NLGLA | Annual Report 2005

Annual Report 2005

Table of Contents

> The View from the Chair
> Lavender Law 2005
> Financial Summary
> NLGLA In the News
> With Appreciation from the
Past-Chair
> From the Headquarters

With Appreciation from the Past-Chair

I first joined the NLGLA board in 1998, as chair of its Law Student Division. By that time, NLGLA was in its 10th year, and had established its role and importance in this movement. Among other accomplishments, NLGLA had secured a formal affiliation with the House of Delegates of the American Bar Association, through which it continues to influence national policy affecting our community.

Today . . . just 6 years later . . . in addition to the ABA’s House of Delegates, NLGLA has formal liaisons to:

The ABA Law Student Division

The Young Lawyers Division
The Commission on Women in the Profession
The AIDS Coordinating Committee

In this past year, NLGLA expanded beyond its affiliation with the ABA, forging reciprocal relationships with:

The National Association of Law Placement
The Law School Admissions Council
The Society of American Law Teachers
The Association of American Law Schools
The Minority Corporate Council Association

NLGLA increased its affiliate membership to 20 state LGBT bar associations. NLGLA launched a new website – at your request – with member-friendly features, including a members-only section where members can self-edit their profiles, post community news and needs, and engage in discussions with other LGBT professionals.

This year, NLGLA filed an amicus brief in the Supreme Court of the United States – joined by nearly 40 LGBT law student and state bar associations – supporting the litigation challenging the anti-gay Solomon Amendment. And while the results were disappointing, NLGLA was out and proud.

None of this remarkable growth would have been possible without the generosity of NLGLA’s directors, members, and volunteers. NLGLA is a labor of love. Every accomplishment I’ve just listed . . . everything we accomplished this past year . . . and everything you will enjoy during 2006 . . . is the result of donated time and talent. These individuals do this because they understand the importance of NLGLA and are dedicated to its success.

While 2005 was oftentimes a rollercoaster ride, it was a "settling in" year for our capable Executive Director, and a year of record-breaking successes.

I know 2006 will bring even greater professionalism and achievements to NLGLA and its generous volunteers. Thanks for the wild ride!

~~ Kara Suffredini

Vision Statement

NLGLA aspires to improve the quality of life for LGBT legal practitioners until the time that LGBT legal professionals are recognized without discrimination, stigma or negative bias.