Eimers, 30 years later: program focuses on the ruling permitting gays to practice law.

It's been three decades since Florida's high court proclaimed a person's sexual orientation shouldn't matter to be licensed to practice law. That landmark decision has inspired a continuing legal education symposium in Miami.

Described as a first for The Florida Bar, the Equal Opportunities Law Section and the University of Miami will present "Out in Court: Thirty Years of Gays and Lesbians in the Legal Profession."

The LGBT lawyer symposium will be held at the UM campus on October 17.

The purpose of the symposium, said EOLS Chair Matthew Dietz, is to celebrate 30 years of advancement of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender attorneys since the Florida Supreme Court's landmark decision in Eimers that held that homosexuality was not a mental defect that would preclude the practice of law.

"As somebody in charge of promoting diversity and equal opportunities in the law, I thought it was imperative that we do something," said Dietz. "I'm a catalyst, but the idea was sparked by Larry Smith."

Larry D. Smith, managing partner at Cabaniss Smith Toole & Wiggins in Maitland, said he was inspired in 2004 while attending The Florida Bar's observance of the 50th anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education decision to desegregate public schools.

"It struck me earlier this year that just 30 years ago, more than two decades after our nation moved forward to address racial intolerance, our Supreme Court, indeed, our profession was still struggling with whether a person's sexual orientation could prevent an otherwise qualified person from becoming a lawyer. These important lessons in tolerance seemed worthy of remembering and, therefore, effort."

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

That effort is now a continuing legal education symposium, from 12:30 to 4 p.m., at the University of Miami, 1311 Miller Drive, Room 352, Coral Gables, with a reception to follow, that will feature these speakers and topics:

* Rand Hoch, the first openly gay judicial officer in Florida, of Law and Mediation Offices of Rand Hoch, P.A., West Palm Beach, "Practicing Homosexual, Practicing Law: A Proud March Since In re Eimers;"

* Bruce Winick, professor of law and professor of psychiatry and behavioral science at UM, author of the successful Eimers brief, "In re Board of Florida Bar Examiners v. Eimers--Thirty Years Later."

* Rosemary Wilder, Marlow Connell Abrams Adler Newman & Lewis, Miami; "Coming Out Professionally: Before I Forget to Tell you, I'm Gay;"

* Former Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Arthur England, of Greenberg Traurig, "Reprising Immorality and Public Decency in the 1970s: Eimers, Hawkins, and Moffett."

* Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, DFL, vice-chair of the House of Representatives LGBT Equality Caucus, that works to achieve the extension of equal rights, the repeal of discriminatory laws, the elimination of hate-motivated violence, and the improved health and well-being for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.

"I encourage all who share a commitment to diversity, support equal opportunities within our profession, and acknowledge the role of history in shaping the future of our profession and state to be part of this historic occasion," said Smith, who will deliver closing remarks.

For more information and to register for the symposium, go to the CLE page on The Florida Bar's Web site at floridabar.org, where the seminar's brochure will be listed. Four hours of general CLE credit has been approved for this seminar.