There’s still time to reserve your spot for GLAD’s first-of-its kind seminar “Representing Transgender Clients in Family Law,” a program that aims to provide resources and training for family law practitioners representing transgender clients in Massachusetts. This free seminar takes place at the Boston Bar Association on 16 Beacon Street in Boston on Monday, May 2 from 4 p.m. – 6p.m.
Despite the growing visibility of transgender people and the legal issues that affect them in the last 10-15 years, for many attorneys transgender issues are uncharted turf. We’re hoping to begin changing that with next week’s seminar.
“By providing this training session we hope to expand the resources available to transgender people who face family law issues,” says GLAD Transgender Rights Project Director Jennifer Levi, who will be presenting at the seminar. “The seminar will offer family law practitioners practical information and resources to help them better serve transgender clients, who, unfortunately, are extremely vulnerable in the legal system because of pervasive bias and misunderstanding about transgender people’s lives.”
GLAD is proud to cosponsor the seminar with the Massachusetts LGBTQ Bar Association, and between the two organizations, we’ve assembled a team of presenters that should make for an enlightening and informative afternoon.
In addition to Jennifer, a nationally recognized expert on transgender issues, the Honorable Angela M. Ordonez, First Justice of Norfolk Probate and Family Court, will share her perspective on family law cases involving transgender litigants (fun fact: Judge Ordonez is the first Hispanic openly gay justice appointed to the Massachusetts bench). Rounding out the roster are some folks who are leading the way on transgender issues in the local legal community: Laura Langley, an associate at Bingham McCutchen and chair of the LGBTQ Bar Association's Committee on Transgender Inclusion; Astrid Tsang of the LGBTQ Bar Association's Committee on Transgender Inclusion and an associate at WilmerHale; Barusch (just one name, like Madonna), a member of the LGBTQ Bar Association’s Committee on Transgender Inclusion and an associate at the Law Office of Joyce Kauffman; and Elizabeth Roberts, chair of the LGBTQ Bar Association’s Family Law Section and an associate at Todd & Weld.
Some of the topics up for discussion include:
- Introduction to representing a transgender client
- Guide to legal name changes in Massachusetts probate court
- Guide to obtaining a legal change of sex in Massachusetts
- Divorce and support/division of property factors
- Judicial perspective on family law cases involving transgender litigants
Attendees will also receive a free resource binder to assist them when representing a transgender client.
And there will be snacks, too!
You don’t want to miss this. Register here right now!
But if you can't be with us, check out our related webinar on Wednesday, May 4, which is also titled “Representing Transgender Clients in Family Law,” but is geared toward a national audience. To register visit: www.glad.org/event/2011-trans-clients-webinar
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