Amicus Advocacy
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 [email protected].
Briefs
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...
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...
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,...
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...
S.Y./W.F. V. ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF PATERSON AND SALESIANS OF DON BOSCO a/k/a SALESIAN SOCIETY a/k/a SALESIANS DON BOSCO CANADA AND EASTERN USA
A series of amicus briefs were written in response to Defendants’ challenge to the constitutionality of the revival window provision of N.J. Stat. Ann. §§ 2A:14-2b, which allows victims of child sex abuse to bring civil claims, even when their claims have previously...
WALTER JACKSON “JAKE” HARVEY, JR. and CAROLE ALLYN HILL HARVEY, v. JOY CAROLINE HARVEY MERCHAN
CHILD USA wrote this amicus brief in response to Appellant’s challenge to the constitutionality of the Hidden Predator Act’s revival window provision, which allows victims of child sex abuse to bring civil claims, even when their claims have previously expired. CHILD...
MAHANOY AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT v. B.L.
CHILD USA signed onto this amicus brief in support of Plaintiff’s argument that off-campus speech that is neither threatening nor harassing should not be entitled to First Amendment protection. In this case, Plaintiff made non-threatening, non-harassing statements...
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.
An Ohio toddler died as a result of on-going severe abuse and neglect, and evidence suggests that Perry County Children Services (PCCS) is responsible. The lower Ohio courts refused to allow the toddler’s estate and the grandmother their day in court, disregarding...
JANE DOE RP v. MARIANIST PROVINCE OF THE UNITED STATES AND MARIANIST FAMILY CENTER
CHILD USA wrote this amicus brief in support of Plaintiff’s request to proceed under pseudonym on her claims arising from childhood sexual abuse by two clergymen while on Defendants property. The Defendants in this case challenge Plaintiff’s request for anonymity...
WE THE PATRIOTS USA, INC.; CT FREEDOM ALLIANCE, LLC; CONSTANTINA LORA; MIRIAM HIDALGO; ASMA ELIDRISSI v. CONNECTICUT OFFICE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT; CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION; CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH; BETHEL BOARD OF EDUCATION; GLASTONBURY BOARD OF EDUCATION; STAMFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION
Connecticut law requires that students receive certain vaccinations prior to enrollment in public or private school and removed a religious exemption to that law on April 28, 2021. Plaintiffs in this case have argued that that the broad and neutrally applicable...
MICHAEL TAYLOR V. THE PINEY GROVE VOLUNTEER FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT, INC. AND MICHAEL TODD PROGRAM
In 2019, the North Carolina General Assembly passed the Sexual Assault Fast Reporting and Enforcement Child Act. Defendants in this case have challenged the constitutionality of the Act’s provisions that revive claims for child sexual abuse, claiming they have a...
J.D. v. ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN and ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, BOROUGH OF QUEENS, CITY OF NEW YORK and BISHOP NICHOLAS DIMARZIO
In 2019, the New York General Assembly passed the Child Victims Act. Defendants in this case have challenged whether a claim for Breach of Fiduciary Duty can apply to the relationship between the Plaintiff and the Defendant. CHILD USA wrote this amicus brief, arguing...