In his article, “A Pride Month Primer on Cultural Competency for Attorneys Working with the LGBTQIA2S+ Community,” which appears in the May/June 2024 edition of Nebraska Lawyer, Kutak Rock partner Edward Fox II not only explains the ethical and business reasons legal professionals should have a working knowledge of LGBTQIA2S+ terms and concepts, but he also provides a list of concise, accessible definitions for common terms often used within the community. 

Read the article here.

“I was fortunate to be asked to prepare an article for the Nebraska Lawyer Equity and the Law feature.  Having recently been made co-chair of Kutak Rock’s LGBTQIA + Allies Affinity Group, the responsibility we have as legal professionals to treat our clients with respect and dignity has been at the forefront of my thinking,” said Ed. “As we approach Pride Month, a basic way to do that is to familiarize ourselves with the ever-evolving lexicon and vernacular of clients in the LGBTQIA2S+ community.” He argues that attorneys must address ethical obligations of cultural competence. Through this article, Ed seeks to help others avoid common mistakes—often unintentional—while interacting with LGBTQIA2S+ individuals. 

“Most people want to be respectful. Demonstrating a working knowledge of the language important to vulnerable communities can go a long way toward showing others you’re making a good-faith effort,” he added. 

In addition to co-chairing Kutak Rock’s LGBTQIA + Allies Affinity Group, Ed will represent the firm at this year’s LGBTQ+ Bar Association’s Lavender Law Conference and Career Fair in Washington, DC in July. This will be his second year attending as a Kutak Rock attorney. “I’m excited to return and catch up with people I met last year, plus I love meeting with law students and new graduates and getting their perspectives on what they’re looking for in a potential employer. Kutak Rock has a lot to offer LGBTQIA2S+ lawyers and other legal professionals, and I’m looking forward to sharing it with them.” 

In addition to comprehensive and progressive benefits, Kutak Rock participates in Pride celebrations consisting of national and regional programming, parades and festivals, and will be holding a Pride mixer in the Omaha office for local clients. “We held our first Pride mixer in 2019 and had every intention of making it an annual event, but then the pandemic struck. We look forward to reviving our connections this year.” 

Ed is a member of Kutak Rock’s litigation department and Financial Services working group who focuses on government regulatory and enforcement actions, financial services litigation, and government contract disputes/bid protests. He is also Kutak Rock’s 2024 Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LDLC) Fellow.