San Francisco Partner Peter Catalanotti Makes Headlines with Bar Association of San Francisco

On March 2, 2015, the law firm of Manning & Kass announced that the San Francisco Bar Association had named Manning & Kass partner Peter Catalanotti as co-chair to the Equality Committee on LGBT Issues. The purpose of the San Francisco Bar Association's Equality Committee on LGBT Issues is to eliminate discrimination against, promote equality of opportunity for and increase the visibility of contributions made by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender attorneys.

Since that announcement, Mr. Catalanotti, in conjunction with this pro bono role, has received regular accolades from the organization for his volunteer activity, networking, other civic activity, and legal acumen. Highlights from the past twelve months include the following:

On June 26, 2015, the United States Supreme Court handed down its landmark opinion in Obergefell v. Hodges and related cases, providing a definitive and affirmative answer to the question of whether the federal Constitution protects the rights of same-sex couples to marry. The Bar Association of San Francisco LGBT Issues Committee Chairs Peter Catalanotti, a San Francisco partner at Manning & Kass, and Robert Gower, released a joint statement, saying "This decision is a huge achievement for the LGBT community nationwide, and marks one of the most significant equal rights decisions of the Supreme Court in decades. The impact of the Supreme Court’s opinion will be felt far and wide, strengthening the bond of same-sex families, knocking down discriminatory laws prohibiting same-sex marriage, and helping usher in a new era of equality for LGBT Americans." (To read the full statement, click here.)

On July 29, 2015, the Bar Association of San Francisco announced that Peter Catalanotti had participated in a LGBTQ Partners and Associates Reception on June 24. According to their website, "The Bar Association of San Francisco (BASF) recognizes the benefits that minority and LGBTQ law students and young lawyers receive when afforded opportunities to network with other lawyers and successful partners who look like them and/or have similar experiences. Established in 2007, BASF’s annual Partner-Associates Receptions provide an opportunity for networking, meeting mentors and appreciating the achievements of minority and LGBTQ partners in the Bay Area." (To read more, click here.)

On September 2, 2015, the Bar Association of San Francisco announced that San Francisco Partner Peter Catalanotti had been recognized by the LGBT Bar as one of the three San Francisco attorneys choses as “Best LGBT Lawyers Under 40."

On December 8, 2015, the Bar Association of San Francisco announced that Mr. Catalanotti had served as a panelist during a Destination Law School panel presentation held at Mills College. Panelists provided Bay Area undergraduate students with "valuable information about law school" and "sage advice" about the legal profession based on personal experience. (To read more, click here.)

On February 17, 2016, Mr. Catalanotti and other attorneys met with approximately fifteen 7th graders that are part of Aptos Middle School's Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA). Panelists discussed their coming-out stories, their experiences in school, and their current lawyer and judge positions. (To read more, click here.)