Litigation can play a critical role in advancing public health goals. Amicus briefs help ensure courts understand the science, context, and real-world impacts behind each case.
ChangeLab Solutions and Northeastern University’s Center for Health Policy and Law present Shaping Public Health in the Courts: The Role of Amicus Briefs and Cross-Sector Partnerships. This one-hour webinar examines how legal action can improve public health to foster healthier, more equitable communities.
Amicus briefs, or “friend of the court” briefs, are submitted by individuals and organizations not directly involved in a lawsuit to provide additional perspectives. In public health cases, amicus briefs can play a critical role in helping courts understand relevant science and public health expertise.
This webinar highlights how litigation can be used as a tool for advancing public health and examines the impact of amicus briefs on shaping legal outcomes. It also explores how attorneys can partner with public health experts, scientists, and community groups to strengthen litigation efforts. Finally, speakers share recent public health litigation and amicus briefs and provide insight into the challenges of doing this work.
Speakers:
- Sabrina Adler, Vice President of Law, ChangeLab Solutions (moderator)
- Gregg Gonsalves, Associate Professor, Yale School of Public Health; Coordinating Committee, Defend Public Health
- Wendy E. Parmet, Professor of Law, Northeastern University
- Susan L. Polan, Associate Executive Director, American Public Health Association