100 Women We Love: Class of 2017

Every June, GO compiles a select list of talented tastemakers, influencers and all-around inspirational women who are making their mark on the LGBT community and on the world at large.

Emily Rubenstein

Photo courtesy Emily Rubenstein

When divorce lawyer Emily Rubenstein walks into a courtroom, she’s oftentimes representing someone who’s going through a lot of pain. “Divorce is stressful, emotional and scary—there is a whole new legal language dictating your family’s future and that’s intimidating, disorienting,” she says. “Being a client’s leader through the storm and bringing them to a place of relative peace and closure gratifies me every day.”  The Los Angeles native is one of two women attorneys at Lavinsky Law, and previously served as the Co-President of the LGBT Bar Association of Los Angeles, the youngest co-president in the organization’s history. “I’ve found that being out has positively affected my success—certainly more than I could have imagined as a self-conscious teenager,” she says. “Being out means people know I am being myself, which allows my clients and staff to be themselves as well. In a field where we deal with such personal issues, it is so important for people to feel comfortable and free from judgment. Anyone who comes into my office knows they can give me the real talk.” Part of Rubenstein’s work is taking on pro-bono cases representing survivors of domestic violence in low-income communities. All this feeds into the most “rewarding” aspect of her work, which is “getting a client to that point where they can see the end of the tunnel.” “Winning trials is pretty fun, too,” she says. As for how she stays winning? “Be the purest version of yourself—that’s your unique gift to the world; be intimidated by no one, and remember, not all lady lawyers wear heels.” —TB


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