The Lavender Scare: Then and Now (Presented by The Federal Bar Association LGBTQ+ Law Section)

Hannah Marler, Panel Chair | Riess LeMieux LLC

Hannah is an experienced litigator whose practice focuses on complex construction disputes. Through her practice, she provides legal guidance to clients across the construction industry, including contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and property owners.

With a keen understanding of the complexities involved in construction projects, Hannah is dedicated to protecting clients’ interests by examining every phase of a construction project from project inception and contract drafting to navigating disputes and litigation.

In litigation, Hannah brings a strategic and tenacious approach, effectively representing clients in mediation, arbitration, and courtroom settings. She has successfully handled cases involving breach of contract, lien enforcement, construction defects, and delay and inefficiency claims.

Hannah earned her Juris Doctor from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center, where she was an active participant in the trial advocacy program and served on the Trial Advocacy Board. She is a member of the New Orleans Bar Association, American Bar Association, and Federal Bar Association and actively participates in professional organizations such as the LGBT Bar Association.

With a keen understanding of the complexities involved in construction projects, Hannah is dedicated to protecting clients’ interests with an eye toward the details. She is known for her strategic approach and strong advocacy, helping clients achieve successful outcomes while minimizing risks.

Outside of the office, Hannah can be found watching women’s soccer, supporting the arts, and volunteering with Edible Schoolyard New Orleans.

Huey Fischer García | Southern Poverty Law Center

A 2020 graduate of the University of Texas School of Law, Huey is a staff attorney at the Southern Poverty Law Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, and he serves on the board of directors of the Young Lawyers Division of the New Orleans Chapter of the Federal Bar Association.

| Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard, LLP

Collins is a nationally recognized civil rights attorney, DEI strategist, and wellness advocate, whose work focuses on supporting individuals and institutions navigating complex legal, educational, and cultural landscapes. As the first openly transgender Chair of the North Carolina Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, Collins leads with a commitment to creating inclusive and equitable spaces. Collins was also the founding chair for the NCBA’s Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Committee, a committee he developed because of the dearth of state-wide resources for LGBTQ+ lawyers. Under Collins’s leadership, the NCBA’s SOGI Committee earned an award for its life-changing name change clinics.

Beyond bar service, Collins is also a trusted legal advisor to schools, colleges, and universities, with a practice focused on student rights, disability law, and Title IX. As an expert in transgender rights and legal advocacy, Collins has assisted hundreds of trans North Carolinians in obtaining legal name changes and navigating complex legal processes. He has collaborated with prominent organizations such as the American Medical Association, Equality NC, and the North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCCADV), as amici, as well as served as a key advocate in Campos v. Cohen, a landmark case impacting trans rights.

In addition to his legal work, Collins draws on his background in school counseling and his lived experience as a trans man in the South to support others in cultivating resilience, purpose, and connection in challenging times. He is a sought-after speaker on topics including mental health, gender equity, and navigating advocacy in hostile political climates. Collins frequently presents on the intersection of trans rights and the law, including topics like gender-affirming care and the impact of legal developments on LGBTQ+ individuals. His work extends to advocating for policies that protect transgender students and providing guidance on compliance with Title IX, ADA, and Section 504. His approach to well-being is grounded in community care, authenticity, and sustainable leadership.

Collins has been recognized nationally for his work, including honors from The Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers, and the American Bar Association. With his unique blend of legal expertise, advocacy, and leadership, Collins is a trusted voice on gender-affirming care and transgender rights. He is passionate about building bridges between advocacy, law, and personal healing—and helping others thrive while doing the same.

Jess Waltman | Gordon Arata

Jess represents clients in banking, energy, and environmental litigation matters. Before joining Gordon Arata, Jess litigated complex pharmaceutical and medical device cases in mass tort proceedings across the country. He is admitted to practice in Alabama, Arizona, Louisiana, and Mississippi, in all federal courts in Louisiana and Mississippi, before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and before the United States Supreme Court.

Jess graduated, magna cum laude, from the University of Mississippi School of Law and was awarded the 2016 Outstanding Law Student Award by the faculty. He served as president of the Student Bar Association and as the executive online editor and alumni coordinator for the Mississippi Law Journal. A 2013 graduate of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College and the Patterson School of Accountancy at the University of Mississippi, Jess was inducted into Phi Kappa Phi and the University of Mississippi Hall of Fame during his senior year.

Jess served as the president of the Young Lawyers Division of the Mississippi Bar for the 2022-2023 bar year, and he currently serves on the Board of Governors of the Human Rights Campaign and as a young lawyer fellow for the ABA Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. In 2023, Jess was honored as the New Lawyer of the Year by the Mississippi Association for Justice, and, in 2025, he was honored as one of the “Top 40” by the Young Lawyers Division of the Louisiana Bar.

An avid fan of Mardi Gras, Jess is a member of the Krewe of Armeinius, the Krewe of King Arthur, and the Krewe of Tucks.

I. The Lavender Scare and its legal ramifications and legacy | 2:00pm – 2:10pm

II. Analysis of current legal issues, including definitions | 2:10pm – 2:20pm

III. Discussion of key similarities and differences between then and now | 2:20pm – 2:30pm

IV. Discussion of identity-based risks and protections | 2:30pm – 2:40pm
V. Discussion of legal rights and remedies | 2:40pm – 2:50pm

VI. Resources and Q&A | 2:50pm – 3:00pm