Historic moment for transgender legal professionals at U.S. Supreme Court

December 18, 2023 Robert Abruzzese, Courthouse Editor

Members of the National Trans Bar Association (NTBA) and guests gather at the Fall Social in Washington D.C., celebrating the historic admission of 12 transgender attorneys to the U.S. Supreme Court Bar.
Photo courtesy of the National Trans Bar Association

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The U.S. Supreme Court witnessed the admission of 12 transgender attorneys to its Bar, a ceremony that was sponsored by the National Trans Bar Association on Dec. 6.

This occasion marked the second time such an event was held, following the previous year’s inaugural admission of nine attorneys, symbolizing the increasing representation and recognition of transgender legal professionals in the highest levels of the legal system.

Shain Auburn Filcher, the executive director of the LGBT Bar Association of Greater New York, also known as LeGal, was among the distinguished attorneys admitted. This event not only celebrated the individual achievements of these attorneys but also shone a light on the NTBA, an organization committed to promoting the advancement of trans and gender nonconforming (TGNC) legal professionals since its inception in 2016.

The NTBA boasts a diverse membership that spans various racial, ethnic, gender and age groups, with professionals working in government, law firms, and the nonprofit sector. The association is dedicated to supporting those historically underrepresented in the legal profession, including TGNC individuals, cisgender women and femmes, people of color, those affected by poverty or criminalization, and members of immigrant communities.

NTBA’s mission is multifaceted, focusing on recruiting, supporting, and developing the skills of TGNC legal professionals and law students, increasing access to competent legal services for TGNC communities, fostering innovative and bold legal strategies for TGNC rights, and elevating intersectional work and collaborations.

The momentous swearing-in ceremony was preceded by a Fall Social hosted by U.S. Rep. Robert Garcia at the Washington DC Office of Squire Patton Boggs, celebrating this historic achievement. The list of admittees, including Rafael Langer-Osuna and Shain Filcher, represented a range of experiences and backgrounds, collectively emphasizing the NTBA’s crucial role in advancing gender equity and justice for all.