How One of America’s Top Lawyers Helped Win Marriage Equality

Robbie Kaplan photo and book cover

Author Roberta Kaplan Interviewed By Kara Swisher

October 20, 2015

4:00pm

(please arrive no later than 3:45pm)

Renowned attorney Roberta Kaplan knew from the beginning that it was the perfect case to bring down the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Edie Windsor and Thea Spyer had been together as a couple, in sickness and in health, for more than forty years—enduring society’s homophobia as well as Spyer’s near total paralysis from multiple sclerosis. Although the couple was finally able to marry, when Spyer died the federal government refused to recognize their marriage, forcing Windsor to pay a huge estate tax bill.

Join us to hear Kaplan’s story of meeting Edie Windsor, taking her case, and working with her and scores of others in the movement to win. She will also discuss the context of recent Supreme Court victories in the greater battle for civil rights, both inside and out of the courtroom.

Space is limited; this invitation is nontransferable and RSVPs are required.

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Roberta Kaplan is a partner at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. Since winning United States v. Windsor, she litigated the case against the gay marriage ban in Mississippi, filed “The People’s Brief” in the most recent marriage equality case before the Supreme Court, and is currently battling Mississippi’s ban on adoptions by gay couples. She lives in New York City with her wife and son.

Kara Swisher, Silicon Valley tech reporter and Executive Editor of Re/code, started covering digital issues for the Wall Street Journal's San Francisco bureau in 1997. Her column, "BoomTown," originally appeared on the front page of the Marketplace section and also online at WSJ.com. Previously, Kara covered breaking news about the Web's major players and Internet policy issues and co-produced All Things Digital.

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For Robbie Kaplan book tour dates, please go to: http://www.robbiekaplan.com

In her riveting new book, Then Comes Marriage: United States v. Windsor and the Defeat of Doma, renowned attorney Roberta Kaplan gives a personal account of her successful argument in favor of this landmark ruling. Called a “true American hero” by President Bill Clinton, Ms. Kaplan details her experiences and struggles on the front lines of this historic civil rights victory, both inside and out of the courtroom. Plus, she’ll touch on how this victory paved the way to legalizing same sex marriage nationwide.

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A Conversation With Roberta Kaplan, Hosted By Thumbtack