AMICUS ADVOCACY PROJECT
The Amicus Advocacy Project
An amicus brief comes from the Latin term “amicus curiae” which means “friend of the court.” Although most amicus briefs are persuasively written to support one side of a case, they allow interested, third parties the chance to provide the court with information that is relevant and helpful to the case but that may not otherwise be brought to the court’s attention.
CHILD USA files amicus briefing in cases whose outcomes impact the civil rights of children. We have been delighted to work with numerous attorneys across the United States, and welcome partnerships with law firms to work on pro bono matters with us.
If you are an attorney who needs amicus support or would like your firm to have the opportunity to work on cutting edge amicus briefs involving child protection, please contact us at info@childusa.org.
BRIEFS
BRIEF OF AMICUS CURIAE TERIN HUMPHREY V. USA GYMNASTICS and TORT CLAIMANTS COMMITTEE
This brief was submitted in bankruptcy claim case brought by Terin Humphrey, a survivor of sexual assault by Larry Nassar, against USA Gymnastics. While Terin’s state claim remained viable under the state statute of limitations (“SOL”), the federal bankruptcy court denied her claim as untimely...
BRIEF OF AMICUS CURIAE IN RE KOPCZYK, MINORS
This brief was written in response to a child welfare case involving two young girls who have been victims of sexual abuse by their Father. The Trial Court denied the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ petition to terminate father’s parental rights and, in so ruling, ignored serious...
BRIEF OF AMICUS CURIAE re KAJA SOKOLA v. HARVEY WEINSTEIN ET AL.
This amicus brief was written as a response to Defendant Weinstein’s challenge to the constitutionality of the revival provisions of the Child Victims Act in New York. Issues include whether CPLR § 214-G is constitutional under the New York Constitution’s Due Process Clause and whether the...
BRIEF OF AMICUS CURIAE re. GERRI S. COOGAN v. GENUINE PARTS COMPANY, ET AL.
CHILD USA joined Violent Crime Victim Services to file an amicus brief in Coogan c. Genuine Parts Company, et al. In Coogan, the Washington Court of Appeals reversed a jury’s $30 million pain-and-suffering verdict to the estate of a mesothelioma victim, finding the amount excessive, and “shocking”...
BRIEF OF AMICUS CURIAE re. TAMMY SMATHERS, INDIVIDUALLY & ON BEHALF OF THE ESTATE OF HARMONY BROOKLYN RAYNE CARSEY v. RICK GLASS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTORY OF PERRY COUNTY CHILDREN’S SERVICES ET AL.
CHILD USA wrote this brief in support of a wrongful death suit brought on behalf of a 2-year old child who had been recieving services through Perry County Children Services (“PCCS”) when she died as a result of on-going severe abuse and neglect. The intermediate appellate court decision affirmed...
BRIEF OF AMICUS CURIAE re ARK3DOE v. DIOCESE OF ROCKVILLE CENTRE ET AL. in Docket
This amicus brief was written as a response to Defendant diocese’s challenge to the constitutionality of the revival provisions of the Child Victims Act in New York. Issues include whether CPLR § 214-G is constitutional under the New York Constitution’s Due Process Clause. The NY Appellate Court...
BRIEF OF AMICUS CURIAE re. SHARONELL FULTON, ET AL. v. CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ET AL. in Case No. 19-123 in the SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES
CHILD USA joined Miguel H. Diaz, Ambassador to the Holy See, Retired; DignityUSA; New Ways Ministry; the Women’s Alliance for Theology, Ethics and Ritual; and the Women’s Ordination Conference to file an amicus brief in Fulton v. Philadelphia. We support Philadelphia’s laws that require equal...
BRIEF OF AMICUS CURIAE re. RENEE A. RICE v. DIOCESE OF ALTOONA-JOHNSTOWN, ET AL.
This amicus brief was written in response to Defendants’ appeal of a decision at the Pennsylvania Superior Court that found that whether Rice exercised reasonable diligence in discovering her alleged injury and its cause was a question for the jury. This amicus brief addresses research showing...
BRIEF OF AMICUS CURIAE re ARK3DOE v. DIOCESE OF ROCKVILLE CENTRE ET AL. in Docket
This amicus brief was written as a response to Defendant diocese’s challenge of a victim’s ability to bring a child sex abuse claim under a pseudonym. Issues include why a victim’s privacy interests outweigh the presumption of openness in courts, the importance of pseudonyms to prevent harm to...