Gay Attorney Named “Power Lawyer”
Joseph Milizios assists LGBTQ clients in Long Island
BY TAT BELLAMY-WALKER
An out gay attorney was
among a long list of
honorees at a “Power
Lawyer” event hosted
by Gay City News’ parent company,
Schneps Media. The event
recognized achievements and contributions
of leaders in the legal
industry.
Out gay lawyer Joseph Milizio
was tapped as a Power Lawyer”
thanks to his work at Vishnick
McGovern Milizio, where he specializes
in business and transactional
law, exit planning for
business owners, LGBTQ representation,
surrogacy, adoption,
and reproductive law. Milizio was
honored during a pre-taped ceremony
earlier this month at the
Ravel Hotel in Long Island City,
Queens. The event debuted virtually
on April 13.
Joseph Milizio of Vishnick McGovern Milizio was honored at Schneps Media’s “Power Lawyers” event.
Milizio, 62, of Northport, Long
Island, told Gay City News he’s
proud to be an LGBTQ trailblazer
in the legal industry. When Milizio
launched his legal career, he recalled
Long Island being a desert
for LGBTQ practices — and he
SCHNEPS MEDIA
knew it was time to fi ll that gap.
“LGBTQ people don’t traditionally
have the same family structures
that other cisgender-heterosexual
communities may have,” Milizio
said. “Some may be estranged
from their families, relatives, and
HONORS
it involves a lot of extra planning.”
Some of the event’s guests included
queer entrepreneurs Julian
Bannister and Yannick Jules-Bannister,
a gay married couple from
Brooklyn who founded New Beginning
Cleaner, an eco-friendly company
cleaning out hoarder homes.
Jules-Bannister told Gay City
News queer representation is vital
in all industries.
“Being someone of color and being
someone who is gay, it’s important
that there is a success story,” Jules-
Bannister said. “It’s important for
us to be successful and be great at
what we do while we help people to
see themselves through us.”
For more than a decade, Milizio
said the fi rm spearheaded rights for
queer couples long before the nation
established federal protections.
“I hope for everyone to have an
equal opportunity in all aspects of
their lives,” he said.
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