Past Judicial Trainings

Dissolution of Same Sex Partnerships and the Current Legal Landscape for LGBT Individuals in Nevada
Nevada Family Court judges confront sexual orientation law issues, but there is little statutory guidance on how to manage cases coming before the Nevada Bench. A highly experienced local practitioner with expertise in same sex family law matters facilitated discussion regarding the challenges judges face in a legal environment where -- with little legislative guidance -- case law is rapidly evolving. The Williams Institute panel presented an overview of national trends on same sex marriage, civil unions, and domestic partnerships with a focus on states neighboring Nevada. A social scientist presented the most recent demographic studies showing the characteristics of lesbian and gay couples and their families.

Gary J. Gates, Senior Research Fellow, The Williams Institute
Clifford Rosky, Law Teaching Fellow, The Williams Institute
Caren Jenkins, Esq.

Issues in New York Family Law (Sexual Orientation)
The legal system in New York increasingly confronts sexual orientation law issues, particularly as they relate to current state of the law in New York State on custody and adoption for and by same-sex-couples. Panelists discussed how sexual orientation and same-sex couples may affect family law, including national trends and how issues may arise in the New York courts, and special considerations, if any, in these cases. In addition, speakers discussed the most recent demographic research studies showing the characteristics of New York same-sex couples and families to provide participants with accurate information that can be used to craft practical solutions to issues that arise in the courts and provide guidance on how to approach these issues in their courtrooms.

Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Youth Involved in the Juvenile Justice System
Who are the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth already within the juvenile justice system? Judges received current and accurate demographic data on these youths in New York and nationally. The panel also discussed when and how LGBT youth self-identify and disclose their minority sexual orientation and gender identities and provided guidance on how judges may appropriately deal with that information. The course explored the various risk factors and issues facing LGBT youth in the juvenile justice system and provided strategies to better address the needs of LGBT youth.

Rudy Estrada, Esq., LGBTQ Coordinator for the Administration for Children’s Services

Issues And Approaches For New York Courts To The Recognition Of The Same-Sex Relationship Systems In Neighboring States – Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Massachusetts – and Canada.
New York is uniquely situated with respect to foreign state recognition of same-sex relationships. Each of the 5 states that border New York have differing systems for those couples’ relationships, ranging from marriage in Massachusetts, to Civil Unions in Connecticut, New Jersey and Vermont, to no recognition in Pennsylvania. Additionally, Canada recognizes marriage for same-sex couples. This session explored concrete approaches to resolve the variety of legal issues likely to appear in the New York courts. Judges learned how to approach these issues within a framework consistent with past legal precedent and the structure of the legal problems facing the courts.

Dealing with Diversity in the Courtroom
In this interactive course, judges enhanced their ability to respond in positive ways to incidents of bias in the courtroom. Participants discussed how stereotypes and bias can hinder individuals and courts in serving California's diverse and multicultural population. Trainees evaluated and developed culturally sensitive techniques to communicate effectively with other people and learned to avoid improper biases such as race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, socio-economic status or national origin.

Sexual Orientation, Same-Sex Couples and the Courts
The legal system in New Jersey increasingly confronts sexual orientation law issues: the NJ Domestic Partnership Act and Law Against Discrimination, the impact of out of state same-sex marriages and civil unions, dissolution and custody issues, parental rights, and discrimination questions. Building on the 2005 panel on the NJ Domestic Partnership Act, this panel presented an overview of the national legal cases and trends on same-sex marriage, civil unions and other legal questions to explore how these issues specifically affect NJ courts now and in the future. In addition, the speakers discussed the most recent demographic studies showing the characteristics of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender couples and families in NJ and nationally to identify the potential for LGBT issues to appear in general civil litigation as well as divorce, parenting and custody matters before the NJ courts.

Hon. Jack L. Lintner, Appellate Division NJ;
Prof. Suzanne Goldberg, Columbia Law School (until July 2006 at Rutgers-Newark, School of Law)
Dr. Gary Gates, The Williams Institute, UCLA School of Law
Prof. Todd Brower, Williams Institute, UCLA School of Law

Same-Sex Unions and the Courts
Modern America is a mobile society. Accordingly, the effect of interstate travel and relocation is having a significant impact on people, families, and on the developing law. This panel discussed the status of same sex unions and related legal issues currently before the courts. Panelists explored the New York, and Washington same-sex marriage decisions, and other litigation pending before state supreme courts in New Jersey , Maryland and California. This discussion included diversity matters and jurisdictional disputes, as well as cases that one might consider to be traditional family court cases involving mobile couples. Finally, the panel included discussion of demographics and statistics of same sex unions and related issues to provide accurate information about where these issues are arising, who the people are within the legal system, and where same-sex couples live.

