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
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...