Representing Lesbian and Gay Clients

The American Bar Association’s Inside Practice Newsletter has a set of questions they suggest lawyers ask themselves before representing lesbian and gay (which they quaintly identify as “LG”) clients. Here are the questions:

Do you have experience dealing with sexual orientation or AIDS-related issues?

Have you represented other LG clients?

Do you have any personal doubts or issues about equal rights and treatment for LG clients with HIV or AIDS?

Are you familiar with legal arguments used against the interests of LG clients?

Are you comfortable seeking assistance from LG organizations?

They’ve included these questions to promote a book (ABA is ALWAYS promoting some book) called Estate Planning for Same-Sex Couples, by Joan Burda.

I will respectfully suggest that if you need Joan Burda or anybody else to tell you what questions to ask before you’re ready to work with gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender clients, that’s a pretty good indication you’re not ready. How about that? Just saved you the cost of that book.