Top South Florida LGBT Advocate Visits St. Thomas Law

This week, St. Thomas Law's Lambda Law Society welcomed Attorney Elizabeth Schwartz to address students and faculty on the legal issues concerning the LGBT community. She began with an introduction on entering the public interest sphere and then honed in on some LGBT issues that many of the attendees noted that they were not aware of.  

President of the Lambda Law Society, Evan Phoenix, described the presentation as informative, engaging and witty.  Stated Phoenix: "I found her therapeutic justice approach to advocacy inspirational."

Pictured: Evan Phoenix, Austin Bodnar (3L), Elizabeth Schwartz, Professor Amy Ronner, 

Andres Santiago (3L), Gwen Richards (3L).

"Elizabeth is a truly inspiring individual and a beacon for not just the LGBT community, but the entire public interest community." stated law student Gwendolyn Richards. "She encouraged us to follow our moral compasses and assured us that if we work from our hearts, we will find a career."

Ms. Schwartz is one of Miami's best known advocates for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.While her South Beach-based firm equally works with straight and gay clients in matters of family law, estate planning and probate, she has made a name for herself representing the LGBT community, with a focus on family formation (adoption, insemination, surrogacy). 

Elizabeth is currently serving as pro bono counsel on the pending case challenging Florida's marriage ban brought by the National Center for Lesbian Rights on behalf of six same-sex couples seeking the right to marry and the Equality Florida Institute.