The LGBT Bar Association of New York (LeGaL) is among the nation’s first bar associations serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) legal community and remains one of the largest and most active organizations of its kind in the country.
LGBT Bar NY provides its members with meaningful opportunities to develop leadership skills, build professional community, and expand their legal networks. As an accredited Continuing Legal Education (CLE) provider, the Association offers programs throughout the year on LGBTQ+-specific issues as well as broader substantive and practice-oriented topics, including courses designed to support attorneys at every stage of their careers.
Members are encouraged to engage more deeply through participation in the Association’s Sections and Committees, which reflect a wide range of practice areas and professional interests. These include, among others, the Family and Matrimonial Law Section, In-House Corporate Counsel Committee, Judiciary Committee, Solo and Small Law Firm Practitioners Committee, Diversity Committee, and Public Interest Law Committee.
Through the Association, members also have access to client referrals via the Lawyer Referral Network (LRN). This program creates opportunities for solo practitioners and law firms to serve the community while being connected with potential fee-paying clients through the LRN.
Learn more about some of our Association's initiatives below:
CLE Programs
As a NYS-accredited provider, LGBT Bar NY hosts CLEs on diverse topics with a focus on timely LGBTQ+ legal issues and perspectives.
Networking & Community
Throughout the year, we offer a variety of programs and events to help you connect with other LGBTQ+ and allied professionals outside the courtroom.
Visit our Networking & Community page
Career Development
Whether it's pre-law, law school, making partner, or taking the bench, we're here to support all phases of your legal career.
Visit our Career Development page
Judicial Ratings
Since 1995, LGBT Bar NY's Judiciary Committee has been interviewing judicial candidates for local and state elections to determine if their views and objectives align with our mission and values.
Visit our Judicial Ratings page
Advocacy
LGBT Bar NY strives to ensure full equality for LGBTQ individuals and to increase access to justice by providing free legal services to members of our community.
