Lambda Legal Attorneys Flor Bermudez and Iván Espinoza-Madrigal Honored by National LGBT Bar Association

(Washington, August 1, 2012) - The National LGBT Bar Association today named Lambda Legal Staff Attorneys Flor Bermudez and Iván Espinoza-Madrigal to its Class of 2012 Best LGBT Lawyers Under 40 Award.

"This is a great and well-deserved honor for Flor and Iván who have truly distinguished themselves as outstanding legal advocates for the LGBT community," said Jon Davidson, Legal Director for Lambda Legal.  "Flor is a fierce advocate for LGBTQ youth who constitute a disproportionate share of those in foster care and the juvenile justice system.  In response to a civil rights complaint she filed with the City of Philadelphia Commission on Human Rights on behalf of a transgender girl subjected to verbal and physical abuse while in the custody of a Philadelphia youth detention facility, new policies and training were adopted last year that will help ensure that other transgender youth in the facility will be safe and not subjected to discrimination because of who they are.  Iván has impressive legal experience and a powerful commitment to furthering civil rights.  He is developing an initiative on behalf of LGBT people of color, LGBT immigrants, and low-income LGBT communities. In this capacity, he is expanding Lambda Legal's work addressing the legal needs of LGBT and HIV-affected people who identify across intersecting lines of race, ethnicity and socio-economic class through litigation, public education, and policy advocacy. These are just some of the most recent demonstrations of why they've earned this recognition. We are proud of the inspired, cutting edge work they both are doing."

Bermudez, Espinoza-Madrigal, and the other honorees will be recognized at the 2012 Lavender Law® Conference being held August 23-25, 2012 in Washington, DC.  For the full list of Best LGBT Lawyers Under 40 Class of 2012 http://www.lgbtbar.org/awards/best-lgbt-lawyers-under-40/