As NYLS joins the broader community in celebrating Pride Month, we’re excited to spotlight Anthony Perrotto ’14 and Maverick James ’19, who have been named to the National LGBTQ+ Bar Association’s 2025 list of “40 Best LGBTQ+ Lawyers Under 40.” The annual award honors young LGBTQ+ legal professionals who have made significant contributions to the field and who demonstrate a deep commitment to advancing LGBTQ+ equality.
Perrotto currently serves as Principal Law Clerk to the Honorable David J. Kirschner of the New York State Supreme Court, Criminal Term in Queens. In addition to being a dedicated public servant, he is a leader in LGBTQ+ legal advocacy. In 2022, he was appointed President of the Board of Directors of the LGBT Bar Association of Greater New York, where he began as a legal clinic volunteer in 2015. Read more about Perrotto’s appointment.
James, also known as the “#DataLawyer,” is the Founder and Managing Attorney of Avant-Garde Legal, a firm focused on client-centered solutions in data protection. He has expertise in data privacy and cybersecurity, as well as experience in public service. He previously served as a judicial intern in both federal and state courts and worked in the Cybercrime Division of the Kings County District Attorney’s Office.
Perrotto and James embody what it means to be leaders in the law and advocates for their community. We congratulate them both and look forward to witnessing their continued contributions to the legal field.