunction with the ABA conference, on August 9, 2013 Navigant Consulting is sponsoring an LGBT Reception at Bisou French Bistro, 2367 Market Street , from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. BALIF members are invited. BALIF is also co-sponsoring a Reception with Seyfarth during the Lavender Law Conference on August 22, 2013 at 111 Minna Gallery. We hope to see you there!

In our excitement about August, we should not forget that there is still some programming to squeeze out of July. This Wednesday, July 31st, we have a panel co-sponsored with JAMS discussing important family law issues - Implications of DOMA and Prop 8 Rulings: The new frontier in same-sex family law and estate planning.

Please have a wonderful week, and I look forward to seeing you soon.

Nick Kacprowski
BALIF Amicus Committee Chair

Congratulations to BALIF Members Recognized by the LGBT Bar as the Best LGBT Lawyers Under 40

BALIF Administrator — Mon, 29 Jul 2013 20:34:02 GMT

Each year, the National LGBT Bar Association recognizes 40 LGBT legal professionals (practicing lawyers, law professors, corporate counsel, members of the judiciary, politicians, etc.) under the age of 40 who have distinguished themselves in their field and have demonstrated a profound commitment to LGBT equality.

BALIF would like to congratulate two of our members for being recognized this year as the Best LGBT Lawyers Under 40.

Brian McDonald
Partner
Jones Day

Scott Willoughby
Senior Corporate Counsel
Clorox

The Best LGBT Lawyers Under 40 Class of 2013 will be presented at the 25th Anniversary Lavender Law Conference & Career Fair, which will be held August 22-24, 2013 in San Francisco , California .

Message from BALIF Board (July 23, 2013)

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 23 Jul 2013 07:33:16 GMT

In the weeks following the Supreme Court's Prop 8 and DOMA decisions, BALIF and our local network of bar associations and legal organizations have been busy providing quality programs that explore the legal, political, and personal implications for the LGBT community.

We were fortunate to partner this July with the American Constitution Society and the BASF's LGBT Equality Committee, enjoying two excellent panels featuring attorneys who are on the front lines of this march for equality. And we have been inspired by the stories from Kristin Perry and Sandra Stier, the plaintiffs in Hollingsworth v. Perry, about the challenges they faced along the way and their newfound, sometimes blissfully mundane, joys of being legally married.

We have even more great programming coming up this month. This Thursday, July 25, we have a seminar for those planning to walk down the aisle, Prenup is not a Dirty Word: Marrying and Registering with Heart and Smarts, and next Wednesday, July 31, we have a panel co-sponsored with JAMS discussing important family law issues,Implications of DOMA and Prop 8 Rulings: The new frontier in same-sex family law and estate planning.

Please come join us for these two timely and important CLE programs, and stay tuned for more great events in August!

Leah Nutting
BALIF Programs Committee Chair

Lavender Law Donations

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 17 Jul 2013 15:44:46 GMT

Hey BALIF members! Did you know that almost half of BALIF membership is made up of law students? And with the National Lavender Law Conference being held in beautiful San Francisco August 22 through 24 - it is BALIF's goal this year to send as many law students to attend this exciting and invaluable event. Unfortunately, due to the high cost of registration, many law students are unable to attend. Therefore, BALIF is seeking the help of our generous members to donate a minimum of $135 (the cost of registration) to help support a law student to attend Lavender Law 2013. This year will be especially electrifying with the demise of DOMA and Prop 8 and we don't want our Bay Area law students to miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

If you are interested in making a donation or want more information about how you or your firm can help sponsor a law student, please email balif@balif.org or lawstudentrep@balif.org.

Message from BALIF Board (July 16, 2013)

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 17 Jul 2013 00:23:00 GMT

Hello BALIF Members & Friends-

Summer is always my favorite time of the year. It stays light later and there are plenty of opportunities after work for an ice cream cone with the kids or a tropical drink with friends.

This summer is particularly sweet for BALIF. I can't stop smiling after our victories in the Supreme Court. There are lots of exciting events coming up. San Francisco will be the venue for the 2013 ABA Convention on August 8-13, and the National LGBT Bar Association's Lavender Law Conference on August 22-24. Both will present opportunities for BALIF members to mingle and network with colleagues from across the country.

And there are two sweet, not-to-be missed, BALIF events this week. On Wednesday, July 17, BALIF is co-sponsoring Marriage in America: Life after Windsor and Perry with BASF's LGBT Equality Committee, to be immediately followed by BASF's annual LGBT Partners and Associates reception. On Thursday, July 18, BALIF is co-sponsoring Shattering the LGBT Judicial Glass Ceiling with AABA's LGBT Committee. For registration information, see the newsletter below.

I hope to see you both nights! And enjoy the summer.

Jamie Dupree
BALIF Co-Chair

Dan Dean Elected to State Bar Board of Trustees

BALIF Administrator — Mon, 15 Jul 2013 17:45:34 GMT

BALIF would like to congratulate Dan Dean!

Attorney Daniel Dean of San Francisco was elected today to serve a three-year term on the State Bar Board of Trustees.
Dean, was elected by attorneys in District 1, which covers Alameda, Contra Costa, Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Solano, and Sonoma counties. Dean is a civil trial attorney with Fotouhi Epps Hillger Gilroy Mau PC in San Francisco, representing both plaintiffs and defendants in personal injury, employment, medical malpractice, construction defect, business litigation and other matters.

Dean has served with a number of community and legal groups including as a board member and co-chairman of the Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom, as co-chairman of the Minority Bar Coalition, and as a board member of the Bar Association of San Francisco. He is currently on the board of his alma mater, the University of San Francisco School of Law, and serves as a judge pro tem with San Francisco County Superior Court in its traffic and small claims departments.

Click here to view the press release.

Message from BALIF Board (July 10, 2013)

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 09 Jul 2013 15:36:19 GMT

BALIF Members and Friends-

Since our Prop 8/DOMA victories, I haven't been able to stop humming the tune to "Winds of Change"...

Take me to the magic of the moment
On a glory night
Where the children of tomorrow dream away
in the wind of change

This Scorpions' classic is from 1991. I was a sophomore in college back then, and vividly recall how the lyrics of this song celebrated German reunification, the end of the Cold War, and the fall of communism in Eastern Europe .

The "Winds of Change" have been blowing in the Bay Area as well. Everywhere I turn, I see our BALIF brothers and sisters standing prouder, wiser, and more forcefully - because together, we survived (and won) a decade-long war for marriage equality in our state. Our attorneys are advancing up the law firm ladders, and getting promoted through the corporate and government ranks. Our in-house counsel members are becoming decision-makers. We're remembering the need for LGBT judges, and redoubling our efforts to recruit. We're helping our law students and young attorneys gets jobs and become more qualified candidates. We're finally standing-up for our long-neglected transgender family, and putting an exclamation mark behind our female members (!).

The BALIF Board has been busy laying plans for our 2013-14 year. We can't wait to unveil what's coming, and we're so, so glad you're along for the ride.

BTW: Here's a link to the music video if you're so inclined: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4RjJKxsamQ

Looking forward to greeting you soon,

On Lu
BALIF Board Co-Chair

Message from BALIF Board (July 2, 2013)

BALIF Administrator — Mon, 01 Jul 2013 07:40:29 GMT

Hello BALIF Members and Friends-

It was a spectacular end to the month of June, with the Windsor and Perry decisions, the BALIF/Jones Day Pride Parade Breakfast and Pride Parade, and this short work week (well, at least for some of us)! As Edith Windsor said: "We won and got everything we hoped for." Indeed we have!

But, as they say, with power comes responsibility. And that means we in the community need to step up. What can you do for the community, you ask? One way is through mentoring! BALIF's "Connections" Mentorship Program is just that. Look below for more information.

Have a safe and happy Independence Day!

Mario Choi,
Young Lawyers and Law Students Programs Committee Chair

BALIF's Statements on Prop. 8 & DOMA

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 26 Jun 2013 21:29:54 GMT

For immediate release:
Please contact Edward Joy
BALIF Board Member & Community Ambassador
415-608-6727, communityambassador@balif.org

Proposition 8- Click here for a PDF of the Press Release

San Francisco Bay Area's LGBT Bar Association Overjoyed at Supreme Court Decision
BALIF joined by 22 minority bar associations

June 26, 2013 - San Francisco, California - Today, the U.S. Supreme Court held in Hollingsworth v. Perry that the proponents of Proposition 8 had no standing to assert their position, thus leaving in place the decision of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, holding that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional as applied to California. Proposition 8 is now dead, and same-sex couples will be free to marry in California. Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom (BALIF), the San Francisco Bay Area's LGBT Bar Association, is overjoyed at this result.

Today's decision finally terminates a long struggle in California for BALIF and other proponents of marriage equality. BALIF has been committed to overturning Proposition 8 since it was first passed by California voters in 2008, and has participated in the marriage equality fight in virtually every stage of the litigation. BALIF filed an amicus brief in the 2007 California Supreme Court case that declared the prohibition of same-sex marriage a violation of the California Constitution as it then existed. When Prop 8 amended the California Constitution to prohibit same-sex marriage and the Hollingsworth v. Perry case was filed to challenge it, BALIF again took an active role in every battle. BALIF filed an amicus brief when the case was in the district court, an amicus brief in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and finally an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court.

In addition to its actions in court, hundreds of BALIF's members have marched, protested, donated, and lobbied throughout the course of this campaign. We note, however, that the struggle for marriage equality is not over. The Court's decision today means that although same-sex marriage will be permitted in California, our brothers and sisters in the vast majority of other states will still be denied this fundamental right. BALIF will do all it can to help remedy this injustice through judicial, legislative, or electoral means. According to Edward Joy, BALIF Board Member and Community Ambassador, "The Supreme Court came down on the right side of history today. And we have no doubt that marriage equality will ultimately be the law of the land throughout the country, whether through the ballot box or through the courts."

BALIF recognizes that although the cause of marriage equality has been central to its mission as an organization over the past decade, we have received tremendous support from our fellow minority bar associations. They have supported us not necessarily because marriage equality is central to their own missions, but because they support the cause of equality for all. BALIF acknowledges and thanks these organizations who have supported marriage equality, and in many cases joined in BALIF amicus briefs throughout this process.

DOMA- Click here for a PDF of the Press Release

San Francisco Bay Area's LGBT Bar Association is Thrilled with Supreme Court Decision
BALIF joined by 22 minority bar associations

June 26, 2013 - San Francisco, California - Today the United State's Supreme Court affirmed the Second Circuit Court of Appeals' opinion in United States v. Windsor, holding that "the principal purpose and the necessary effect of [DOMA] are to demean those persons who are in a lawful same-sex marriage." Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom (BALIF), the San Francisco Bay Area's LGBT Bar Association, is thrilled at this result. Today's decision has far-reaching implications. The Defense of Marriage Act ("DOMA") is now considered unconstitutional in all of its malevolent aspects, from immigration, to federal benefits, to taxation. Federal law will no longer refuse to recognize marriages valid under state law on the sole basis that those marriages are between partners of the same sex.

BALIF has long been involved in the legal movement to overturn DOMA. BALIF filed an amicus brief in a sister case challenging DOMA in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, Golinski v. United States Office of Personnel Management. BALIF also joined an amicus brief as a party in the United States v. Windsor U.S. Supreme Court proceedings. BALIF applauds today's decision on DOMA along with the additional rights and respect it affords same-sex couples and LGBT Americans. The DOMA decision coupled with the U.S. Supreme Court's decision on Proposition 8, means that same-sex California couples now have the right to full marriage equality at both the state and federal level. According to Edward Joy, BALIF Board Member and Community Ambassador, "The Supreme Court came down on the right side of history today. And we have no doubt that marriage equality will ultimately be the law of the land throughout the country, whether through the ballot box or through the courts."

BALIF recognizes that although this cause has been central to its mission as an organization over the past decade, we have received tremendous support from our fellow minority bar associations. They have supported us not necessarily because marriage equality is central to their own missions, but because they support the cause of equality for all. BALIF acknowledges and thanks these organizations who have supported marriage equality, and in many cases joined in BALIF amicus briefs throughout this process.

These organizations join in BALIF's statement today celebrating today's decision.

BALIF, the Bay Area's LGBT Bar Association

Joined by:

Alameda County Bar Association

Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Bay Area

Asian American Prosecutors Association

Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Silicon Valley

Black Women Lawyers Association of Northern California

California Minority Counsel Program

California Women Lawyers Association

Charles Houston Bar Association

Co-Chair of East Bay Diversity Bar Coalition, Toni Mims-Cochran

Co-Chairs of Minority Bar Coalition, Lily Wong, Alberto Rosas, David Wei & Mala Sahai

East Bay La Raza Lawyers Association

Filipino Bar Association of Northern California

Iranian American Bar Association

Korean American Bar Association of Northern California

Queen's Bench Bar Association

San Francisco La Raza Lawyers Association

San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association's Diversity Committee

Santa Clara County Black Lawyers Association, by Aileen F. Casanave, President

Santa Clara County La Raza Lawyers Association

South Asian Bar Association of Northern California

Vietnamese American Bar Association of Northern California

Women Lawyers of Alameda County

JOIN BALIF TODAY IN THE CASTRO - DAY OF DECISION

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 26 Jun 2013 15:54:44 GMT

BALIF members interested in joining the Day of Decision rally should meet BALIF at the corner of 18th and Market Streets. Look for the BALIF Banner!

When: June 26th, 2013 at 6:30 pm

Where: Corner of 18th and Castro Streets (@ BALIF Banner)

Message from BALIF Board (June 25, 2013)

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 26 Jun 2013 06:22:04 GMT

Hello BALIF Family & Friends-

As we patiently await the Prop 8 and DOMA decisions tomorrow, the BALIF Board of Directors has been reviewing all the hard work of our members and celebrating the coalitions we have built along the way. It has filled us all with a great sense of pride. Once the decisions are announced, look for BALIF's statement, which will recap BALIF's and our supportive coalitions' contributions toward marriage equality.

However SCOTUS decides these two momentous cases, there is still a lot of work to do to achieve full equality under the law and in the eyes of our fellow Americans and the world. Where do you see the LGBT civil rights movement in 5 or 10 years? Where do you think we should spend our time, energy and money? How will you contribute?

Pride week is in full swing and we look forward to seeing many of you at the festivities. Please check out http://balif.org/events for a full list of our events. Don't forget to join BALIF and Jones Day for the 5th Annual Pride Breakfast Celebration this Sunday before you head out to the Pride Parade.

Happy Pride everyone! Let's make it another one to remember!

Jennifer Orthwein
BALIF Communications & Public Relations Chair

Up Your Alley & Folsom Street Fair Volunteers Needed!

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 26 Jun 2013 06:20:15 GMT

The Transgender Law Center is proud to be one of the partners selected by the Folsom Street Fair to provide volunteers for the Folsom Street Fair and its baby brother, Up Your Alley.

To be a success, TLC needs BALIF members' help. TLC needs BALIF to step up and be a volunteer. It's easy, it's fun, and you'll still have plenty of time to enjoy the fair.

All you have to do is go to a brief orientation meeting, and then show up and work a shift. A variety of volunteer tasks are available. You'll meet terrific people and have fun while at the same time helping Transgender Law Center become a strong, solid partner of the Folsom Street Fair.

Up Your Alley is on July 28th and the Folsom Street Fair is September 29th. More information can be found here: http://folsomstreetfair. org/fair-faq.php

Please let Trans Law Center Board Member Shawn Demmons (shawn.demmons@gmail.com) know ASAP if you can volunteer for either event. TLC needs you, BALIF members!

Message from BALIF Board (June 18, 2013)

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 05:21:06 GMT

Dear BALIF Members and Friends-

Happy Pride! We are gearing up for SCOTUS's big decisions this week or next. For me, and perhaps many of us, waiting for the U.S. Supreme Court's decisions on DOMA and Prop 8 has been akin to patiently waiting to learn if I passed the Bar exam. The future is uncertain and all possibilities must be considered. At BALIF, we are preparing for every scenario with a keen eye on the future of the LGBT movement. Whatever SCOTUS's decision, this year's Pride will be one for the history books!

Please join BALIF and Jones Day on June 30th for our 5th Annual Pride Breakfast Celebration. Come and enjoy great food, drinks, and fun before you head out to watch the Pride Parade. Also, don't miss the Real T-Party, a Trans March Fundraiser at Asia SF this Thursday, June 20th. We look forward to seeing you all out and about for Pride and the upcoming Day of Decision events!

Jennifer Orthwein
BALIF Communications & Public Relations Chair

Message from BALIF Co-Chairs (June 10, 2013)

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 05:09:24 GMT

Dear BALIF Members and Friends,

I have just returned from my niece's high school graduation where her principal challenged the graduates to decide what their legacy was going to be. It's a good question to ask ourselves now and then - what will our legacy be?

BALIF's legacy is already partially known, but continues to evolve as our committed board and talented members continue to support the cause of LGBT equality. We know BALIF has worked to support diversity and equality for all through drafting amicus briefs, conducting community and educational activities, successfully mentoring hundreds if not thousands of lawyers, helping LGBT lawyers reach the bench, and providing a myriad of venues and events for LGBT lawyers and allies to network. In short, BALIF is making and continues to make a difference for the LGBT legal community and our broader society.

So what will your legacy be?

Jamie Dupree
BALIF Co-Chair

Message from BALIF Co-Chairs (June 4, 2013)

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 04:48:06 GMT

Happy Pride month! And what a month ahead we have! In addition to all of the wonderful festivities celebrating our community, the Supreme Court will issue its rulings in the DOMA and Prop 8 cases by month's end. The impact of these decisions will be enormous on our community. We are keeping our fingers crossed for a total victory in both cases and express our gratitude to the many lawyers who have worked so hard for all of us on them.

