First Gay Law Program Set To Begin by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff March 10, 2006 - 3:00 pm ET (New York City) Columbia University Law School announced Friday that it is creating the nation's first clinical program in sexuality and gender law. The program will offer credit courses in areas of LGBT law. Traditionally, third year law students take part in clinics in areas in which they may specialize after graduation. The announcement makes Columbia the first law school to specifically offer courses in issues that affect the gay community, training the next generation of lawyers seeking to expand LGBT rights area areas such as same-sex marriage, adoption and transgender civil rights. "We intend to take a leadership role in training new lawyers in the civil rights issues concerning the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities in the United States," said Columbia Law School Dean David M. Schizer. "The clinic is a genuine investment in the future of this significant and growing area of the law." The clinic will be directed by Professor Suzanne B. Goldberg, formerly of Rutgers Law School's Women's Rights Litigation Clinic and Lambda Legal Defense Fund. Goldberg was co-counsel in Lawrence v. Texas, the case in which the Supreme Court struck down sodomy laws. She also argued before the high court in Romer v. Evans in which the justices struck down an amendment to the Oklahoma state constitution that barred state and local governments from passing gay civil rights bills. Golberg also co-authored Strangers to the Law: Gay People on Trial, which recounts the legal challenge to Colorado's anti-gay constitutional amendment in Romer. "Demands for equality are being played out in courtrooms across the country as well as in Congress and state and local governments," Goldberg said in statement Friday. "The need for lawyers to deal with this explosion of cases and issues far outweighs the current supply. This new clinic will help to produce lawyers with the necessary interest and expertise while it makes a direct and immediate contribution to litigation and advocacy on GLBT and women's rights issues." She takes up her new duties at Columbia Law School on July 1. The clinic will provide focused assistance on cases, proposed legislation, and policy matters in cooperation with law firms, impact litigation organizations, and advocacy groups working on gender and sexuality rights issues. Students will have opportunities both to participate in cutting-edge litigation and to develop non-litigation skills through legislative drafting, policy development, and preparation of major research reports, Goldberg said.
