LGBTQ+ Resources
Jerner Law Group, P.C. is proud to offer compassionate and experienced representation to our LGBTQ+ clients.
Our attorneys, paralegals, and support staff are honored to serve the LGBTQ+ community in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. When our firm was founded in 2003, our mission was to provide experienced, knowledgeable, and, above all else, LGBTQ+ competent representation for our clients. Over 20 years later, our mission is even more important. Many of our services may be especially helpful to LGBTQ+ individuals and families, including:
- Adoptions
- Assisted Reproduction Law
- Surrogacy & Gestational Carrier Agreements
- Known Egg or Sperm Donor Agreements
- Estate Planning
We are also happy to assist transgender and gender non-conforming individuals in their journey to legally transition.
These services can include seeking a legal name change, assisting with updates to federal-issued and state-issued identity documents (IDs), and answering our clients’ questions about updating their gender markers or sex designations.
Our attorneys are leaders in the field of LGBTQ+ legal issues.
- Benjamin Jerner has provided outstanding representation for over 25 years to the LGBTQ+ community and has authored numerous publications on transgender legal issues, including a chapter in Transgender Family Law: A Guide to Effective Advocacy.
- Jennifer Dumin is proud to provide compassionate family law representation for LGBTQ+ individuals and has moderated panel discussions for the Philadelphia Bar Association Family Law Section on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s decision in Glover v. Junior, a landmark decision for intent-based parentage.
- Rachel Levy is a supervising attorney for Penn Carey Law’s Transgender Empowerment and Advocacy (TEA) Project and has presented on the importance of legal affirmation services for several hospital systems in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, including Jefferson Health and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
LGBTQ+ Resources Hub
Everyone at Jerner Law Group, P.C. wants to support our community during these unsettling and scary times. This support includes sharing important and helpful information for LGBTQ+ individuals and families.
Please be advised that the information provided on this website is for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing contained herein should be construed as legal advice. Because each person’s situation is unique and because laws, regulations, and court rules vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and are subject to change, you should consult a lawyer licensed to practice in your jurisdiction to obtain legal advice appropriate to your individual situation. Please also be advised that while we will update this information as frequently as possible, relevant laws and regulations can change quickly and any information should be confirmed before being used.
Mental Health Resources for the LGBTQ+ Community
If you are a member of the LGBTQ+ community and you are struggling with the current legal and political landscape, it is important to ask for help and support. Please reach out to any of these resources:
The Trevor Project
- 24/7 Hotline: 866-4-U-TREVOR (866-488-7386)
- Available via instant messaging at TrevorChat or via text at TrevorText (text START to 678678)
Trans Lifeline
- Peer-Support Crisis Hotline: 877-565-8860 (Available from 1 pm – 9 pm EST)
The LGBT National Hotline
- Confidential Hotline: (888) 843-4564 (Available M-F 1 pm to 9 pm EST and Saturdays 12 pm – 5 pm EST)
The LGBT National Youth Talkline
- Hotline serving youth through age 25: (800) 246-7743 (Available M-F 1 pm to 9pm EST and Saturdays 12 pm – 5 pm EST)