Contact: Mark Fefer, Marketing Communications, 206.757.8583 or markfefer@dwt.com
NOVEMBER 10, 2014 – Paul Southwick, a litigation associate in the Portland office of Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, has been honored, along with his client Jayce Marcus, with an Equity Award from the Equity Foundation, which supports social, economic, and political equality for the LGBTQ community.
Southwick and Marcus were recognized this past weekend at a black-tie "Soirée" in downtown Portland, along with two other individual honorees—Portland Fire Chief Erin Janssens and Kurt Beadell, co-owner and creative director of Vibrant Table Catering & Events.
Southwick has been representing Marcus, a transgender male student at George Fox University, in his petition to live on campus with his male friends. The university has so far denied the request.
Southwick, a George Fox alumnus, has assisted Marcus in his negotiations with the university, and filed complaints on his behalf with the U.S. Department of Education and the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, prompting several minority bar associations in Oregon to sign a joint letter protesting George Fox’s policies.
The case has received nationwide attention and is broadly recognized as breaking new ground in the fight for transgender rights on campus. The Equity Foundation saluted Southwick and Marcus for "their bravery" and said they are "at the forefront of one of our community’s most pressing and current issues."
"We are honored to support Paul is his efforts to pursue equality and justice for the transgender community," said Bill Miner, partner-in-charge at Davis Wright Tremaine’s Portland office. "I am proud of his work and delighted to congratulate him on this recognition."
About Davis Wright Tremaine
Davis Wright Tremaine LLP is a national law firm with approximately 500 lawyers representing clients based throughout the United States and around the world. For more information, visit www.dwt.com.