Lambda Legal Elects Four to National Board of Directors

(New York, October 29, 2009) — Lambda Legal announces that Laura Brill of Los Angeles, Marla Butler of Atlanta, Karen Dixon of Washington D.C., and Marcus Boggs of Chicago were elected to Lambda Legal's National Board of Directors at its board meeting in Dallas earlier this month.

"We're grateful these talented people have volunteered their time to be leaders for Lambda Legal. We look forward to their contributions as we continue to make the case for equality for LGBT people and people with HIV across the country,” said Kevin Cathcart, Executive Director of Lambda Legal.

Marla Butler of Atlanta is a partner at Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P. where she practices intellectual property law and is the chair of the law firm's diversity committee. Butler was a member of Lambda Legal's National Leadership Committee and has been co-chair of Lambda Legal's annual Atlanta reception for many years. She is also a board member for YouthPride.

"Since its inception, Lambda Legal has led the litigation effort for LGBT rights. Because of Lambda Legal's work, LGBT people will eventually be treated as equal citizens in this country. I am proud to be a part of an organization that is doing such important work," said Butler.

Karen K. Dixon of Washington, DC focused her practice on complex commercial litigation and is currently pursuing an LLM, a postgraduate degree, in Taxation and a Certificate in Estate Planning at Georgetown University Law Center. Prior to relocating to Washington, DC, Dixon was a member of Lambda Legal’s National Leadership Council and is spearheading a new Lambda Legal family event at Chicago’s Brookfield Zoo in 2010.

"As an organization, Lambda Legal is leading the charge in the fight for our full civil rights day-by-day, case-by-case. I am humbled by the opportunity to support Lambda Legal's work on behalf of our community in courtrooms, classrooms and boardrooms across this country."

Laura Brill is a founding partner of Kendall Brill & Klieger, LLP based in Los Angeles where she focuses on intellectual property, first amendment, and telecommunications litigation and appeals. In addition to being on Lambda Legal's National Leadership Council, Brill was pro bono co-counsel with Lambda Legal in a 2000 landmark victory for a student gay straight alliance case in California, Colin v. Orange Unified School District. Brill has authored amicus briefs in Lambda Legal's historic U. S. Supreme Court case Lawrence v. Texas which struck down all remaining state sodomy laws and in the case challenging the validity of Proposition 8 in California. Brill clerked for and has authored articles with Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

"Lambda Legal is among the best managed and most effective civil rights organizations in the country, and it is an honor to serve on its board. Lambda Legal's many victories have brought our country closer to its promise of guaranteeing equality for all," said Brill.

Marcus Boggs of Chicago is a wealth management advisor for Merrill Lynch. Boggs, a seasoned financial advisor has also worked for IBM's Global Financing Division and Fleet Bank. As a long-time supporter of Lambda Legal, Boggs has served on the organization's Chicago Leadership Committee, the National Leadership Council and has been a co-chair of Lambda Legal's annual Bon Foster dinner in Chicago.

"What stands out about Lambda Legal is the depth and breadth of its work. When Lambda Legal wins a case, we all win. I joined the board because no one in this movement is untouched by Lambda Legal's work," said Boggs.

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