April 2024 Florida Bar News Publishes Cordover Letter on Welcoming Transgender Clients
The April 2024 edition of the Florida Bar News, a monthly newspaper that goes to all lawyers in Florida, published a letter to the editor (click on link and scroll down) submitted by Family Diplomacy managing attorney Adam B. Cordover. The letter urged lawyers to be welcoming to all, including transgender clients. You can find the letter reproduced below:
BE WELCOMING
With legislation targeting the transgender community and the general coarsening of public rhetoric, it is important for us lawyers to remember one thing: Transgender folks are people, too. They have hopes and fears, dreams and obligations, just like everyone else. They want to get a driver’s license, graduate from school, build a family, travel, and grow a career without being impeded or having to go into detail about their private lives.
My family law practice has welcomed transgender clients in a non-judgment atmosphere since its founding in 2010. We have done so not only because it is the decent thing to do — which it is — but also because it makes good business sense.
Imagine you are going through divorce, and you walk into a lawyer’s office. You are likely in the middle of a maelstrom of emotions: fear, anger, rejection, heartache. On top of that, imagine you are transgender, and you also have to wonder whether you are being judged or can safely speak with the attorney in front of you.
In my experience, once someone from the trans community realizes that you are there to help them and be supportive as they are facing challenging times, it turns out that you are not only advocating for them; oftentimes, they become your biggest advocate and want to let others know about your services.
Regardless of your practice area, I urge you: Be decent. Be kind. And be smart. Offer a welcoming and non-judgment environment to everyone you meet, including those in the trans community.
Adam B. Cordover
Tampa
If you are facing divorce, seeking a name change, or have questions about adoption, and you don’t know where to turn, we invite you to contact us. We are here for you.
Adam B. Cordover has been on the cutting edge of LGBTQ+ Family Law from its founding. He was a Collaborative Lawyer in the first same-sex divorce in Florida to challenge the so-called Defense of Marriage Act and constitutional ban on recognition of same-sex relationships.
