Street Talk
© 2007 Philadelphia Gay News
Should an attorney be permitted to turn down a case because it involves a GLBT litigant?

Halima Bianco
case manager
Mt. Airy

“No. That’s horrible. That’s discrimination, without question. The attorney should be reported to the disciplinary board and steps should be taken to disbar him, after an investigation. If a lawyer can be so blatantly discriminatory, what hope is there for LGBT people in society?”

Joshua Ferguson
attorney
Washington Square West

“Yes. But I would prefer that he not be on any list for court-appointed attorneys. There would be a question about his ability to zealously advocate for his client. But technically speaking, he’s allowed to turn down a case, for whatever reason. I’ve studied legal ethics in Pennsylvania, and there’s no prohibition against turning down a case for discriminatory reasons.”


Johnna Holding
dog walker
Graduate Hospital area

“No, not in the 21st century. I would hope we’ve moved past such infantile behavior. Get over it. If he can’t deal with the public, then he needs to find a new profession.”

Corey Welch
graduate student
Washington Square West

“Yes. Everyone has a right to their own opinion. You can’t force someone to take a case they don’t support. If the attorney is assigned [to a case] by the court, the client should be allowed to ask the judge to have a new attorney appointed.”