The GLBT Bar Association of Washington Foundation (Qlaw Foundation) exists to bridge the divide between the GLBT community and legal professionals.

Through its programs, the Foundation seeks to educate the public and the courts about GLBT legal issues and empower community members through informed access to the legal and judicial systems.  The Foundation administers a summer grant program that offers summer internship grants to law students to work on projects that benefit the GLBT community and/or people living with HIV/AIDS.  The Foundation also offers, in conjunction with the King County Bar Association, a GLBT Legal Clinic that provides free legal advice on GLBT issues.  Other activities and efforts of the QLaw Foundation include working to develop educational materials and presentations for the benefit of the broader legal and non-legal community, efforts to address the needs of at-risk youth, and planning its annual Falltacular fundraising event.

The Qlaw Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable organization.  Donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.  Donate here.

NEWS

FallTacular Raises Over $15,000 for QLaw Foundation

An enthusiastic crowd of GLBT attorneys and supporters packed the Greg Kucera Gallery Wednesday, November 4th, for an evening of great food, art, and entertainment to support the GLBT Bar Association of Washington Foundation (“QLaw Foundation”) and to celebrate the approval of Referendum 71.  With the support of firm sponsors and individual donors, including an anonymous donor offering $2,500 in matching funds, the event raised over $15,000 to support QLaw Foundation programs. 

James McGuire, QLaw Foundation President, and other board members highlighted the Foundation’s work on behalf of at-risk youth, funding of law student internships serving the GLBT community, and the formation of the new GLBT Legal Clinic.  2009 Grant Recipient and law student Adrien Leavitt  thanked the crowd for supporting his legal work over the summer.
 
Comedians Stephen Guarino (star of film and Logo’s Big Gay Sketch Show!) and Jimmy Ray Bennett (of Broadway’s Damn Yankees!) entertained the crowd, poking fun at GLBT lawyers and the practice of law.  A unique rendition of Whitney Houston’s "Greatest Love of All,” complete with text messaging lawyers, closed out the evening to thunderous applause.
 
If you missed the FallTacular, it is not too late to make a donation to support the QLaw Foundation’s charitable activities.  Make a donation online at:  http://www.q-law.org/foundation.  The QLaw Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization.  Donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.

The QLaw Foundation thanks its FallTacular Sponsors

Benefactors:  Seattle Deposition Reporters LLC and Spencer Anderson Buhr PLLC

Advocates: Bergman Draper & Frockt, Betts Patterson & Mines, PS, Helsell Fetterman, The Martin J. and Joan E. McGuire Family, Skellenger Bender, and Summit Law Group

Supporters: Kenan Isitt, Attorney at Law, Carey & Lillevik PLLC, Maisano Mediation, LLC, North Sound Law, the North Star Group at UBS, Ogden Murphy Wallace PLLC, Rhodes & Meryhew, LLP, Snodgrass & Kearns, Teller & Associates, Terrell Marshall & Daudt PLLC, The Blankenship Law Firm, PS, TrueNorthLaw PLLC, and Barbara Wechsler. 

Special thanks are due to generous in-kind sponsors: City Catering Company, Greg Kucera Gallery, Hotel Max, and Lighthouse Document Technologies.  The Foundation also thanks Gordon Thomas Honeywell, and Moschetto & Koplin, Inc. P.S for their support.

As the QLaw Foundation's primary fundraiser, the FallTacular is vital to the success of the GLBT Legal Clinic and the Public Interest Grant Program.  Since opening in July, the monthly GLBT Legal Clinic has served more than 30 clients in just four months.  23 attorneys and 12 support staff, including law students, volunteer their time providing legal advice on a wide range of issues unique to the GLBT community, including employment discrimination, harassment, adoption, probate, legal gender change, bankruptcy, and dissolution.

Potential clients may reach the Clinic at 206-235-7235.   Referrals to the Clinic are welcome.

Photos of the event will appear online at:  http://www.malcolmsmithphoto.com