While we wait for the rulings, be sure to mark your calendar for the BALIF/Jones Day Pride Parade Breakfast on Sunday, June 30, 2013 from 8:30-10:30. This is a family friendly event and always a wonderful time before the SF Pride Parade.

In addition, be sure to review this week's newsletter about some of the other amazing events coming up this month including the June 11 "Being Out and In-House in 2013: Perspectives of LGBT In-House Counsel" panel and reception and the June 13 National LGBT Bar Association's Out & Proud Corporate Counsel Award Reception honoring BALIF Board Member Andrew Vu, Senior Associate Counsel of Walmart Global eCommerce.

We hope to see you there!

Jamie Dupree
BALIF Board Co-Chair

Message from BALIF Co-Chairs (May 29, 2013)

BALIF Administrator — Thu, 30 May 2013 23:45:03 GMT

Hello BALIF Members and Friends,

In our last Co-Chair Statement, I bid a fond adieu to Co-Chair Chelsea HaleyNelson. In this week's Statement, I'm delighted to introduce you to our newly elected female Co-Chair -- the incomparable Jamie Dupree.

When I tapped Jamie to sign a Release and Waiver for her "It Gets Better" video, she wanted to make sure BALIF wouldn't use her name and likeness to "sell toothpaste or something like that." Right then, I knew we would be friends. BTW: See her amazing story here.

To me, "James" is friend, confidante, leader, drinking buddy, visionary, witty goofball, ex-cheerleader, and make-it-happen executor all rolled into one. (Did I mention that she's also hilarious?)

Jamie has served as BALIF's Gala Co-Chair for the past two years, and has been responsible for securing sponsorships from the dozens of law firms that support BALIF and our Gala. She's also been an amazing cheerleader for the numerous other events that BALIF puts on. Last year, Jamie offered to buy tickets for every law students interested in attending the Lesbian Comedy Night! Jamie's goals as BALIF Co-Chair this year are laser focused. She's getting our 501(c)(3) non-profit organization status off the ground. And she's jumpstarting networking opportunities to help BALIF members become rainmakers.

Here are some other interesting tidbits about Jamie that you might not know.
Married Patty Frontiera in October 2008, just before the Prop 8 election, after 12-years of bliss
Proud mommy to Jonah (7) and Zachary (4 1/2).
Two favorite things in the world: (1) spending time with her boys; and (2) having a break from spending time with her boys.
Until she gave birth, the hardest thing she had ever done was hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back out.
Has traveled to Legoland each of the past three years.
Founded her own firm in August 1998.
Favorite obsession - finding a larger house in Piedmont, or renovating current house.
Want to know more about Jamie? Read her "What I've Learned" article here.

Welcome, Jamie. We're so, so proud and privileged to have you onboard!

On Lu
BALIF Board Co-Chair

Message from BALIF Co-Chairs (May 15, 2013)

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 15 May 2013 22:41:02 GMT

Hello BALIF Members and Friends,

Sssshhhhhh! My Co-Chair, Chelsea "Chels" HaleyNelson, doesn't know this is being written about her, so don't spill the beans...

It's never easy saying good-bye to a Board Member -- especially when she has devoted FIVE years to the BALIF Board (with two of those as Co-Chair), and has had such tremendous impact...

I've known Chels for more than a decade. We sat next to each other in several classes as 1Ls at USF, and quickly became friends. One of my fondest memories was sneaking around campus with Chelsea incognito, as we papered the school with anti-JAG flyers in protest to military recruiting efforts forced on our campus (less we lose government funding). What a duo we made. And what a privilege and a pleasure it has been to serve as Co-Chair with her over the past year.

I'm a witness to the umpteen hours Chelsea has lovingly poured into our 33-year old organization. I especially appreciate that she's a make-it-happen leader who not only builds consensus, but is also every Board Member's biggest cheerleader. Chelsea benchmarked our Outreach Committee years ago, and has served as BALIF's "Secretary of State" to the Bay Area's 30+ sister bar organizations ever since. She will also be fondly remembered for her very moving "It Gets Better" Video. Former BALIF Co-Chairs know that leading our Board can be like herding cats. And Chelsea does it tirelessly, consistently, and always with a smile. And this is all in addition to her own thriving private practice (which focuses on immigration removal defense), and her generous pro bono work on LGBT asylum cases and worksite enforcement raids.

If you get a moment, you might want to shoot Chelsea a quick note of thanks! Click here!

@Chels: I and the entire BALIF Board will miss you. But we understand that Lonnie needs her wife, and Esme needs her mommy. Nevertheless, we better be seeing you at BALIF events; don't force us to come to the East Bay to drag you out... ;)

On Lu
BALIF Co-Chair

Message from BALIF Co-Chairs (May 8, 2013)

BALIF Administrator — Thu, 09 May 2013 04:37:02 GMT

Dear BALIF Members & Friends,

Wow! We didn't think we could laugh as hard as we did last night! More than 115 BALIF members and friends attended our second annual Comedy Night at the Punchline. Suzanne Westenhoefer delivered a fierce and hilarious performance that blew us away!

Afterward, about 25 VIP ticket holders got the chance to meet, and get personal with, the comedienne.

We want to thank Queens Bench again for co-sponsoring this event for the past 2 years. And we thank our members for letting BALIF be a part of your date night!

We hope to see you soon,

Chelsea E. HaleyNelson & On Lu
BALIF Co-Chairs

Message from BALIF Co-Chairs (April 30, 2013)

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 23:35:29 GMT

Hello BALIF Members and Friends,

It's Date Night!

Come laugh with BALIF this next Tuesday, May 7th, at our Lesbian Comedy Night with the fearless and hilarious Suzanne Westenhoefer. All you wonderful, witty women of BALIF - it is time to put on your best, bring your date, partner, friends and male cohorts to share a bite, a drink and a chuckle with us!

Tickets are going fast, so make sure to get yours now! Click here.

We will see you there!
Chelsea E. HaleyNelson & On Lu
BALIF Co-Chairs

Message from BALIF Co-Chairs (April 23, 2013)

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 04:34:28 GMT

Thank you to everyone who voted in BALIF's recent elections! We had incredible participation and a great turnout at our annual meeting this past week! Congratulations to newly-elected Board members: Jennifer Orthwein, Jennifer Wilensky, Jessica Bogo, Leah Nutting, Midori Hirai, Edward Joy, Andrew Vu and Dustin Helmer. We also welcome back re-elected Board members: Jamie Dupree, Lilah Sutphen, John Unruh, and Mario Choi. They will join continuing Board members On Lu, Laurie Bertolacci, Elizabeth Prtizker, Nick Kacprowski, Peter Catalanotti, and Nicholas Clements. We will be introducing the BALIF Board to you in the coming weeks, so stay stuned!

We also want to thank our departing BALIF superstars: Laura Maechtlen, David Nathan-Allen Sims, Susan Bluer, Michael Wolchansky, and our law student representatives, Nathan Bewley, Aditi Fruitwala and Milo Beitman. Thank you for your years of dedication and commitment to the Board and to BALIF! I, too, will be leaving the Board after 5 years. I have truly enjoyed being a part of such a dynamic and creative Board. Thank you!

Now its time to laugh! Do not miss BALIF's 2nd Annual Lesbian Comedy Night on May 7th at the Punchline with the first-ever openly gay stand-up comic, Suzanne Westenhoefer! Tickets are on sale now by clicking here, but going fast! Bring a group and laugh with the ladies of BALIF and Queen's Bench.

We hope to see all of you there!

Chelsea E. HaleyNelson & On Lu
BALIF Co-Chairs

Message from BALIF Co-Chairs (April 16, 2013)

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 16:31:41 GMT

Hello BALIF Members and Friends,

Our message is short and simple this week - make sure you vote TODAY for the BALIF Board! Electronic voting is available today only until 3 p.m., After you've cast your vote, join us at the Sausage Factory to meet and congratulate the new, incoming BALIF Board Members.

Good luck to all of the candidates! We will see you tonight!

Chelsea E. HaleyNelson and On Lu
BALIF Board Co-Chairs

Report Back from the Prop 8 Oral Arguments

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 21:35:26 GMT

From BALIF Member David Monroe:

I went to D.C. to sit in on the oral arguments. I am a lawyer admitted to the US Supreme Court, so I had a better than average chance to get inside and sit at "ground zero", so to speak, of the current status of gay legal rights in America.

I arrived in D.C. at 1:00 a.m. Monday morning from San Fran, went to my bed and breakfast, changed into my suit, and went straight to the Court, arriving at 2:30 a.m. It was about 36 degrees, chilly but bearable. I was 51st in line, good enough to get into the courtroom that day. We got into the building about 8:30. I was inside the courtroom for Prop 8 (2nd row center - nice!).

For DOMA the next day, I slept some, but still went to the court around 3:00 a.m. Wednesday. I did not get into the courtroom, between the lawyers paying for "Place Holders" to get the first 50 spots (a practice I detest, and will write to the Supreme Court marshals objecting to, as the use of "Place Holders" is not allowed in D.C. for congressional hearings, etc.) and the VIPs (many U.S. House of Representatives were there, including Nancy Pelosi, who did not have to stand in line), so I was in the lawyer's lounge for DOMA (where I could hear the arguments, but not see the proceedings).

My take on the Prop 8 - DOMA arguments in the US Supreme Court:

We still have work to do to educate the intelligent elite about the nature of gay people and the effects of discriminatory laws and language in society. They do not understand the oppressive effect of being denied equal treatment. They see us still as objects, not people.

The lady Supreme Court justices understand our position - not surprising, rising from the ranks of women, who have also been mistreated by the white rich straight men in America who think they rule the world, and experiencing the humiliation of being treated as "less than" - something most rich white men in America rarely experience. It was clear to me the white men on the Supreme Court did not understand what it is like to be discriminated against - they dismissed it as a passing discomfort, rather than the denigrating humiliation that it is.

On of the best points made by "our side" was the attorney arguing DOMA for the plaintiff, Edith Windsor, in response to Roberts' argument that we must now have extensive political power (and therefore do not deserve protection as a class), she pointed out that no other minority in history had been subjected to over 30 public referendums on whether we had rights, and we have lost 28 out of 30 times, indicating we do not have political power.

So we should continue to educate the straight world - make our movies, to reach those who do not have gay friends: but more focus on our humanity, rather than flaunting our sexuality. My goal - to make one feature film in the next two years that shows the effects of discrimination on people across the board, including my gay brothers and sisters.

I saw Rob Reiner in the hallway before the Prop 8 arguments, and did congratulate him for helping us get this far. Rob helped finance the underpinnings for the Prop 8 case and was there in the courthouse for the arguments.

Opinions are expected in June. My prediction: Prop 8 falls in California, but gay marriage is not addressed in other states; and DOMA Section 3 falls, leaving gay married couples in states that recognize gay marriage on equal footing with other married coupes. We will see.

And the journey continues...
Waiting for the Prop 8 arguments, like at 4:00 a.m. Tuesday morning - then I was interviewed on TV by the local SF affiliate (my roommate sent me a pic of my mug on his TV back at home that was broadcast that same morning, while I was still standing in line!) - and waiting outside shivering for the DOMA arguments (no pics are allowed inside the building); and after the DOMA arguments, the crowds outside...

Message from BALIF Co-Chairs (April 9, 2013)

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 21:27:50 GMT

Hello BALIF Members and Friends,

The numbers from Saturday's Career & Networking Expo surprised even us...

200+ young lawyers and law students came for the half-day event.
35+ practice area tables staffed by dozens of BALIF members.
15 employers hiring for 30+ positions for laterals, first-years, and interns.
Standing room only at the "Power Networking" and "Legal Spectrum" panels.
Resume review sessions - every slot filled.
Mock interviews - every slot filled.
Sedgwick networking mixer - 100+ attendees; complimentary champagne was finished within 30-minutes

Best of all -- BALIF members are already interviewing for some of the open positions. Keep us updated if you land a position as a result of the Expo!

Thank you to all the BALIF members that took time out of their Saturdays to staff tables, conduct mock interviews, speak on panes, and to provide advice to job seekers. And a special thanks to Katie Carlson - BALIF's Administrator - for her wonderful work in setting up the venue.

This week - don't forget to vote for your 2013-14 BALIF Board. Voting lasts for only ONE WEEK and closes next Tuesday (4/16). Your vote matters in selecting the men and women who will lead BALIF this year. More info below.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

On Lu & Chelsea HaleyNelson
BALIF Co-Chairs

Message from BALIF Co-Chairs (March 25, 2013)

BALIF Administrator — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 20:24:54 GMT

Hello BALIF Members and Friends,

At a recent BALIF networking event, I had the following exchange with a young lawyer ("YL"):

YL: I was told to come to this networking event. Who are you?

oN: My name is On Lu. Pleased to meet you.

YL: Do you do anything with this group? What does it do any way?

oN: Sure. I try to stay involved. BALIF represents the interest of LGBT legal professionals in the Bay Area, and...

YL: Well, since this is a networking event, is your firm hiring?

oN: Yes, we are for...

YL: How much do you pay?

oN: Well...

YL: So what does your firm do any way?

oN: We're an IP litigation boutique...

YL: Can I give you my resume to give to your boss?

I put down my martini and pulled YL aside. We had a nice chat about the right ways (and the wrong ways) to network. YL explained that he came from a top tiered law school that didn't teach its students how to network. This made me think about the job process that so many of our members are undergoing right now, and whether there was anything BALIF could do to better equip them. What resulted is BALIF's 2013 Career and Networking Expo - scheduled for Saturday, April 6. Our goal is simple - to help our members GET JOBS. More than anything, the Expo is designed to be practical. We want our members to walk-away from this event with information they can put to use immediately. Read more about the Expo below, and how this event will empower your job search. As of this morning, TEN employers (and counting) will be hiring for laterals, young attorneys, and law students at the Expo. For those on the job search, there is no wiser use of four hours on a Saturday afternoon.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Chelsea HaleyNelson & On Lu
BALIF Co-Chairs

Message from BALIF Co-Chairs (March 20, 2013)

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 23:38:25 GMT

Hello BALIF Members and Friends,

Wow...what a party! This past Friday, BALIF hosted our 33rd Annual Dinner and Awards Gala at the Bentley Reserve. Nearly 700 attended, including BALIF's 2013 sponsors, judges, elected officials, BALIF members and our community allies. Congratulations again to BALIF's 2013 Awardees: the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund (Community Service Award), AIDS Legal Referral Panel (Legal Service Award), and Stanford Law School's OUTlaw (Law Student Association of the Year).

After the Gala, the celebration continued with more than 100 people at the BALIF After Party at the Lookout. Thank you to BALIF's Gala Co-Chairs, Jamie Dupree and John Unruh, the Gala Committee, and BALIF's administrator, Katie Carlson, for their considerable hard work in making this year's Gala Simply Fabulous! And thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate. You looked amazing! See photos from BALIF's Red Carpet, the VIP reception and the Gala here!

Did you have a great time at the Gala? Then consider joining the BALIF Board that makes the magic happen.

BALIF will be electing new Board members at our annual meeting on April 16, 2013 at the Sausage Factory. Nominations are due by March 29, 2013. Complete details regarding BALIF elections can be found below, or feel free to contact BALIF's Secretary, Laura Maechtlen with any questions.

We look forward to seeing you all again very soon!

Chelsea HaleyNelson & On Lu
BALIF Co-Chairs

Message from BALIF Co-Chairs (March 12, 2013)

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 17:19:52 GMT

Hello BALIF Members and Friends,

We'll keep it short and simple this week - don't dare miss the BALIF's 33rd Annual Gala on Friday at the Bently Reserve! If you need reasons to come, check out our Top Five list below.

We hope to see you there!

Chelsea HaleyNelson & On Lu
BALIF Co-Chairs

Congratulations to BALIF Member David Tsai

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 04:35:31 GMT

Perkins Coie's David Tsai has been recognized by the Daily Journal
as one of the top "Five Associates to Watch" in California. David's profile, which appeared in the February 27 special section that included the Top 20 Under 40 attorneys in California, focused on his intellectual property experience and his work in the Taipei office.

David is a great asset to the Perkins Coie San Francisco office and we are extremely pleased that his hard work, dedication to community service and extraordinary business development skills have been recognized.

Please join Perkins Coie in congratulating David on this prestigious and well deserved recognition!

Message from BALIF Co-Chairs (March 4, 2013)

BALIF Administrator — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 23:16:52 GMT

Hello BALIF Members and Friends,

Its tax time - typically a dreaded time of year, but now even more so for California domestic partners and married same-sex couples. That is why you do not want to miss tomorrow's FREE Tax Seminar specifically for Registered Domestic Partners & Same-Sex Married Couples presented by California State Controller John Chiang, and cosponsored by BALIF and San Francisco Supervisor Scott Wiener. Details for this event are below, and on BALIF's website. RSVP here.

And when you're done learning all you can about taxes, join us in the South Bay for this month's Happy Hour - Friday, March 8th at the Patio in Palo Alto. RSVP here.

We hope to see you soon!

Chelsea HaleyNelson & On Lu
BALIF Co-Chairs

Today, BALIF filed an amicus brief in the Proposition 8 case!

BALIF Administrator — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 07:36:21 GMT

Today, BALIF filed its amicus brief in the Proposition 8 case currently pending before the U.S. Supreme Court. BALIF brought together nearly 60 organizations as amici, including minority bar associations in California, non-LGBT local bar associations throughout the country, and national and local non-profit organizations. Among the list of amici are various LGBT-bar associations nationwide, including from Florida, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, and Tennessee, non-LGBT bar associations, and organizations such as BASF, NAPABA, the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, TLC, and the Marin County Bar Association.

Click here to read the Windsor case (DOMA), a brief that BALIF was invited to join as co-amicus.

Click here to read the Perry case (Prop 8), a brief that BALIF coordinated as the lead amicus on behalf of approximately 60 other organizations.

Kudos and thank you to our very hardworking Amicus Committee chair, Nick Kacprowski and the entire BALIF Amicus Committee. What you do makes us proud to be a part of BALIF! We also want to thank Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP for representing BALIF in this important effort.

Message from BALIF Co-Chairs (February 26, 2013)

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 07:30:47 GMT

Hello BALIF Members and Friends,

Here's a historic opportunity that doesn't come along often...

Come to an intimate meet & greet this Wednesday night with recently appointed Justice Jim Humes - the First Openly Gay Justice on the California Court of Appeal.

San Francisco resident Jim Humes was appointed by Governor Jerry Brown as an Associate Justice to the First District Court of Appeal, Division Four. Prior to his appointment, he had served as Governor Brown's Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs, Administration and Policy since 2011, and also worked with Governor Brown as Attorney General. (Click here to read his full biography.) Justice Hume's partner, Joseph Quinn, is a partner at Hanson Bridgett and specializes in complex litigation, writs and appeals.

Details for this very special, BALIF Members-Only event are below. Please make sure to RSVP here.

We hope to see you soon,

On Lu & Chelsea HaleyNelson
BALIF Co-Chairs

Message from BALIF Co-Chairs (February 20, 2013)

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 07:30:01 GMT

Hello BALIF Members and Friends,

Our Amicus Committee has been busy. This next week, BALIF will be filing an amicus brief in the Proposition 8 case currently pending before the U.S. Supreme Court. BALIF has brought together nearly 60 partners in the brief who consist of minority bar associations in California and other non-LGBT local bar associations throughout the country. Among our list of anticipated amici partners are various LGBT-bar associations nationwide, including from Florida, Colorado, Kansas, Minnesota and Tennessee, and non-LGBT bar associations and legal groups like BASF, KABANC, TLC and LGLA.

Kudos and thank you to our very hardworking Amicus Committee chair, Nick Kacprowski and the entire BALIF Amicus Committee. What you do makes us proud to be a part of BALIF! We also want to thank Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP for representing BALIF in this important effort.

Come celebrate all of the fantastic work that BALIF does at our Annual Gala on March 15, 2013. Click here to purchase tickets. It is not too late to become a BALIF sponsor and to receive complimentary tickets to the Gala. To find out more, or to become a sponsor, please contact BALIF's Gala Co-Chair, Jamie Dupree.

We hope to see you soon,

Chelsea HaleyNelson and oN Lu
BALIF Co-Chairs

Message from BALIF Co-Chairs (February 13, 2013)

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 19:51:37 GMT

Hello BALIF Members and Friends,

We hope you're as excited as we are about BALIF's 33rd Annual Dinner and Awards Gala - "Simply Fabulous!"

But we also need your help....

BALIF is more than just fabulous happy hours and networking receptions. The money we raise is channeled to significant work in our community, such as law student scholarships, job search assistance and LGBT recruiting, mentoring programs, free CLE classes, Amicus briefs on LGBT issues, and so much more.

Please consider having your firm or organization sponsor BALIF. Sponsorships begin at $1,500. At that level, you get five tickets to the Gala, and some wonderful publicity for your firm, including ¼ page ad and priority recognition in the Gala program. Your firm will also be named as a sponsor in the BALIF newsletter and on the BALIF website for the entire year. And you of course receive an ecstatic "thank you" from our LGBT legal community. Sponsors at higher levels receive even more Gala tickets and additional benefits.

The ad deadline to make the Gala program is Feb. 15 (with a drop-dead date of Feb. 22). To become a BALIF sponsor, or for more information, please contact Gala Co-Chair Jamie Dupree at JDupree@fddcm.com.

As always, we look forward to seeing you soon...

On Lu & Chelsea HaleyNelson
BALIF Co-Chairs

Message from BALIF Co-Chairs (February 5, 2013)

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 13:53:35 GMT

Hello BALIF Members and Friends,

Happy post- Superbowl weekend! No matter who you were cheering for in this game, we can all walk away proud that the winning team has such a strong, vocal Marriage Equality advocate as Baltimore Ravens' linebacker, Brendon Ayanbadejo. "People from all walks of life, including gay and lesbian couples, want their children to be in stable homes and protected under the law. That's why I support marriage for gay and lesbian couples who want to make a lifetime commitment to each other." Thank you, Brendon.

We want you to join us, today, Tuesday, February 5th, at the Lookout for our monthly Happy Hour with a twist - Plus One. This time we are encouraging you to bring someone new. One of BALIF's more ambitious goals is increasing our membership to 1K because the more members we have, the stronger our voice as an organization! We have challenged you, our BALIF members, to refer your friends, colleagues, family members, etc, in the legal field who are LGBT to join BALIF. The person who refers the most new members (10 or more) will receive 4 Gala VIP tickets! Click here for details! Let the competition begin!

Speaking of BALIF's 33rd Annual Dinner and Awards Gala--Simply Fabulous - it is time to start planning your outfits and making sure that you or your firm have your sponsorship finalized. Annual sponsorships include complementary tickets to Gala, BALIF's largest annual event with more than 600 attendees, including lawyers, judges, lawmakers, legal professionals, students, and in-house counsel. Don't miss it! To become a sponsor, or for more information, please contact Jamie Dupree, our Gala Co-Chair at JDupree@fddcm.com.

See you soon,

Chelsea HaleyNelson & On Lu
BALIF Co-Chairs

Looking for a BALIF Liaison to the SFPD Chief's LGBT Community Advisory Forum

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 14:56:22 GMT

BALIF's OUTreach Committee is looking for a BALIF member or two to act as its liaison to the SFPD Chief's LGBT Community Advisory Forum. More info can be found here (http://www.facebook.com/SanFranciscoLgbtForum/info). This task would require attending a monthly meeting and reporting back to BALIF. If interested, please email outreach@balif.org Thank you!

For Those Who Like A Challenge.....

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 06:32:49 GMT

(And who doesn't??) Refer as many members as possible to help BALIF reach - and surpass - its goal of 1,000 members. The more members we have, the stronger our voice! And BALIF's voice needs to be as strong as possible with historic events such as our Amicus Brief in the Prop 8 case on the horizon.

So, to sweeten the deal, we're giving away four (4) Gala Tickets which includes VIP Admission, and public recognition at BALIF's 33rd Annual Dinner and Awards Gala--Simply Fabulous! Event.

The rules are simple: whoever refers the most people to BALIF - and becomes a member - wins! You have from now until Friday, March 8, 2013, to get potential members to sign up on BALIF's website. You must refer a minimum of 10 people. Make sure your referral notes that you referred him/her to membership, or it won't count for you. March 8, 2013 is the deadline!

Message from BALIF Co-Chairs (January 29, 2013)

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 06:30:34 GMT

Message from BALIF Co-Chairs

Hello BALIF Members and Friends,

We've launched our BALIF 1K Membership Contest for those of you with a competitive streak!

Between now and March 8, we're asking for your help to introduce BALIF to your legal professional colleagues. The BALIF legal eagle that refers the most number of people (new members, former members, law students) to join BALIF wins four (4) VIP Admission Tickets to BALIF's 33rd Annual Dinner and Awards Gala - the Simply Fabulous! Event on March 15.

Rules and details follow in the column below. Get that competitive spirit going, BALIF, and bring it on!

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Chelsea HaleyNelson & On Lu
BALIF Co-Chairs

"Class of 2012" Event

BALIF Administrator — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 21:03:50 GMT

What a year so far for BALIF! On Thursday, January 10, 2013 BALIF mixed, mingled and celebrated with our newest members at the "Class of 2012" event at Sens restaurant.

New members are what keep BALIF growing, fresh and what keeps the BALIF network strong - so thank you and welcome! We also want to thank Esquire Deposition Solutions for generously sponsoring the event!

Congratulations Judge Tara Flanagan!

BALIF Administrator — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 20:53:55 GMT

This past Thursday,January 10, 2013 Judge Tara Flanagan took the oath of office to become an Alameda County Superior Court Judge, the 5th openly LGBT person on the Alameda Court. Her induction ceremony at Mills College, which highlighted Tara's varied and impressive career, was not only beautiful and inspiring, but extremely moving. BALIF congratulates Judge Flanagan on her induction to the bench. We are so very proud of her and glad to have been able to share in this important moment in her career.

BALIF's Top 10 for 2012

BALIF Administrator — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 19:00:00 GMT

Looking back on 2012, I'm astonished what our current Board has accomplished over the past eight months; here's our Top 10...

Won the 2012 State Bar Diversity Award (for fighting Prop. 8, "It Gets Better" videos, Connections mentoring program, exploding membership, stimulus package, etc.)
Filed an Amicus Brief in the Golinski case, and invited 11 sister bar associations to sign-on.
Welcomed back 30-years of BALIF alumni with our first-ever "Homecoming".
Endorsed Tara Flanagan's campaign to be become the second out lesbian elected judge in the East Bay (and LGBT Judge #37 of the 1,678 judges in CA).
Raised $8K+ in scholarship money, and created the Novak Druce IP student scholarship to send 11 students to the LavLaw Conference in Washington D.C.
Helped over a dozen BALIF members secure jobs despite the harsh legal climate.
Launched BALIF's Community Volunteer Initiative at the National AIDS Memorial Grove.
Presented BALIF's first ever Corporate Counsel Awards to Andrew Vu and Hilary Ware at our swankin' holiday party.
Jump-started our Connections Mentoring Program with a "speed-mentoring" event that matched 40+ pairs of mentors and mentees.
Added 170 new members in 2012, on our way to our two-year goal of "BALIF 1K" in two years.

Feel free to share this list the next time you're asked "what does BALIF do?" And we're barely getting started, folks - wait until you see what we're planning for 2013...

Remembering a Dear Friend of BALIF's

BALIF Administrator — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 18:38:23 GMT

In loving memory of Mike McLeod, one of the LGBT Center's longest serving team members. We mourn the loss of our pioneering teammate and honor his generous and kind spirit. Mike's leadership and dedication to our community continues to inspire us all!

Superior Court Announced it was Granting Certiorari in Two Gay Marriage Cases

BALIF Administrator — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 16:28:47 GMT

Today the Supreme Court announced it was granting certiorari in two gay marriages cases. United States v. Windsor is a constitutional challenge to DOMA arising from the Second Circuit. Hollingsworth v. Perry is a constitutional challenge to California's Proposition 8 arising out of the Ninth Circuit. Both cases involved circuit court rulings favorable to gay marriage. While BALIF regrets that the Court's grant of certiorari in Perry will further delay marriage equality in California, BALIF is hopeful that the Supreme Court will issue a favorable decision, and looks forward to becoming involved in this case. Similarly, with respect to Windsor, BALIF is hopeful that the Supreme Court will recognize the unconstitutionality of DOMA and is prepared to do its part to further the arguments against DOMA before the Court. Another item of note is that the Supreme Court recognized that there were standing issues with respect to both cases and that it would be addressing those issues, meaning that the Supreme Court may decide these cases in a favorable manner for marriage equality based on standing without addressing the merits.

Come Celebrate the Holidays with BALIF!

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 01:04:28 GMT

BALIF & Navigant Consulting Present:
An Evening of Fashion at Saks!

Join BALIF & BAPHR for an evening of fashion, food, libations and charity at the Saks Fifth Avenue Men's Store!

Thursday, November 29, 2012
6:00-8:00pm
220 Post Street
San Francisco , CA

RSVP Here!
10% of all purchases made at this event will be donated to ALRP

BALIF Holiday Party & Corporate Counsel Award Reception!

Tuesday, December 4, 2012
5:30-9:00pm
Harlot
46 Minna St .
San Francisco , CA

RSVP Here!

BALIF accepts the Diversity Award at the California State Bar Convention in Monterey

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 21:08:15 GMT

This past Saturday, former BALIF Co-Chair, David Tsai, and current BALIF Board Members, Michael Wolchansky and Jamie Dupree, proudly accepted the Diversity Award at the California State Bar Convention in Monterey.

After the award reception, BALIF hosted our own celebratory reception where we were joined by the BALIF Conference of Delegates contingent, other BALIF members and Judge Tara Flanagan!

A Call for Nominations

BALIF Administrator — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 16:28:49 GMT

Every year at its Gala, BALIF honors individuals and organizations who work in the community to effect positive change for LGBT persons through its Community Service Award. BALIF also recognizes the outstanding achievements of lawyers and organizations that have demonstrated a commitment to LGBT equality and that have significantly advanced those causes through their work in the law with its Legal Service Award. Do you know an individual or organization deserving of either of this year's honors? If so, please send your nomination to John Robert Unruh and Jamie Dupree at gala@balif.org.

We look forward to your ideas and inspiration!

Come Celebrate the End of Prop 8 on the Day We Get Good News from the Supreme Court!

BALIF Administrator — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 16:07:27 GMT

We will celebrate the end of Prop 8 on the day we get good news from the U.S. Supreme Court - 5pm to 9pm, Castro & Market in San Francisco.

Description

***WE WILL CELEBRATE THE END OF PROP 8 ON THE DAY WE GET GOOD NEWS FROM THE SUPREME COURT***

TIME: 5PM to 9PM
PLACE: Castro & Market, San Francisco
DATE: On the day the Supreme Court announces its decision if it declines to hear further appeals of the Prop. 8 case.

Click here for more details!

Four Lesbian Bay Area Attorneys Featured in Curve Magazine

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 23:30:00 GMT

BALIF Members Therese Stewart, Sally Elkington, and Kelly Dermody, and BALIF Co-Chair Chelsea HaleyNelson will be featured in the October 2012 issue of Curve magazine. These four attorneys are celebrated as a "constellation of powerful lesbian attorneys" in an article entitled "Law of the Land," by Adam Brinklow. Below is a brief snippet of the article and a link to the full article with photos. BALIF is proud to count these four amazing women among our membership. Congratulations ladies!
Click here for the full article.

Eleven BALIF Law Students Attend Lavender Conference in Washington D.C.

(Past member) — Sat, 15 Sep 2012 00:17:40 GMT

This year BALIF honored eleven Bay Area law students with scholarships to attend Lavender Law, the National LGBT Bar Association's annual conference, this year held in Washington D.C. Prior to the conference, students and attorneys gathered for a scholarship reception generously hosted by Orrick in downtown San Francisco.

(BALIF law students attending the 2012 Lavender Law Scholarship reception held at Orrick’s offices in San Francisco)

The size of the scholarship program this year was possible in large part because of a $5,000 donation from Novak Druce + Quigg LLC, an industry-leading intellectual property firm and long time supporter of BALIF. As a result, BALIF established the Novak Druce Scholarship to recognize one student who has a demonstrated an interest in IP law. We have profiled all of our exceptional honorees below, including Raymond Rollan, recipient of this year’s Novak Druce Scholarship.

	Raymond Rollan is an incoming 2L at the University of San Francisco School of Law. This past summer, he interned at the San Francisco District Attorney's Office and the Sonoma County Public Defender's Office. However, having worked as a paralegal at an Intellectual Property law firm, his primary interest is pursuing a rewarding legal career as a Trademark attorney. Raymond Rollan is the 2012 Novak Druce Scholar.
	Michael O'Rourke is a Bay Area native and 3L at Santa Clara University School of Law. He is interested in health care law and criminal law and currently works as a law clerk at the SF District Attorney Office. In the past, he has served as a law clerk for Judge Christopher R. Bowen and Judge Clare Maier in Contra Costa County.
	Adam Amir is a 1L at the UC Berkeley School of Law. Before law school, Adam was named a Truman Scholar and worked for two years as a policy analyst for Mayor Michael Bloomberg (I-NYC).
	Travis Wimsett is a rising 2L at the UC Berkeley School of Law. He currently serves as Programs Editor of the Berkeley Journal of International Law and is a member of the Berkeley Law Tax Clinic. He spent his 1L summer as a legal intern for The Clorox Company.
	Amanda Hamilton is a 2L at UC Hastings College of the Law. She is the Director of Communications for the Associated Students of UC Hastings and the Publicity Director for OUTLAW. This past summer, Amanda was a law clerk at the Hassell Law Group, a boutique personal injury law firm. At the same time, she was a research assistant at the UCSF/UC Hastings Consortium on Law, Science, and Health Policy, researched nursing home litigation.
	Elizabeth Dooley, Stanford Law School '13, served as Co-President of Stanford OutLaw last year. This summer she worked at Gibson Dunn in San Francisco, and she will be clerking for Judge Wardlaw on the 9th Circuit after graduating in May.
	Alex Hammonds, a 2L in the Honors Lawyering Program at Golden Gate University School of Law, is currently interning at the Public Administrator/Public Guardian of San Francisco. With this position he plans to pursue his passion for Trusts and Estate Planning.
	Phillip Wu, a 3L at the University of San Francisco, is interested in government and corporate law. Because of his interest in food and travel, he cofounded the Food & Law Society Club at USF. Taylor Cashwell, a 2L at UC Hastings, is the External Vice President of OutLaw. He was at Fenwick & West this summer and will return there for his 2L summer. He is interested in pursuing a tech start-up and venture capital practice.
	Lear-la Narvaez is a 3L at the University of San Francisco School of Law. For the past 10 years she has been, and continue to be, actively involved in the LGBT community. She started on of the first student-run LBGT organizations in South Orange County at Saddleback Community College. Today she continues a commitment to LGBT rights through her pursuit of a career in family law at USF.
	John Marks is a 2L at the University of San Francisco School of Law. This summer he studied Alternative Dispute Resolution and EU Human Rights Law at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland and Comparative Law and EU Constitutional Law at Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic. These classes will allow him to pursue his interest in practicing Immigration Law after law school.