Hon. Deborah Schumacher, Washoe County Court, NV
Gary Gates, Williams Institute, UCLA School of Law
Prof. Todd Brower, Williams Institute, UCLA School of Law
Prof. Chai Feldblum, Georgetown Univ. School of Law

Same-Sex Couples in Utah and the Family Courts
The legal system in Utah increasingly confronts sexual orientation law issues, particularly as they relate to same-sex couples in the family courts. Panelists discussed how sexual orientation and same-sex couples may affect family law, including national trends and how issues may arise in the Utah courts, and special considerations, if any, in these cases. In addition, speakers discussed the most recent demographic research studies showing the characteristics of Utah same-sex couples and families to provide participants with accurate information that can be used to craft practical solutions to issues that arise in the courts and provide guidance on how to approach these issues in the courtroom.

R. Bradley Sears, Executive Director, Williams Institute, UCLA School of Law,
Commissioner Hon. Michelle Blomquist, Utah Courts
Prof. Laura Kessler, Univ. of Utah Law School.

Sexual Orientation and the Courts
The legal system in Colorado increasingly confronts sexual orientation issues- including parental rights, the impact of out of state same-sex marriages and civil unions and other family law topics. This panel presented an overview of the national legal cases and trends as well as how these issues specifically affect Colorado courts now and in the future. In addition, the speakers also discussed the most recent demographic studies showing the characteristics of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender families nationally and in Colorado to identify the potential for LGBT issues to appear in divorce, parenting and custody matters before courts throughout the state.

R. Bradley Sears, Williams Institute, UCLA School of Law
Prof. Laura Spitz, Univ. of Colorado School of Law, CO
Ms. Gina Weitzenkorn, Denver CO

May 19, 2006
Colorado Office of the Child's Representatives Domestic Relations Conference
Denver, CO

Sexual Orientation and the Courts
The Colorado Office of the Child's Representative’s Domestic Relations conference for attorneys who provide best interest representation to children who are victims of abuse, are subject of a delinquency matter, or are the subject of a high conflict divorce, and CASA volunteers, county attorneys, judicial officers and other professionals who serve the Colorado courts.

The legal system in Colorado increasingly confronts sexual orientation issues - including parental rights, the impact of out of state same-sex marriages and civil unions and other family law topics. This panel presented an overview of the national legal cases and trends as well as how these issues specifically affect Colorado courts now and in the future. In addition, the speakers also discussed the most recent demographic studies showing the characteristics of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender families nationally and in Colorado to identify the potential for LGBT issues to appear in divorce, parenting and custody matters before courts throughout the state.

Prof. Todd Brower, Williams Institute, UCLA School of Law
Prof. Laura Spitz, Univ. of Colorado school of Law, CO
Ms. Gina Weitzenkorn, Denver CO

Sexual Orientation: An update on recent DC and national cases and issues for judges

R. Bradley Sears, Williams Institute, UCLA School of Law
Prof. Joan Shaffner, George Washington Law School, DC
Hon. Juliet McKenna, DC Superior Court

Sexual Orientation: DC Demographics, Public Policy and Workplace Issues for judges and senior court administrators

Dr. Gary Gates, Williams Institute, UCLA School of Law
Prof. Darren Hutchinson, American University School of Law, DC
Hon. Kaye Christian, DC Superior Court
Prof. Todd Brower, Williams Institute, UCLA School of Law

September 8, 2005
AB 205 Domestic Partner rights and Responsibilities
California Statewide Judicial Branch Conference
San Diego, CA

Same-sex couples in California: Data from census 2000.
The demographics of same-sex couples including issues of childrearing and different patterns among minority couples, retirement and military service

AB 205: The Civil Partnership Act. History, Overview, Applications and Critique
AB 205 and the presentation of particular legal issues that judges may encounter in family law cases involving California registered same-sex domestic partners

Prof. Grace Blumberg, UCLA School of Law, CA
Hon. Margaret Johnson, CA Superior Court, Santa Clara County

December 2, 2005
Working Towards Equality: Responding to Sexual Minority Domestic Violence, Oregon Judicial Branch Conference
Portland, OR

The Williams Institute presented an overview of domestic violence issues in gay and lesbian relationships at a judicial conference for Oregon judges and other key personnel from the judicial and criminal justice system.

September 21, 2004
47th Washington Judicial Conference
From Gay Marriage to Domestic Violence to Hate Crimes: What You Need to Know About the Cases Coming to Your Court
Spokane, WA

Justice Barbara Madsen, Chair, Gender and Justice Commission introduced the training in which Brad Sears and William B. Rubenstein from the Williams Institute presented a full morning training on sexual orientation matters, including Demographics of the Gay Community in Washington State, An Overview of Sexual Orientation Constitutional Law in the U.S, a Family Law Panel with Judge Marlin Appelwick, Court of Appeals, Div. I; Judge Kenneth Kato, Court of Appeals, Div. III; Judge Mary Yu, King County Superior Court; Professor Lisa Brodoff, Seattle University School of Law; Ms. Barbara Wechsler, Family Law Attorney, a Domestic Violence/Youth/Hate Crimes Panel with Judge Annette Plese, Spokane County District Court, Ms. Connie Burk, Northwest Network; Ms. Jennifer Stapleton and Mr. Teague Griffith, Spokane Domestic Violence Consortium, a panel on Ethical Considerations In Managing Your Courtroom with Mr. Lindsay Thompson, Gender and Justice Commission, and Judge Mary Yu.