Source: https://www.napawf.org/legalprogram.html
Timestamp: 2019-04-19 20:56:46+00:00

Document:
In January 2018, NAPAWF launched its Legal Program, adding litigation and legal advocacy for the first time to our strategies to advance the rights and build the collective power of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) women and girls. Our work aims to center the voices and experiences of AAPI women and women of color and elevate an intersectional lens in the legal system, litigation and the courts.
Planned Parenthood of South Atlantic v. Baker, 4th Cir., No. 18-2133 (2019): In January 2019, NAPAWF, the Center for Reproductive Rights, the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health, and In Our Own Voice: National Black Women's Reproductive Justice Agenda filed an amicus brief in support of plaintiff Planned Parenthood of South Atlantic's challenge to its disqualification as a Medicaid provider in the state of South Carolina. The state of South Carolina is arguing on appeal that Medicaid beneficiaries do not have a private right of action, or the right to sue to enforce the the free choice of provider provision of the federal Medicaid statute. The brief explains the harm to women of color, who make up a disproportionate number of Medicaid beneficiaries, that would result from South Carolina's actions, the particular importance of the right to choose one's medical provider, particularly one's reproductive health care provider, for women of color, and the vital importance of the private right of action enforcement mechanism for Medicaid beneficiaries, particularly women of color.
​State of California v. Azar, 9th Cir., Nos. 18-15144, 18-15166, and 18-15255 (2018), Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1st Cir., No. 18-1514 (2018): In May and September 2018, NAPAWF, the National Women’s Law Center, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health, and, SisterLove, Inc., and 55 other organizations, filed amicus briefs with the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the First and Ninth Circuits in opposition to two Trump administration rules issued in October 2017 that would allow virtually any employer or university claiming a religious or moral objection to be exempt from providing insurance coverage of birth control for their employees, students, and their dependents, which is currently required under the Affordable Care Act.
State of California v. Azar, N.D. Cal., No. 4:17-cv-5783-HSG (2019) and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Trump, E.D. Pa., Case No. 2:17-cv-04540-WB (2019): In November 2018, the Trump Administration issued revised rules regarding employer exemptions to the ACA's birth control coverage requirement that are virtually identical to the ones issued in October 2017. On January 7th, 2019, NAPAWF, the National Women’s Law Center, the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health, and, SisterLove, Inc., and 40 other organizations filed amicus briefs with the District Court for the Northern District of California and the District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania in support of motions for preliminary injunctions barring these revised rules from going into effect. The briefs explain the harmful impact the rules would have on people of color, young people, transgender and gender nonconforming people, and others who already face multiple and intersecting barriers to health care and economic advancement.
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. President, United States of America, 3d Cir., No. 17-3752, 18-1253, 19-1129 & 19-1189 (2019): On March 25, 2019, NAPAWF, the National Women’s Law Center, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health, and, SisterLove, Inc., and 45 other organizations, filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in opposition to the Trump administration's revised rules regarding exemptions to the ACA's birth control coverage requirement.
Azar v. Garza, D.C. Cir., No. 18-5093 (2018): On August 6th, 2018, NAPAWF, the Center for Reproductive Rights, and the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health (NLIRH) filed this amicus brief with the US Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit in support of the “Janes,” a plaintiff class of unaccompanied immigrant minors in the custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) who are being denied access to abortion. The brief, which applies a human rights and reproductive justice analysis, demonstrates that ORR’s actions violate unaccompanied immigrant minors’ fundamental rights by effectively denying access to abortion altogether. The brief was filed on behalf of a coalition of 34 diverse organizations committed to reproductive health, rights, and justice for women and for all people.
Beyond #MeToo: How Asian Americans Can Challenge Sexual Harassment in the Workplace (November 10, 2018): NAPAWF Legal Director Jane Liu, along with speakers Lisa Mak (Minami Tamaki LLP), Emily Patajo (Littler Mendelson), Sharyn Tejani (TIME'S UP Legal Defense Fund), and Jenny Yang (Working Ideal, Former Chair of the EEOC), presented a panel on sexual harassment as the lunch plenary session for the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association's 2018 annual convention. Senator Mazie Hirono gave opening remarks at the plenary.
Check out our new legal blog here to read about important cases and legal developments that impact our communities!
The Legal Program is excited to announce the formation of its first Legal Advisory Board, which consists of experienced, practicing attorneys who are passionate about NAPAWF's mission and work and will advise and support the work of the legal program and its Director as the program develops. Our inaugural advisory board meeting will take place in January 2019. Learn more about our legal advisory board members here.
Become a Pro Bono Partner: NAPAWF pro bono partnerships offer an opportunity for law firms to serve the legal needs of AAPI women and girls, many of whom have limited access to legal services. To learn more about becoming a pro bono partner to advance the rights of AAPI women and girls and to advance intersectional justice, please contact Jane Liu at jliu@napawf.org.
Job Openings/Legal Internships/Volunteer: If you are interested in working as an attorney for our legal program or if you are a law student who is interested in interning or volunteering for our legal program, please click here.

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