Co-Presidents: Michael Porcello & Bridget Geraghty
VP, Diversity & Political Affairs: Madeline Stano
VP, Social Affairs: Ben Miller
Treasurer: Teo Merlo
Secretary: Loni Silva
All of us are thrilled to welcome the new crew -- though amazed at how quickly this year has passed. Transition will begin immediately. As always, contact us at
lambda@law.gwu.edu with any questions.
Lambda LGBT Networking Event with Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin! - Wednesday March 24th @ 7PM (for Lambda members; 7:30PM for the general public).
Have you RSVPed yet? If not, make sure to hurry! There will be a cap on the event and the invitation has now gone out to the whole school. Remember, Lambda members get exclusive access to the first half-hour of the event. RSVP for you, and then make sure to invite your friends! We've added even more employers since we last wrote - don't miss this great opportunity to celebrate and mingle with the LGBT & allied legal community.
Panel on the Challenge to Section 3 of DOMA -- with Lawrence v. Texas advocate Paul Smith, Dean Alan Morrison, and Professor Robert Tuttle! - Thursday March 25th @ 3PM
Lambda will host a discussion on the constitutional challenge to Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act in Gill v. Office of Personal Management, now pending in the District Court of Massachusetts. The plaintiffs in Gill are legally married same-sex couples who contend that DOMA’s denial to them of spousal protections in Social Security, federal income tax, and other federal laws, that are afforded to opposite-sex married couples, is unconstitutional. The discussion will include the strategy behind overturning the law, the arguments for and against applying heightened scrutiny when reviewing laws that discriminate against LGBT individuals, and an assessment of the bases relied on by the Government to support its position that DOMA satisfies rational basis.
Speakers are:
- Paul Smith, a partner at Jenner & Block in DC and the recipient of this year's Thurgood Marshall Award from the American Bar Association. He successfully argued Lawrence v. Texas before the Supreme Court and is co-counsel in Gill.
- Professor Robert Tuttle, is leading constitutional scholar on law and religion who has taught at GW Law since 1994. He will focus on the issue of whether heightened scrutiny is the proper standard of review.
- Dean Alan Morrison, the Lerner Family Associate Dean for Public Interest and Public Service Law at GW, is an informal contributor to the plaintiff’s legal team in Gill and will moderate the discussion.
Light food and refreshments will be served.
PROTEST: Rally Against "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" with Kathy Griffin, My Life on the D-List, and HRC! - Thursday March 18 @ 12PM (Freedom Plaza)
This just came in! Kathy writes, "Calling all DC gays and ALL good citizens who support EQUALITY!!!
After traveling to Irag and Afghanistan to perform for the troops and visiting with injured vets and their families at Walter Reed, I've gotten to meet and know many gay members of our brave military. Their stories are heartbreaking, touching, and need to be heard. They cannot stand up for themselves, so it's time we stand up for them and be their voice. They put their lives on the line for us every day, all the while risking getting fired, discharged, losing all their benefits and maybe even worse, just for being 'found out.'
With the help of the HRC, I'm organizing a rally to help repeal the antiquated policy of 'don't ask, don't tell.' All you have to do is show up!"
PROTEST: Rally Against Virginia AG Cuccinelli's Proposal to Remove Sexual Orientation from School Nondiscrimination Policies - Tuesday March 23 @ 4PM (George Mason - Virginia Square - Metro Orange Line)
The students at George Mason Law are organizing a protest to occur at the same time as Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli is scheduled to appear on campus to talk about
his opinion letter advising public Virginia Universities to delete sexual orientation from their nondiscrimination policies. We're thrilled to stand with our friends at Mason! AG Cuccinelli's email was unnecessary and unacceptable.
RSVP on
Facebook (Mason's invite) or by emailing
lambda@law.gwu.edu. We'll have more details on meeting up and going together next week.
Previously Announced Events - double-check for deadlines!
Lovely Lambda, make sure to scan the below for some great area events. There's still time to RSVP (we've marked them):
- Cleary Gottlieb Fireside Chat - March 18th, 6pm - Enjoy and informal discussion about personal and professional life at a large law firm and the necessary ingredients for a successful summer experience - RSVPs closed
- Akin Gump Diversity Reception for 1Ls - March 22nd, 6-8pm - Come meet attorneys from the firm's NY and DC offices and learn more about Akin Gump
- WilmerHale Diversity Panel - March 22nd, 4-6pm - Expectations of Entry-Level Associates in the Current Legal Market
- Willkie Farr Diversity Resume Review & Reception - March 23rd, 5:30-7:30pm - Get confidential written comments on your resume, attend a panel, and network afterwards - RSVPs closed
- Latham & Watkins - April 1, 4-6pm - Diversity Study Break
