Buckel also represented Jamie Nabozny in Nabozny v. Podlesny, in the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit in a challenge to “consistent and significant anti-gay bullying and abuse.” He also argued Lewis v. Harris in the New Jersey Supreme Court against the use of “civil unions” which he insisted assigns us a second-class status.”
Buckel also fought for the environment and was the prototypical public interest attorney. His horrible death has shocked many across the country after his charred remains were found in the park. He left a suicide note in a shopping cart near his body that said he hoped his death was “honorable” and “might serve others.”
Those who worked with him posted their shock and grief at the news of his passing.
Lambda Legal
✔@LambdaLegal
The news of David Buckel’s death is heartbreaking. This is a tremendous loss for our Lambda Legal family, but also for the entire movement for social justice. http://bit.ly/2HmK1Ki
Lambda Legal Mourns the Tragic Death of Former Marriage Project Director David Buckel
The tragic death of former Lambda Legal Marriage Project Director David Buckel has been reported by news outlets.
lambdalegal.org
He leaves behind a daughter, Hannah Broholm-Vail, who he was raising with Terry Kaelber. They co-parented with Rona Vail and Cindy Broholm.
He was a 1987 graduate from Cornell Law School.
David Buckel left a remarkable legacy of fighting for civil rights and the environment. His suicide leaves a giant void in the communities that he served. However, his legacy helped guarantee a new generation of young lawyers committed to these same public interest values.