Fla. gay adoption ban goes to appeals court

Lawyer Blogs

A Florida appeals court is being urged to affirm a judge's ruling that the state's strict ban on adoptions by gay people is unconstitutional.

Attorneys for parent Martin Gill and his two children argued Wednesday in Miami that there's no rational basis to exclude gay people. Gill and his partner have adopted two young brothers.

State lawyers contend the Legislature should make such decisions. They claim the judge wrongly legislated from the bench in striking down the law last year.

The American Civil Liberties Union, which is representing Gill, calls Florida's gay adoption ban the broadest such law in the nation.

It will likely be months before the appeals court issues a ruling, which could then be appealed to the Florida Supreme Court.

Related listings

  • Appeals court to hear sports betting arguments

    Appeals court to hear sports betting arguments

    Lawyer Blogs 08/24/2009

    A federal appeals court in Philadelphia will decide whether sports betting in Delaware should be put on hold until a legal challenge by professional sports leagues and the NCAA is decided. The court will hear arguments Monday over a judge's denial of...

  • BofA's Countrywide loses court ruling on mortgages

    BofA's Countrywide loses court ruling on mortgages

    Lawyer Blogs 08/24/2009

    A federal judge has ruled that Bank of America Corp cannot have a lawsuit by investors seeking to force it to buy back mortgages heard in federal court, saying he lacks jurisdiction to decide the case. Tuesday's ruling by Judge Richard Holwell of the...

  • Trial of Texas judge over death-row appeal ends

    Trial of Texas judge over death-row appeal ends

    Lawyer Blogs 08/21/2009

    The misconduct trial of a Texas judge who refused to keep her court open for lawyers trying to stop an execution that night ended Thursday with her attorneys insisting she did nothing wrong. Judge Sharon Keller, the presiding judge of the Texas Court...

New York Commercial Litigation Law Firm - Woods Lonergan PLLC

Founded in 1993 by Managing Partner James F. Woods, Woods Lonergan PLLC has built a strong reputation as a resourceful and industrious firm that provides clients with clear, concise, and straightforward answers to their most challenging legal issues. Partner Lawrence R. Lonergan, who joined the firm in 2008, has been a friend and colleague to Mr. Woods for over 40 years and shares the same business philosophy. Woods Lonergan PLLC’s collective experience and expertise enables the firm to expeditiously and effectively analyze the increasing challenges clients face in an evolving business and legal world, in many instances, avoiding unnecessary time and expense to our clients. Our mission is simple: provide cutting-edge expertise and sound advice in select areas of the law for corporate and business clients. We thrive on providing each client with personalized attention, forceful representation, and a collaborative team effort that embraces collective knowledge.

Business News

New York & New Jersey Family Law Matters We represent our clients in all types of proceedings that include termination of parental rights. >> read