Austin False Claims Act Practitioner is Aiding Planned Parenthood in Case Before U.S. Supreme Court

The latest Texas abortion rights case, titled Planned Parenthood Center for Choice v. Abbott, made its way to the U.S. Supreme Court on April 11. The only Texas lawyer on the petition is Patrick O’Connell, an Austin solo practitioner who serves as local counsel for Planned Parenthood and several Texas health and surgery centers that serve women.

The dispute is over a state ban on certain abortions during the coronavirus pandemic, which the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in effect reinstated, twice overturning restraining orders issued by Judge Lee Yeakel of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. (Note: The Fifth Circuit on Monday night issued an order that allows medication-induced abortions to proceed in Texas, possibly resolving the issue before the Supreme Court.)