Mission Statement:

To advance the interests of women in law and society by providing appellate support to courts and attorneys in cases that present significant issues affecting women and gender equality.

What is an Amicus Brief?

“Amicus Curiae” means “friend of the court.” An “amicus brief” is a brief that is filed in an appellate court with the court’s permission by a person or organization that is not a party to the case. An amicus brief assists the court by offering information, analysis, or perspective on questions of law or fact. It is designed to bring relevant matter to the court’s attention that has not already been brought to the court’s attention by the parties. Unlike a party’s brief, an amicus brief is not strictly confined to the trial court record, which allows amicus curiae to focus on a particular angle, argument or broader policy concern.

What Do We Do?

Depending on the case, and subject to the Board’s approval, we consider and select appropriate appellate issues to support, review appellate briefs and trial court records, strategize with attorneys on how to frame and raise legal issues for purposes of briefing, conduct legal research, analyze secondary sources and legislative history to help provide context, draft letters or briefs to support requests to grant or deny review or certiorari, draft, and file amicus briefs, argue in appellate courts as amicus counsel if permitted, and file letters to request publication or de-publication of cases.

Some Examples of Amicus Briefs Written or Joined in by Queen’s Bench:

1. People v. Reyes, a criminal case that presented an issue of discriminatory gender bias in jury selection.
2. Moussouris v. Microsoft Corporation, a federal civil appeal concerning the role of anecdotal evidence in gender discrimination litigation.
3. People v. Beltran, a criminal appeal regarding the “Provocation Defense,” a defense to criminal liability for killing an intimate partner.
4. Perry v. Schwarzenegger, addressing the classification of gays and lesbians to confer disfavored legal status under Proposition 8; and
5. American Academy of Pediatrics v. Lungren, an appeal that raised the issue of the constitutionality of parental consent abortion legislation.

SUGGEST A CASE

Click here to Suggest a Case for the Queen’s Bench Amicus Brief Committee’s Participation.