Prerequisite: None

Exam Type: No Exam

In this course, students will learn about reproductive rights and justice law, legal strategy, and other considerations lawyers face in a post-Dobbs era, with a specific focus on abortion. We will spend the first class sessions studying various topics in the field of reproductive rights law, starting with the basic doctrinal foundations. We will cover topics like procedure bans, religious refusals, cross-border care, private civil actions, and reproductive justice work and advocacy. We will then shift from reading and discussing caselaw and will focus on the strategic decisions faced by those seeking to limit Dobbs’ consequences and, conversely, those seeking to defend and expand Dobbs’ reach. The course will also cover legislative advocacy (including ballot initiatives) and how such advocacy can be used in parallel to litigation efforts. Students will read caselaw, briefs and other court pleadings, legal journal articles, research papers and studies, and administrative law documents such as proposed rules and public comments.

The class will feature several guest speakers from leading organizations in the space and across the aisle. Robust class participation is expected. Grading will be based on class participation, two papers (each between 2,000 and 3,000 words), and several short, written assignments submitted over the course of the semester.

Note: This offering substantially overlaps with the Spring 2023 course Reproductive Rights and Justice, taught by Michelle Goodwin, and the Fall 2023 course, Reproductive Rights Advocacy. If you completed either previous course, you will not be eligible to enroll in this offering. However, if you enroll in this offering (or if you completed the Fall 2023 Reproductive Rights Advocacy course), you may still enroll in the Spring 2025 Reproductive Rights and Justice course, taught by Aziza Ahmed.