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20 ¦ JULY 6, 2020 NEWS

¦ From WOMEN on PAGE 19 >> Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell &
the expressive function it serves and the important Berkowitz: Associate Elizabeth Cappiello joined
message it will send to young people: that gen- other associates Jade Sipes, Sharonda Childs Fanch-
der equality is among our nation’s highest values. er, Madeline Hughes, Xeris Gregory and attorney
The Equal Rights Amendment also will serve as a Jessica Spade to file an amicus brief on behalf of
vehicle for substantive judicial protection of gen- the United States Conference of Mayors and other
der equality under the law, including in education pro-ERA groups. Southern Legal Counsel execu-
and economic life, as well as a basis for legislative tive director Jodi Siegel and staff attorney Chelsea
actions to enforce those protections. Both as an ex- Dunn filled out the entirely female legal team for
pression of our country’s values and as a means for the brief.
change, the Amendment has the potential to further What the brief says: “Adding the duly ratified
young Americans’ interests in a broader guarantee ERA to the Constitution will guarantee the rights
of gender equality in all aspects of held by all citizens, men and
American life.” women alike, by prohibiting dis-
crimination on the basis of sex.
This brief presents three argu-
>> Davis Polk & Wardwell:
Davis Polk counsel Stefani John- ments to provide context for the
son Myrick teamed up with fellow importance of a valid ERA. One,
counsel Margarita Clarens, part- Female attorneys like the United States will join the
ner Amelia Starr, associates Alexa Loretta Lynch and Jeannie vast majority of nations that al-
Lutchen and Amanda Rae Schwar- ready include such protections
Rhee of Paul Weiss and

zenbart as well as law clerk Ben Beth Brinkmann with in their constitutions. Two, gov-

Jernigan for a brief on behalf of Covington & Burling are ernmental actions that treat men
several international equal rights and women differently will be
filing amicus briefs in a
groups, led by Equality Now. Democratic lawsuit seeking presumptively unconstitutional
Equality Now attorneys Antonia unless the government can show
Kirkland and Divya Srinivasan are to force the addition of the the law or policy is necessary to
also named on the brief. Equal Rights Amendment achieve a compelling interest.
And three, the ERA will ensure
What the brief says: “Like to the Constitution.

women and girls around the that rights on the basis of sex will
world, female citizens of the be stronger, consistently applied,
plaintiff states, and of the Unit- and permanently held.”
ed States more broadly, suffer
concrete injury from ongoing
discrimination, lack of political >> Boies Schiller Flexner:
Firm partners Joshua Riley and
and economic representation and inadequate pro- Stuart Singer, alongside counsel Jon Mills and as-
tection from gender-based violence. Moreover, sociates Vanessa Tussey and Ana Carolina Varela,
the failure of the United States to provide consti- filed the brief on behalf of groups that advocated for
tutional protection for equality on the basis of sex ERA ratification in the states behind the lawsuit. D.
undermines any efforts by individual states, includ- Patricia Wallace of the Wallace Law Firm is also on
ing plaintiff states, to address this systemic issue. the brief.
Indeed, the international experience demonstrates What the brief says: “Not only the states but also
that a patchwork of local efforts cannot remedy their residents have an interest in securing obser-
these harms—only constitutional action on a na- vance of Article V of the Constitution. Amici’s
tionwide basis can ensure the universal right to work in achieving their states’ ratification of the
equality for all women and girls.” Twenty-Eighth Amendment perfectly illustrates

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