Paul, Weiss, Planned Parenthood and ACLU Block 8-Week Abortion Ban in Missouri

As reported on CNN and other national media outlets, Paul, Weiss and co-counsel Planned Parenthood and the ACLU won a preliminary injunction preventing the enforcement of Missouri’s 8-week abortion ban, which would have taken effect August 28. The 8-week abortion ban would subject doctors to criminal prosecution and the loss of their medical license for performing abortions after the eighth week of pregnancy.

U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs denied the motion for a preliminary injunction with respect to a separate provision that bars doctors from providing an abortion if they “know” that it is being sought based solely on the basis of race, gender or a Down syndrome diagnosis (the “reason bans”). However, Judge Sachs’ denial was based solely on his reservations regarding the likelihood that the reason bans would cause imminent harm. His opinion otherwise indicated that plaintiffs are likely to prevail on the merits by establishing that the reason bans are unconstitutional.

Missouri is one of several states that have enacted abortion bans, including reason bans, as part of a strategy to ask the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade.

The Paul, Weiss team includes litigation partners Claudia Hammerman, who argued the preliminary injunction motion, Jane O’Brien, and Craig Benson, pro bono counsel Emily Goldberg and associates Daniel Klein, Allison Penfield, Melissa Alpert, Melina Meneguin Layerenza, Kelly Garcia, Teresa Akkara, Naz Wehrli and Amanda Sterling.