Attention members! We want to shine a spotlight on YOU! Share your story, achievements, or experiences with us for a chance to be featured in our membership spotlight. Whether it's a professional milestone, a personal triumph, or a special project, we want to hear from you! Submit your spotlight entry today and inspire your fellow BALIF members.

Please email the membership chairs at membership@balif.org.

Friday, April 5, 2024 |

Fellowship

The BALIF Foundation is offering a Pride Fellowship in the amount of $5,000 for a law student currently working on legal issues impacting the LGBTQIA Community during the summer of 2024. An applicant must identify the proposed use of the fellowship funds, be sponsored by an existing tax exempt organization or government agency with attorneys qualified, willing and able to supervise the work. The full requirements are in the attached application.  

The application is open now through April 5, 2024. Applications should be submitted by email to Ashley@gobolaw.com.

Saturday, April 6, 2024 | 11 a.m.- 2 p.m.

Little Skillet

360 Ritch Street

San Francisco, CA 94107

Brunch and drinks will be served. This event is for individuals who identify as a person of color and a member of the LGBTQIA+ community. We thank our allies in the intersectional racial justice movement for respecting this request and for their love and support!



RSVP to balif@balif.org soon! Space is limited!

Thursday, April 11, 2024 | 7p.m.- 9 p.m.

Big Sur Fire Pit

Spark Social

601 Mission Bay Blvd N.

San Francisco, CA 94158

Please join us for a fun and casual evening as we close the mentorship program for the year. Celebrate together achievements, share experiences and gather together at a happy hour with BALIF!

SPARK is a community gathering space located in the heart of Mission Bay. They are a food truck park, beer/sangria garden, and event space designed to bring the neighborhood together for fun times, day or night.

BALIF has reserved the Big Sur Fire Pit, we can't wait to see you there!



SPARK

601 Mission Bay Boulevard North

San Francisco, CA 94158

Friday, April 12, 2024 at 11:59 pm |

Scholarship

**APPLICATION SUBMISSION FOR THIS SCHOLARSHIP IS NOW OPEN**

The FBANC Foundation and the Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom Foundation (“BALIF Foundation”) are sponsoring the FBANC/BALIF “Pamilya” Joint Scholarship in the amount of $3,000 to a current law school student who has a demonstrated commitment to the Filipinx American and LGBTQI communities. Learn about past scholarship recipients here.

A great way to serve the LGBTQI+ legal community and become more involved in BALIF is to join BALIF's Board of Directors. BALIF's Directors are elected by the BALIF membership and each Director holds office for two years. Any BALIF member is welcome to run for the Board or nominate another BALIF member. BALIF seeks a board that reflects the diversity of our LGBTQI+ legal community, and we specifically encourage people of color, women, transgender people, and non-binary/gender non-conforming people to run for the Board. 

To run for the Board or nominate someone else, please send a candidate statement of up to 250 words to our secretary (secretary@balif.org) and BALIF's Administrative Director, Katie Carlson Cartwright (balif@balif.org) by Monday, April 8, 2024 at 5:00 pm. BALIF's bylaws require gender parity on the Board, with a certain number of positions allocated to Directors who identify as male, female, or non-binary (as used in the BALIF bylaws, meaning any gender identity or expression that does not fit within the traditional binary classifications of male or female). If you are seeking a position, please indicate the category under which you plan to run. If you are interested in receiving an endorsement from the Nominating Committee, please submit your candidate statement no later than Friday, March 29, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. to nominations@balif.org.

Elections will be held online from April 9 to April 18. BALIF's annual general membership meeting will be held on Thursday, April 18, 2024 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. to meet the 2024-2025 Board and give the membership a year-end update. 

Thinking about seeking a position? Know someone who would make a fabulous addition to the Board? Want to learn more about BALIF and what's involved in being on the Board? Please contact Katie at balif@balif.org.

Thursday, April 18, 2024 |

6:30p.m.- 8:30 p.m.

The Sausage Factory

517 Castro Street

San Francisco, CA

Voting will be open April 9, 2024 to elect the BALIF Board of Directors! We have a fabulous and diverse group of candidates this year. Click here to read the candidate statements.

