ABOUT ME
Over more than 15 years, I built a career at the top of the legal profession while parenting two children, having a flourishing personal life (as an avid gardener, caver, and diver), and serving the communities and causes that matter to me. Towards the end of that time, I began studying to become a Daoist priest. In other words, I have significant experience developing a robust and flourishing professional and personal life. What's more, I am an expert in leveraging my values to be more effective in meeting my life and work goals.
In 2019, after I made partner at my law firm, I came out as non-binary thus becoming the first openly non-binary partner in "Big Law" - the world's most profitable large law firms. From that position of power I began advocating for trans people in the law.
In other words, I have a wealth of knowledge of how to navigate with integrity of legal system and capitalist business worlds. I bring those advising and strategic thinking tools and combine them with a toolset for spiritual guidance and an academic background in education and psychology.
Having been a law firm partner, trial lawyer, and the head of a number of national and local organizations, I am an experienced advisor, strategist, leader, mentor, and advocate. As a 23rd generation student the Quanzhen Longmen Dantai Bidong Zong Daoist lineage, I am a spiritual guide. As a researcher, teacher, and educator I have studied how to integrate emotions, goals, and social contexts to better effect human flourishing.
Let me be your coach. Together we can reshape your life and career with the benefit of my legal, business, spiritual, educational, and activist toolsets. I will scaffold your efforts and partner with you in integrating your values and goals into a flourishing life.
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Select Leadership:
National Trans Bar Association Apr 2021 – present
Co-Chair (2023), Board Member, and Mentor
Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom May 2020 – present
Co-Chair (2023), Board Member, Co-Chair of Amicus, Programming, and Community Activism Committees, Mentor
National Association of Law Placement Non-Binary Task Force Aug. 2020 – Aug 2022
Member and Advisor
Squire Patton Boggs Foundation Apr. 2018 – present
Advisory Committee Member and Mentor
Western Cave Conservancy Oct. 2018 – present
Vice President and Legal Counsel
San Francisco Bay Chapter of the National Speleological Society Jan. 2017 – Jan. 2021
Chair of the Board and President
ACADEMIC EDUCATION
University of California, Davis
Life & Work Coaching Certificate | Anticipated Dec 2025
Duke University School of Law
Juris Doctor | May 2009;
Editor, Duke Forum for Law and Social Change
Duke University
M.A. East Asian Studies - Daoism, May 2009
Thesis on Practicing Daoism in the United States
University of California at Berkeley
M.A., Cognitive Development and Education, 2006
Theses on Coordinating Personal Goals with Social Contexts and Aligning Emotional Experience with Personal Values
Carnegie Mellon University
B.A. with College Honors, Human Nature (Self-Defined), 2002 | Minor in Chinese (Mandarin)
Thesis on Human Flourishing
Nanjing University of Chemical Technology
Certificate in Chinese and Environmental Studies, 1998
DAOIST EDUCATION
Parting Clouds Daoist Education
23rd Generation Priest in the Quanzhen Longmen Dantai Bidong Zong Lineage | Anticipated October 2025
Five Immortals Daoist Temple
Daoist Medicine I and II; Yijing and Fengshui;
Lived at temple on Wudang Mountain, China
June and July 2025
Acupressure Institute
Certificate in Acupressure Massage
September 2006
West Coast Academy of Fengshui
Studied Western Fengshui with Erica Sofrina
OTHER EDUCATION
Professional Bartending Institute
Certificate in Mixology | 2002
PADI
Master Diver, Rescue Diver
Foster Calm
Wilderness First Aid
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Career and Life Coach May 2025-Present
Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP Jan. 2010 – Jun. 2025
Partner, Litigating Internet-Based and International Civil Disputes in State and Federal Courts.
Try cases; advise executives and government officials; set multijurisdictional strategy; reframe issues to favor clients.