Join BALIF’s Gala Committee!

BALIF Administrator — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 23:54:21 GMT

Join BALIF’s Gala Committee and play a part in throwing the most fabulous gay lawyer party in town!

BALIF’s Annual Gala will be on March 15, 2013 at the Bently Reserve. Between now and then we need a few creative, organized, and motivated BALIF members to join the Gala Committee to make it happen. The Gala serves two important functions – it is both a great night out on the town for our members and supporters, and it is the mechanism through which BALIF raises the majority of funds it uses to support its other activities, ranging from mentoring programs, amicus briefs, happy hours and other social events, community outreach, scholarships, and supporting gay and gay-friendly members of the judiciary.

Intrigued? Contact Gala Co-Chairs Jamie Dupree and John Robert Unruh at gala@balif.org for more information. We’d love to hear your ideas. And be sure to put March 15, 2013 on your calendar for the-can’t-be-missed BALIF Annual Gala!

Novak Druce Announced as $5K Sponsor of BALIF Lavender Law Scholarship Fund

(Past member) — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 19:42:43 GMT

Recipients and Donors to be Honored on August 21^st at Reception Hosted and Sponsored by Orrick LLP

Novak Druce + Quigg LLC an industry-leading intellectual property firm with strong ties to the Bay Area, recently jump-started the 2012 BALIF Lavender Law Scholarship Fund with a $5,000 donation. The scholarship program is dedicated to sending Bay Area law students to the National LGBT Bar Association’s annual conference and career fair. Lavender Law 2012 will be held in Washington D.C. between August 24 and 26. Thanks to the generous support of Novak Druce, BALIF will be able to sponsor at least six scholarship recipients to attend Lavender Law. One student will receive special recognition as the Novak Druce Scholar. This scholarship will be awarded to a BALIF law student who has demonstrated an interest in intellectual property law.

Novak Druce + Quigg LLC is a firm at the forefront of intellectual property law with offices in Houston, San Francisco, Silicon Valley, Washington D.C., and West Palm Beach. Novak Druce was named to the 2012 National Law Journal’s Midsize Hot List and recently welcomed Executive Partner, Donald J. Quigg, a former Deputy Commissioner of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. In addition to an impressive legal portfolio, Novak Druce consistently contributes within its community. Novak Druce + Quigg LLP recently sponsored and hosted the GLINTA (an association of LGBT trademark professionals) Celebration at the International Trademark Association’s annual meeting in Washington D.C. In San Francisco, the firm is a Partner Level Sponsor of BALIF (the oldest and largest LGBT bar association in the world.)

The scholarship fund has received additional support from many BALIF attorneys:

Todd Norris
Bullivant Houser Bailey PC

Dennis Raglin
Sedgwick

Jamie Dupree
Futterman Dupree Dodd Croley Maier LLP

Laura Maechtlen
Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Nicolas Kacprowski
Kirkland & Ellis LLP

Peter Catalanotti
Manning & Kass, Ellrod, Ramirez, Trester LLP

Boone Callaway
Law Offices of Callaway & Wolf

Jane Kahn
Rosen, Bien, Galvan & Grunfeld LLP

BALIF continues its search for additional sponsors, all of whom will be honored at a very special reception being hosted and sponsored by Orrick on August 21^st. Information on how to become a sponsor is available at balif.org or by contacting the BALIF Board at lawstudentrep@balif.org

BALIF Wins 2012 State Bar Diversity Award

BALIF Administrator — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 09:03:38 GMT

We won the prestigious State Bar of California Diversity Award in the bar association category. The award recognizes the outstanding efforts made by a bar association, law firm or an individual attorney in promoting diversity in the legal profession. Recent winners in the bar association category include the Alameda County Bar Association, Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Bay Area, and the Lesbian & Gay Lawyers of LA. More details about the award and a list of former winners can be found here.

BALIF submitted ten-pages of nomination materials to the State Bar summarizing all of the important work we’ve been doing over the past few years, including:

Fought Prop. 8 through rallys, marches, fundraising, education, donations, and filing of Amicus Briefs.
Exploded membership growth -- from 400 to 700 in the past two years.
Launched the monumental BALIF “It Gets Better” Campaign to fight against the alarming rise in suicides among LGBT youth.
Collaborated in the election of Judge Victoria Kolakowski and other efforts to promote diversity on the bench and in local political office.
Jumpstarted the “Connections” LGBT mentorship program to included 40+ pairings.
Raised $150,000+ at annual Gala to support BALIF’s various programs and scholarships.
Donated thousands of dollars in scholarship money to law students engaged in public interest work.
Increased community outreach and co-sponsorship of special events and volunteer projects with sister bar organizations and the Minority Bar Coalition.
Created the “BALIF Stimulus Package” for non-working LGBT attorneys, consisting of free membership, internal job site, and networking events.
Overhauled website to include an events calendar, internal job site, and searchable attorney profiles.
Provided LGBT-related MCLE training for Bay Area legal professionals.

To see BALIF’s complete nomination materials, click below.
BALIF Nomination Form.pdf

BALIF nomination ltr.pdf

BALIF Supporting Packet for State Bar Diversity Award FINAL.pdf

Congratulations to the 2011-2012 BALIF Board for all of the blood, sweat, and tears invested. And to all of our members who take such pride in this organization - BALIF is only as strong as our members. We owe special thanks to former Board member Spencer Jones for coordinating our application, and to Emi Gusukuma (AABA President) for nominating BALIF for this award.

BALIF challenges Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) by filing Amicus Brief in Golinski 9th Circuit Case

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 08:55:44 GMT

Hello BALIF Members and Friends,

As you may know, BALIF joined the fight to challenge the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and filed our Amicus Brief in the Golinski 9th Circuit case this past Tuesday. For this week’s Co-Chair Statement, we celebrate the incredible men and women that made this effort happen…

BALIF’s effort was led by Board Member Nick Kacprowski. Nick is a litigation partner in Kirkland & Ellis LLP's SF office. His practice focuses primarily on complex commercial litigation. He has served as trial counsel in trials in both state and federal court and before arbitration panels.

BALIF Amicus Committee member Leah Nutting Leah reviewed multiple drafts and conducted research for the brief. Leah is a contract attorney at Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP’s SF office, where her practice includes patent litigation, antitrust litigation, and SEC investigations. Leah is also a member of the American Constitution Society's Bay Area Lawyer Chapter.

Board Member Peter Catalanotti led BALIF’s outreach efforts to our sister bar organizations. Pete specializes in professional indemnity insurance defense. From 2009 – 2011, Pete was named a "Super Lawyer Rising Star" by Law & Politics Magazine. As a result of Pete’s efforts, 11 other bar associations joined BALIF’s Amicus Brief, including Bar Association of San Francisco, Alameda County Bar Association, and Santa Clara County Bar Association.

The Amicus Brief was drafted by Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Kirkland ’s team consists of litigation partner Jason Parish (DC) and litigation associates Shireen Barday (NY) and Andrew Welz (DC). Jason, Shireen, and Andrew all share a strong commitment to pro bono work. Jason was a member of the Kirkland team that was honored in 2010 by the D.C. Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights with an Outstanding Achievement Award for work in fair housing. Summer associates Steve Hagenbuch ( University of Chicago ) and Jennifer Berman ( University of Pennsylvania ) provided invaluable assistance with research and drafting. And legal assistants Ken Sturek and Sarah Farley and secretary Carleigh McClelland supported the team in finalizing the brief and filing it with the Court.

BALIF’s Amicus Brief has two major sections. The Plaintiffs requested that we include the first section – a summary of the federal rights and benefits denied legally-married same sex couples. Those arguments were presented at length in the trial court, and were relied on in the lower court opinion, but Plaintiffs did not have the space to include the discussion in their brief given the strict word limits on appellate briefs. We were proud and honored that out of the 12 total amicus briefs filed, Plaintiffs trusted BALIF to draft such an important section and believed that BALIF was a strong enough voice that the Court would consider our discussion. The second section argues how DOMA harms the legal profession. This is a novel perspective that has not been briefed by the parties or other amici in this case or in the 1st Circuit DOMA case; and one that is likely to interest the Panel. BALIF's Amicus Brief is available here.

Please join us in congratulating and thanking the team that led BALIF’s amicus initiative.

On Lu and Chelsea HaleyNelson
BALIF Co-Chairs

BALIF is proud to join the fight to challenge the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

BALIF Administrator — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 04:35:08 GMT

On Tuesday, July 10, BALIF will be filing our Amicus Brief in Golinski v. OPM, which is currently on appeal in the Ninth Circuit. Our effort is led by BALIF Board Member Nick Kacprowski and Amicus Committee member Leah Nutting. The brief, drafted by Kirkland & Ellis LLP, argues that Section 3 of DOMA - which prohibits the federal government from recognizing same-sex couples' valid marriages - burdens legal professionals, their employers, and the legal profession as a whole. Specifically, government employees are not able to access the same employment benefits as their straight counterparts because of DOMA. These include health insurance, family and medical leave, and retirement benefits. The financial burden placed on employers and employees by DOMA is estimated to cost between $2,000 and $2,500 per employee. DOMA burdens the legal profession by limiting the ability of LGBT legal professionals to pursue the career of their choice, and limits the federal government's ability to compete with the private sector in recruiting and retaining qualified legal professionals.

Ms. Golinski, a staff attorney employed by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco , was denied health insurance benefits for her same-sex spouse. In an Administrative Order, Chief Judge Alex Kozinski ruled that the denial of benefits violates the Ninth Circuit's employment policies prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation, but the federal Office of Personal Management ignored the Order, citing the enforcement of DOMA. In February 2012, U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White held DOMA unconstitutional. In fact, the last four courts to consider the question have all found Section 3 of DOMA to be unconstitutional.

Board Member Peter Catalanotti is leading the effort to invite our sister bar organizations to join BALIF's Amicus Brief. To date, ten have signed-on. A copy of BALIF's Amicus Brief will be available on our website shortly. If your bar association is interested in joining BALIF's Amicus Brief, please contact Pete immediately at outreach@balif.org.

Late on the eve of Independence Day, we learned that the DOJ asked the U.S. Supreme Court to consider Golinski. This development demonstrates that everyone - including the government - desires to resolve this matter quickly. DOMA's days are numbered, and we look forward to finally putting DOMA out of its (and our) misery.

Click here to read the brief.

Happy 2012 Pride!

BALIF Administrator — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 21:18:51 GMT

Happy Pride! What an amazing week and weekend celebrating the diversity, strength, promise and love of our community. Thank you to everyone who joined us, yesterday, at the 4th Annual Jones Day Pride Breakfast. We were honored to have California Senate Majority Leader, Ellen Corbett, join us this year. Senator Corbett shared some inspiring words with us before marching in the Pride Parade. Thank you again to Jones Day Partner, Bob Mittelstaedt, and the entire Jones Day Pride Breakfast planning committee for organizing such a fun and family friendly event.

BALIF Seeking Sponsors for Lavender Law Scholarships

BALIF Administrator — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 19:27:37 GMT

Last year, firms and BALIF attorneys helped sponsor the registration and travel costs for 10 law students attending the Lavender Law Conference in Los Angeles . This year we would love to help even more students get the experience of a lifetime at Lavender Law 2012. This year's conference will take place in Washington DC , the epicenter of law in the United States . Scholarship recipients as well as sponsors will be acknowledged at a reception leading up to the annual conference, which takes place in September. There will be more details later this summer. In the meantime, if you are interested in donating as a sponsor please contact your BALIF Student Representatives at lawstudentrep@balif.org.

Stand Up For Justice In Sacramento

(Past member) — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 16:00:00 GMT

Wednesday June 13, 2012 · 12:00 – 1:30 p.m.

Sacramento County Superior Court
720 9th Street

Rally To Support Adequate Court Funding

Drastic budget cuts will substantially impact equal access to Justice to the courts. Stand together with the legal community to protect the courts and access to justice for all Californians.

Click here for details.

BALIF applauds the Ninth Circuit's denial of rehearing of Perry v. Brown.

(Past member) — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 18:25:24 GMT

The Ninth Circuit issued a brief order today on the challenge to Prop. 8 that is being litigated in the case of Perry v. Brown. The court denied a petition for rehearing en banc, leaving in place the Ninth Circuit three-Judge Panel’s ruling from February that found Prop 8 to be unconstitutional under the Equal Protection Clause of the Federal Constitution. Upon a vote of the non-recused active judges of the Ninth Circuit, the matter failed to receive a majority of votes in favor of rehearing.

The order from the Ninth Circuit is stayed pending the filing of a petition for writ of certiorari in the United States Supreme Court, and if the writ is granted, the stay will continue until the Supreme Court’s final decision. The Appellants have 90 days from today to file a writ. If the Supreme Court declines to take the case, then the Panel’s February decision will stand, and Prop 8 will be unenforceable.

You can read the full decision here.

BALIF Applauds the U.S. First Circuit Court of Appeals Decision Striking Down DOMA

(Past member) — Thu, 31 May 2012 19:00:00 GMT

In a unanimous 3-0 decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit ruled that Section 3 of the Federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional. The Court concluded in Massachusetts v. Department of Health and Human Services that Congress’ denial of federal benefits to lawfully married same-sex couples (and their surviving spouses) violates constitutional principles of equal protection and federalism. The ruling came in a case filed in 2009 by Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders on behalf of a group of married same-sex couples who were denied federal spousal benefits such as Social Security and government employee benefits, as well as a parallel case filed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Today’s opinion upheld a 2010 decision in which U.S. District Judge Joseph Tauro ruled DOMA unconstitutional.

The Court applied a heightened rational basis scrutiny to the challenged sections of DOMA, finding that in the past the Supreme Court has "intensified scrutiny of purported justifications where minorities are subject to discrepant treatment and have limited the permissible justifications." With regard to Federalism, the Court found that the "Supreme Court decisions in the last fifty years call for closer scrutiny of government action touching upon minority group interests and of federal action in areas of traditional state concern."

Writing for a 3-judge panel, Judge Michael Boudin stated that there is no “connection between DOMA’s treatment of same-sex couples and its asserted goal of strengthening the bonds and benefits to society of heterosexual marriage,” and that “Congress’ denial of federal benefits to same-sex couples lawfully married in Massachusetts has not been adequately supported by any permissible federal interest.” The Court stayed its decision to permit the parties an opportunity to request review by the United States Supreme Court.

BALIF applauds the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit on this momentous decision and on affirming equality for same-sex couples and LGBT Americans!