Elections will be online from April 9 until 4 pm on April 18. You can also vote in person at the BALIF Annual Meeting and Election Happy Hour on Thursday (April 18) at the Sausage Factory from 6:30 - 8:30 pm. In-person voting will end at 7:30 pm, and the election results will be announced at the end of the meeting.

Free food and drinks will be available, so meet the candidates and join us for a great event even if you plan to vote online! The results will be announced around 8:00pm.

MCLE Series



The AIDS Legal Referral Panel (ALRP) provides free and low-cost legal services to people with HIV/AIDS in the San Francisco Bay Area. Our virtual MCLE trainings are open to all and free to attend. Following the training, attendees are encouraged to join and support ALRP’s mission by accepting two pro bono referrals annually.

Each training will be offered live on Zoom for 1.25 General CLE credits. The State Bar of California has certified ALRP, Provider #2485, to provide MCLE credit for all trainings listed. Find more information and register at alrp.org/events , or contact Sloka Krishnan at slokak@alrp.org.

Basic Planning for Incapacity and Death: Simple Wills, Powers of Attorney and Advanced Health Care Directives (Register Here)

Presented by John Rosenzweig, Esq. | Thursday, April 11, 2024, 12:00 – 1:15pm PDT

Every adult, especially those living with HIV, should have documents that 1) appoint someone to make decisions about property and health care if they are unable to make these decisions for themselves, and 2) designate how their property is distributed after their death. Wills, powers of attorney and advanced health care directives empower and give peace of mind to our clients.

Navigating Disability Benefits for People Living with HIV (Register Here)

Presented by Lynnette Baclig, Esq. | Thursday, May 9, 12:00 – 1:15pm PST

This training provides knowledge and expertise needed to guide individuals facing the challenge of being unable to work due to disability or debilitating medical conditions, specifically focusing on People Living with HIV (PLWH). The course provides a comprehensive overview of available disability and health insurance benefits, including state disability, social security disability, ERISA long-term disability, Medi-Cal, Medicare, and other relevant insurance plans. Attendees will gain insights into the intricacies of each benefit, enabling them to effectively advocate for their clients and ensure they receive the support they need during difficult times. This training aims to enhance attorneys’ ability to navigate the complex landscape of disability benefits and contribute to the well-being of PLWH through informed legal counsel.

Thursday, April 25, 2024

Morgan Lewis & Bockius

1 Market Street, Spear Street Tower

San Francisco, CA 94105

The LGBTQ+ Equality Committee cordially invites you to a happy hour event to network with attorneys and law students to bring more diversity to the legal profession.

Deadline to RSVP by Friday, April 19!

Saturday, May 4, 2024 |3 p.m.-8 p.m.



In-Person Fundraiser

El Rio

3158 Mission St.

San Francisco, CA 94110

While Florida's drag ban has been temporarily stopped, the state has become dangerously hostile toward LGBTQI+ people and expression. Join us in fighting back and supporting LGBTQI+ liberation in Florida! 



Legalize Drag is a collective of drag artist legal professionals protesting attacks on the art of drag and trans, gender non-confirming, and queer communities. Our goals are to raise awareness, bring together queer folks, and provide a clear pathway to donate to this cause.

We are raising money for these Florida programs:

• Central Florida Emergency Trans Care Fund, coordinated by the The LGBT+ Center Orlando and others
• Transinclusive Emergency Crisis Fund/ Mutual Aid
• QLatinx

Our fundraiser will be held on Saturday May 4, 2024 from 3-8pm at El Rio (3158 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110). The event will feature drag performances by LGBTQI+ legal professionals. This is our THIRD Legalize Drag fundraiser – help make it a success and join us in solidarity with Florida! 

Hosted by Pop Rox (they/them) and Justin Back (he/they), with performances by:

• Juicy Liu (she/her)
• Anna Turney (she/her)
• 69 Degrees
• Sugar Magnolia (they/she)
• and more! 

Please consider sponsoring our event! We can support matching donations - email legalizedrag@gmail.com to learn more! 

TICKETS ARE $20. CASH ONLY AT THE DOOR. El Rio has an ATM. Online ticket sales will end at 12pm on Friday May 3, 2024. 

The Alameda County Bar Association’s Court Appointed Attorney Program (CAAP) seeks applications from attorneys of all experience levels to handle misdemeanor, family law contempt, juvenile, and serious felony cases.

Partner Level Sponsors

Counsel Level Sponsors