Perry et al v. Schwarzenegger et al

Filing 374

MOTION to File Amicus Curiae Brief filed by American College of Pediatricians. (Attachments: #1 Amicus Brief, #2 Proposed Order, #3 Proof of Service)(Snider, Kevin) (Filed on 1/8/2010)

Perry et al v. Schwarzenegger et al

Doc. 374

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Kevin T. Snider, SBN 170988 Counsel of Record PACIFIC JUSTICE INSTITUTE [e-mail] 212 9th St. Suite 208 Oakland, CA 94607 Tel. [phone] Fax [phone] ATTORNEYS FOR PROPOSED AMICUS CURIAE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF PEDIATRICIANS

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA KRISTIN M. PERRY, SANDRA B. STIER, PAUL CASE NO. 09-CV-2292 VRW T. KATAMI, and JEFFREY J. ZARRILLO, Plaintiffs, CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO, Plaintiff-Intervenor, v. ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, in his official capacity as Governor of California; EDMUND G. BROWN, JR., in his official capacity as Attorney General of California; MARK B. HORTON, in his official capacity as Director of the California Department of Public Health and State Registrar of Vital Statistics; LINETTE SCOTT, in her official capacity as Deputy Director of Health Information & Strategic Planning for the California Department of Public Health; PATRICK O'CONNELL, in his official capacity as Clerk-Recorder for the County of Alameda; and DEAN C. LOGAN, in his official capacity as Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk for the County of Los Angeles, Defendants, and PROPOSITION 8 OFFICIAL PROPONENTS DENNIS HOLLINGSWORTH, GAIL J. KNIGHT, MARTIN F. GUTIERREZ, HAKMOTION FOR LEAVE TO FILE BRIEF OF AMICUS CURIAE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF PEDIATRICIANS ­ CASE NO. 09-CV-2292 VRW

MOTION FOR LEAVE TO FILE BRIEF OF AMICUS CURIAE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF PEDIATRICIANS; [PROPOSED] ORDER

AMICUS CURIAE BRIEF IN

SUPPORT OF DEFENDANTINTERVENORS Date: (To be determined by the Court) Time: Location: Courtroom 6, 17th Floor Judge: Chief Judge Vaughn R. Walker Trial Date: January 11, 2010

Dockets.Justia.com

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SHING WILLIAM TAM, and MARK A. JANSSON; and PROTECTMARRIAGE.COM ­ YES ON 8, A PROJECT OF CALIFORNIA RENEWAL, Defendants-Intervenors.

MOTION FOR LEAVE TO FILE BRIEF OF AMICUS CURIAE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF PEDIATRICIANS ­ CASE NO. 09-CV-2292 VRW

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TO THE PARTIES AND THEIR ATTORNEYS OF RECORD: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that at a date and time to be determined by the Court, or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, before the Honorable Vaughn R. Walker, United States District Court for the Northern District of California, 450 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco, California, amicus curiae American College of Pediatricians ("Amicus" or "College"), will move this Court for an order granting leave to participate amicus curiae in the above-captioned case in support of Defendant-Intervenors. Amicus has conferred with counsel for all parties. Counsel for the Attorney General, the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, County of Los Angeles, and Clerk Recorder of the County of Alameda have consented to this motion. Counsel for the Perry Plaintiffs have not responded to the request for consent. Moreover, Counsel for the Plaintiff-Intervenor City and County of San Francisco has not consented to the brief. I. STANDARD FOR MOTION FOR LEAVE TO FILE BRIEF OF AMICUS CURIAE The Court has broad discretion to permit third parties to participate in an action as amicus curiae. Gerritsen v. de la Madrid Hurtado, 819 F.2d 1511, 1514 n.3 (9th Cir. 1987). Participation of amicus curiae may be particularly appropriate where the legal issues in a case have potential ramifications beyond the parties directly involved or where amicus can offer a unique perspective that may assist the Court. Sonoma Falls Devs., LLC v. Nev. Gold & Casinos, Inc., 272 F. Supp.2d 919, 925 (N.D. Cal. 2003). II. STATEMENT OF IDENTITY AND INTEREST OF AMICUS CURIAE Amicus Curiae American College of Pediatricians is a national medical association of pediatricians and other healthcare professionals who specialize in the care of infants, children, and adolescents. The College was formed in 2002 to promote the welfare of children and the

preservation of the natural family, and is dedicated to ensuring all children reach their optimal 1
MOTION FOR LEAVE TO FILE BRIEF OF AMICUS CURIAE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF PEDIATRICIANS ­ CASE NO. 09-CV-2292 VRW

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physical and emotional well-being. Its members believe that children are the future of our nation and should be reared in the best possible family environment and supported by physicians committed to ensuring their optimal health and well-being. The College is dedicated to educating parents, pediatricians, policy makers, and society about factors that are most likely to enhance a child's well-being. The College recognizes that the basic father-mother family unit within the context of marriage is the optimal setting for childhood development. Its members promote this basic family unit while pledging support for all children, regardless of their circumstances. Consistent with that goal, the College has filed briefs amicus curiae in cases dealing with parenting and the welfare of children. III. REASONS WHY AMICUS CURIAE'S EXPERTISE WILL BE BENEFICIAL TO THIS COURT Based on its academic and professional expertise, the College publishes position papers and policy statements on issues affecting children, families, and society using evidenced-based medical research and expert opinion to assist parents and influence childrearing. The College's expertise will be beneficial to the Court in determining whether the decision to set parameters on marriage is both rational and compelling. IV. CONCLUSION Wherefore, American College of Pediatricians requests this Court's leave to submit an amicus brief in support of Defendant-Intervenors. Dated: January 8, 2010. By: /s/ Kevin T. Snider ______________ KEVIN T. SNIDER PACIFIC JUSTICE INSTITUTE [e-mail] 212 9th St. Suite 208 Oakland, CA 94607 Tel. [phone] Fax [phone] ATTORNEY FOR AMICUS CURIAE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF PEDIATRICIANS 2
MOTION FOR LEAVE TO FILE BRIEF OF AMICUS CURIAE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF PEDIATRICIANS ­ CASE NO. 09-CV-2292 VRW