Six members of the University of Wisconsin QLaw student organization attended the National Lesbian and Gay Law Association’s (NLGLA) Lavender Law Career Fair and Conference in San Francisco, California, September 3-6, 2008. NLGLA (soon to be renamed the National LGBT Lawyers Association), an affiliate of the American Bar Association, celebrated its 20th Anniversary Conference. The Conference was attended by over 500 law students, hundreds of practicing attorneys, and multiple legal scholars and members of the judiciary. In addition to three days of workshops, networking activities, career counseling and events, over 150 recruiters from top U.S. firms, non-profits and government agencies participated in a career fair aimed at the attending law students. “Some of the attorneys I met told me about their experiences in law school, how hard it was to be openly LGBT, and how they were afraid to be open about who they were when applying for jobs. Things have changed in only a few years–now there is a room full of legal employers that want to hire LGBT law students,” said Marc Korobkin, third year law student and co-chair of QLaw.

“The student career fair was somewhat intimidating, but it was comforting to see so many employers dedicated to diversity. It was a good way for LGBT law students to sit with a huge array of firms to learn about their practice as well as to question them on their commitment to the LGBT community,” commented Lucas Strelow, a second year law student and member of QLaw. “Until recently, only a handful of recruiters were attending this annual conference,” said Hilary Edwards, secretary of QLaw and second year law student, “While the firms and other employers were committed to diversity in the workplace, they were seeking the best candidates, regardless of orientation, gender identity or other identification. I think it would be important as well for diversity allies to review the list of employers represented; diversity in the workplace should be an important consideration to any potential summer associate or prospective graduate.” A list of recruiters may be accessed on the Lavender Law website.

The conference also featured career counseling for law students, with sage perspective on the issues facing openly LGBT attorneys, whether or not they chose to practice in an LGBT-related field of law.  Travis Cox, the fundraiser for QLaw and second year law student said, “I found this service to be particularly helpful because these counselors had an understanding of the challenges and sensitivities that LGBT people face in the job market. The counselor with whom I met gave me some great advice about job search strategies.”

Workshops featured respected legal scholars, practicing attorneys and judges and top practitioners of LBGT law, focused on a variety of issues of importance to the LGBT community and allies, from incarceration, to family law, pro bono work or to the varieties of career opportunities now available to openly LGBT attorneys.  “I have attended numerous CLE’s and conferences on family law issues and this was the first time that my questions relating to same sex relationships were addressed.  My favorite part of the conference was the family law series which dealt with legal strategies for same sex relationships including:  family formation, relationship dissolution and advanced trust and estate planning.  The Speakers were all from different States with varying levels of recognition,” said Erica Plaza, a member of QLaw who will be graduating in December, and will attend Lavender Law 2009 as a practicing attorney.

For additional information about NLGLA, or their annual Lavender Law Conferences, visit www.nlgla.org.

QLaw would like to thank our Gala 2008 sponsors and the Associated Students of Madison (ASM) for their generous financial support!

Tags: Career Fair, Lavender Law, Law School, LGBT, NLGLA, QLaw, University of Wisconsin Law School, UW Law