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Law students organize discussion on reproductive rights following controversial Federalist Society event

The Federalist Society event drew criticism from Law students for being misleading

By Merrill Hart
February 17, 2022

Two Law student groups hosted a conversation on reproductive rights Friday in response to a Feb. 9 program surrounding abortion planned by the Federalist Society. The Federalist Society’s event — titled “Does Women’s Equality Require Abortion?” — featured legal scholar Erika Bachiochi. The event drew criticism from Law students for being misleading, as well as transphobic comments previously made by Bachiochi.

The Federalist Society is composed of conservative and libertarian Law students with the goal of furthering principles of individual liberty, the separation of governmental powers and the rule of law. According to its website, the organization does so through lectures, debates and panels on contemporary topics.

Federalist Society event draws criticism

Ahead of the event, If/When/How leadership released an open letter. Despite the event’s characterization as a discussion, If/When/How said that only one viewpoint or answer was included. If/When/How is a pro-choice organization composed of Law students seeking to expand reproductive rights.

The letter called on the Federalist Society to open the topic to different perspectives, highlighting the long-term support for abortion access by a majority of Americans and the increasing risk to reproductive healthcare with the growth of restrictive abortion laws by states.

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