Lowenstein Joins New York Attorney General’s Pro Bono Task Force, Providing Legal Guidance and Resources on Reproductive Health Issues

Lowenstein Sandler has joined a coalition, formed by New York Attorney General Letitia James and composed of 24 national law firms and eight reproductive rights organizations, in the launch of a legal hotline offering free legal guidance and resources to patients, healthcare providers, and supporters seeking information about their legal rights to access and provide abortions. The firm helped research and draft guidance for hotline volunteers to use as a resource when speaking with callers.

The hotline, part of James' new Pro Bono Task Force on Reproductive Health, will be available to anyone seeking legal information and legal advice about abortions in New York, patients seeking to travel to New York to obtain an abortion, healthcare providers, and people and organizations providing material support. The hotline can be reached at (212) 899-5567 and will be available in the 12 most common languages spoken in New York.

The hotline will be staffed by trained attorneys and is intended to help individuals understand their legal rights regarding reproductive health. It will also be available for doctors, providers, and other individuals seeking legal guidance about how these laws may apply to them. The hotline is not intended to provide medical advice or help individuals find an abortion clinic.

In a statement, James said: "This network of the nation's top law firms, advocacy groups, and attorneys in my office will work around the clock to offer this free support because every single person in this country should have the right to make their own decisions about their own bodies."

Nancy Northup, president and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights, which co-leads the task force, added: "Attorney General James has assembled a legal dream team, from the private and nonprofit bar, who will provide much-needed clarity and information for New Yorkers, as well as those from other states who are seeking abortion care in New York, about how this decision impacts them."

Following the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson, abortion is now illegal or mostly banned in at least six states, and more bans will follow. In addition to banning abortions, many states have also passed laws to criminalize patients, doctors, providers, or even average citizens who help others access an abortion. The efforts of the New York coalition will help these groups better understand their rights and any risks involved with their participation or practices.

The law firms include:
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
Debevoise & Plimpton
Fenwick & West LLP
Foley Hoag LLP
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
Lowenstein Sandler LLP
Milbank
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
Morrison & Foerster LLP
O'Melveny & Myers
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP
Proskauer Rose LLP
Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP
Ropes & Gray LLP
Shearman & Sterling LLP
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
Weil, Gotshal, & Manges LLP
Winston & Strawn LLP

The advocacy groups include:
Center for Reproductive Rights
If/When/How
National Advocates for Pregnant Women
New York Civil Liberties Union
National Institute for Reproductive Health

About Lowenstein Sandler LLP
Lowenstein Sandler is a national law firm with over 350 lawyers based in New York, Palo Alto, New Jersey, Utah, and Washington, D.C. The firm represents leaders in virtually every sector of the global economy, with particular emphasis on investment funds, life sciences, and technology. Recognized for its entrepreneurial spirit and high standard of client service, the firm is committed to the interests of its clients, colleagues, and communities.

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