Meet the BALIF 2012-13 Board

(Past member) — Wed, 23 May 2012 21:56:54 GMT

BALIF BOARD 2012-13
BALIF is proud to unveil our 2012-13 Board… Meet the 18 revolutionary men and women who, over the next two years, will be leading BALIF to 1,000 members strong (BALIF 1K!). Membership retention will serve as the foundation of our efforts, and will be fervently supported by the three pillars of social activities, networking opportunities, and community service. We’re proud to be the oldest and largest LGBT bar organization in the world. BALIF 1K!
	Chelsea HaleyNelson HaleyNelson & Heilbrun, LLP BALIF Board Co-Chair chair@balif.org Realizing that her initial plan to become a famous ballerina would require a little too much sacrifice (think Black Swan), and she didn't have enough space to start the World’s largest animal sanctuary, Chelsea settled on a legal career. Her 2012 goal is to have BALIF become the go-to legal organization on LGBT issues, not just for the Bay Area, but in California...and beyond! view full profile
	On Lu Mount, Spelman & Fingerman, PC BALIF Board Co-Chair chair@balif.org oN’s first job out of college was acting in Hong Kong action movies; thank goodness he had a back-up. His 2-year goal is to build BALIF to 1K members strong—through a tri-pod blueprint of networking, social, and community outreach opportunities for our members. view full profile
	Cara Sherman Ongaro Burtt & Louderback Secretary; Pride Law Fund Committee Chair; and State Bar/Conference of Delegates Committee Chair statebar@balif.org secretary@balif.org mcle@balif.org Cara’s childhood chores involved collecting eggs from the henhouse and gathering firewood for the fire that warmed the house and made hot water for showers. She’s traded that country life for city livin’ and is BALIF’s new Secretary and will lead BALIF’s contingency to the California Conference of Bar Associations in Monterey—where she promises not to look for eggs. Actively. view full profile
	John Robert Unruh Swords to Plowshares Treasurer; Gala Committee Co-Chair treasurer@balif.org gala@balif.org development@balif.org As a teenager John acted, sang and tap danced in Anything Goes to rave reviews. No longer on stage, he is still an avid theater and opera goer. John will ensure BALIF runs another year with a balanced budget and plans to throw an awesome Gala! The party will be the LGBT event of the season! Stay tuned. view full profile
	Jamie Dupree Futterman Dupree Dodd Croley Maier LLP Development Committee Chair; Gala Committee Co-Chair gala@balif.org development@balif.org Jamie loves men in uniform, especially her sports-loving sons, Jonah (6) and Zach (3), and the San Francisco Giants! Jamie's goal is to increase membership and participation in BALIF by women and more experienced lawyers. And, of course, to help John Unruh to throw a really great party! view full profile
	Laurie Bertolacci Robert Half Legal Membership Committee Chair membership@balif.org Laurie was born in the Bronx, and during the summers as a kid, her sprinklers were fire hydrants. Her primary goal is to retain existing members and increase membership beyond attorneys to other legal professionals in the Bay Area. view full profile
	David Nathan-Allen Sims Saveri & Saveri Social Committee Chair social@balif.org As a young man David was large, not in charge and rarely popular. Eventually he grew up into a Cheer magnet and now runs the show. Still large but working to be in charge he is dedicated to making BALIF a Social Cornucopia. If you seem him out you know this is the place to be for social, fun, networking, and community run in his blood. view full profile
	Ted Garey Beahm Law Communications & Public Relations Committee Chair technology@balif.org An interesting albeit weird fact about Ted is that he once took a piece of gum from Kristen Chenoweth’s purse while she was performing on stage. Ted is returning to the Communications Committee for a second term. He has added “PR” to his agenda and aims to launch BALIF’s work and accomplishments to the press world! view full profile
	Susan Bluer Bluer & Bluer LLP Judiciary Committee Chair judiciary@balif.org Susan is our returning Chair of the Judiciary Committee. She has been practicing law long enough to feel “wise” and is a founding partner of Bluer & Bluer, LLP. This year, our Judicial Plebiscites will go on-line and we will help 100 LGBT lawyers get on the bench (wouldn't that be nice...) view full profile
	Elizabeth Pritzker Girard Gibbs LLP Young Lawyers & Law Student Programs Committee Chair younglawyers@balif.org As a young adolescent growing up in suburbia, Elizabeth’s aspiration was to become a Soul Train dancer. She still tries out her funky “moves” whenever she gets a chance. Elizabeth’s goal is to enhance BALIF’s connection to its legacy members, and build a strong and enduring mentor-mentee program for BALIF’s law student and young lawyer members. view full profile
	Nick Kacprowski Kirkland & Ellis LLP Amicus Committee Chair amicus@balif.org Nick has an indomitable chocolate lab named Scotch who has moved with him to three different states. But unlike the Romney family dog, Scotch was not strapped to the top of a car. Nick’s goal for the year is to increase the quantity and quality of BALIF’s participation as a friend of the court in cases affecting our community. view full profile
	Michael Wolchansky Law Office of Michael Wolchansky Outreach/Social Action Committee Co-Chair outreach@balif.org Michael’s first foray into drag was at age 11 during the Herzl Camp Talent Show where he performed a rousing and much loved edition of Saturday Night Live’s Linda Richmond’s Coffee Talk, complete with huge wig and glasses. This year he plans to blaze a new path for BALIF Community Outreach by implementing LGBT community involvement volunteer events. view full profile
	Peter Catalanotti Manning & Kass, Ellrod, Ramirez, Trester LLP Outreach/Current Events Committee Co-Chair outreach@balif.org Peter C. Catalanotti, Manning & Kass, Ellrod, Ramirez, Trester, LLP. Everyone's road to inner calmness looks different. For Pete, it involves punching, kicking, elbowing, and kneeing as hard as he can four times a week in Muay Thai kickboxing class. When he's not kickboxing or lawyering, he promises to keep BALIF’s membership informed on current events and to create alliances with other local and national LGBT groups all in an effort to push our community's legal rights to the next level. view full profile
	Lilah Sutphen Wald & Thorndal P.C. Programs Committee Co-Chair programs@balif.org Lilah has an inner Martha Stewart dying to be cut loose. She is infamous for tempting Board members and friends with delectable dessert concoctions whipped up at home. Her goal this year as co-chair of the newly formed Programs Committee is to orchestrate CLE's that involve subjects BALIF members are attracted to and thus look forward to attending, as well as other dialogue-driven events that draw out BALIF members who aren't seen at the ubiquitous happy hour. view full profile
	Nick Clements Seyfarth Shaw LLP Programs Committee Co-Chair programs@balif.org Nick has a thing for circus folk, having dated three over the past few years. His goals this year on the BALIF Board include establishing and building the Programming Committee with his amazing Co-Chair Lilah Sutphen and working to integrate and enhance communication between the other BALIF Committees to ensure smoother functionality so they are working towards achieving the same ends—primarily a superior BALIF membership experience. view full profile
	Nathan Bewley University of San Francisco School of Law Law Student Representative lawstudentrep@balif.org A month before starting law school, Nathan drove across the country from Boston, where he received his BS in Marketing Communications from Emerson College in 2007. One of his goals as this year’s Male Law Student Representative is to visit all eight BALIF law schools (Bolt, Davis, Golden Gate, Hastings, McGeorge, Santa Clara, Stanford, and USF) and encourage involvement in BALIF by putting a face to name. view full profile
	Aditi Fruitwala University of San Francisco School of Law Law Student Representative lawstudentrep@balif.org During a kindergarten career day, Aditi announced to the class that she wants to be a rainbow when she grows up so she can “come out after the rain and make everything okay.” Due to practical difficulties in achieving that dream, she now attends law school at the University of San Francisco. As a BALIF student rep, she hopes to serve as a strong voice for students in the bay area and increase student attendance at BALIF events. view full profile
	Milo Beitman Golden Gate University School of Law Law Student Representative lawstudentrep@balif.org Growing up, Milo aspired to be a Hollywood stuntman. Now faced with finding a job after law school, jumping from moving cars is again looking appealing. The law student representatives are hoping to increase student involvement through a series of events and continue to build a strong law student network. view full profile

ABA LGBT Litigator Committee

BALIF Administrator — Mon, 21 May 2012 06:25:10 GMT

Already a member of the ABA Section of Litigation? If so, please consider joining the LGBT Litigator Committee! It is free for ABA SOL members. Join here: You will also find recent articles written by BALIF members in our newsletter, and there are many opportunities to contribute to the newsletter or programming we hold annually. If interested, please contact David Tsai: dtsai@perkinscoie.com.

BALIF Seeking Sponsors for Lavender Law Scholarships

BALIF Administrator — Mon, 21 May 2012 06:19:44 GMT

Last year, firms and BALIF attorneys helped sponsor the registration and travel costs for 10 law students attending the Lavender Law Conference in Los Angeles. This year we would love to help even more students get the experience of a lifetime at Lavender Law 2012. This year's conference will take place in Washington DC, the epicenter of law in the United States. Scholarship recipients as well as sponsors will be acknowledged at a reception leading up to the annual conference, which takes place in September. There will be more details later this summer. In the meantime, if you are interested in donating as a sponsor please contact your BALIF Student Representatives at lawstudentrep@balif.org.

BALIF Applauds President Obama's Comments This Week in support of marriage equality.

BALIF Administrator — Fri, 11 May 2012 21:30:38 GMT

In the wake of recent statewide legal setbacks for same-sex marriage, President Obama came out this week personally in support of same-sex couples' right to marry. The President's comments this week, while carrying no legal effect, represent a significant gesture in support of equality and fairness for countless committed couples and families in our community. BALIF applauds President Obama for his historic, public support of equal marriage rights for all Americans.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2012/05/09/president-obama-supports-same-sex-marriage

BALIF Gala Featured in SF Bay TImes

BALIF Administrator — Sat, 05 May 2012 14:50:15 GMT

http://www.sfbaytimes.com/?sec=article&article_id=16379

Saks Fifth Happy Hour

BALIF Administrator — Sat, 05 May 2012 14:33:00 GMT

We were excited to mix, mingle and shop with so many BALIF members at our first ever happy hour at Saks.

We want to especially thank BALIF member Omar Salazar, Saks Marketing Manager, Konrad Janus, and Saks Director of Marketing, Ryan J. Williams for their help in coordinating the event, and BALIF Board Member, oN Lu, for making the event a reality. 10% of the proceeds from the event were donated to the Pride Law Fund.

Thank you for joining us and for making this such a successful event!

In May, we ring in the inaugural 2012 BALIF-LGLA Summer Mentorship Program for Visiting Law Students. If you are a law student in the Los Angeles area seeking a summer mentor in the San Francisco area, or an attorney in the San Francisco area interested in serving as a mentor, please contact David Tsai to participate. If you are a law student in the San Francisco area seeking a summer mentor in the Los Angeles area, or an attorney in the Los Angeles area interested in serving as a mentor please contact David Perkiss to participate. Law students must submit an application by this Tuesday, May 1, 2012. Applicants and participants will be notified of their matches shortly following the deadline. To learn more about LGLA, please click here.

California Young Lawyers Association Jack Berman Award

BALIF Administrator — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 07:35:16 GMT

California Young Lawyers Association
Jack Berman Award

The California Young Lawyers Association (CYLA) Jack Berman Award of Achievement for Distinguished Service to the Profession and the Public was established in 1992 and is awarded annually to recognize the achievements in public service of an individual CYLA member.

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2012 award; the deadline for submitting nominations has been extended to May 1, 2012.

Great work deserves recognition! Please consider nominating a CYLA member (any active member of the California State Bar who is in their first five years of practice or under the age of 36) for this award.

Click here for more information.

Kaplan & Partners to Post Job Opportunities to BALIF Job Site

BALIF Administrator — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 07:32:18 GMT

Kaplan & Partners to Post Job
Opportunities to BALIF Job Site

BALIF is proud to announce that Kaplan & Partners will be positing job opportunities to the BALIF job site.

Kaplan & Partners is a privately held professional staffing firm located in the heart of San Francisco. We assist law firms, corporations, and in-house legal departments to find top-notch talent for legal and administrative positions. Our experience includes everything from litigation secretary placements to partners and firm acquisitions - and we pride ourselves on taking the same exceptional level of care with each placement we make.

Our services include temporary staffing, project staffing, contract and document review attorneys, and direct hire placements. We take the time to sit down with all of our candidates and clients so that we can truly understand your needs - and accurately identify your ideal solution.

We are a great team of three people with diverse backgrounds and skills, and we love working together in this industry.

Naomi Kaplan, our founder, received her law degree from Boston College and was a litigator here in San Francisco before finding her vocation as a recruiter. Prior to law school, Naomi was a Peace Corps volunteer in Benin, Africa for two years.

Zack Lyons, a BALIF member, was a litigation secretary and executive assistant in San Francisco for ten years before jumping into the recruiting world. Zack is riding in his first AIDS Lifecycle this year, so if he's not at the office, he's probably on his bike or in a spin class somewhere.

Sandra Cholico brings a wealth of recruiting and administrative experience to the company. Her clients and candidates love her energy. Sandra has successfully placed happy candidates in top 10 firms and in boutique practices. She is very excited to run the Paris Marathon next month!

Check out the photo gallery from the BALIF's 32nd Annual Gala

(Past member) — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 04:37:10 GMT

Photographer Trish Tunney captured some amazing shots from this year's gala. Re-live the night (or see what you missed) right here!

Thank you for making BALIF's 32nd Annual Gala the best ever!

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 04:05:44 GMT

Thank you for making BALIF's 32nd Annual Gala the best ever! We are so appreciative of the hard work of our amazing Gala Co-Chairs, Jamie Dupree, Laura Maechtlen, and John Unruh! The night was truly grand and inspirational! Gala attendees were moved by the stories about the incredible work of our award recipients, Transgender Law Center , Morrison & Foerster, and Lambda Legal, and enjoyed the opportunity to re-connect with old friends, as well as make new ones. Thank you to our generous sponsors for making BALIF's 32nd Annual Gala possible.

If you were moved by the work of the BALIF Board, we hope you consider running to become a Director! Nominations are due this Wednesday (3/14) at 5pm. Also, this Wednesday don't miss the Lambda Legal event at Barney's! We hope to see you there.

Announcing the Inaugural 2012 BALIF-LGLA Summer Mentorship Program for Visiting Law Students

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 16:04:27 GMT

Announcing the Inaugural 2012 BALIF-LGLA Summer Mentorship Program for Visiting Law Students

For the first time, BALIF and LGLA are teaming up to facilitate a summer law student mentorship program. We know that many of our law student members often spend their summers in each other's fair cities, and we want to help make their experiences constructive, valuable, and connected to the respective local LGBT legal communities. Thus, LGLA is providing mentors for San Francisco area law students spending their summer in the Los Angeles area, and BALIF is providing mentors for Los Angeles area law students spending their summer in the San Francisco area.

Mentors provide advice, counsel, and guidance to law students and contribute to the development of a strong LGBT legal community. Mentors can provide invaluable advice and encouragement as law students work toward a career in the law. This can be a great networking and learning opportunity for law students. And a great opportunity for LGBT lawyers to give back to the community.

If you are a law student in the Los Angeles area seeking a summer mentor in the San Francisco area, or an attorney in the San Francisco area interested in serving as a mentor, please contact David Tsai dtsai@perkinscoie.com. If you are a law student in the San Francisco area seeking a summer mentor in the Los Angeles area, or an attorney in the Los Angeles area interested in serving as a mentor please contact David Perkiss perkiss2012@lawnet.ucla.edu. Law students will be required to submit an application; the deadline for applications is May 1, 2012. We will contact you with your matches shortly following the deadline. To learn more about LGLA, please visit www.lgla.net.

Got an Idea for a New Law?

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 16:03:38 GMT

Got an Idea for a New Law?

Have you noticed some quirk in a law, or a problem with procedures? Each year, BALIF submits resolutions to the California Conference of Bar Associations (formerly the Conference of Delegates) for proposed changes to laws and procedure. The deadline is fast approaching to submit resolutions for the 2012 Conference, so if you have an idea you'd like to see submitted and potentially sent to Sacramento to become a law, email statebar@balif.org with your idea.

Nominate a Public Lawyer/Law Office

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 16:02:59 GMT

Nominate a Public Lawyer/Law Office

The ABA Government and Public Sector Lawyers Division invites you to submit a nomination for its 2012 National Awards. The 2012 Dorsey, Hodson and Nelson Awards will be presented at the ABA Annual Meeting in Chicago on August 3. More information about all of the awards and the nominations process can be found here. All nominations are due by April 3.

BALIF Seeks Practitioner with Internet Privacy Experience for MCLE

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 16:00:43 GMT

BALIF Seeks Practitioner with Internet Privacy Experience for MCLE

Please email statebar@balif.org if you have experience with internet privacy matters and are willing to sit on a panel about the interplay of internet privacy and the First Amendment.

Free Tickets to Upcoming Annual Dinners of Sister Minority Groups

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 15:51:00 GMT

Free Tickets to Upcoming Annual
Dinners of Sister Minority Groups

Several of BALIF's sister minority bar groups are also hosting their annual dinners this month and we'd love to show them our support! We have a small number of available tickets for the following events, which will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis. If interested, email Spencer Jones by the date indicated at outreach@balif.org.

*FRI, MARCH 23, 6PM: The Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Bay Area (AABA-BayArea) will host a cocktail reception and dinner at the Marriott Marquis Hotel. More info at: http://aaba-bay.com/aaba/showpage.asp?code=home [TO ATTEND, YOU MUST EMAIL REQUEST BY THE END OF TOMORROW, TUESDAY, MARCH 13TH.]

*FRI, MARCH 30, 6PM: The South Asian Bar Association of Northern California (SABA-NC) will host a cocktail reception, dinner, and award ceremony at The Regency Center in San Francisco. More info at: http://www.southasianbar.org/gala [TO ATTEND, PLEASE EMAIL REQUEST BY FRIDAY, MARCH 16th.]

Join BALIF's Amicus Committee and Progress LGBT Rights

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 15:46:59 GMT

Join BALIF's Amicus Committee
and Progress LGBT Rights

BALIF's amicus efforts have impacted successful outcomes in the Prop 8 litigation, such as:

The N.D. California decision that a gay judge may decide gay rights cases without having to recuse himself.
The Ninth Circuit and N.D. California decisions that voter initiatives may not single out same-sex couples in California and deny them a right to marry.

Additionally, past amicus briefs have lead to:

The Ninth Circuit decision that the United States Army could not bar a soldier's reenlistment solely on the basis of his or her sexual orientation, before Don't Ask Don't Tell.
The Supreme Court of California decision that it was unconstitutional for California to prohibit same-sex marriage.
The Supreme Court of the United States decision that the federal government's blanket prohibition on "indecent" speech on the internet violated the First Amendment.

Help shape LGBT rights by getting involved with BALIF's Amicus Committee. Contact amicus@balif.org to get started.

BALIF Election of 2012-2013 Board of Directors

BALIF Administrator — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 15:35:45 GMT

Pursuant to BALIF's By-laws, BALIF's Nominating Committee Announces:

There are eleven Board Positions open this year for election: 4 positions are available for male candidates, 3 positions are available for female candidates, and 1 position is available for transgender/Gender-Nonconforming candidates. There are 3 positions for Law Students (1 female, 1 male and 1 position for Gender-Nonconforming).

The Nominating Committee is still accepting nominations from the membership. If you are interested in serving, or if you would like to nominate a qualified member, please email BALIF Secretary, David Sims, dsims@saveri.com, at no later than 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 14, 2012. (Qualified members are those people who are members of BALIF. If your membership has lapsed, please renew! We want your participation!) Board members serve a two year term (law student Board members serve a one-year term), and are required to attend Board meetings the third Monday of each month. They will also be expected to attend the BALIF working retreat weekend in late April/ early May, 2012. More information is available about BALIF and our Board of Directors on our website at www.balif.org.

Thank you for your consideration.

Very truly yours,

The BALIF Nominating Committee

Get Ready for the Gala and Get Sponsorships In Before the Advertising Deadline

BALIF Administrator — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 07:39:37 GMT

Another reminder that on Friday, March 9, 2012, BALIF will return to the SF MOMA for the annual Gala! Last year's party was a huge hit, and this year promises to be equally exciting. Firms are clamoring to get their BALIF sponsorships (by emailing jdupree@fddcm.com, or LMaechtlen@seyfarth.com) and individual registrations (at www.balif.org). Make sure that your firm or organization is a BALIF sponsor - the deadline for getting advertisements in for the program and Partner-Level Sponsor logos submitted for on-the-wall "Gobo" advertising is February 24 - next Friday! Firms and individuals are already starting to sponsor, so make sure that your firm gets their sponsorship in as soon as possible to enjoy the kudos of sponsorship as early as possible and doesn't miss out on this important opportunity to show its support for the Bay Area LGBT legal community and BALIF!

