Pro Bono Matter Achieves Landmark Victory for Transgender Students in Minnesota

10.07.2020

A team of Stinson attorneys led by Tim Griffin and Andrew Davis, in partnership with the ACLU-MN and Gender Justice, won a landmark victory in the Minnesota Court of Appeals on a matter of first impression regarding the statutory and constitutional rights of transgender students in Minnesota. In an opinion issued on September 28, 2020, the court held that a transgender high-school student who is denied use of a locker room that corresponds with his gender identity and required to use a separate locker room facility, states a claim for discrimination under both the Minnesota Human Rights Act and the equal protection guarantees of the Minnesota Constitution.

The Minnesota Department of Human Rights intervened in the case in support of the student. In addition, the case received national attention with more than a dozen organizations filing amicus briefs in support of our client, including the Minnesota State Bar Association, the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Education, the American Federation of Teachers, and the National Education Association.

This matter builds on Stinson's continued commitment to diversity and inclusion and supporting our communities through pro bono efforts. Our strategic plan notes a commitment to annually donate 3% of total billable hours to pro bono legal services that will have a positive impact on our profession and the communities in which we live. Additionally, 100% of the firm's associates performed pro bono legal work last year.