The National LGBT Bar Association
25th Anniversary Scrapbook
October 1987
The idea to create a national lesbian and gay bar association was first introduced at the March on Washington by a small group of family law practitioners.
Take a look at a relic from our files: the news release advertising the first meeting of the LGBT Bar’s founders.
At the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis, this core group of volunteers saw an overwhelming need to have an organization to serve as the legal voice of the lesbian and gay community.
The agenda that was passed out at the first meeting covers the direction of the bar association.
November 1988
The first Lavender Law® Conference was held at Golden Gate University. The keynote speaker was Roberta Archtenberg, a San Francisco Civil Rights Attorney and “openly lesbian” candidate for the California Legislature.
A copy of the brochure announcing the first Lavender Law速 Conference featured programming on civil rights, family law, AIDS, legal practice and criminal law.
Note: One program featured under the Civil Rights topic was called “Where After Hardwick?�
Our archives are kept at the Cornell University Library’s Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections in the Human Sexuality Collection.
If you have any mementos from the early years of the LGBT Bar, please send them to us at info@lgbtbar.org. We would love to expand our collection!
1989
At the American Bar Association’s midyear meeting, the National LGBT Bar Association’s bylaws were presented and a non-profit board of directors was formalized.
Members of the LGBT Bar: we need you! Which of you were present when these photos were taken? Send us your photos to help build this virtual scrapbook!
2002
The Career Fair was first held at Lavender Law. Several employers and law students kicked off what became an extremely popular event.
One of the early Career Fairs held in 2003 at Fordham University School of Law.
In 2012, the Career Fair featured 160 employers and 500 law students. We are proud to have heard a number of success stories from the Career Fair. Did you receive any job offers after attending Lavender Law? Please share your experience!
The Career Fair at the 2012 Lavender Law速 Conference & Career Fair.
2004
The first Executive Director was appointed. D’Arcy Kemnitz has served as the executive director of the LGBT Bar for eight years. She has taken the organization to new heights, expanding the membership to include attorneys from every industry and area of practice.
D’Arcy Kemnitz, executive director of the National LGBT Bar Association.
2007
The first Out & Proud Corporate Counsel Reception was held in New York. The Out & Proud Corporate Counsel Award program is now one of the LGBT Bar’s signature events with receptions across the country.
One of the first Out & Proud Corporate Counsel Award Receptions held in New York in 2008 honoring Richard Parent, MTV Networks/Logo Business and Legal Affairs.
2012
Lavender Law featured record breaking attendance as over 1,600 attendees traveled to Washington, DC to take part in more than 40 workshops on cuttingedge legal issues affecting the LGBT community. Attorney General Eric Holder was the keynote speaker, illustrating just how much Lavender Law and the LGBT Bar have grown since 1988.
Have you been involved with the LGBT Bar from the beginning? How did the 2012 Lavender Law compare to the first conference in 1988?
Pictured from left at the 2012 Lavender Law® Conference & Career Fair: Matt Nosanchuk, US Department of Homeland Security; Casey Sprock, LGBT Bar Foundation President; Jeff Schimelfenig, LGBT Bar Association President; D’Arcy Kemnitz, LGBT Bar Executive Director; US Attorney General Eric Holder; Sharon Zealey, Coca-Cola Company; Todd Brown, LGBT Bar Foundation President-Elect; and Jason Gibson, LGBT Bar Association President-Elect.
2013
The celebrations for our 25th anniversary are already underway! In January, the LGBT Bar will host an opportunity for our members to be admitted to the Bar of the United States Supreme Court. Planning has begun for the 25th Anniversary Lavender Law速 Conference & Career Fair. It will take place in San Francisco, California from August 2224, 2013.
Join us as we travel the Road to San Francisco by celebrating the history of the National LGBT Bar Association!
Please help us commemorate our 25th anniversary! Send pictures, memories and any other mementos you have from the early years of the LGBT Bar to info@lgbtbar.org.
The National LGBT Bar Association
www.lgbtbar.org
1301 K Street NW Suite 1100, East Tower Washington, DC 20005