This year, BALIF honors the Transgender Law Center with the Community Service Award, and Morrison & Foerster and Lambda Legal, counsel for Karen Golinski, with the Legal Service Award. BALIF congratulates TLC, MoFo and Lambda on this huge honor. Stay tuned for more information about the background to these awards.

We thank BALIF Outreach Co-Chairs, Spencer Jones and Michael Wolchansky!

BALIF Administrator — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 07:32:40 GMT

We thank BALIF Outreach Co-Chairs, Spencer Jones and Michael Wolchansky, for planning the gatherings surrounding the Ninth Circuit decision in the Perry v. Brown case.

BALIF Applauds Ninth Circuit Court Decision Affirming Unconstitutionality of Proposition 8

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:00:00 GMT

2.7.2012-San Francisco, CA: The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit today issued a historic decision affirming the August 2010 decision of the U.S. District Court in San Francisco striking down the controversial ballot initiative known as Prop 8, which in 2008 stripped same-sex couples of the right to marry in California. Writing for the majority in Perry v. Brown, Judge Stephen Reinhardt declared that "Proposition 8 serves no purpose, and has no effect, other than to lessen the status and human dignity of gays and lesbians in California , and to officially reclassify their relationships and families as inferior to those of opposite-sex couples. The Constitution simply does not allow for laws of this sort."

The Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom (BALIF), as the nation's oldest and largest bar association of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, and transgender (LGBT) persons working in the field of law, applauds the Ninth Circuit's ruling and congratulates and thanks the many dedicated lawyers and legal professionals whose critical work over the past several years championing the cause of marriage equality in the courtrooms of California has helped lead to this decision. BALIF itself coordinated the submission of two amicus briefs in this case as it was appealed to the Ninth Circuit, both of which were joined by dozens of other minority bar associations located throughout California and various other national and local non-profit organizations. One set of amici were represented by Perkins Coie LLP attorneys Joren Bass, Allison Zamani, and BALIF Co-Chair David Tsai, and the other set was represented by Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP attorneys Jerome Rother, Michelle Friedland, Mark Conrad, and Miriam Seifter. We are very grateful for the hard work of these extremely dedicated and capable attorneys to assure that the voice of BALIF and its sister minority groups was heard in this fight. Their impressive briefs can be found here and here.

Today, BALIF also acknowledges and congratulates the work of the American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER), who in association with the law firms of Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP and Boies, Schiller & Flexner LLP mounted and has sustained this particular case in the federal courts. As the Ninth Circuit's decision is the first time a federal appeals court has invalidated discrimination against same-sex couples with respect to the fundamental right to marry, today's decision marks a monumental step forward for LGBT rights. BALIF Co-Chair Chelsea HaleyNelson summarized the historic nature of the decision as follows: "The Ninth Circuit's ruling finding Proposition 8 unconstitutional affirms the ideals of equality, dignity and fairness, not only for same-sex couples, but for all of us. This is a wonderful victory that I'm proud to be able to witness."

Founded in 1980, BALIF represents its members' interests in the wider San Francisco Bay Area. BALIF members and supporters include San Francisco Bay Area judges, lawyers, law students and legal workers. For more information on BALIF, please visit our website or Facebook page.

Bankruptcy Judgeship Opportunity

BALIF Administrator — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 07:29:31 GMT

The Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit invites applications from highly qualified candidates for the position of Bankruptcy Judge for the Northern District of California. This position will be available on December 1, 2012. The selection process may take up to 10 months to complete. The official duty station for this position will be in San Francisco , CA . Click here for more information and here for the application.

Prudential Financial 2012 1L Internship Program

BALIF Administrator — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 07:28:33 GMT

The National LGBT Bar Association is pleased to partner with Prudential Financial, Inc. (Prudential) to provide a meaningful summer internship opportunity to a highly-motivated first-year law student. Through this partnership, the National LGBT Bar Association will select a student to join the 2012 summer law intern class at Prudential for a 10-week internship at Prudential's offices with a stipend of approximately $10,000. Internship positions will be located in the New Jersey tri-state area. A position may be available in Dallas , Texas . Click here for more information.

Community Events on Day Ninth Circuit Announces Prop 8 Decision

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:15:01 GMT

BALIF invites you to participate in "Day of Decision" events being planned for the day in the near future that the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals announces its decision regarding Proposition 8 -- including a special BALIF happy hour that day in the Castro! The Court has completed all hearings and briefing in the case and could rule at any time. It is hoped that the Court will provide advanced notice that the ruling is coming, in which case BALIF will send out an update. But in the meantime, please take note of the following planned events for the Bay Area:

San Francisco, CA

SF Morning

What: Gather on the steps of the Ninth Circuit Federal Courthouse, San Francisco to receive the ruling (anticipated at 10:00 AM). Then we will proceed to San Francisco City Hall, where clergy will be available to bless couples who are not able to marry because of Prop. 8.

Where: Ninth Circuit Federal Courthouse, 95 7th Street (at Mission)

When: 9:30 AM on Day of Decision

Contact: Billy Bradford (415) 716-6315

SF Evening

What: Community Rally with music and speakers. We will either celebrate or protest the decision, and either way, re-dedicate our resolve to achieve full equality nationwide.

Where: Market Street & 17th Street (across from Castro & Market)

When: 5:00 PM on Day of Decision

Contacts: Rev. Kelly Rivera Hart (415) 260-5704 and Billy Bradford (415) 716-6315

SF BALIF Happy Hour

What: BALIF will host a happy hour immediately following the Community Rally in the Castro, for all lawyers and legal professionals, where t-shirts and stickers will be available.

Where: Twin Peaks, Market Street & 17th Street (across from Castro & Market)

When: 6:00 PM on Day of Decision

Contacts: Spencer Jones (415) 609-6961 and Michael Wolchansky (415) 640-0633

Contra Costa County, CA

What: Community gathering at the Rainbow Community Center

Where: Rainbow Community Center, 3024 Willow Pass Road, Suite 200. Concord, CA

When: 6:00-7:00 PM on Day of Decision

Contact: Leslie Stewart (925) 765-6064

Pride Law Fund Seeks Donations for Scholarships

BALIF Administrator — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 06:50:53 GMT

There has never been a better time to give back to the community -- BALIF is currently matching donations made to the Pride Law Fund!

Your donation will help fund scholarships that promote the legal rights of the LGBT community, and people living with HIV and AIDS. Now in its 32nd year, Pride Law Fund is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, non-profit, charitable organization. Make your tax-deductible donation today to help ensure the continued funding of this important work benefiting our community.

Choose your one-time donation amount: $5, $10, $25, $50, and $100.

For more information, contact Michael Wolchansky, BALIF Pride Law Fund Committee Chair at outreach@balif.org or John Unruh, Pride Law Fund Co-Chair, at john.unruh@pridelawfund.org.

BALIF Seeks MCLE Ideas

BALIF Administrator — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 06:41:42 GMT

If you have an MCLE you'd like to see, or one you'd like to put on, please email Cara Sherman at statebar@balif.org with your ideas. Best idea wins a BALIF t-shirt and (if your proposal so calls), the chance to be an MCLE presenter! On a related note, if you have any experience with how technology in the practice of law (email, e-discovery, social networking, voicemail) creates pitfalls - including ethical pitfalls - for the modern lawyer, please email statebar@balif.org for the opportunity to sit on a panel in conjunction with SFTLA on the topic.

Mentor Spotlight: Judge Jon Karesh

BALIF Administrator — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 06:41:00 GMT

San Mateo County Judge Jon Karesh balances the bench, life and handling two mentees in BALIF's "Connections" mentoring program. Judge Karesh has been a tireless supporter of mentoring the LGBT community, and does not let geographic distance, or mentees with dissimilar employment goals, get in the way of productive relationships. Karesh says, "one of my mentees lives in San Francisco and we have met for lunch several times when I have been up in the city on weekends. The other one lives in Union City and he and his partner invited me over to their place during the summer for a barbecue. We also met up at the recent BALIF mentor/mentee event in S.F." Judge Karesh's efforts are appreciated by his mentees, both of whom continue to be in regular contact. Thank you, Judge Karesh! Mentoring matters. For more information, please contact Dennis Raglin, chair of the Young Lawyers and Students Committee (dennis.raglin@sedgwicklaw.com).

BALIF Amicus Committee Seeks Co-Chair and New Members

BALIF Administrator — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 06:40:16 GMT

Exciting opportunity to Co-Chair BALIF's Amicus Committee! Come get involved in BALIF's Amicus Committee, as Co-Chair or as a member, and share in the thrill of being involved in cutting-edge LGBT equal rights! Potential upcoming amicus issues include federal benefits for LGBT veterans and their partners; Proposition 8; health coverage for LGBT partners, and more. If interested, please contact Ellise Nicholson, Amicus Committee Chair, at amicus@balif.org.

Response from Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom ("BALIF") to California Supreme Court Ruling on Standing Question in Proposition 8 Case

BALIF Administrator — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 07:48:19 GMT

Response from Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom ("BALIF") to California Supreme Court Ruling on Standing
Question in Proposition 8 Case

11.18.11-San Francisco, CA. The California Supreme Court issued a decision yesterday holding that the sponsors of Proposition 8 are permitted under California law to represent the State in appealing the federal district court's decision in Perry v. Brown striking down Prop 8, even though California's Attorney General and Governor have both declined to do so.

Yesterday's ruling comes in response to a request from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals that the California Supreme Court issue an advisory opinion on whether the Prop 8 proponents have the authority to represent the interests of the State of California in the Perry v. Brown challenge to Prop 8. After yesterday's decision, the case will go back to the Ninth Circuit to decide whether, in light of the ruling by the California Supreme Court, federal law allows the Prop 8 proponents to represent the State. If the Ninth Circuit rules in the affirmative, the Ninth Circuit will go on to decide whether to uphold the district court's decision striking down the proposition as unconstitutional.

BALIF, as the nation's oldest and largest bar association of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, and transgender persons in the field of law, is disappointed with the California Supreme Court's decision permitting the initiative proponents - as opposed to the State's governor and Attorney General, both of whom recognize that Proposition 8 violates the federal Constitution - the authority to represent the interests of the State of California. However, we are hopeful that the Ninth Circuit will move forward expeditiously to affirm Judge Walker's finding that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional and to insure that same-sex couples in California are treated equally and fairly under the law and are no longer denied their basic rights.

Founded in 1980, BALIF represents its members' interests in the wider San Francisco Bay Area. BALIF members and supporters include San Francisco Bay Area judges, lawyers, law students and legal workers. For more information on BALIF, please visit: www.balif.org.

Attorney Vacancies at the U.S. Department of Justice

BALIF Administrator — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 08:41:33 GMT

Below is a list of current attorney vacancies at the United States Department of Justice. We encourage all interested applicants to apply; however, please note that due to temporary funding restrictions we may not be able to fill all of the currently advertised positions.

To learn more about Justice and our legal careers, please visit our website: www.justice.gov/careers/legal/.

In addition, every year over 1,800 volunteer legal interns serve in DOJ components and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country. If you know any law students who may be interested in a DOJ volunteer internship, please encourage them to review the many opportunities featured at www.justice.gov/careers/legal/volunteer-intern.html.

Finally, please share this email with interested colleagues and peers. If you wish to update the contact information for you or the organization you represent, or no longer wish to receive these periodic email announcements, please respond to this email address and ask to be removed from our mailing list. Thank you.

Current Department of Justice Attorney Vacancies

Special Assistant United States Attorney (Uncompensated) United States Attorney's Office, District of Maryland, Civil Division Vacancy Announcement Number: 12-MD-03 Application Deadline: January 3, 2012
Date posted: 11-10-2011

Assistant United States Attorney United States Attorney's Office Southern District of Florida Announcement Number 11-SDFL-AUSA-08 Announcement is open until November 24, 2011.
Date posted: 11-10-2011

Assistant United States Attorney United States Attorney's Office District of Kansas Vacancy Announcement Number: 12-KS-AUSA-01 Applications must be received by December 02, 2011.
Date posted: 11-10-2011

Assistant United States Attorney United States Attorney's Office Northern District of Texas Dallas, Texas November 9, 2011 - November 23, 2011 Vacancy Announcement #12-NDTX-AUSA-D02 Applications must be received by 11:59pm November 23, 2011.
Date posted: 11-09-2011

Assistant United States Attorney United States Attorney's Office Western District of Texas El Paso, Texas Vacancey Announcement # 12-WDTX-562231-AUSA-02 The closing date for this announcement is November 28, 2011.
Date posted: 11-09-2011

Regional Counsel Federal Burerau of Prisons Northeast Regional Office Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Supervisory Attorney- Advisor GS-905-15 This position is open until filled, but no later than November 23, 2011.
Date posted: 11-09-2011

Assistant United States Attorney United States Attorney's Office Southern District of Georgia Vacancy Announcement Number 12-AUSASDGA-01 Positions are open until filled, but resumes must be received by November 23, 2011.
Date posted: 11-09-2011

Special Assistant United States Attorney (Serves Without Compensation) United States Attorney's Office Western District of Kentucky Vacancy Announcement Number 12-WDKY-01 To receive consideration for this vacancy, resumes must be received by November 22, 2011.
Date posted: 11-09-2011

Experienced Attorney / GS-905-14/15 U.S. Department of Justice Criminal Division Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training Resident Legal Advisor in Indonesia 12-CRM-OPDAT-003 Applications will be accepted until this position is filled.
Date posted: 11-09-2011

Experienced Attorney GS-905-14/15 U.S. Department of Justice Criminal Division Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training Resident Legal Advisor for the Caribbean Region (Based in the United States) 11-CRM-OPDAT-048 Applications will be accepted until this position is filled.
Date posted: 11-09-2011

Assistant United States Attorney Vacancy United States Attorney's Office Northern District of IOWA Announcement Number: 2012-AUSA-NDIA-01 Applications must be postmarked by Monday, November 28, 2011.
Date posted: 11-08-2011

Assistant United States Attorney United States Attorney's Office Southern District of Florida Announcement Number 11-SDFL-AUSA-07 Announcement is open until November 22, 2011.
Date posted: 11-08-2011

Opportunity for Appointment as Assistant United States Attorney (Two-Year Term Position) United States Attorney's Office Eastern District of Michigan Vacancy #FY 2012-EDMI-01-AUSA Applications for this vacancy will be accepted through November 28, 2011.

"Mentor Spotlight" - Barbara Monty of San Rafael

BALIF Administrator — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 22:00:27 GMT

BALIF's "Connections" mentoring program matches law students and newer lawyers with more established BALIF members from all over the Bay Area. This week, BALIF salutes mentor Barbara Monty of Monty & White in San Rafael (montywhitelaw.com). Barbara and her partner, Ann Montalvo, have been together for 29 years and have a 16 year old daughter. Barbara believes that a mentor should help a mentee identify what makes him or her happy in life and in a career. She says, "From there, both mentors and mentees can move in the direction of that happiness. BALIF is a good vehicle for this exploration because we all have something fundamental in common - that of being "the other" in this profession and society. BALIF members may also share a special ability to create our own lives, or at least have the desire to do so." Barbara's mentee agrees, saying, "Barbara is fantastic and very pro-actively engaged in this process. The program has been extremely valuable for me so far." BALIF thanks Barbara and the dozens of other current BALIF mentors for their dedication and hard work in helping our mentees succeed! For information on becoming a mentor (or mentee) contact Young Lawyers and Student Committee Chair Dennis Raglin (dennis.raglin@sedgwicklaw.com)

2011 Santa Clara Law Social Justice and Human Rights Award Recipient BALIF Member Simão J. Ávila

BALIF Administrator — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 21:57:32 GMT

On October 27, 2011, BALIF member Simão J. Ávila, Senior Counsel at Kaiser Permanente, received the 2011 Santa Clara Law Social Justice and Human Rights Award. He was recognized for his work in promoting equality, social justice, and human rights.

Simão (Sim) J. Ávila, was born in the island of São Jorge, Azores (Portugal). Sim immigrated to the United States as a teenager with his parents and five siblings to join his father's side of the family who already lived in California for many years. Sim was the first of his family to attend college. He earned his Bachelor's of Arts degree in Philosophy from Saint Patrick's College in 1977. He then joined the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) where he worked at Casa de los Niños in Tijuana and Tecate, Mexico. This experience led him to become a lawyer instead of a priest. Sim obtained his JD degree from the University of Santa Clara, School of Law in 1983. He began his practice with the National Labor Relations Board in San Juan, Puerto Rico representing workers, unions and employers alike as a field attorney for Region 24. Sim then returned to the Bay Area where he practiced for 16 years at Littler Mendelson and became a shareholder.

At Littler, Sim represented many private and public sector clients on nearly all aspects of employment and labor law during that period. In 2001, Sim became labor and employment counsel for the Office of General Counsel, University of California. He is currently Senior Counsel, Legal & Government Relations for Kaiser Permanente, a position that he accepted in 2007. At Kaiser Permanente, Sim serves in the Diversity Committee where he and his colleagues continue that company's commitment to diversity and inclusion in the practice of law. Sim lecturers at Stanford University, School of Law and at University of California, Boalt Hall, on negotiations and ADR. In furtherance of his commitment to community service, Sim has been a board member with Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County, the Alameda County Community Food Band and St. Vincent's Day Home, which offers comprehensive child development programs and services for children in East Oakland.

