Lambda Legal will celebrate the significant gift by the Jones Day Foundation in honor of its retiring partner, F. Curt Kirschner,at its San Francisco Soiree on September 28, 2022. The Jones Day Foundation’s $1 million gift will be used to fund and establish the F. Curt Kirschner Senior Counsel and Senior Strategist position at Lambda Legal.
“We are delighted to recognize the substantial gift in honor of Curt at our 2022 San Francisco Soiree, one of Lambda Legal’s marquee California supporter and donor events,” said Lambda Legal Western Regional Director Shedrick Davis. “His years of steadfast support of our work, culminating in the F. Curt Kirschner Senior Counsel position, has contributed mightily to our success, and we couldn’t be more pleased to have him join us at the event later this month.”
Kirschner practice in the Jones Day’s San Francisco office, focused on the resolution of complex labor and employment disputes, with a particular concentration on disputes arising in the health care field. He has been recognized as a top Labor and Employment lawyer by Chambers USA, HR Executive Online, Legal 500, California’s Daily Journal, and other organizations. Kirschner maintained an extensive pro bono practice, including his work with the American Hospital Association and HEAL Trafficking where he led Jones Day’s initiatives related to health care providers’ responses to human trafficking victims and survivors. He also served as a pro bono mediator and evaluator of federal labor and employment cases as part of the Northern District of California’s Alternative Dispute Resolution program; pro bono labor counsel to the San Francisco Symphony for over 15 years; and represented a variety of other pro bono clients, including recent work for Planned Parenthood Northern California. In addition to Curt’s prior service on Lambda Legal’s national board and his current membership on our National Leadership Council, Curt serves on the boards of the San Francisco Symphony and the San Francisco SPCA.
In June, The Jones Day Foundation announced a $1 million grant to fund a Staff Attorney position at Lambda Legal for a period of several years with a focus on issues impacting the Senior LGBTQ+ community. Lambda Legal has long been committed to ensuring that LGBTQ+ older adults and people aging with HIV have equal access to the full range of programs, institutions, and systems designed to support us as we age. Safeguarding seniors’ equal access to housing, health care, and government programs, and protecting seniors’ equality, privacy, and dignity are central to securing the full civil rights of LGBTQ+ people and people living with HIV.
Lambda Legal’s San Francisco Soirée is an inspiring celebration hosted by Lambda Legal’s San Francisco Leadership Council. This year’s Soirée will take place at the W San Francisco in the SOMA District and will feature a cocktail reception, guest speakers, and an update on Lambda Legal’s litigation and public policy work. The Soirée has enabled Lambda Legal to remain the world’s largest and most successful impact litigation team focused on our mission to achieve equality for LGBTQ+ people and everyone living with HIV.
Curt and his husband, Nick Augustinos, who have been together for 38 years, will spend much of their time at their ranch outside Healdsburg in Sonoma County, where they care for a large assortment of rescue animals, including miniature horses, llamas, and a yak.