Lawyers USA Your Business Partner

High-profile 1st Circuit DOMA challenge packs courtroom 

By: Dan McDonald
Published: April 9, 2012

Tags: Defense of Marriage Act, DOMA, gay marriage, same-sex marriage

The 1st Circuit heard arguments last week in the legal challenge to the Defense of Marriage Act, a federal law that bars same-sex married couples from marital protections.

The plaintiffs in Gill v. Office of Personnel Management are state residents represented by Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders. The plaintiffs allege they have been harmed by the federal government, which, under DOMA, has refused to recognize their marriages, meaning that they do not have access to Social Security protections, family health insurance policies or joint income tax filings.

2011: The year Congress battled the White House 

By: Kimberly Atkins
Published: January 4, 2012

Tags: Congress, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, DOMA, National Labor Relations Board, White House

WASHINGTON – In Washington, 2011 can be remembered as the year Congress and the White House battled it out.

The year ended with Congress and the White House in a cold war of sorts, with Republican lawmakers using every procedural tool at their disposal to block key White House appointments in an expression of displeasure over President Barack Obama’s administration policies.

ABA declares support for repeal of DOMA 

Published: November 8, 2011

Tags: ABA, American Bar Association, Defense of Marriage Act, DOMA

The American Bar Association is throwing its support behind legislation that would repeal the federal Defense of Marriage Act.

White House backs Defense of Marriage Act repeal bill 

By: Kimberly Atkins
Published: July 20, 2011

Tags: Congress, DOMA, Respect for Marriage Act, same-sex marriage, White House

WASHINGTON – The Obama administration is backing a bill that would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, the federal law that denies recognition of same-sex marriages.

DOJ won’t appeal same-sex bankruptcy filings 

Published: July 13, 2011

Tags: Defense of Marriage Act, Department of Justice, DOMA, same-sex marriage

The Department of Justice will no longer appeal joint petitions filed by legally married same-sex partners, the agency has announced.

The fallout from defending DOMA 

Published: May 4, 2011

Tags: Defense of Marriage Act, DOMA

The battle over the constitutionality of the federal Defense of Marriage Act has now shifted to a battle over the law’s defense.

Bills to repeal DOMA filed in both House and Senate 

By: Kimberly Atkins
Published: March 17, 2011

Tags: Congress, DOMA, same-sex marriage, White House

WASHINGTON – In the latest move in the largely partisan battle over the fate of the Defense of Marriage Act, Democratic lawmakers in the House and Senate have filed bills to repeal the measure, which denies federal benefits to same-sex married couples.

DOMA repeal may streamline practice areas 

By: Christina Pazzanese
Published: March 9, 2011

Tags: Defense of Marriage Act, Department of Justice, DOJ, DOMA, gay marriage, Obama, same-sex marriage

The Department of Justice’s decision to stop defending the federal Defense of Marriage Act against legal challenges could eventually transform several major practice areas in states that permit gay marriage.

House to defend DOMA 

By: Correy Stephenson
Published: March 7, 2011

Tags: Defense of Marriage Act, Department of Justice, DOJ, DOMA, Eric Holder, gay marriage, John Boehner, same-sex couples, same-sex marriage

In response to the recent decision that the Department of Justice will no longer defend the federal Defense of Marriage Act against legal challenges, Speaker of the House John Boehner announced that the House will send its own lawyers to defend the law in federal court.

Maryland Senate adopts same-sex marriage bill 

By: Steve Lash
Published: February 25, 2011

Tags: Defense of Marriage Act, DOMA, gay marriage, Obama, same-sex couples, same-sex marriage

ANNAPOLIS – The Maryland Senate on Thursday night passed legislation that would allow same-sex couples to marry in the state with a vote of 25 to 21.