WCL

AUWCL Students Championing Maternal Health and Reproductive Rights

Students and Faculty Assist in Birth Rights Bar Association Amicus Brief

American University Washington College of Law (AUWCL) students and faculty played a key role in the recent filing of an amicus brief by the Birth Rights Bar Association in the case of Jane Doe and John Doe v. Amita Kachru. This case aims to advance justice in maternal health and reproductive rights. Professor Jamie Abrams, along with a group of students, in collaboration with Professor Liz Kukura of Drexel University, provided crucial research and writing support for the brief.

The student team, comprised of Caitlen Moser, Nicholas Menacho-Foronda, Sydney Myers, Jordan Stevenson, Gabriela Dickson La Rotta, Sarah Register, Josie Consuelo Tarin, and Rosemary Edwards, jumpstarted the project with research and writing that shaped the brief's development.

“Our students were able to lend their early lawyering skills to supporting the research and writing in ways that advanced the Birth Rights Bar Association's mission while also refining their understanding of torts, civil procedure, and legal writing,” said Abrams.

One student highlighted the significance of this work, stating, "The torts system often overlooks the rights of birthing people if a baby is born healthy, leading to large gaps in essential care." This project underscores AUWCL's commitment to providing students with opportunities to engage in real-world legal practice and contribute to meaningful social change.

“Amicus Briefs are a powerful vehicle for lawyers and scholars to share expertise and weigh in on the merits of the case, particularly when larger rights and interests are at stake. Here, this Plaintiff had endured distressing indignities and harm in her birthing process,” said Abrams.

The amicus brief addresses critical issues of mistreatment and autonomy during childbirth, emphasizing the importance of protecting pregnant individuals' rights under California law. As the brief explains, "Provider mistreatment is all too common in childbirth. When these legal harms do land before the Court, it is a vital time to reaffirm existing protections under California law."

This initiative exemplifies the collaborative spirit and dedication to social justice that define AUWCL. By actively engaging in such impactful legal work, students gain valuable experience and contribute to the ongoing fight for maternal health and reproductive rights.
“These students helped tell the story of how the court should not normalize or obscure torts in the context of pregnancy by dismissing claims at the outset of litigation,” explained Abrams.