Kyle Hildebrand (J.D. ’24) is the recipient of the LGBTQ+ Bar Association’s 2023 Student Leadership Award.
This is the association’s highest award, which recognizes two law students annually for demonstrating leadership at their school and in the community, especially in the area of LGBTQ+ equality.
“Receiving this award has reaffirmed my commitment to working for the LGBTQ+ community however I can,” said Hildebrand. “It means that I am on the right track, and I am energized to continue the work even as a law student.”
Hildebrand, a rising third-year law student from Brunswick, Ga., is a legislation editor for Georgia State University Law Review. He is also a graduate research assistant for the Health Law Partnership Clinic and the current president of OUTLaw. OUTLaw is a student organization that supports LGBTQ+ law students and allies at Georgia State University College of Law by encouraging personal, social, professional, and academic development.
“It is extremely important for me to create spaces where LGBTQ+ students and allies can interact in a supportive way,” said Hildebrand, who grew up without an accessible LGBTQ+ community. “We are constantly considering ways to strengthen support systems and our school community.”
Hildebrand gives credit to Georgia State Law Librarian Meg Butler and her steadfast advocacy of OUTLaw.
Butler praised Hildebrand’s forward-thinking vision and leadership in the group, remembering how he proposed scheduling leadership transitions at the end of the fall semester, rather than at the end of an academic year. “Now there are more possibilities for first-year students to take on leadership roles,” she explained.
Kyle Hildebrand (J.D. '24) sports a Lambda Legal t-shirt in support of the organization.
Outside of school, Hildebrand enjoys working with Lambda Legal, an organization with a mission to protect and advance LGBTQ+ rights, in their southern regional office.
He is also a member of the Lambda Legal Atlanta Leadership Council. "My work with them has primarily been in garnering support throughout the community and making sure Lambda Legal is on its way to being a household name.”
Leveraging his involvement with the organization, Hildebrand built a connection to the College of Law community by inviting Tara Borelli, senior counsel at Lambda Legal, for a lunch and learn with law students. “Over 30 students came and learned more about paths to public interest work and securing LGBTQ+ civil rights, said Butler. “Kyle’s relationship with Lambda Legal made that program possible.”
Hildebrand believes community building is important at every level.
When he gets a moment away from law school, Hildebrand performs with the Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus and plays kickball with Stonewall Sports.
Looking to the future, Hildebrand has worked in labor and employment and plans to explore those avenues further in the coming year. “No matter what, I will always be looking for ways to engage in LGBTQ+ civil rights law whether it is as a career, as pro bono work, or as a supporter.”
-Written by Lauren Allred