Use this button to switch between dark and light mode.

LexisNexis joins forces with the LGBT Bar Association

July 14, 2021 (2 min read)

By Isabelle Hansen | LexisNexis 

The mission of LexisNexis is to advance the Rule Of Law around the world. In doing so, we include all facets of identity, whether that be Race, Religion, Gender, Sexual Orientation, Ethnicity, etc. Because of our commitment to making LexisNexis and the world a more inclusive environment, we are excited to announce our partnership with The LGBT Bar Association! Through this partnership, we will not only participate in the Lavender Law Conference and Career fair, but also help bring awareness to the especially critical issues the LGBTQ+ community is battling. 

The LGBT Bar Association focuses on promoting justice nationwide for the LGBTQIA+ community and is a leader in the effort to ban the “panic” defense strategy. The “panic” defense is a legal tactic used in situations where a violent act is committed and the defendant claims that the victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity excuses the defendant's violent actions. This defense strategy is applied to all types of assault to lessen sentences, including murder. This horrific defense strategy has been banned in the District of Columbia, California, Illinois, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Washington, Colorado, Virginia, Vermont, Oregon, Nevada, Connecticut, Maine, Hawaii, and Maryland. The LGBT Bar Association has been diligently working towards federally stopping this defense tactic that disregards human rights. LexisNexis is proud to be partnering with the National LGBT Bar Association to support the LGBTQIA+ community under the rule of law.

Jackie Steeh, Practice Area Consultant at LexisNexis and proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community, introduced this partnership opportunity. Jackie leads this effort for LexisNexis’ involvement in this year’s Lavender Law Conference and Career Fair. In Jackie’s words, “We are here to educate, support and be a guiding post example for other companies on what allyship looks like: action. We are using our resources to help work towards pushing forward a ban on the Panic Defense, educate practitioners and students on resources and provide practical resources to support those who are on the front lines of these heavy issues”. LexisNexis is proud to be a role model for active support for important LGBTQIA+ issues. “We at Lexis are answering the call to not just be visually supportive but provide our resources to help those who are fighting for impacting, systemic change. LexisNexis is working to grow their understanding of what it means to be an ally for the LGBTQIA+ community and not just learning but taking that knowledge and putting into action,” says Jackie. 

As a part of the partnership, Eva Harte, Esq., Paul Cooper J.D., M.A., Anni Glogovac and Kyle Turner, Esq, will be presenting key resources from LexisNexis Practical Guidance on the topic of LGBTQ rights for use in practice at the Lavender Law Conference on July 28th, 2021. There will be an emphasis on employment law materials for employees and employers, including litigation tools and transactional tools.  

“As a prior employment litigator, I strongly support Lavender Law and the momentum it generates around LGBTQ rights. I believe in the celebration of the unique dignity of each human being on this planet. Recent landmark cases interpreting Title VII, especially the 2020 Supreme Court Bostock case, recognize that an employee’s sexual orientation or gender identity is protected from sex-based discrimination. I am excited to be able to collaborate with law students and practitioners to continue the march forward to broaden inclusivity and diversity in the workplace and beyond,” says Harte who is a Practice Area Consultant for Practical Guidance at LexisNexis.  

Join the LexisNexis team in spreading awareness about the LGBT Bar Association, the Panic Defense, and Lavender Law by sharing resources available at www.lgbtbar.org or at the Lavender Law Conference & Career Fair, register here: https://lgbtbar.org/annual/