Sim and his husband David Holy have been together for 11 years and live in the East Bay. Prior recipients of the Santa Clara Law Social Justice and Human Rights Award include Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, former HRC Executive Director Elizabeth Birch, and former National Hispanic Bar President Victor Marquez.

BALIF's Endorsements for the SF District Attorney

BALIF Administrator — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 19:47:39 GMT

Click Here to learn about BALIF's Endorsements for the SF District Attorney Race on November 8th

California Lawyer seeks nominations for CLAY Awards

BALIF Administrator — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 16:10:18 GMT

California Lawyer is currently seeking nominations for the 16th annual CLAY (California Lawyer Attorneys of the Year) Awards. The deadline for nominations is Thursday, DECEMBER 1, 2011.

Eligibility: The attorney must be an active member of the State Bar of California whose work was completed or resolved between December 2, 2010 and December 1, 2011.

The lawyer's achievements during this time period have had a significant impact on:

***the law,

***the profession,

***a particular industry; or

***the general good of the public.

Please provide specific details about the attorney's achievement and explain the significant impact the work made in 2011.

Click here for more information and to nominate an attorney

BALIF Nominates Tim Cahn for Minority Bar Coalition Unity Award

BALIF Administrator — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 15:39:58 GMT

Come network with your fellow minority attorneys and law students from over 25 Bay Area minority organizations, as together we celebrate those of our colleagues who have best shown a dedication to working in a unified manner to advance the cause of diversity in the legal profession. In addition, one attorney will be awarded the MBC Trailblazer Award to honor either a special achievement over the past year or their lifetime achievement for the cause of diversity in the legal profession.

BALIF is proud to announce our 2011 Unity Award nominee: Tim Cahn of Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP. Please join BALIF in celebrating this honor with Tim on November 14.

This year's Unity Awards Reception is FREE to all, and will be held on Monday, November 14 from 6:30-8:30pm.

Graciously hosted at the:
Alumni Reception Center
University of California , Hastings College of the Law
200 McAllister Street

Please send an email to mbcrsvps@gmail.com if you plan to attend for security purposes.

Timothy Cahn is an intellectual property litigator and partner at Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton, where he co-chairs the firm's copyright practice. Since 2001, Mr. Cahn has dedicated much of his professional pro bono effort to addressing the struggle for LGBT equality in the institutional churches. At the time, churches were lagging far behind the civic culture in extending full equality, dignity, and relationship-recognition to LGBT folk. There was a growing sense that, for sexual orientation minorities to continue their momentum toward full civic equality, some measure of progress in the churches needed to be achieved. Tim joined up with several affinity organizations to lend his substantial support as a litigator toward such efforts.

Over the succeeding ten years, Mr. Cahn has represented LGBT persons and their allies in more than fifteen cases in connection with ecclesiastical investigations and trials of persons who were either seeking to become church ministers or to extend religious marriage recognition to same gender couples. In 2002, he represented Rev. Katie Morrison, the very first openly gay or lesbian person to achieve, and retain, ordination as a minister in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Rev. Morrison was brought up on church charges based on her sexual orientation, and, with Cahn's help, the charges were dismissed and Morrison's status as a minister secured.

In 2006, at an ecclesiastical church trial in Northern California, Mr. Cahn represented Rev. Dr. Jane Spahr, a Presbyterian minister who was charged with violating church law by performing weddings for same gender couples. From the early 1980's, Rev. Spahr has been a tireless advocate for LGBT inclusion and civil rights. With Cahn's help, Rev. Spahr was acquitted at her 2006 trial, where she was facing the potential sanction of exclusion from ordained ministry. Mr. Cahn represented Rev. Spahr all the way up to the "Supreme Court" of the Presbyterian church, where Rev. Spahr's acquittal was sustained.

In 2008, when a group of conservative churches in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania sought to institute a categorical rule that would have absolutely prevented LGBT persons from seeking to become ministers, Mr. Cahn brought a case in Pennsylvania challenging the discriminatory rule and ultimately succeeding in nullifying it.

In connection with California's 2009 Prop 8 case, Mr. Cahn prepared an amicus brief filed with the Supreme Court of California, on behalf of over twenty religious leaders, churches, and synagogues who argued in support of the religious freedom to marry same gender couples.

Most recently, in the Spring of 2011, Mr. Cahn again represented a gay minister charged with violating church law. He obtained the acquittal of Rev. Erwin Barron at a church trial in Minneapolis, Minnesota of charges stemming from Rev. Barron's having legally married his husband. The church authorities who brought the case against Rev. Barron had sought to compel him to divorce his legal husband. Following the trial, Rev. Barron's status as a minister, and his marriage, were both fully in tact.

Mr. Cahn also has been significantly involved with the institutional church on a national level drafting and evaluating guidelines for use by ministers to perform religious ceremonies that bless a civil same-gender marriage, as well as guidelines to enable openly GLBT minister candidates to become ordained.

Mr. Cahn's involvement in these matters comes naturally. He is the son of Presbyterian minister and lifelong church member who himself has struggled with the question of what it means to be "out" as a gay man within a religious organization that at times foments anti-gay discrimination. His extensive pro bono activities in support of LGBT equality in the churches have helped Mr. Cahn partially answer that question for himself.

ALRP 28th Annual Reception

BALIF Administrator — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 15:32:19 GMT

It was great to see so many of you last week at the ALRP 28th Annual Reception. The Reception was a lively evening with delicious food, a fun auction, and fantastic company. We congratulate BALIF Board member David Sims' law firm, Saveri & Saveri, Inc., for receiving the ALRP Firm of the Year Award, BALIF member Thomas R. Burns for receiving the ALRP Clint Hockenberry Leadership Award, and Austin Schwing of Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP for receiving the ALRP Attorney of the Year Award. These awards were presented by BALIF past-Co-Chair and San Francisco Supervisor Scott Weiner.

Congratulations, 2011 BALIF/APABA-SV Law Student Achievement Scholarship Recipients Chris Chou and Tuan Ngo!

BALIF Administrator — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 04:46:24 GMT

Congratulations, 2011 BALIF/APABA-SV

Law Student Achievement Scholarship Recipients Chris Chou and Tuan Ngo!

Each year, the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Silicon Valley (APABA-SV) awards Achievement Scholarships to law students throughout the San Francisco bay area. This year, APABA-SV partnered with BALIF in funding two scholarships to recognize law students who have demonstrated leadership and service to the Asian Pacific American and LGBT communities, overcome personal hardships or challenges, and shown excellence and achievement in law school. Stanford Law's Chris Chou and UC Hastings' Tuan Ngo were selected as the 2011 BALIF/APABA-SV Law Student Scholarship recipients.

Chris Chou is a JD/PhD (economics) student at Stanford University , and received a BA in Mathematics and Political Science from Northwestern University . Over the last year, Chris has worked on housing equity issues at Public Advocates and interned with the Land Use team at the San Francisco Office of the City Attorney. Chris is pursuing a career in land use/municipal law. He is an active member of BALIF, the Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Bay Area, and the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Silicon Valley. Originally from Detroit , Michigan , Chris enjoys eating, drinking, and has been known to partake in karaoke.

Tuan Ngo is a JD student at UC Hastings and received a BA at Occidental College . The joint scholarship from BALIF and Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Silicon Valley allowed him to spend his summer at Greenlining Institute, where he authored a report, "Corporate American Untaxed," looking at tax reforms. Tuan is an active member of Hastings OutLaw, where he helps organize a symposium on the changing landscape within the LGBTI community. In 2003, Tuan founded a Leprosy English Camp in the Surin province of Thailand . Tuan has worked for the Tides Foundation, was a Coro Fellow, and has produced a documentary on Vietnam 's political and economic change. Tuan is a Lieutenant Governor of the Law Student Division of the ABA and a board member of the Vietnamese American Bar Association of Northern California.

BALIF Law Student Member Starts Law Student Organization

BALIF Administrator — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 04:45:40 GMT

BALIF Law Student Member Starts

Law Student Organization

"BALIF member Kellan Martz (a second year student at USF School of Law) has recently started the Society of Law Students (SLS), a networking and volunteer organization for Bay Area law students. SLS is looking for donations to hold events and sustain operations. In addition, SLS is holding an Inaugural Networking Happy Hour on January 12, 2012 and needs attorneys to attend to network with law students.

Please contact Kellan with questions, suggestions, to attend the happy hour or to donate. Email: Kellanmartz@gmail.com. Some of our projects include: Serving food to the needy at Glide SF, helping building condos at Habitat for Humanity in Daly City , and attempting to restart a free legal clinic for the needy. If you have experience with legal clinics, please contact Kellan if you'd be willing to give advice.

Call for MBC representative to BASF and MBC Co-Chairs

BALIF Administrator — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 04:43:01 GMT

Call for MBC representative to

BASF and MBC Co-Chairs

MBC REPRESENTATIVE TO BASF

Attention! The Minority Bar Coalition ("MBC") is seeking applications for an active member of the minority bar community to serve as the representative of the Minority Bar Coalition on the board of the Bar Association of San Francisco ("BASF")!

The MBC Representative serves a two-year term on the BASF Board and holds all the rights and responsibilities of all other BASF Board members. The MBC Representative is expected to also attend quarterly MBC meetings and serves as one of two liaisons between the BASF Board and the MBC. Prior involvement with MBC a plus.

Applicants must be current BASF members.

Please provide the following information or an updated copy of your CV or resume:

1 name

2 firm company or organization

3) address

4) phone number

5) email address

6) website and

7) number of years of practice.

Please also provide a brief statement that includes:

1) a description of your involvement with the minority bar community and your leadership experience bringing the various minority bars together;

2) a description of the involvement you have had with BASF; and

3) an explanation of why you would like to serve as the MBC's representative on the BASF board.

Applications are due to MBC Co-Chair Vid Prabhakaran at prabv@dwt.com by 5 p.m. on October 31, 2011.

MBC Co-chair

The Minority Bar Coalition (MBC) is a coalition of Minority Bar associations of the greater San Francisco Bay Area, comprising of nearly 30 organizations. Co-Chairs are responsible for MBC's activities, which include regular meetings for the coalition, receptions, panel discussions, the annual Unity Reception, co-sponsoring events, maintaining the BASF MBC calendar, and distributing information regarding the activities of the member Bar associations and other events of interest. The current Co-Chairs are Vidhya Prabhakaran, Yuval Miller, Micael Estremera, and Ann N. Nguyen. The two MBC Representatives who sit on the board of the Bar Association of San Francisco are Quyen Ta and David Tsai.

If you are interested in becoming a Co-Chair, please e-mail a short (1 page or less) personal statement (which includes information on why you would like to be a Co-Chair, your past participation with minority bar associations, What ideas you have for MBC, and what you can bring to MBC) and a resume to MBC Co-Chair Ann N. Nguyen at ann@pnallp.com by 5 p.m. on October 31, 2011. Please input "MBC Co-Chair Application" on the subject line.

California Lawyer seeks nominations for CLAY Awards

BALIF Administrator — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 04:42:03 GMT

California Lawyer seeks nominations

for CLAY Awards

California Lawyer is currently seeking nominations for the 16th annual CLAY (California Lawyer Attorneys of the Year) Awards. The deadline for nominations is Thursday, DECEMBER 1, 2011.

Eligibility: The attorney must be an active member of the State Bar of California whose work was completed or resolved between December 2, 2010 and December 1, 2011.

The lawyer's achievements during this time period have had a significant impact on:

***the law,

***the profession,

***a particular industry; or

***the general good of the public.

Please provide specific details about the attorney's achievement and explain the significant impact the work made in 2011.

Click here for more information and to nominate an attorney

BALIFBuzz

BALIF Administrator — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 04:35:39 GMT

BALIFBuzz

Jay Creighton: After 17 years of practice as an estate planning, trust, and probate attorney in San Mateo County , Jay Creighton recently opened an office in San Francisco (while still maintaining a smaller office in the City of San Mateo ). Also, he is now an Adjunct Professor at UC Hastings College of the Law -- his alma mater. This semester, Jay is teaching Wills & Trusts to a class of 55 students. www.creightonlaw.com

Irma Cordova Perez: Irma Cordova Perez has joined MontyWhite LLP in San Rafael . She will continue with her bilingual immigration practice. Irma's addition brings the firm to 50% LBGT attorneys. www.montywhitelaw.com

Join the LGBT Board of Directors

BALIF Administrator — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 23:09:32 GMT

The National LGBT Bar Association is accepting statements of interest from individuals who wish to join the Board of Directors as an At-Large Member or as an American Bar Association Delegate. Statements of interest and a questionnaire must be submitted to nominations@LGBTbar.org by 5:00pm EDT on October 3, 2011.

The National LGBT Bar Association Seeks Candidates for its Board of Directors including American Bar Association Delegates

The National LGBT Bar Association is an association of lawyers, judges and other legal professionals, law students, advocates, and affiliated LGBT legal and law student organizations. The mission of the LGBT Bar is to promote justice in and through the legal profession for the LGBT community in all its diversity. Similar to other professional associations, the Association provides networking and educational opportunities for its members and supporters. The Association annually appoints the board of its sister organization, the National LGBT Bar Foundation, the entity that sponsors the annual Lavender Law Career Fair and Continuing Legal Education Conference. The Association works within a network of 27 LGBT voluntary bar associations from regions, states and municipalities across the nation, and dozens of LGBT law student associations.

The Association is an official affiliate of the American Bar Association ( ABA ), and as such holds a seat in the ABA House of Delegates. In addition, the Association liaises in an official capacity with many key sections within the ABA , including three seats in the Young Lawyers Division, a seat within the Law Student Division and positions on the Coordinating Committee on HIV/AIDS, the Commission on Women in the Profession and others.

The business and corporate powers of the National LGBT Bar Association are exercised by, or under the authority of, the Board of Directors. The Board is the highest governing authority of the LGBT Bar. In addition, the National LGBT Bar Association Board of Directors appoints members to the National LGBT Bar Foundation Board on an annual basis.

The ABA Delegate to the House of Delegates is a voting member of the Board of Directors and a member of the Executive Committee. The remaining ABA positions are non-voting members of the Board of Directors of the National LGBT Bar Association.

ABA Delegate Opening Positions:

Delegate to the House of Delegates: LGBT Bar Board Member and Executive Committee Member. Management and oversight of all the LGBT Bar Delegates; represents the LGBT Bar to the House of Delegates and executes its vote. Oversees sponsorship opportunities between the LGBT Bar and ABA ; helps develop joint programs including CLEs for ABA meetings and Lavender Law.
Council to the Young Lawyers Division National Representative to the LGBT Bar: Represents the LGBT Bar to the YLD Council and executes its vote in coordination with the Delegates to the Assembly of ABA's YLD. Supports sponsorship opportunities and helps develop joint programs.
Delegate to the Young Lawyers Division Assembly (2): Represents the LGBT Bar to the YLD and executes its vote in coordination with the Delegate to the YLD Council. Supports sponsorship opportunities and helps develop joint programs.
Representative to the ABA 's AIDS Coordinating Committee: Represents the LGBT Bar to the Committee and executes its vote. Supports sponsorship opportunities and helps develop joint programs.
Delegate to the Commission on Women in the Profession: Represents the LGBT Bar to the Commission and executes its vote. Supports sponsorship opportunities and helps develop joint programs. Submits a nominee each year for the Margaret Brentwood Award.

Sample Duties

Participate, and possibly chair, various committees focused on specific aspects of the LGBT Bar's Strategic Plan.
Establishing the basic policies of the LGBT Bar and reviewing any proposed changes.
Shaping, approving and monitoring the strategy and planning of the organization.
Personal financial support of the LGBT Bar is expected of board members. That support includes giving personal time and money. Board members also help develop donors, members, and supporters. Further, some board members may lead fundraising efforts within the Development Committee. However, all board members are ambassadors and are expected to attend and support events and help maintain accountability to donors and sponsors.
Enhancing the reputation of the organization, including promoting positive working relationships and communications with members and member societies.
Assessing and improving the Board's own effectiveness.
Candidates with specific background or experience in finance and/or development is beneficial but not necessary.
The ideal candidate will have prior experience serving on boards of directors and will be able to devote up to three hours per week to participate in LGBT Bar board conference calls and related work.

About the Nominations Committee:
The Nominations Committee is charged with the task of collecting and evaluating nominations for the Board of Directors. The committee proposes a slate of candidates to the Board in accordance with the procedures specified by the Bylaws, following a formal and rigorous review process which may include personal interviews conducted by committee members.

The Nominations Committee will consider the experience and skills of individuals while assessing the overall balance and performance of the Board and its individual members, vis-à-vis succession plans for officers to maintain strong leadership on the Board.

Diversity:
The National LGBT Bar is extremely committed to diversity on its Board of Directors. Factors such as race, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression and one's professional area (such as whether an individual works in private practice, for a government agency, as in-house counsel or for a non-profit organization) may be considered.

Nominations Process and Timeline:
Individuals must be members in good standing of the National LGBT Bar Association in order to be considered for the position.

October 3, 2011: Deadline for interested individuals to submit statements of interest based upon the questions provided. Statements should include the individual's contact information, their history with nonprofit boards, and their interest in serving the members of the Association. Statements of interest and the questionnaire must be submitted to nominations@LGBTbar.org by 5:00pm EDT on October 3, 2011.

October 4, 2011: The Nominations Committee compiles and submits a list of candidates to the Association Board of Directors for review.

October 14, 2011: Over the following weeks, the Nominations Committee assigns individual Board Members to conduct phone interviews with the candidates.

November 4, 2011: The Nominations Committee selects a slate of candidates for final recommendation to the Board of Directors.

November 11, 2011: The Board of Directors votes to approve or reject the candidate recommended by the Nominations Committee.

