Filed Date: April 8, 2022
Closed Date: April 18, 2022
Clearinghouse coding complete
This case concerns a challenge to a state law criminalizing gender-affirming healthcare.
On April 8, 2022 several Alabama medical professionals, transgender individuals, and their parents (collectively, “Plaintiffs”) filed suit for declaratory and injunctive relief in the District Court for the Northern District of Alabama. Plaintiffs sued the Governor, Attorney General and District Attorneys of Shelby and Jefferson County in their official capacity. Plaintiffs were represented by private counsel as well as the National Center for Lesbian Rights, the GLBTQ Legal Advocates, Human Rights Campaign Foundation, and the Southern Poverty Law Center.
Plaintiffs challenged Alabama’s recently enacted SB 184, which outlawed providing gender-affirming care to transgender minors and imposed criminal penalties on parents and health care providers who obtained or provided that care. Plaintiffs challenged the law under §1557 of the Affordable Care Act, as well as the federal constitution’s equal protection and due process clauses. The case was assigned to Judge Anna M Manasco who recused herself and was then reassigned to Judge Annemarie Carney Axon. The case was later reassigned again to Judge Liles C Burke.
On April 15, 2022 an Alabama district court judge hearing a different but related case, Walker v. Marshall, transferred that case to be consolidated with this matter in accordance with Alabama’s “first-filed” rule. That evening, the plaintiffs in Walker v. Marshall filed a notice of voluntary dismissal without prejudice. Nine minutes later, the plaintiffs in this case filed a substantively identical notice of voluntary dismissal. Judge Burke granted plaintiffs notice of voluntary dismissal on April 18, 2022 but expressed concern that the lawyers were “judge shopping” based on their statements to the media that they “plan to refile immediately.” Plaintiffs counsel did, in fact, refile a substantively similar case: Eknes-Tucker v. Ivey.
The Chief Judges of Alabama’s three federal district courts launched an investigation into “judge shopping” allegations against 39 lawyers involved in the three challenges to the Alabama ban. On October 3, 2023, the panel found that 11 of these lawyers “made plans and took steps in an attempt to manipulate the assignment of these cases.” This report was given to Judge Burke. On February 21, 2024, Judge Burke ordered the 11 lawyers to “show cause” as to why they should not face sanctions. The lawyers filed several objections, motions for clarification and requests for leave to submit additional evidence. On May 1st Judge Burke issued supplemental show-cause orders to the attorneys. On May 23, 2024, the court held an in-person status conference to discuss the procedures for the upcoming show-cause hearing. During the meeting the lawyers were given the opportunity to speak with Judge Burke individually, and several apologized for their actions. Between June 24th-28th the Court held a show-cause hearing where the lawyers presented additional evidence in their defense, with some reaffirming their earlier apologies. On February 25, 2025 Judge Burke issued a decision publicly reprimanding and sanctioning three of the attorneys who “ha[d] not only refused to accept responsibility or apologize sincerely for their actions [but had] also tried to shift the blame for their misconduct to the judiciary.”
This case is now closed.
Summary Authors
Daria Wick (3/31/2025)
Walker v. Marshall, Middle District of Alabama (2022)
Eknes-Tucker v. Ivey, Middle District of Alabama (2022)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/63226747/parties/ladinsky-v-ivey/
Burke, Liles Clifton (Alabama)
Doss, Jeffrey P. (Alabama)
Eagan, Melody H (Alabama)
Bowdre, Alexander Barrett (Alabama)
Davis, James W (Alabama)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/63226747/ladinsky-v-ivey/
Last updated May 21, 2025, 2:33 a.m.
State / Territory: Alabama
Case Type(s):
Public Accommodations/Contracting
Key Dates
Filing Date: April 8, 2022
Closing Date: April 18, 2022
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Several Alabama medical professionals, as well transgender minors and their parents.
Plaintiff Type(s):
Attorney Organizations:
National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR)
GLAD (GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders)
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Affordable Care Act Section 1557, 42 U.S.C. § 18116
Constitutional Clause(s):
Due Process: Substantive Due Process
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Nature of Relief:
Source of Relief:
Issues
LGBTQ+:
Medical/Mental Health Care: