Case: Right to Life of Michigan v. Whitmer

1:23-cv-01189 | U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan

Filed Date: Nov. 8, 2023

Case Ongoing

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Case Summary

On November 8, 2023, Right to Life of Michigan filed this lawsuit to challenge the state's Proposal 3, the ballot initiative that amended Article I, § 28 of the Michigan Constitution to protect reproductive freedom. The plaintiffs alleged that Proposal 3 violated the federal Constitution. Plaintiffs filed the lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan against Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Attorney General Dana Nessel, and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. In…

In addition to Right to Life of Michigan, plaintiffs included the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AAPLOG), Crossroads Care Center (Crossroads), Christian Medical and Dental Associations (CMDA), Save the 1, three members of the Michigan House of Representatives and Senate, a physician, and several private citizens. Plaintiffs also purported to include "Jane Roe," a "fictitious name on behalf of preborn babies."

Represented by the American Freedom Law Center, Great Lakes Justice Center, and Thomas More Law Center, plaintiffs sought declaratory and injunctive relief, as well as attorneys' fees. Plaintiffs claimed that Article I, § 28 of the Michigan Constitution violated the First and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution, and that Proposal 3 and Article I, § 28 violated the Guarantee Clause of the U.S. Constitution

The case was assigned to Judge Paul Maloney and Magistrate Judge Ray Kent.

On January 30, 2024, Defendants filed a motion to dismiss and requested oral argument. The next day, Judge Maloney ordered Plaintiffs to file an amended complaint or a response to the motion to dismiss. Plaintiffs complied, filing an amended complaint on February 20; the amended complaint added a Fourteenth Amendment due process clause claim. Defendants moved to dismiss, again, on March 19.
The court granted the motion to dismiss on September 30, 2025 for lack of subject-matter jurisdiction. Judge Maloney found that plaintiffs had failed to adequately plead standing. For individual plaintiffs, the court found their grievances were either speculative future injuries, general disagreements with government action, or legal conclusions lacking factual support. For legislators, their claimed injury was an institutional limitation affecting all members equally, not a personal injury, falling under the general rule from Raines v. Byrd rather than the narrow Coleman exception. For organizations, none established direct organizational standing, and associational standing failed because no individual members with standing were adequately identified.

On October 28, Right to Life and four of the individual plaintiffs filed an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit (25-1973). The appeal advanced only the due process right to parent claim.

As of April 16, 2026, the appeal is pending before the Sixth Circuit.

Summary Authors

Avery Coombe (4/16/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/67988407/parties/right-to-life-of-michigan-v-whitmer/

Judge(s)

Maloney, Paul Lewis (Michigan)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Muise, Robert Joseph (Michigan)

Attorney for Defendant

Aboona, Rebecca Ashley (Michigan)

Banghart-Linn, Linus Richard (Michigan)

Barranco, Kyla Lillian (Michigan)

Judge(s)

Maloney, Paul Lewis (Michigan)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Muise, Robert Joseph (Michigan)

Wagner, William (Michigan)

Attorney for Defendant

Aboona, Rebecca Ashley (Michigan)

Banghart-Linn, Linus Richard (Michigan)

Barranco, Kyla Lillian (Michigan)

Yerushalmi, David (Michigan)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

1 1:23-cv-01189	Complaint	Nov. 8, 2023	Nov. 8, 2023 Complaint
21 1:23-cv-01189	Order Regarding Motion to Dismiss	Jan. 31, 2024	Jan. 31, 2024 Order/Opinion
23 1:23-cv-01189	First Amended Complaint	Feb. 20, 2024	Feb. 20, 2024 Complaint
46 1:23-cv-01189	Opinion and Order Granting Defendants' Motion to Dismiss	Sept. 30, 2025	Sept. 30, 2025 Order/Opinion

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/67988407/right-to-life-of-michigan-v-whitmer/

Last updated April 15, 2026, 5:50 p.m.

