Advancing Justice, Advocacy & Direct Service
LGBT Bar NY is committed to advancing full equality for LGBTQ+ individuals and expanding access to justice across the Greater New York area. Through focused advocacy, public education, and frontline legal services, the Association ensures that LGBTQ+ New Yorkers can navigate the legal system with dignity, safety, and meaningful support.
We are uniquely positioned as a trusted entry point into the legal system for community members seeking assistance. Through our Clinic Volunteers & Pro Bono Committee, active practitioners and volunteer attorneys coordinate intake, develop practical client resources, and deliver free legal information, referrals, and direct pro bono representation. These services reduce systemic barriers and respond directly to the acute legal needs of our community.
Beyond direct client services, LGBT Bar NY engages in strategic advocacy to safeguard civil rights and promote structural fairness. Through our newly chartered Transgender Law & Advocacy Section, we provide a dedicated substantive forum to monitor and confront critical legal and policy crises facing transgender, non-binary, and gender-expansive New Yorkers. From healthcare equity and accurate identity documentation to anti-discrimination enforcement, the Section drives targeted advocacy, public education, and policy guidance for the bench, the bar, and the public.
Our broader work mobilizes the collective power of our membership across every career stage:
The Judiciary Committee rigorously evaluates and screens judicial candidates to champion a fair, qualified, and diverse bench across New York courts.
The Emerging Leaders Committee equips attorneys in their first ten years and judicial law clerks with the practice skills, mentorship, and leadership pathways needed to shape the future of the profession.
The Law Students Committee bridges the gap between regional law schools, campus OUTLaw chapters, and practice, building a diverse, resilient pipeline into the New York bar.
Our advocacy is grounded in frontline service, legal excellence, and an enduring commitment to strengthening both our community and the legal system as a whole.
To get involved with our advocacy work, join a committee or section, or volunteer with our clinics, reach out to us at info@lgbtbarny.org.
