41 obligation. She filed for bankruptcy in the Eastern District of Michigan, where she had relocated, arguing that the fee award arising out of the dissolution of a marriage between two women could not be enforced because of the then-in- effect Defense of Marriage Act (and under similar Michigan state law). Mintz Levin responded to the call from the Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD) to represent Anna in the bankruptcy case and preserve Anna’s right to seek payment of the fee award. Mintz Levin attorneys Kim Parr and Adrienne Walker immediately brought litigation in Mary’s bankruptcy case for a determination that the fee award could not be discharged in bankruptcy. In arguing that the fee award was a domestic support obligation, they asserted that the fact that it arose from the dissolution of a marriage and child custody dispute between two women was not relevant to the legal issues before the bankruptcy court. The Bankruptcy Court in Michigan deferred to the Massachusetts courts, so Kim and Adrienne then took Anna’s case to the Massachusetts Essex Probate and Family Court. After an extended period of deliberation, the court issued its ruling in the spring of 2014— agreeing that Anna’s fee award could not be discharged in Mary’s bankruptcy case. Rare Genomics Institute Rare Genomics Institute is a nonprofit organization that gives families afflicted by rare genetic disorders access to genome sequencing and expert analysis by bringing together scientists and patients and leveraging the crowd-funding capabilities of the Internet. With the guidance and advice of Mintz Levin attorneys Quincy Ewell, Carrie Roll, and Andy Roth and legal assistant Jennifer Friedman, Rare Genomics Institute was granted 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status and is in the process of completing its state charitable solicitation filings. RESPOND, Inc. New England’s first domestic violence agency and the second oldest in the nation, RESPOND, Inc. is a pioneer in the movement to end domestic violence. For over 40 years, RESPOND has provided life-saving shelter, support services, training, and education to more than 75,000 members of the community. Mintz Levin attorneys Stefanie Abhar, Andrew Dean, Meryl Epstein, Anthony Hubbard, and Drew Matzkin provide day-to-day legal advice on matters involving employment, real estate, intellectual property, and corporate governance for the organization. Riverdale Young Men’s and Young Women’s Hebrew Association The Riverdale YM-YWHA (Riverdale Y) is an organization that brings together members of the Jewish and wider community to grow, learn, and deepen their understanding of themselves and their connections to their community. Mintz Levin attorneys Andy Roth and Nili Yolin assisted the Riverdale Y in restructuring its relationship with the Jewish Community Relations Council of Riverdale. Attorneys Amy Lu and Jeff Moerdler handled a refinancing of the Riverdale Y’s mortgage, assisted with a capital grant, and negotiated a license agreement for use of part of its facilities. Andy and attorney Sarah Lowe also assisted the Riverdale Y with various corporate matters. Mintz Levin attorney Kim Gold advised on advertising and nonprofit law compliance issues. San Diego Better Business Bureau The Better Business Bureau of San Diego is a nonprofit organization that seeks to foster an ethical marketplace where buyers and sellers can trust each other. The organization provides free and accessible educational information and expert advice to consumers and businesses alike. This past year, Mintz Levin attorney Andy Skale continued to serve as an arbitrator on multiple matters before the Better Business Bureau. He has written opinions that serve as a final judgment on a variety of these cases.