The nation’s largest organization of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and allied legal professionals released its 2015 “Best Under 40” list, recognizing the country’s most accomplished young LGBTQ legal professionals. The National LGBT Bar Association’s list includes young lawyers from across the country who have distinguished themselves in their field, and demonstrated a strong commitment to LGBTQ equality.
“This year’s ‘Best Under 40’ demonstrates the depth and breadth of legal expertise within the LGBT community,” said D’Arcy Kemnitz, executive director of The Bar. “These young professionals represent the very best of our profession. They come from law firms, non-profits, corporations and the government.
Two of the 38 top lawyers, include locals Emma Cheuse and Erica Gloger. Cheuse is a staff attorney for EarthJustice in Washington, D.C. and Gloger works at West & Feinberg, PC in Bethesda, MD as an associate.
Emma Cheuse
Emma Cheuse earned her law degree from the University of Michigan Law School where she was an Outlaws member, graduating Order of the Coif in 2006, and received her Bachelor of Arts magna cum laude from Harvard-Radcliffe College in 1998. She joined the Washington, D.C. office of EarthJustice in 2008, after serving as the Alan Morrison Supreme Court Assistance Project Fellow at Public Citizen Litigation Group and clerking for Judge Judith W. Rogers on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. Earthjustice is a non-profit organization that uses the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people’s health; to preserve magnificent places and wildlife; to advance clean energy; and to combat climate change.
She developed her understanding of the importance of environmental protection and community-based advocacy while growing up in the Hudson River Valley, the Adirondacks and the Catskills, and then working for political candidates and campaign organizations in Minnesota, Virginia, Illinois and Massachusetts.
Now a staff attorney, Cheuse performs advocacy and litigates a range of administrative law cases on behalf of and working in partnership with national and local community organizations around the United States, primarily to protect clean air and the basic right to breathe, and to help end the environmental and community devastation caused by mountaintop removal coal mining in the Appalachian region.
Erica Gloger (left) with Edie Windsor
Erica Gloger graduated from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law of Yeshiva University in 2003. She hails from Columbia, Maryland and is also a graduate of American University. At West & Feinberg, PC, she focuses her practice on estate planning and enjoys working with a diverse base of clients in the metropolitan area. With over a decade of legal experience, she knows that estate planning is more than “who gets what” and “who gets to decide” and is well versed in strategies to minimize taxes, protect legally unrecognized relationships and preserve family harmony.
To compliment her estate planning practice, she assists individuals and families in establishing a charitable legacy and provides assistance to non-profit groups seeking to formalize operations and apply for tax-exempt status.
She is a long-time volunteer attorney with Whitman-Walker Health and sits on the advisory committee for the DCJCC’s Gay and Lesbian Outreach and Engagement program.
“Their extraordinary accomplishments underscore the significant talent the LGBT community brings to the legal profession, and highlight the real change our members make in the lives of their clients, their community and their country, every single day. We’re proud to honor them,” said Kemnitz.
The awards will be presented during the organization’s Lavender Law® Conference & Career Fair in Chicago on August 6.
