Large U.S. law firms are on a “tightrope,” remaining relatively silent over the abortion ruling

Large U.S. law firms are on a “tightrope,” remaining relatively silent over the abortion ruling

Web Desk
June 27, 2022

Large U.S. law firms are on a “tightrope,” remaining relatively silent over the abortion ruling

A Mississippi statute that forbids abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy was maintained by the high court
Inquiries regarding the Dobbs decision and whether they would pay for travel expenses for staff members seeking abortions
The Walt Disney Company (DIS.N) and Meta Platforms (META.O), among other significant American businesses,

Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade on Friday, the biggest legal firms in the country took a different route than several other significant corporations that had issued remarks on the hotly debated abortion case.

A Mississippi statute that forbids abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy was maintained by the high court in its 6-3 Dobbs decision. Following the decision, many states are anticipated to further restrict or outlaw abortions.

Inquiries regarding the Dobbs decision and whether they would pay for travel expenses for staff members seeking abortions were made by Reuters on Friday to more than 30 U.S. law firms, including the 20 largest by the number of attorneys.

By Saturday afternoon, the vast majority of respondents had not replied, and only two, Ropes & Gray and Morrison & Foerster, had indicated that they would put such a travel policy into effect.

With around 1,000 attorneys, Morrison & Foerster was the only sizable firm to make an official announcement by Saturday afternoon.

Morrison & Foerster will “redouble our efforts to safeguard abortion and other reproductive rights,” according to the firm’s chair, Larren Nashelsky.

Since a draught opinion was revealed in May, the Dobbs ruling has been anticipated.

The Walt Disney Company (DIS.N) and Meta Platforms (META.O), among other significant American businesses, announced on Friday that they would pay for the travel expenses of their employees who wish to have abortions.

According to industry experts, if staff members and clients pressure law firms to take a public opinion on Dobbs, they may do so in the future. Firm executives currently seem to be carefully assessing the benefits and risks of speaking, including the potential for alienating clients, according to experts.

Kent Zimmermann, a law firm consultant with the Zeughauser Group, said: “This is a line to walk for firms. They employ a diverse group of clients and employees.

Employees at certain businesses have received internal communications regarding the choice. In an employee memo obtained by Reuters, Ropes & Gray Chair Julie Jones stated that the company will conduct a lot of community events to discuss the choice and offer “comfort.”

While conceding that her memo would “offend segments of our community,” Jones said, “As a leader of Ropes & Gray, I am worried about the impact of this decision on our community.”

According to a Ropes & Gray spokesman, employees covered by the company’s medical insurance are entitled to financial aid for out-of-state abortion travel.

A spokesman for Steptoe & Johnson, a big U.S. legal firm, confirmed that it gave its American employees Friday off. Further inquiries for information from the representative were not immediately answered.

Although there were few official announcements, a few law firms openly stated before of the decision that they intended to offer free legal assistance to women seeking abortions in the event that Roe was reversed.

Leticia James, the attorney general of New York, and David Chiu, the city attorney of San Francisco, have both organised pro bono projects that depend on volunteer attorneys from law firms. Among the participants are Paul Weiss, Gibson Dunn & Crutcher, and O’Melveny & Myers.

For the latest International News Follow BOL News on Google News. Read more on Latest International news on oldsite.bolnews.com