Akin Named a Runner-Up for Am Law Litigator of the Week

The American Lawyer has named an Akin pro bono team a runner-up for its Litigator of the Week series for securing a preliminary injunction blocking Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth.

Following the passage of Tennessee’s law banning gender-affirming medical care to minors, Akin, together with American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU of Tennessee and Lambda Legal, filed a lawsuit on behalf of three transgender adolescents, their parents and a medical provider specializing in gender-affirming care. Simultaneously, Akin moved for a preliminary injunction to prevent the enforcement of the law throughout the duration of the case.

On June 28, two days before the law was scheduled to take effect, the Tennessee court granted a preliminary injunction, preventing state officials from enforcing the law in all relevant respects. The ruling ensures access to gender-affirming treatment, including puberty-blocking medications and hormones, and medical care for adolescents.

The Akin pro bono team representing the plaintiffs was led by partner Dean Chapman and included David Bethea, Kristen Chin, Martine Cicconi, Rick D’Amato, Chris Gessner, Taylor Leighton, Kyle McGoey, Amama Rasani, James Salwen, Lizzy Scott, Joseph Sorkin, Joe Sullivan and Jen Langmack.