Mary Bonauto ’87 to Deliver Special Presentation at Brown Forum for Women in the Law Conference
02.26.25 — Legendary gay rights advocate Mary Bonauto ’87, senior director of civil rights and legal strategies at GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD Law), will deliver a special presentation at Northeastern Law’s 17th annual Brown Forum for Women in the Law Conference on May 1, 2025.
A pioneering civil rights attorney, Bonauto successfully argued before the US Supreme Court in the 2015 historic case Obergefell v. Hodges, which established the freedom to marry for same-sex couples nationwide, and has litigated in the state and federal courts of New England on many types of discrimination issues, including addressing anti-LGBTQ discrimination as discrimination based on sex, establishing parentage protections, strengthening student rights, free speech, and religious liberty, relationship recognition and marriage defense.
In early 2025, Bonauto was among 20 individuals who received the Presidential Citizens Medal from President Joe Biden in a ceremony at the White House. Her transformative work has been recognized with numerous other awards, including a 2014 MacArthur Fellowship. Bonauto continues to work on policy issues ranging from reforms in the juvenile justice, criminal justice and child welfare systems to updating parentage laws and helping to pass conversion therapy bans.
“Mary has worked tirelessly and effectively for LGBTQ+ rights her entire career. In these challenging times, she will share insights and strategies, and will also fill us in on how recharges her own batteries to come back to the table. Her recent recognition by President Biden tells us the nation knows what we have known all along: she’s a rock star!” said Mielle Marquis, director of alumni/ae engagement and initiatives and co-founder of the Brown Forum for Women in the Law.
This year’s conference, themed Generations of Justice: Sharing Experiences Across Ages, brings together women attorneys from diverse backgrounds and career stages to exchange wisdom, strategies and inspiration. With panels, networking opportunities and career advice, this empowering event is designed to enrich and uplift women at every stage of their legal journey. Attendees will explore cutting-edge platforms and technologies that are shaping legal advocacy today. The program will also feature a special presentation by Karen Walrond, author of Radiant Rebellion: Reclaim Aging, Practice Joy, and Raise a Little Hell.
The nation’s leader in experiential legal education since 1968, Northeastern University School of Law offers the longest-running, most extensive experience-based legal education program in the country. Northeastern guarantees its students unparalleled practical legal work experiences through its signature Cooperative Legal Education Program. More than 1,100 employers in a wide range of legal, government, nonprofit and business organizations participate in the program. With a focus on social justice and innovation, Northeastern University School of Law blends theory and practice, providing students with a unique set of skills and experiences to successfully practice law.
For more information, contact d.feldman@northeastern.edu.