Ninth Circuit Dismisses Appeal of District Court Ruling for Lambda Legal Client Karen Golinski

San Francisco (July 23, 2013) -- Citing the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling striking down Section 3 of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act, the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals today dismissed the appeal of the U.S. District Court ruling in Golinski v. U.S. Office of Personnel Management, the Section 3 challenge brought by Lambda Legal and Morrison & Foerster on behalf of Karen Golinski, a federal court employee denied family health coverage for her spouse.

"What a wonderful day for Karen, her spouse, Amy Cunninghis, and their family," Lambda Legal Staff Attorney Tara Borelli said.  "While we knew this order was coming after the historic Supreme Court ruling last month, it is nonetheless a huge relief for Karen to know that, after a long battle that began five years ago, her relationship is respected by the federal government, and her family is protected.  This order is the icing on the cake, and we at Lambda Legal could not be more delighted."

"We at Morrison & Foerster congratulate Karen and her family on their hard-earned victory," said Rita Lin, associate attorney at Morrison & Foerster.  "Their courage and perseverance in facing down discrimination helped pave the way for the Supreme Court's landmark decision, and they should be proud of that."

The order is attached: http://www.lambdalegal.org/in-court/legal-docs/golinski_us_20130723_order