Annual Report 2005
From the HQ -- Calendar year 2005 brought many changes to NLGLA and its day-to-day life. We moved offices into the stunningly gorgeous home of Jenner and Block, LLP in Washington DC. I would like to express deep gratitude to Atty. Paul Smith, Managing Partner of the DC office, and Atty. Gail Morse, tax partner and NLGLA angel, in Jenner's Chicago office, for their generous support of NLGLA -- and especially for the new espresso machine in the office’s kitchen.
The year also prompted us to face our future. NLGLA was one of the sponsors of "Pride in the Profession" a networking reception sponsored by Chicago area bar associations and Bryan Cave. These types of LGBT receptions are becoming more and more common in the law firm environment and if you or your affiliate is hosting such an event, please let NLGLA sign on, we would love to get a chance to publicize your event. In 2005, NLGLA expanded its list of affiliated LGBT bar associations, and those almost two dozen groups are listed on the website. 2005 saw the re-emergence our Northwest affiliates in Seattle and Oregon -- both of which are experiencing great success with their outreach efforts. I was lucky enough to be invited to speak at Missouri's Lawyers for Equality's inaugural reception -- sharing the podium with the Chief Justice of the Missouri Supreme Court. Thank you to the forward-looking lawyers in Missouri -- you are an inspiration to us all. Our membership chair, Laura Maechtlen is organizing an affiliates round table discussion at Lavender Law 2006 - Washington DC, and if your affiliate would like to join us, please email Laura at LMaechtlen@seyfarth.com. Year 05 also brought new success in our efforts to automate the office. NLGLA understands that our members are subject to a blur of bar due renewals. To make NLGLA more effective, our new online database system will automatically update you, 60 days in advance, and then 30 days in advance, of your expiration. Should your membership expire, you will no longer have access to the members-only features of our site. At present, NLGLA has almost 1,300 profiles on our directory. Won't you take a moment to log on and update your profile so that NLGLA has your current contact information. The site also now includes the National and Affiliates' calendar of events, bulletin boards for discussion, and the membership directory. NLGLA will no longer ~~ D'Arcy Kemnitz, Executive Director |
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The year brought us face to face with our past. NLGLA is working with the Cornell University Library's Collection on Human Sexuality to archive its founding documents. I ask each of you now for copies of any founding documents or photos you may have. I also seek old CLE materials or programs from previous Lavender Laws, especially those from the years 1988 to the early 90s. NLGLA already has several historic photos from board meetings or awards ceremonies on its photo gallery page on the website, 
bear the burden of printing a hard-copy membership directory -- a directory that is frankly out of date and suffers from old information by the time it is printed. And instead, NLGLA is offering members a chance to network with hundreds of other legal professionals across the nation. Won’t you join us and rewew your membership today?