Lawyers Start Unit to Back Legal Status of Abortions

A group of Los Angeles lawyers have banded together with the local chapter of Planned Parenthood to advocate legal protection of abortion and other family planning rights.

The 100 attorneys, many from prestigious law firms, will be lobbying and writing court briefs in support of family planning issues, according to Anne H. Egerton, a partner in the firm of Munger, Tolles & Olson. The group had its first meeting Friday, the 16th anniversary of the landmark Roe vs. Wade decision that legalized abortion.

“We believe that the right to reproductive choice is facing its greatest test in 16 years, “ Egerton said, noting this month’s decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to decide the constitutionality of a Missouri law intended to limit access to abortions.

Lawyers for Choice

The Planned Parenthood-affiliated group, which will be called Lawyers for Choice, will meet with legislators on family planning issues, organize a public speakers bureau to discuss family planning issues in the community and provide financial assistance for pro-choice issues. A similar organization was formed by Planned Parenthood in the early 1970s, but it was disbanded after the Roe decision legalized abortion.

One of the first tasks for the new group will be to file legal briefs in the case, American Academy of Pediatrics vs. Van de Kamp. In that case, the constitutionality of a new state law requiring written consent from parents or judges before a minor can have an abortion was challenged by a group of medical associations and health care providers. The California Supreme Court refused to order enforcement of the law, and it is before the state Court of Appeals.

“The response at the first meeting was overwhelming,” said Ruth Liberman, spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood of Los Angeles, the largest private provider of reproductive health care services in Los Angeles County. She noted that similar professional groups will be organized soon, including Physicians for Choice and Clergy for Choice.

Decision Expected in July

The lawyers’ group was organized first because of the U.S. Supreme Court case, Webster vs. Reproductive Health Services, which will be decided in July. The case is receiving extraordinary public attention because the conservative high court is believed ready to change directions on abortion, Liberman said.

Liberman said the newly organized Lawyers for Choice and other women’s rights advocates fear that a high court ruling upholding the Missouri law would invite other states to enact even more restrictive abortion laws.

The Missouri law bans use of public funds for counseling a woman to have an abortion, forbids public employees from performing or assisting in abortions and forbids them to be performed in public facilities.

The state law, however, does not put restrictions on abortions in private clinics, where more than 90% of Missouri’s abortions take place.