The 13th QLaw Annual Banquet was a huge success!
The QLaw Annual Banquet is an opportunity to celebrate the diverse LGBTQ communities within the legal profession, to gather as friends, "family," and colleagues, and to reflect on the victories of the last year and the struggles still to come. Each year, the QLaw Annual Banquet welcomes over 400 attorneys, judges, legal professionals, public officials, and LGBTQ leaders and visionaries from throughout the state.
At the 2018 banquet, the QLaw Association welcomed the Honorable G. Helen Whitener as keynote speaker. Judge Whitener has served with distinction as a judge on the Pierce County Superior Court since 2015. A former prosecutor, defense attorney, and administrative law judge, Judge Whitener brings a wealth of experience to her work as a judge, and is the second black woman on the bench and the first openly lesbian judge in Pierce County. Born and raised in the Caribbean island nation of Trinidad and Tobago, Judge Whitener is also the first immigrant-born judge of her court. Judge Whitener speaks often on human rights, access to justice, and the rights and responsibility of judiciary in ensuring the rights of all that appear before them to basic dignity and respect in judicial proceedings.
In addition, the QLaw Association presented the President's Award to David Ward of Legal Voice for his longstanding efforts on behalf of LGBTQ communities in Washington, and presented the QLaw 2018 Bar Prep Scholarships to graduating law student recipients. Entertainment at the QLaw Annual Banquet included a DJ during the cocktail reception, a photo booth, entertainment from Cherdonna Shinatra to kick off the dinner, and an official after-party so everyone could continue the festivities.
SPONSORSHIP
The QLaw Association is an entirely volunteer-run organization, and we rely on generous support from Washington law firms and companies that share our values and goals of diversity and equality. QLaw’s many programs and activities would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsor firms and companies.
If your firm or company is interested in sponsoring the QLaw Annual Banquet in the future, please review our Sponsorship Opportunities and Sponsorship Sign-up forms, linked below, and email [email protected].
Sponsorship Opportunities
Sponsorship Sign-up Form
PHOTOS
View photos from The 2018 QLaw Banquet.
