Programs and Events About Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Issues LGBT Programs and Events
 Section of Business Law Friday, August 10, 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM "Altared" States: Effective Strategies for Business Counsel in the Changing Legal Landscape of Same-Sex Couples In a constantly evolving landscape domestic partnership, civil union, and marriage laws for same-sex couples, it is increasingly difficult for business attorneys to know how to identify issues and provide advice regarding the legal needs of lesbian and gay employees, clients and customers. Complying with these changing laws can be a troubling source of erroneous advice and, in some instances, malpractice. This program will briefly review the new laws for same-sex couples, both nationally and internationally.The panel also will provide practical advice to business attorneys on how to spot critical issues, provide meaningful counsel in an era of legal and tax uncertainty, avoid malpractice liability when advising clients, and implement the new laws on a company-wide basis. Topics will include identifying business and real estate transactions where the "marital" status of the lesbian or gay client is relevant, ascertaining the legal status of lesbian and gay clients, partners and employees in an appropriate manner, advising clients on business transactions in light of the federal tax uncertainties, implementing domestic partnership/civil union laws in employment policies, addressing the legal rights of same-sex couples in consumer transaction requirements, including discrimination in credit issues, and developing appropriate policies in lending and other commercial transactions for same-sex couples. Program Chair:
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Allies for Justice Award Reception Friday, August 10th, 5:30 - 7:30PM The Westin St. Frances Tower Salon A, Lobby Level Co-Sponsored by the ABA Section on Individual Rights and Responsibilities. Each year, This year's awardee will be announced shortly.
For additional information, and for a list of previous awardees, please click here. ABA AIDS Coordinating Committee Saturday, August 11, 3:45 - 5:15 PM Sex, Drugs and the Law: The ABA's Response to the HIV/AIDS Pandemic Marking the Committee's 20th anniversary, current and former Committee Chairs will discuss the legal and policy issues present in the early years of HIV/AIDS, how they have evolved, new issues that have emerged, and the ABA's response to them. The program also will honor the Committee's founders and early supporters, including former ABA President Robert MacCrate, former IRR Chair William L. Robinson, and Alexander Forger and Abby R. Rubenfeld. 
Section of Litigation Saturday, August 11, 8:30 - 10:00 AM Same-Sex, Same Rights? Civil rights for same-sex couples have been denied in Congress and 45 states, but a majority of Fortune 500 corporations and a growing number of state and local governments guarantee equal employment opportunity covering sexual orientation and extend benefits to domestic partners. Is achieving equality for all families the civil rights issue of our generation? Program Chair:
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 Tort, Trial and Insurance Practice Section Saturday, August 11, 2:00 - 3:00 PM Domestic Partner Benefits, Rights and Responsibilities: What Every Lawyer Needs to Know TIPS Committee main sponsor:
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The legal issues surrounding domestic partnerships and same sex marriages have become increasingly significant and complex. The landmark decision by the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts in Goodridge v. Department of Public Health, 440 Mass. 309 (2003) opened the door for same sex residents of Massachusetts to marry. Several other states and local jurisdictions have passed legislation which recognizes domestic partners through Civil Unions and Domestic Partner Registries. Additionally, a growing number of Fortune 500 companies now offer health care benefits to domestic partners. While these state and local laws give numerous rights to domestic partners, none of them confer rights to pension and related benefits regulated by federal laws. This growing divide between federal laws, such as ERISA, and state laws granting domestic partners benefits, creates increasing legal challenges. This expert panel of employment and employee benefit lawyers will address these current legal issues surrounding the benefits, rights and responsibilities of domestic partners. Program Chair:
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Judicial Division Saturday, August 11, 12:00 - 5:00 PM
For the extensive list of sponsors and speakers, please click here. Section on Business Law Welcome Reception Saturday, August 11, 6:00 - 7:30 PM The Section Welcome Reception will be held on Saturday, August 11, from 6:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at the beautifully appointed Fairmont San Francisco Hotel. Join familiar Section of Business Law colleagues and meet new ones at this wonderful event. Relax and revitalize as you unwind from the events of the day at this elegant event. Cocktails and entertainment will be provided. Admission is free to registered attendees and their guests.  Section of Individual Rights and Responsibilities Sunday, August 12, 3:45 - 5:15 PM Respect for Same-Sex Couples and their Relationships: Navigating the Hurdles Posed by Lack of Federal and State Recognition While the growing availability of marriage, domestic partnerships, and civil unions for same-sex couples represents an important advancement in the struggle for full equality for lesbian, gay, and bisexual people, these developments also pose new and complicated legal problems for these couples and for the attorneys who are advising them. Increasing numbers of states have enacted statutory and constitutional provisions purporting to deny recognition of marriages between same-sex couples and, in some states, even purporting to deny recognition of domestic partnerships, civil unions, and other forms of relationships between same-sex couples. And, of course, the federal Defense of Marriage Act purports to provide that the federal government will not extend to same-sex couples the rights and protections provided to married heterosexual spouses. As a result of this patchwork, same-sex couples often have little guidance with regard to how they will be treated by the federal government and by other states as they move about the country. This panel will examine some of these difficulties. In particular, panelists will discuss issues related to interstate recognition of parent-child relationships, difficulties that same-sex couples face in the area of taxation and property because of the lack of federal recognition of their legal relationship with their partners, as well as the challenges that binational same-sex couples face. Speakers:
Section on Business Law Business Card Diversity Networking Reception Sunday, August 12, 6:00 - 7:30 PM The Committee on Diversity is proud to host a complimentary reception for all Annual Meeting attendees on Sunday, August 12, from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. We welcome all attendees who share our vision and are interested in recruiting and retaining lawyers of color, women lawyers, lawyers with disabilities, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender lawyers, young lawyers, and law students for active involvement in the Section. Learn how to navigate the vast array of the Section's resources and meet experts in your field. Or, just come to network and reacquaint with old friends and colleagues. We look forward to seeing you there. |
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