According to Reuters, not a single big
law firm is representing clients defending state bans on gay
marriage.
The news service reported that at least
30 big law firms are representing plaintiffs challenging such laws,
while not a single member of the Am Law 200, which ranks based on
revenue, is defending state laws limiting marriage to heterosexual
couples.
Lawsuits challenging all 31 state bans
followed last year's U.S. Supreme Court ruling striking down a key
provision of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which led to federal
recognition of the marriages of gay couples. Three cases have been
heard by federal appellate court judges.
Law firms representing plaintiffs are
also working for free or at cut rates, Reuters
reported.
One example cited is the law firm of
Akin Gump, which has donated at least 1,100 hours representing two
plaintiff couples challenging Texas' ban and filing
friend-of-the-court briefs in three separate cases.
Law firms representing defendants or
filing friend-of-the-court briefs in support of state marriage bans
are predominantly from small law firms or Christian conservative
groups, including the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) or the Beckett
Fund.