ECF Number	Date	Description	Link
1	Nov. 8, 2023	COMPLAINT against All Defendants filed by Jane Roe, Christian Medical and Dental Associations, American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Right to Life of Michigan, Rebecca Kiessling, John Hubbard, Melissa Halvorson, Gina Johnsen, Celina Asberg, Andrea Smith, Lara Hubbard, Save The 1, Crossroads Care Center, Luke Meerman, Grace Fisher, Joseph Bellino, Jr (Attachments: # 1 Summons for Gretchen Whitmer, Governor, # 2 Summons for Dana Nessel, Michigan Attorney General, # 3 Summons for Jocelyn Benson, Michigan Secretary of State) (Muise, Robert) (Entered: 11/08/2023) 1 Summons for Gretchen Whitmer, Governor View on PACER 2 Summons for Dana Nessel, Michigan Attorney General View on PACER 3 Summons for Jocelyn Benson, Michigan Secretary of State View on PACER	Clearinghouse
2	Nov. 8, 2023	CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT by Christian Medical and Dental Associations (Muise, Robert) (Entered: 11/08/2023)	RECAP
3	Nov. 8, 2023	CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT by Crossroads Care Center (Muise, Robert) (Entered: 11/08/2023)	RECAP
4	Nov. 8, 2023	CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT by Right to Life of Michigan (Muise, Robert) (Entered: 11/08/2023)	RECAP
5	Nov. 8, 2023	CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT by Save The 1 (Muise, Robert) (Entered: 11/08/2023)	RECAP
	Nov. 8, 2023	Filing Fee (Civil Case) - Credit Card Payment
	Nov. 8, 2023	FILING FEE PAID re 1 by plaintiffs American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Celina Asberg, Joseph Bellino, Jr, Christian Medical and Dental Associations, Crossroads Care Center, Grace Fisher, Melissa Halvorson, John Hubbard, Lara Hubbard, Gina Johnsen, Rebecca Kiessling, Luke Meerman, Right to Life of Michigan, Jane Roe, Save The 1, Andrea Smith in the amount of $402, receipt number AMIWDC-7210090 (Muise, Robert)
6	Nov. 9, 2023	NOTICE that this case has been assigned to Paul L. Maloney (mg) (Entered: 11/09/2023)	RECAP
7	Nov. 9, 2023	SUMMONS ISSUED as to defendants Jocelyn Benson, Dana Nessel, Gretchen Whitmer (mg) (Entered: 11/09/2023)	RECAP
8	Nov. 16, 2023	WAIVER OF SERVICE returned executed by Jane Roe, Christian Medical and Dental Associations, American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Right to Life of Michigan, Rebecca Kiessling, John Hubbard, Melissa Halvorson, Gina Johnsen, Celina Asberg, Andrea Smith, Lara Hubbard, Save The 1, Crossroads Care Center, Luke Meerman, Grace Fisher, Joseph Bellino, Jr as to Gretchen Whitmer waiver sent on 11/15/2023, answer due 1/16/2024 (Muise, Robert) (Entered: 11/16/2023)	RECAP
9	Nov. 16, 2023	WAIVER OF SERVICE returned executed by Jane Roe, Christian Medical and Dental Associations, American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Right to Life of Michigan, Rebecca Kiessling, John Hubbard, Melissa Halvorson, Gina Johnsen, Celina Asberg, Andrea Smith, Lara Hubbard, Save The 1, Crossroads Care Center, Luke Meerman, Grace Fisher, Joseph Bellino, Jr as to Dana Nessel waiver sent on 11/15/2023, answer due 1/16/2024 (Muise, Robert) (Entered: 11/16/2023)	RECAP
10	Nov. 16, 2023	WAIVER OF SERVICE returned executed by Jane Roe, Christian Medical and Dental Associations, American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Right to Life of Michigan, Rebecca Kiessling, John Hubbard, Melissa Halvorson, Gina Johnsen, Celina Asberg, Andrea Smith, Lara Hubbard, Save The 1, Crossroads Care Center, Luke Meerman, Grace Fisher, Joseph Bellino, Jr as to Jocelyn Benson waiver sent on 11/15/2023, answer due 1/16/2024 (Muise, Robert) (Entered: 11/16/2023)	RECAP
