Mission Statement

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Law Association of Greater New York (LeGaL) is an association of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered (LGBT) legal community in the New York metropolitan area.

Our 400 plus members are committed to the following:

  • Promoting the expertise and advancement of LGBT legal professionals;
  • Educating the public on legal issues facing LGBT people;
  • Fostering membership participation in pro bono activities in the LGBT community;
  • Working with LGBT organizations, community groups, and other groups and individuals to gain equal rights for all people;
  • Eliminating homophobia and transphobia in the justice system;
  • Encouraging judicial and other governmental appointment of those who oppose discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity;
  • Encouraging lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, and people of transgendered experience to choose law as a career;
  • Promoting solidarity among LGBT in the law.

In pursuit of these goals, LeGaL created the LeGaL Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt foundation which supports the following:

  • Lesbian and Gay Law Notes, the nation's most comprehensive monthly update of developments in LGBT civil rights law.
  • Walk-in Clinic, a free weekly service every Tuesday at the LGBT Community Center in Manhattan. The Foundation also holds walk-in legal clinics in Brooklyn and Long Island as well as a name change clinic for the transgender community.
  • Dr. M.L. "Hank" Henry Judicial Internship Fund, which provides a stipend for a summer internship each year for LGBT law students.