Duke University, Durham, NC
Lecturer
Daoism and Popular Religion Course Jan. 2008 – May 2008
University of California at Berkeley Oct. 2004 – Dec. 2004
Graduate Student Instructor, Cognitive Science I
University of California at Berkeley
Graduate Student Researcher, Morality and Emotions
University of California at Berkeley, SLRDC
Graduate Student Researcher, H3 Service Learning Study
University of Miami
Institutional Review Board Administrator
United Nations Foundation
Knowledge Management Consultant
Coalition for Smarter Growth
Communications and Web Design Intern
Healthcare for the Homeless,
Volunteer Grant Writer
University of Pittsburgh
Research Assistant, Study on stress and health
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Legal Profession
2023
Panelist, “Inclusivity in the Courthouse, (with Comm. Sarah Pastran (Superior Court); Sonya Mehta (SYBM); Brian Amaya (Morris Law); Comm. Mark Fickes (Superior Court); Terrance Evans (Duane Morris)),” René C. Davidson Courthouse – Superior Court of California (Oakland, Ca).
Panelist, “Dress to Transgress (with Justice Sabrina McKenna (Hawaii Supreme Court); J Tharp, Prof. Renee Allen (St. John’s University – School of Law); Mia Yamamoto (civil rights activist),” UCI Law, (Irvine, Ca.).
Panelist, “Courtroom Careers for Trans, Nonbinary, and Queer Lawyers (with Danielle Healey (Spencer Fane LLP), Johanna Hillard (JuryScope), Shane McCammon (Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP)),” Lavender Law, (Chicago, Ill.).
Panelist, “Creating More Welcoming Workplaces: Practical Steps Towards Nonbinary Inclusion in the Legal Profession (with Andy Izenson (Chosen Family Law Center), Charlie Arrowood (NYS Office of Court Administration), Ren Gaffney (General Counsel – Convergent Energy + Power)) Lavender Law (Chicago, Ill.).
Panelist, “Update - LGBTQ+ Rights: How to Be an Inclusive Advocate (Brandon Cox – Greenberg Traurig; Alice Kessler – Greenberg Traurig; Toni Lambert – Public Defender LA County), LawLine (online).
2022
Panelist, “Dress to Transgress (with Kolpana Kotagal; Prof. Noa Ben-Asher; Malcolm MacWilliamson),” UCI Law, (Irvine, Ca).
Panelist, “Beyond the Binary: Identity, Inclusion, and Legal Issues (with anneke dunbar-gronke (LCCR); Ren Gaffney (Convergent Energy + Power); BK Katzmann (Ballard Spahr); Nikki Hatza (Ballard Spahr),” Lavender Law, (Los Angeles, CA).
Panelist, “LGBTQ+ Rights: How to Be an Inclusive Advocate (Brandon Cox – Greenberg Traurig; Alice Kessler – Greenberg Traurig; Toni Lambert – Public Defender LA County), LawLine (online).
2021
Guest Speaker, “The Trans and Non-Binary Experience and Recommendations for Improving the Character and Fitness Process,” National Conference of Bar Examiners Annual Bar Admissions Conference (online).
Course Instructor, “Drafting and Implementing LGBTQ+ Law Firm Policies and Procedures (with Brian Alosco (Brown Rudnick LLP), Lilah Wylde (Seyfarth Shaw LLP)),” LawLine, (online).
Trans/Non-Binary Advocacy
2024
Moderator, “What’s the T: Trans Visibility Panel (with Amanda Hamilton, Zephyr Persyn-Eslick, and Theo Halladay), Minority Bar Coalition – San Francisco Koret Public Library, (San Francisco, CA).
2023
Speaker in Favor of Resolution, “ABA Resolution 606 – Urging Governments to Oppose or Repeal Laws and Policies that Target Transgender People,” American Bar Association Annual Conference, (Denver, Co.).
Moderator and Panelist, “What’s Happening and How Did We Get Here / SURVIVE (with Alejandra Caraballo (Harvard Law School Cyberlaw Clinic); Alexander Chen (Harvard Law School); Del. Danica Roem (Virginia House of Delegates),” Trans Law Institute, (Chicago, Ill.).
Moderator and Panelist, “Anti-Trans Legislation - Its Impacts and How You Can Help (with Dru Levasseur (National LGBTQ Bar); Sasha Buchert (Lambda Legal),” Squire Patton Boggs, (Online).
Panelist, “Trans Rights and the Constitution Under Siege (with Mary Kelly Persyn; Richard Katskee (Americans United for the Separation of Church & State); Erin Reed (Independent Journalist); Honorable Zooey Zephyr, (Montana House of Representatives),” American Constitution Society, (Online).
2022
Moderator and Panelist, “RESISTANCE: State of the Union and a Call to Action (with Alejandro Caraballo (Harvard Law); Anya Marino (National Women’s Law Center); Caspian Nash (Beyond Binary Legal)” Trans Law Institute, (Los Angeles, Ca.)
Internet and Data Law
2023
Moderator and Panelist, “Top GRC Trends in the United States: Navigating Evolving Governance, Risk, and Compliance Challenges (with Ana Razmazma, Counsel Fenwick & West; James Cooper, Professor, California Western School of Law; Collin Vierra, Attorney, Eimer Stahl LLP; Aakash Ravi, Program Manager in Privacy and Security, Meta; Jeewon Kim Serrato, Partner & Co-Chair, Digital Transformation and Data Economy, Baker & Hostetler LLP; Mine Ekim, Managing Director Golden Gate Global),” GlobalIPConfex, San Francisco, CA.
2022
Course Instructor, “Contract Formation on the Web (with Shyloah Daniel)” MyLawCLE, Online Course.
Course Instructor, “2022 Developments Concerning Data Breach and Cybersecurity Litigation and Related Matters (with Kristin Bryan),” Squire Patton Boggs, Online Course.
Course Instructor, “Defending Work-Product Status and Attorney-Client Privilege of Forensic Reports (with Ericka Johnson and Kristin Bryan),” LawLine, Online Course.
If you've read this far, you deserve more kitten.
PUBLICATIONS
Langer-Osuna, Rafael M., Rights of Publicity: An International Drama Over Heir’s Right to Use
Maradona’s Name, The Licensing Journal, February 2022
Langer-Osuna, Rafael M.; Rowen, Melanie; and Stafford, Molly: Anti-Trans and Non-Binary Legislation: What NALP Members Should Know. NALP Bulletin+. October 2021
Carter, Courtney; Langer-Osuna, Rafael M.; and Netkin-Collins, Nicole: From the Small Screen to In-Person Lawyering: Intersectional Non-Binary Perspectives on 'Professionalism'. NALP Bulletin+. June 2021
Bryan, Kristin; Langer-Osuna, Rafael M.; and Taylor, Jesse: 2021 Year in Review: Data Breach and Cybersecurity Litigations. National Law Review, Volume XI, Number 357. December 23, 2021
Bryan, Kristin; and Langer-Osuna, Rafael M.: Privilege Takeaways from Three Cybersecurity Report Rulings. Law360. August 17, 2021.
Bryan, Kristin; Langer-Osuna, Rafael M.; Lamoureux, Christina; and Lloyd, TJ: Van Buren Reviewed: The Potential Litigation Impact of SCOTUS’ Decision Narrowing CFAA’s Scope. National Law Review, Volume XI, Number 162. June 11, 2021.
Elkins, David; and Langer-Osuna, Rafael M.: The Federal Circuit Takes a Mulligan and Reins in the Eastern District of Texas’s Assertion of Venue the Second Time Around. National Law Review, Volume X, Number 51. February 20, 2020.
Kruppa, A. & Langer-Osuna, R. (2014). Unmasking Anonymous Internet Misconduct. Dade County Bar Association Bulletin.
Timin, G. & Langer-Osuna, R. (2014). New Fla. Data Breach Law Presages Greater Enforcement. Law360.
Kruppa, A., Fox, A., & Langer-Osuna, R. (2010). Pending Supreme Court cases could reshape the scope of federal preemption of state law claims. Lexology.
Yacoob, M., Hetzler, B, & Langer, R. (2004). The Ecohealth System and the Community Engagement Movement in Foundations: A Case Study of Mutual Benefits from Grants Funded by the United Nations Foundation. Natural Resources Forum.
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