Hangley Aronchick is proud to announce that shareholder Gerald Shoemaker will be honored with the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s 2022 David M. Rosenblum LGBTQ+ Public Policy Award. This award honors individuals who have effected change resulting in a positive impact for the LGBTQ+ community and who have used their leadership positions to inspire others to act and promote civil rights and equality. The award is presented by the PBA’s LGBTQ+ Rights Committee and named in memory of David M. Rosenblum, legal director of the Mazzoni Center and a staunch proponent of civil rights.
Jerry is a founding member of the PBA LGBTQ+ Rights Committee and he served as chair from 2015-2021. During his time on the committee, he collaborated to present the Joint Recommendation for Marriage Equality to the PBA, which was adopted by the PBA House of Delegates. As chair, he led the push to change the name of the committee from the GLBT Rights Committee to the LGBTQ+ Rights Committee to make the committee more inclusive, and helped create the Transgender Name Change Task Force, which sought to change the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure to protect the privacy of transgender persons petitioning for name changes to reflect their true identifies. Jerry also serves as secretary of the PBA Family Law Section and as a Zone 9 delegate to the PBA House of Delegates.
A shareholder in the firm’s family law practice, Jerry concentrates his practice in domestic relations issues, including equitable distribution, alimony, custody and support matters. He has handled a variety of issues regarding same-sex relationships. Throughout his legal career, Shoemaker has advocated for people in need. He offers free legal clinics at the Women’s Center of Montgomery County, an organization that focuses on freedom from domestic violence and other forms of abuse. He also volunteers with Philly VIP, providing free representation on family law matters for indigent clients, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Regional Center for Women in the Arts.
Jerry earned his undergraduate degree from Duquesne University and his law degree, Order of the Barristers, from University of Pittsburgh School of Law.
Jerry will receive his award at a ceremony during the PBA’s Annual Meeting May 11-13. Additionally, he was interviewed about this award and his work with the Committee for the article “Social Progress and Law Are ‘Intertwined,’ Says Jerry Shoemaker, Honored With Pa. Bar’s Award for LGBTQ+ Public Policy” which appeared in the Legal Intelligencer.
