( New York, May 29, 2014 ) - Lambda Legal announced the election of new leaders to serve on its Board of Directors, including John Stafstrom, Chair of the Public Finance Department with Pullman & Comley, LLC; Rachel Goldberg, General Counsel of the Stamford, Connecticut Urban Redevelopment Commission; Kenneth Weissenberg, Tax Partner and Co-Chair of the Real Estate Services Group at EisnerAmper LLP; and Michelle Waites, Senior Patent Counsel at Xerox.
Former Chicagoan Karen Dixon was also appointed to co-chair of the national board.
"We are grateful that Karen will take on this role as co-chair after five years of tremendous service on the board and we are also pleased to have John, Rachel, Kenneth, and Michelle add their talent and energy to our board," Lambda Legal Executive Director Kevin Cathcart said. "We greatly appreciate their willingness to volunteer their time and expertise in this effort."
Karen K. Dixon of Washington, D.C., focused her practice on complex commercial litigation and has an LLM, a postgraduate degree, in Taxation and a Certificate in Estate Planning at Georgetown University Law Center. Dixon has been on Lambda Legal's Board of Directors since 2009. Prior to relocating to Washington, DC, she was a member of Lambda Legal's National Leadership Council in Chicago.
"Lambda Legal has played a critical role in advancing the recognition of the civil rights of the LGBT community and I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to be more closely involved over the next couple of years," Dixon said.
John F. Stafstrom Jr., Chair of the Public Finance Department with Pullman & Comley, LLC, in Bridgeport, CT, advises clients in negotiating contracts between private developers, contract operators and government entities. He also counsels financial institutions and government entities in transactions involving the making of loans and the modification, settlement and restructuring of loan obligations.
"The work we do at Lambda Legal, from working for the freedom to marry to fighting discrimination in employment, healthcare and education makes an enormous impact on people's lives," Stafstrom said. "I'm honored to be part of an organization that works for equality in the nation's courts."
Rachel Goldberg presently serves as General Counsel of the Stamford, Connecticut, Urban Redevelopment Commission. She has successfully managed the real estate and development activities of the Commission for more than 25 years, including some of the most successful redevelopment projects in Connecticut. Rachel has also worked on Connecticut legislation over the past decade and maintains a limited private practice which includes an emphasis in the areas of real estate and employment discrimination. She became a member of the Connecticut Law Tribune's Editorial Board in the spring of 2013.
"Lambda Legal does important and amazing work, from youth in schools to marriage equality. I am proud to have the opportunity to continue my support as a board member," said Goldberg.
Kenneth Weissenberg is a Tax Partner and Co-Chair of the Real Estate Services Group in New York. His extensive experience encompasses all aspects of the real estate industry, ranging from developing tax saving strategies for owning and operating property to structuring and negotiating complex sales, acquisitions, and financing transactions. For more than 20 years, Ken has also been a leader in developing tax and advisory services for same-sex couples and families. He serves as the National Leader of the LGBT and Alternative Family Services Group. He assists with tax issues facing high net worth individuals, trust and estate planning and the impact of tax laws affecting both LGBT couples and the businesses where they work.
"What stands out about Lambda Legal is the depth and breadth of its work. When Lambda Legal wins a case, we all win. I joined the board because no one in this movement is untouched by Lambda Legal's work," said Weissenberg.
Michelle Waites is Senior Patent Counsel for Xerox Corporation in Connecticut. Her primary responsibility is patent litigation and includes leading internal fact investigations, managing outside counsel, drafting technology transfer agreements and working with business and technical staff to develop and implement effective legal strategies. She is a registered patent attorney and has extensive experience preparing and prosecuting patent applications. Michelle has maintained her own law practice and worked for large law firms and spent several years as an engineer in the aerospace/military defense industry.
"I have long respected Lambda Legal's unparalleled civil rights work for LGBT people and those living with HIV. I have no doubt we will continue to move toward equality, and I am proud to be a part of this important organization," Waites said.