Commitment:
Each Board Member is elected by the LGBT Bar Board of Directors for a two-year term which will begin in February 2012. ABA Delegate positions are for 1 year terms beginning in August 2012 in conjunction with the ABA 's Annual Meeting.

The organization's bylaws require that all Directors provide a financial contribution to the organization. Acceptable forms of contributions include, but are not limited to, personal donations, in-kind gifts, or securing significant sponsorships.

The Board usually has five meetings a year, including three in person meetings.  The meetings usually last half a day in length and are held in major cities in conjunction with the ABA Midyear and Annual Meetings, with at least one meeting at the LGBT Bar's Lavender Law® Conference & Career Fair. The remaining two meetings are held by telephone.

All Board Members are encouraged to attend LGBT Bar programs and meetings where applicable, and act as "good will" ambassadors for the organization by interacting in a positive way with employers, other legal professionals and the public.

As time permits, Board Members are also encouraged to participate with local LGBT voluntary bar association in their activities. Board Members are covered by a Code of Conduct, must disclose any conflicts of interest and are subject to a background check by the General Counsel. Board members are covered by D&O insurance in the amount of $1 million and by indemnification to the maximum extent allowed by law.

Additional information about the LGBT Bar and its sister corporation, may be found at: www.lgbtbar.org.

Call for MBC representative to BASF and MBC Co-Chairs

BALIF Administrator — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 23:08:58 GMT

MBC REPRESENTATIVE TO BASF

Applicants must be current BASF members.

Please provide the following information or an updated copy of your CV or resume:

1 name

2 firm company or organization

3) address

4) phone number

5) email address

6) website and

7) number of years of practice.

Please also provide a brief statement that includes:

1) a description of your involvement with the minority bar community and your leadership experience bringing the various minority bars together;

2) a description of the involvement you have had with BASF; and

3) an explanation of why you would like to serve as the MBC's representative on the BASF board.

Applications are due to MBC Co-Chair Vid Prabhakaran at prabv@dwt.com by 5 p.m. on October 31, 2011.

MBC Co-chair

Connections Made at BALIF's "Connnections" Fall Social Event

BALIF Administrator — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 17:38:24 GMT

Over 30 people attended the "Connections" Fall social event at Gingerfruit last Wednesday evening. Several pairs of mentors and mentees met and discussed their goals for the year, including strategies on how to increase their networking opportunities and alternative paths to employment. We are also delighted that several students and newer lawyers attended to learn more about mentoring and sign up for mentors. We are amazed at how talented our mentors are - from a sitting judge, to a partners in top national firms, to solos running their own business, to attorneys in the courts and public interest organizations. We thank them for their time and believe our mentees will learn many valuable lessons from them. Our search continues for BALIF mentors to lend a hand and sign up. Please contact Dennis Raglin, chair of the Young Lawyers & Students Committee (dennis.raglin@sedgwicklaw.com).

We Want Your BALIFBuzz

BALIF Administrator — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 17:33:20 GMT

We all love that section in our alumni newsletters that talks about who's doing what.

Well, we're introducing the BALIFBuzz to show-off all the great things that our members are doing. BALIFBuzz will be appearing in the weekly BALIF newsletter.

New job?

New client?

Promotion?

Court victory?

Significant settlement?

Baby on the way?

Recently married or engaged?

Speaking engagement?

Award, recognition, certification, or degree?

Or anything else you're excited about...

Keep it to one or two lines. Please send to membership@balif.org.

Can't wait to hear your great news!

On Lu

BALIF Membership Chair

BALIF Members Attend 31st meeting of the California Conference of Bar Associations

BALIF Administrator — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 16:17:45 GMT

BALIF members Jo Hoeniger, Ernst Halprin and Dan Dean and BALIF board members Lilah Sutphen, Michael Wolchansky and Cara Sherman recently attended the California Conference of Bar Associations (formerly the Conference of Delegates). Through their hard work, all BALIF resolutions were passed which means they are eligible to be taken to Sacramento. The resolutions included three civil rights resolutions that touch on the rights of LGBT people, and one civil procedure resolution making mediations confidential like settlement conferences. Also at the conference, Assemblyman Tom Ammiano was honored for all his hard work and our BALIF members even got to dine with him privately. BALIF is so proud to have members who continually fight for the rights of LGBT individuals.

PRESS RELEASE: BALIF LGBT Bar Marks Equality Milestones at MOMA on March 11

(Past member) — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 21:26:44 GMT

PRESS RELEASE

For More Information contact:

Katie Carlson

balif@balif.org

415-865-5620

www.balif.org

BALIF LGBT Bar Marks Equality Milestones at MOMA on March 11

Join BALIF, the nation’s oldest LGBT Bar Association, as we celebrate the “Art of Equality” at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art on Friday evening, March 11 at 7:00p.m. Freed from the tables of a typical dinner, we will mix, mingle, and honor this year’s award winners, UC Hastings College of the Law, The Trevor Project, and J.Robert Garcia, this year’s BALIF/La Raza Summer Fellow working on LGBT issues in communities of color. After the program, we’ll tour art galleries, sip cocktails, socialize with old and new friends, and dance the night away while the DJ spins tunes.

BALIF honors UC Hastings College of the Law with the BALIF Legal Services Award in recognition of the school’s United States Supreme Court victory in CLS v. Martinez, affirming its right to require recognized student groups to honor and equal access, non-discrimination policy. BALIF Co-Chair David Tsai remarked, “UC Hastings College of the Law’s victory will have nationwide impact. The United States Supreme Court clearly articulated a principle of equal access for all students, something we knew in our hearts that is now supported by law.”

BALIF also honors the Trevor Project, the nation’s only 24-Hour national suicide prevention hotline for LGBTQ youth. Sadly, this year, our country witnessed that the Trevor Project’s mission is more critical than ever, as the national news reported several youth who took their own lives when they felt they had nowhere else to turn. BALIF Co-Chair Liz Noteware noted that “The Trevor Project has mobilized America to focus on the issues facing LGBTQ Youth, and created a way for all people to get involved, help, and truly make things better. We look forward to welcoming The Trevor Project’s call center to the Castro very soon!”

BALIF/La Raza Fellow J. Robert Garcia is the recipient of the innovative La Raza/BALIF Summer Fellowship designed to support a student working on LGBT issues that affect communities of color. Mr. Garcia is a Stanford Law School student and former White House Intern who served the LGBTQ/Latino community by working on a range of projects advocating on behalf of LGBT transnational couples and families, and providing LGBT resources to legal service agencies serving the Latina/o community.

Tickets are available here!

Lesbian Sabrina Shizue McKenna Appointed to Hawaii Supreme Court

(Past member) — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 03:11:20 GMT

BALIF is delighted that Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie (D) has appointed Sabrina Shizue McKenna to a 10-year term on the Hawaii Supreme Court. McKenna, an out lesbian who was born in Tokyo, has been a judge for 17 years on various courts in the state. McKenna would be the first openly gay member of the Hawai’i Supreme Court. According to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, McKenna hopes her appointment can give “hope to people who feel that they cannot succeed” because of a variety of reasons, including being gay. McKenna has been on the Judicial Selection Commission lists for associate justice two previous times, for chief judge of the Intermediate Court of Appeals twice and for an appeals judge five times. She was also one of three names submitted by U.S. Sens. Daniel Inouye and Daniel Akaka to President Barack Obama, who picked Leslie Kobayashi as the newest U.S. District Court judge for Hawaii.

Be Part of BALIF’s “It Gets Better” Video

(Past member) — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 03:00:40 GMT

Remember what it was like growing up “different”? (Sigh) Well, here’s our chance to make it a bit easier for teens that are going through the same thing we did.

BALIF is putting together our very own “It Gets Better” video and is soliciting your help. We’re seeking inspiration, courage, and the offer of hope. We want to hear from you if you have a unique story or message about your coming-out and entry into the legal profession. Extra points for BALIF members who:

1. Entered the legal profession to “fight back”, as a result of bullying they personally suffered or witnessed;

2. Entered the legal profession specifically to fight for LGBT rights;

3. Are members of minority groups; or

Lawyers, legal professionals, judges, in-house counsel, and students are all welcomed. Videotaping is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday evening (2/16) and Saturday afternoon (2/19). Please be available on one of those two dates.

We’d love to hear from you if you’d like to participate in the video. Or if you’re camera shy, you can still help us out with this project behind the scenes. Please contact: membership@balif.org.

Call for Nominations for 2011-State Bar Awards

(Past member) — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 19:19:23 GMT

The State Bar of California is seeking nominations for the President’s Pro Bono Awards and the Loren Miller Legal Services Award. Both awards recognize extraordinary service to California’s poor. Please nominate your colleagues who qualify for these awards.

Please look to your local legal aid program and those involved in its success for a nominee for the Loren Miller Legal Services Award. This award recognizes a lifetime commitment to legal services and extending legal services to the poor. While many prior recipients of the award have been Executive Directors of legal aid programs, others have been staff attorneys and private bar attorneys. It is not the level in the organization that matters; it is the longevity of dedication to legal services and breadth of service that are key. Each year we receive various nominations for the award, but can only give it to one person. If you know someone who was previously nominated, but did not receive the award, please nominate that person again.

Bar members and law students who performed extraordinary pro bono service during 2010 are eligible for the 2011 President’s Pro Bono Awards. Up to nine awards may be given each year from among nominees who may be California attorneys, California law firms or the California offices of national and international law firms, associations of California lawyers, law schools accredited by the ABA or the State Bar, and law students (provided the student did not receive compensation or academic credit for the work). The work must be legal work, not civic or public service (i.e., building houses or serving meals in a soup kitchen would not qualify.) If you know someone was previously nominated but not recognized, please consider nominating that person again if their pro bono service in 2010 was significant.

The nomination deadline for all awards is March 15, 2011. Information and instructions for all awards are available on the State Bar’s website. The 2011 awards will be presented at a reception in September 2011 during the State Bar Annual Meeting in Long Beach. If you have any questions about the awards, please contact Lynn Martinez, Awards Chair, at slmartinez@wclp.org or 213-235-2630, or the SCDLS Staff Liaison, Sharon Ngim, at sharon.ngim@calbar.ca.gov or 415-538-2267.

Date: 2011-03-15

Connections Mentorship Reception

(Past member) — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 03:14:22 GMT

Mentors and mentees come shake off those Winter blues with some mentorship camaraderie on Thursday, January 20 at Home restaurant (at the intersection of Church and Market Streets). From 6:00 to 8:30 PM, enjoy complimentary beer, wine and the delicious food that Home is known for. Enjoy the fireplace while mentors and mentees catch up and check in with each other, and discuss goals for the first half of 2011. Even if you don’t have a mentor or mentee, you’re welcome to attend to learn more and to network with your BALIF colleagues. For more information, please contact Dennis Raglin, Chair of the Young Lawyers and Student Committee at dennis.raglin@sdma.com.

BALIF CLE

(Past member) — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 03:18:46 GMT

Conference of Delegates Resolutions Due

(Past member) — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 03:16:59 GMT

Conference of Delegates Resolutions Due If you would like to submit a resolution for the 2011 Conference of Delegates, the deadline is January 28. Please contact Dan Dean immediately at dandeansf@gmail.com or 415-362-9314.

Unveiling the BALIF 30th Anniversary American Apparel T-Shirt

(Past member) — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 22:08:19 GMT

Unveiling the BALIF 30th Anniversary American Apparel T-Shirt
It’s the American Apparel Fine Jersey Short Sleeve T-Shirt – the softest, smoothest, best-looking T-shirt available anywhere. And now, you can get the official BALIF 30th Anniversary edition. The shirts are available in Cranberry, Teal, Purple, and Orange. And they come in S, M, L, and XL (in Men’s and Women’s sizes). Only $20 a pop. Shipping via Priority Mail is $4. Order now: http://www.acteva.com/booking.cfm?bevaid=207415

BALIF News

BALIF Joins Emergency Amicus Brief in U.S. Supreme Court Case Defending LGBTQ Youth Access to Social Media

Protecting Our Community: DHS Policy Update & Digital Privacy Resources

BALIF and AABA Condemn Attacks on LGBTQIA+ Community

BALIF’s Commitment to LGBTQI+ Rights in the Wake of the Election Results

BALIF Joins Legal Brief U.S. v. Skrmetti

BALIF Foundation 2024 Law Student Association of the Year Awardee

BALIF Foundation 2024 Julius Turman Awardee

BALIF Congratulates it's 2024 Gala Awardees

Love BALIF?

BALIF Foundation 2024 Julius Turman Award

BALIF Foundation 2024 Law Student Association of the Year

BALIF'S MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

CALIFORNIA DEPUTY A.G. LISA CISNEROS FOR MAGISTRATE JUDGESHIP IN SAN FRANCISCO

Biden Nominates Sacramento Superior Court’s Daniel Calabretta to Federal Judgeship

BALIF Stands for Reproductive Freedom

Join the BALIF Board!

BALIF's New Lawyers Committee is accepting applications for the ﻿2021-2022 Mentorship Program!

BALIF Statement on the 2021 California Gubernatorial Recall Election

BALIF’s Letter of Solidarity in Response to Atlanta Shootings and Rising AAPI Hate

BALIF Foundation 2020 Year in Review

BALIF Condemns Efforts to Disenfranchise Voters and Undermine Democracy

BALIF Holiday Fundraiser- Tenderloin Tessie Holiday Dinners

BALIF Congratulates Martin J. Jenkins on Historic Appointment to California Supreme Court

BALIF Buzz: BALIF Member Sean SeLegue Named as Chair of the State Bar Board of Trustees

BALIF Buzz: Social Justice Summer: August Recap

BALIF STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO POLICE SHOOTING OF JACOB BLAKE

BALIF Buzz is Back!!!

BALIF joins LGBTQI+ Bar Associations today in a letter to Governor Newsom demanding LGBTQI/POC appointment fill the open seat on the California Supreme Court

Social Justice Summer Recap

BALIF REJOICES: MAJOR SCOTUS VICTORY FOR LGBTQI+ EMPLOYEES

Membership Update

BALIF Supports Racial Justice Organizations through a $1800 Donation

BALIF Board Opening

BALIF Call to Action & Condemnation of Police Brutality

2020 BALIF Foundation Summer Fellowship

Thank you to those of you who were able to attend our 40th Anniversary Gala!

Join the BALIF Board

BALIF Foundation to seek nominations for the First Annual Julius Turman Award

Halloween Fundraiser- Huge success thanks to all our sponsors!

BALIF at the Conference of CA Bar Associations 2019 (CCBA)

BALIF's New Lawyers Committee is accepting applications for both Mentors and Mentees for the 2019-2020 year!

Second Annual WLAC/Rhoda and Judge Stuart Hing Scholarship

Joseph Fordjour of Thomas Jefferson School of Law, San Diego selected to receive the BALIF Foundation's Summer Fellowship

UC Berkeley School of Law rising 3L Janani Ramachandran receives the APABA-SV/BALIF Joint Scholarship

Welcome the 2019-2020 BALIF Board

Join the BALIF Board of Directors for 2019-2021 Candidate Deadline Extended to April 1, 2019

BALIF Board Official Response

BALIF's Response to SCOTUS Ruling on Transgender Ban

Potential Trump Admin Action: A New Low in Attack on LGBTQI Rights

BALIF is disappointed to learn that the Supreme Court recently declined to hear a case which could have strengthened the right to an impartial jury for LGBT persons.

BALIF's Response to the Masterpiece Cakeshop Decision Today

BALIF IS PROUD TO SUPPORT SB 990

Good Luck, Cal Bar Exam Takers

Congratulations to our 2017-2018 BALIF Board of Directors!

BALIF Foundation Fellowship & BALIF-APABA Scholarship Deadlines EXTENDED

Deadline to Run for BALIF Board Extended- Seeking addition Female & Non-Binary/Gender Non-Conforming Candidates

Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom (BALIF) Statement of Support for Senate Bill 239

U.S. Supreme Court Sends Transgender Rights Case Back to the Fourth Circuit

BALIF Files Supreme Court Amicus Brief Supporting Transgender Student Gavin Grimm

Statement Regarding the Trump Administration’s Attacks on Transgender Students

February 23, 2017 – San Francisco, California

Join the BALIF Board of Directors for 2017-2019

BALIF Joins Amicus Brief in New Jersey Transgender Rights Case

BALIF Will Print and Mail to You Free Postcards to Send to Elected Officials (Women’s March: The First Action)

BALIF Participates in Women's March Across the US

BALIF Files Fourth Circuit Amicus Brief in Case Challenging North Carolina’s Anti-Transgender Law

PROTECT THE VOTE NOVEMBER 8TH

Please Donate Today! LavLaw Conference Scholarship

BALIF Scholar Recipient

BALIF Extends Outrage and Sorrow for the Victims of the Orlando Massacre

Congratulations to the 2016-2017 BALIF Board

Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom (BALIF) Joins Bar Associations Around California and California State Bar President, David Pasternak to Call on President Obama and Senate to Fill Supreme Court Vacancy

BALIF Joins Supreme Court Amicus Brief Supporting Immigrants’ Rights

2016-2018 Public Interest Fellowship Opportunity

BALIF Joins Coalition of National LGBT, Racial Equality, and Health Groups in Filing Amicus Brief in U.S. Supreme Court Challenge to Texas Abortion Restrictions

BALIF Mourns the Loss of Dennis Nix

Vote for Bayview Hunter's Point Community Legal

KABA 2015 Bar Study Scholarship via KABANC

Joint BALIF/APABA-SV Scholarship- Deadline 9/9/15

BALIF's New Lawyers Committee is accepting applications for the 2021-2022 Mentorship Program!