	Nov. 21, 2023	(NON-DOCUMENT) ATTORNEY APPEARANCE of Linus Richard Banghart-Linn on behalf of defendants Jocelyn Benson, Dana Nessel, Gretchen Whitmer (Banghart-Linn, Linus)
	Nov. 21, 2023	(NON-DOCUMENT) ATTORNEY APPEARANCE of Kyla Lillian Barranco on behalf of defendants Jocelyn Benson, Dana Nessel, Gretchen Whitmer (Barranco, Kyla)
	Nov. 21, 2023	Attorney Appearance
	Nov. 21, 2023	(NON-DOCUMENT) ATTORNEY APPEARANCE of Rebecca Ashley Berels on behalf of defendants Jocelyn Benson, Dana Nessel, Gretchen Whitmer (Berels, Rebecca)
11	Nov. 30, 2023	NOTICE Of Name Change by defendants Jocelyn Benson, Dana Nessel, Gretchen Whitmer (Berels, Rebecca) (Entered: 11/30/2023)	RECAP
12	Nov. 30, 2023	PROOF OF SERVICE by defendants Jocelyn Benson, Dana Nessel, Gretchen Whitmer for Notice of Name Change (Berels, Rebecca) (Entered: 11/30/2023)	RECAP
	Dec. 6, 2023	(NON-DOCUMENT) ATTORNEY APPEARANCE of William Wagner on behalf of plaintiff Christian Medical and Dental Associations (Wagner, William)
	Dec. 6, 2023	(NON-DOCUMENT) ATTORNEY APPEARANCE of William Wagner on behalf of plaintiff American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists (Wagner, William)
	Dec. 6, 2023	(NON-DOCUMENT) ATTORNEY APPEARANCE of William Wagner on behalf of plaintiff Melissa Halvorson (Wagner, William)
	Dec. 6, 2023	(NON-DOCUMENT) ATTORNEY APPEARANCE of William Wagner on behalf of plaintiff Gina Johnsen (Wagner, William)
	Dec. 6, 2023	(NON-DOCUMENT) ATTORNEY APPEARANCE of William Wagner on behalf of plaintiff Luke Meerman (Wagner, William)
	Dec. 6, 2023	Attorney Appearance
	Dec. 6, 2023	(NON-DOCUMENT) ATTORNEY APPEARANCE of William Wagner on behalf of plaintiff Right to Life of Michigan (Wagner, William)
13	Jan. 4, 2024	PROPOSED STIPULATION and ORDER EXTENDING THE TIME FOR DEFENDANTS' RESPONSE TO PLAINTIFFS' COMPLAINT by defendants Jocelyn Benson, Dana Nessel, Gretchen Whitmer (Barranco, Kyla) (Entered: 01/04/2024)	RECAP
14	Jan. 5, 2024	STIPULATION AND ORDER; deadline for defendant to answer or otherwise respond to complaint extended to 1/30/2024; signed by District Judge Paul L. Maloney (Judge Paul L. Maloney, acr) (Entered: 01/05/2024)	RECAP
15	Jan. 30, 2024	MOTION for leave to file excess pages by defendants Jocelyn Benson, Dana Nessel, Gretchen Whitmer; (Barranco, Kyla) (Entered: 01/30/2024)	RECAP
16	Jan. 30, 2024	PROOF OF SERVICE by defendants Jocelyn Benson, Dana Nessel, Gretchen Whitmer re MOTION for leave to file excess pages 15 (Barranco, Kyla) (Entered: 01/30/2024)	RECAP
17	Jan. 30, 2024	MOTION to dismiss by defendants Jocelyn Benson, Dana Nessel, Gretchen Whitmer; (Barranco, Kyla) (Entered: 01/30/2024)	RECAP
18	Jan. 30, 2024	BRIEF in support of MOTION to dismiss 17 filed by Jocelyn Benson, Dana Nessel, Gretchen Whitmer (Barranco, Kyla) (Entered: 01/30/2024)	RECAP
19	Jan. 30, 2024	CERTIFICATE of compliance re word count for Brief in Support of a Motion 18 filed by Jocelyn Benson, Dana Nessel, Gretchen Whitmer (Barranco, Kyla) (Entered: 01/30/2024)	RECAP
20	Jan. 30, 2024	PROOF OF SERVICE by defendants Jocelyn Benson, Dana Nessel, Gretchen Whitmer re Brief in Support of a Motion 18, MOTION to dismiss 17, Certificate of Compliance Regarding Word Count 19 (Barranco, Kyla) (Entered: 01/30/2024)	RECAP
21	Jan. 31, 2024	ORDER regarding 17 motion to dismiss; signed by District Judge Paul L. Maloney (Judge Paul L. Maloney, acr) (Entered: 01/31/2024)	Clearinghouse
