(NEW YORK, NY - April 24, 2019) - Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) has announced the law firm Lowenstein Sandler LLP as its Pro Bono Partner of the Year. The award will be presented at this year's Trans Advocacy Awards on Tuesday, June 11, at the Manhattan Penthouse. The Trans Advocacy Awards serve as TLDEF's signature event that raises critical awareness and support for its work to advance equality for transgender and non-binary people nationwide.

“We are thrilled to extend this honor to Lowenstein Sandler, a law firm that has shown a profound commitment to improving the lived experiences of transgender and non-binary people and removing the immense barriers we face,” said TLDEF Executive Director Andy Marra. “Lowenstein Sandler has offered significant pro bono resources, helping transgender people legally change their names so they can live as their authentic selves. We are truly grateful for this support and proud to bestow the firm with our Pro Bono Partner of the Year Award.”

In 2015, Lowenstein Sandler joined forces with TLDEF to launch the Name Change Project in New Jersey. Since then, its lawyers and staff have helped sustain the project by representing dozens of clients in their legal name change proceedings.

“We thank TLDEF for the opportunity to be part of a project that has had such a positive and life-changing impact on so many individuals, and we are delighted to be recognized as Pro Bono Partner of the Year,” said Natalie J. Kraner, Senior Public Interest Counsel with Lowenstein's Center for the Public Interest. “Lowenstein Sandler is honored to partner with TLDEF and support its mission of ending discrimination and achieving equality for transgender people.”

“Securing a legal name change is often the final step for transgender people seeking to match their legal identities with their experience, but it can be a challenging process. We are gratified that our assistance has helped individuals move forward with their lives with the documentation necessary to apply for the jobs, schools, and benefits they deserve,” said Lowenstein's Matthew P. Hintz, who has represented five clients through the Name Change Project.

This year marks the 50th Anniversary of Stonewall, and TLDEF will commemorate the milestone by producing a truly special event that celebrates its progress, spotlights community heroes, and raises vital funds to sustain and grow the organization's work. This is the first Transgender Advocacy Awards to be convened under the leadership of Executive Director Andy Marra, who was appointed to her position in November of last year.

Lowenstein Sandler joins a distinguished list of leading law firms previously honored with TLDEF's Pro Bono Partner of the Year Award, including Davis Polk & Wardwell, Gibson Dunn, Kirkland & Ellis, Sullivan & Cromwell, and Arnold & Porter. TLDEF also honored Former Attorney General Loretta Lynch; trailblazing actress Laverne Cox; the late marriage equality icon, Edie Windsor; and corporate leaders BNY Mellon, HBO, Viacom, and the global insurance company, Chubb.

Past special guests have included leading transgender surgeon Dr. Marci Bowers; musical artist and producer Lance Bass; Alexandra Billings (Amazon's TV series Goliath, Transparent); Dominique Jackson (FX series Pose, Oxygen Strut); Judith Light (CBS Doubt, Amazon Transparent, TNT Dallas); political activist David Mixner; and writer and director Janet Mock (FX series Pose). 

For ticketing and sponsorship information, visit TLDEF's website.

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Lowenstein Sandler is a national law firm with over 300 lawyers based in New York, Palo Alto, New Jersey, Utah, and Washington, D.C. The firm represents leaders in virtually every sector of the global economy, with particular emphasis on investment funds, life sciences, and technology. Recognized for its entrepreneurial spirit and high standard of client service, the firm is committed to the interests of its clients, colleagues, and communities.

Transgender Legal Defense & Educational Fund (TLDEF) is a national organization committed to ending discrimination based on gender identity and expression and to achieving equality for transgender people through public education, test-case litigation, direct legal services, and public policy efforts.