Supreme Court Follows Previous District Court Ruling in Louisiana Abortion Restrictions Case

In June Medical Services v. Russo, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a Louisiana law that would have left the state with a single abortion clinic. The Louisiana law, enacted in 2014, requires doctors performing abortions to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals. 

The 5-4 decision, handed down on June 29, 2020, affirmed a federal district court ruling secured by a team of lawyers from the Center for Reproductive Rights and Morrison & Foerster that blocked the enforcement of the 2014 Louisiana law. In 2016, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit overturned the district court ruling, effectively forcing the closure of all but one provider of safe and legal abortion services in the state. However, the Fifth Circuit ruling was put on hold pending the Supreme Court’s Review. In June Medical Services v. Russo, the Supreme Court upheld the district court win, overturning the Fifth circuit decision and striking down the law.  

“We applaud the Center for Reproductive Right’s Supreme Court win in June Medical v. Russo. It was a privilege to try the case with the Center in the district court, and we are thrilled that the Supreme Court affirmed that ruling,” said Demme Doufekias, MoFo’s lead trial partner in June Medical Services v. Russo. “Morrison & Foerster has a long-standing commitment to fighting against social injustice, and we are pleased that the Court’s ruling will protect the right of Louisiana citizens to access abortion and reproductive healthcare services in their communities.” 

The MoFo team who tried June Medical Services included Demme Doufekias and Kerry Jones.