22	Jan. 31, 2024	ORDER denying without prejudice 15 motion for leave to file excess pages; signed by District Judge Paul L. Maloney (Judge Paul L. Maloney, acr) (Entered: 01/31/2024)	RECAP
23	Feb. 20, 2024	FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT against All Defendants filed by Jane Roe, Christian Medical and Dental Associations, American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Right to Life of Michigan, Rebecca Kiessling, John Hubbard, Melissa Halvorson, Gina Johnsen, Celina Asberg, Andrea Smith, Lara Hubbard, Save The 1, Crossroads Care Center, Luke Meerman, Grace Fisher, Joseph Bellino, Jr (Muise, Robert) (Entered: 02/20/2024)	Clearinghouse
24	Feb. 20, 2024	ORDER dismissing as moot 17 motion to dismiss; signed by District Judge Paul L. Maloney (Judge Paul L. Maloney, acr) (Entered: 02/20/2024)	RECAP
25	Feb. 28, 2024	PROPOSED STIPULATION and ORDER EXTENDING THE TIME FOR DEFENDANTS' RESPONSE TO PLAINTIFFS' FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT by defendants Jocelyn Benson, Dana Nessel, Gretchen Whitmer (Barranco, Kyla) (Entered: 02/28/2024)	RECAP
26	Feb. 28, 2024	PROOF OF SERVICE by defendants Jocelyn Benson, Dana Nessel, Gretchen Whitmer re PROPOSED STIPULATION and ORDER EXTENDING THE TIME FOR DEFENDANTS' RESPONSE TO PLAINTIFFS' FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT by defendants Jocelyn Benson, Dana Nessel, Gretchen Whitmer 25 (Barranco, Kyla) (Entered: 02/28/2024)	RECAP
27	Feb. 29, 2024	STIPULATION AND ORDER; deadline for defendant to answer or otherwise respond to amended complaint extended to 3/19/2024; signed by District Judge Paul L. Maloney (Judge Paul L. Maloney, acr) (Entered: 02/29/2024)	RECAP
28	March 19, 2024	Joint Motion to Enlarge Word Count by defendants Jocelyn Benson, Dana Nessel, Gretchen Whitmer; (Barranco, Kyla) Modified text on 3/20/2024 (eod) (Entered: 03/19/2024)	RECAP
29	March 19, 2024	MOTION to dismiss Plaintiffs' First Amended Complaint by defendants Jocelyn Benson, Dana Nessel, Gretchen Whitmer; (Barranco, Kyla) Modified text per phone call from filing attorney on 3/19/2024 (ems). (Entered: 03/19/2024)	RECAP
30	March 19, 2024	BRIEF in support of MOTION to dismiss Plaintiffs' First Amended Complaint 29 filed by Jocelyn Benson, Dana Nessel, Gretchen Whitmer (Barranco, Kyla) Modified text per phone call from filing attorney on 3/19/2024 (ems). (Entered: 03/19/2024)	RECAP
31	March 19, 2024	CERTIFICATE of compliance re word count for Brief in Support of a Motion 30 filed by Jocelyn Benson, Dana Nessel, Gretchen Whitmer (Barranco, Kyla) (Entered: 03/19/2024)	RECAP
32	March 19, 2024	PROOF OF SERVICE by defendants Jocelyn Benson, Dana Nessel, Gretchen Whitmer re Brief in Support of a Motion 30, MOTION for leave to file excess pages Joint Motion to Enlarge Word Count 28, MOTION to dismiss Plaintiffs' First Amended Complaint 29, Certificate of Compliance Regarding Word Count 31 (Barranco, Kyla) Modified text per phone call from filing attorney on 3/19/2024 (ems). (Entered: 03/19/2024)	RECAP
33	March 21, 2024	ORDER granting 28 motion for leave to file excess pages; signed by District Judge Paul L. Maloney (Judge Paul L. Maloney, acr) (Entered: 03/21/2024)	RECAP
34	April 10, 2024	RESPONSE in opposition to MOTION to dismiss Plaintiffs' First Amended Complaint 29 filed by American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Celina Asberg, Joseph Bellino, Jr, Christian Medical and Dental Associations, Crossroads Care Center, Grace Fisher, