1. Home
  2. amicus briefs

Amicus Briefs

An amicus curiae ("friend of the court") brief gives a court the perspective, legal analysis, and lived experience of people and organizations that are not parties to a case. The LGBT Bar Association of Greater New York (LGBT Bar NY) and the LGBT Bar Association Foundation of Greater New York periodically author or join amicus briefs to help courts understand how their decisions affect LGBTQ+ people and to safeguard our community's constitutional and civil rights.

How We Decide

Our Role in Impact Litigation

Amicus requests are reviewed by the Legal Services and Advocacy Committee, a joint board committee of the Association and the Foundation. The Committee evaluates cases pending in state and federal courts to identify opportunities where our voice, expertise, and history can help a court reach a just and informed decision. The Committee's decision on whether LGBT Bar NY participates is final.

In general, the Committee looks for cases that present:

  • An unsettled or contested question of law that affects LGBTQ+ people
  • A decision likely to shape the law beyond the parties to the case
  • A perspective an amicus can offer that the parties' own briefs do not
  • Enough time before the filing deadline for meaningful review

Amicus participation is not legal representation. LGBT Bar NY does not appear on behalf of individual litigants through an amicus brief. If you need legal help, please visit Get Legal Help.

Amicus Policy

Amicus Brief Policy

Our amicus policy and submission guidelines are being updated by the Legal Services and Advocacy Committee. The revised policy will be posted here.

Under Revision

Updated Policy Coming Soon

Requests may still be submitted while the policy is being revised.

Recent Filing

City of Grants Pass v. Johnson

In April 2024, LGBT Bar NY joined a coalition amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court addressing the punishment of people experiencing homelessness, an issue that falls disproportionately on LGBTQ+ people.

Read the Brief (PDF)

Submit an Amicus Request

Litigants, counsel, and coalition partners seeking our participation may email a request for Committee review. Please include:

  • The case name, court, and index or docket number
  • The case's current posture and the deadline for amicus briefs
  • The legal question an amicus brief would address, and why it matters beyond the parties
  • Key filings (the decision below and the parties' briefs) or links to them
  • Contact information for counsel of record

Submitting a request does not commit LGBT Bar NY to participate. Because of the volume of requests, please allow time for review before any filing deadline.

Email an Amicus Request

Amicus decisions are made by the Legal Services and Advocacy Committee, with no involvement of LGBT Bar NY's President, the Honorable Eric J. Wursthorn.