Novotny operates a private law practice specializing in employment and civil rights law in downtown OKC. She represents the Young Democrats of Oklahoma and is a National Committewoman for the Young Dems – who do acknowledge her gender as being female. After receiving a sociology degree at the University of Science & Arts in Chickasha, OK, she obtained her law degree from the University of California – Hastings College of Law in 2005. Since returning to Oklahoma, she has been active with the Democratic Party and participated in highly visible roles during civil actions for LGBT rights. In June, she successfully argued on behalf of plaintiff Keith Kimmel in the “I’m Gay” license plate issue, which saw the Oklahoma Tax Commission refusing to issue a car tag with those words. Administrative Judge Jay Harrington found for the plaintiff and made a number of recommendations to the OTC, which have now gone to the state agency’s commissioners for review.

