Lambda Legal today announced that Nicholas Hite has been named the McDonald/Wright Senior Attorney, a position funded by a $1 million gift from Palm Springs philanthropists and equality advocates John McDonald and Rob Wright.
“We are exceedingly grateful for John and Rob’s incredible generosity that enables Lambda Legal to continue to defend the rights of and win new protections for LGBTQ+ people,” said Lambda Legal CEO Kevin Jennings. “Nicholas is a fierce advocate for justice in the community, and we are proud to have him on our team of stellar litigators serving as the last line of defense in the fight for LGBTQ+ equality.”
The McDonald/Wright gift is the latest publicly announced donation in Lambda Legal’s $180 million comprehensive “Unstoppable Future” strategy – the largest campaign in the history of the equality movement – to fight against the wave of anti-equality legislation and discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community and those living with HIV. The historic campaign outlines a multipronged strategy to defend against anti-LGBTQ+ attacks, win new protections, and prepare for the future to ensure civil rights for the next generation.
“We have seen so much positive change for LGBTQ+ people, and we must continue to protect the rights of all members of our community, including those living with HIV,” said McDonald.
“We must ensure equality for the next generation, and we hope this encourages others to donate,” said Wright.
John McDonald and Rob Wright have spent over four decades supporting gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender rights. Their philanthropy spans multiple nonprofit organizations, including the Los Angeles LGBT Center and the Williams Institute at UCLA Law School, supporting research on LGBTQ+ issues. In 2008, they married and continued funding programs nationwide, including for HIV and minority rights. In 2015, they donated the building for The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert in Palm Springs, California.
Before joining Lambda Legal, Hite established the first openly LGBTQ+-run, LGBTQ+-centered law practice, The Hite Law Group, in New Orleans, Louisiana, and was principal there for 10 years. As a solo practitioner, Hite single-handedly served over 3,000 clients across all 42 civil district courts in Louisiana, providing leading-edge legal services for LGBTQ+-identified clients. Hite was instrumental in spearheading policy and practice changes for transgender Louisianans and Hite was recognized as one of the 40 best LGBTQ+ lawyers under 40 by the national LGBTQ+ Bar Association. In 2023 Hite received the Hostetter-Habib Family Award from Family Equality.
“I’ve proudly dedicated my career to protecting the rights of LGBTQ+ people,” said Hite. “It’s a privilege to continue the important work of Lambda Legal and represent the legacy of John and Rob’s commitment to the equality of our community.”
Hite will be Lambda Legal’s first attorney based in the state of Louisiana. Louisiana has become a hotbed of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in recent years, enacting a “don’t say gay or trans” law that censors K-12 students and teachers as well as a law restricting access to medically-recommended health care for trans youth in 2024.
Lambda Legal has been at the forefront of the fight for LGBTQ+ rights for 50 years as a national legal nonprofit organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of LGBTQ+ individuals and people living with HIV. Lambda Legal’s lawyers have won precedent-setting civil rights cases on everything from marriage equality to expressions of gender identity to health care discrimination. Through education, advocacy, and legal action, Lambda Legal strives to protect and advance the rights of the LGBTQ+ community, advocating for a society that embraces diversity and inclusivity.