At the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC) this year, we deployed the power of the law by challenging attacks on gender justice in the courts, while laying the groundwork to build a future in which all women, girls, LGBTQI+ people, and families can thrive. In 2025, we went to court in eight new cases, while continuing our advocacy in 12 ongoing lawsuits, administrative complaints, and demand letters. We also led 11 amicus briefs to courts across the country, and we joined five amicus briefs led by our coalition partners to the U.S. Supreme Court and 11 amicus briefs in state and federal appellate and trial-level courts.
Specifically, we filed multiple new lawsuits challenging harmful Trump administration policies that severely restrict and chill diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. We have also gone to court to challenge the Trump administration’s refusal to enforce federal laws that protect patients from denials of emergency abortion care and students and workers from discrimination. At the same time, we have continued to litigate strategic claims under state laws that protect pregnant patients and prohibit unequal pay for women workers.
Despite trying circumstances, we have achieved significant, groundbreaking victories. We have celebrated many positive court rulings—including injunctions that have allowed women to continue to receive job training and domestic violence and sexual assault organizations to continue to receive crucial funding—and we settled multiple cases in our clients’ favor—achieving greater access to insurance coverage for reproductive health care and accommodations for pregnant workers. Throughout, we have amplified the real impacts of the radical right’s laws and policies across NWLC’s platforms.