Advocacy for Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Communities Clinic
The Advocacy for LGBT Communities Clinic at Cornell Law School, offered for the first time in the spring semester of 2012, is one of the only law school clinics in the country dedicated to combating discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Students in the clinic have an extraordinary opportunity to contribute to the struggle for LGBT equality by representing individual people in a variety of legal matters and undertaking advocacy projects in conjunction with LGBT organizations.
Examples of possible individual cases on the docket are:
- representing LGBT refugees seeking asylum based on their sexual orientation or gender identity;
- filing a legal name change petition on behalf of a transgender woman incarcerated in a men's prison.
Students have the opportunity to handle all phases of the representation: interviewing and counseling clients; securing any necessary expert witnesses; researching and writing all briefs and motions filed; and appearing on the client's behalf at any scheduled court hearings.
Students also undertake advocacy projects in conjunction with non-profit organizations working to advance LGBT equality. Advocacy projects on the docket may include:
- researching the legal rights of LGBT seniors in nursing homes
- developing community education materials on how LGBT couples can safeguard their legal rights.
In the seminar portion of the clinic, students will deepen their knowledge of relevant law and further develop their advocacy skills.We will also reflect on how lawyers can most effectively contribute to the struggle for social justice on behalf of marginalized LGBT communities.
If you are a law student interested in applying to the clinic, please see For Students.
The Cornell Law School LGBT Clinic provides free legal assistance to low-income LGBT people in Tompkins County and the surrounding area. If you are a potential client and would like more information please see For Potential Clients.
The LGBT Clinic is directed by Professor Susan Hazeldean. To learn more about the Clinic faculty, please click here.