Abortion Law in Wisconsin Post-Dobbs: Current Status and Implications

20 West Mifflin Street,Madison WI 53703

14 September, 2022

Description

In Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, handing abortion regulation back to individual states. Wisconsin is now in a unique position, with both pre- and post-Roe criminal statutes on the books along with a comprehensive scheme of civil statutes regulating when and how abortions may be performed. Wisconsin health care systems, reproductive health care providers, patients seeking medical care, and Wisconsin prosecutors now face significant uncertainty about which laws are in effect. This presentation will summarize the current status of the law as well as discuss developments that may impact it in Wisconsin. Attorney Diane Welsh is a partner at Pines Bach LLP, where she advises clients on a variety of matters, including government and health law, and represents clients in all levels of litigation. Prior to joining Pines Bach, Diane served as Chief Legal Counsel for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and as assistant attorney general at the Wisconsin Department of Justice. Attorney Leslie Freehill is an associate at Pines Bach, where she practices in the areas of civil litigation, administrative law, and appeals. She frequently represents employees and environmental groups before agencies and state and federal courts. Prior to joining Pines Bach, she served as a staff attorney for the Dane County Circuit Court. Diane and Leslie currently represent Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin.