A group of 86 companies whose businesses span every sector of the U.S. economy have proudly come together as signatories to an amicus brief in the D.C. Court of Appeals in support of the certification of the Equal Rights Amendment as the 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Amici believe that recognition of the Equal Rights Amendment would demonstrate the nation’s commitment to gender equality and be transformational for the American economy.
By eliminating systemic barriers that impede women’s economic and social advancement, the Equal Rights Amendment would result in a more just, vibrant, and productive America. The full brief in support of Plaintiff States can be viewed here.
A Paul, Weiss team led by partners Loretta Lynch, Jeannie Rhee, and Liza M. Velazquez serves as counsel to the amicus curiae, along with Maria T. Vullo of Vullo Advisory Services and Rebecca LeGrand of LeGrand Law.
“Unfortunately, despite decades of efforts to advance women’s rights, persistent and systemic gender-based inequality continues to impact women’s access to education, physical safety, financial security and health care, and has prevented women from fully participating in the labor market. And the pandemic has only worsened these socio-economic challenges. Ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment could not be more pressing,” said Litigation partner Liza M. Velazquez.
Paul, Weiss’s involvement in the fight for ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment is symbolic of the firm’s overall commitment to an impactful and comprehensive pro bono program.
“We are proud to represent many of our nation’s leading companies in support of constitutionally certifying the Equal Rights Amendment,” said Paul, Weiss Chairman Brad S. Karp. “It is crucial to secure permanent protection against laws that discriminate on the basis of sex and gender, as we have learned from our fight to secure voting rights, reproductive justice, racial justice, immigrant rights and LGBTQIA+ rights, as well as combatting hate crime and preventing gun violence.”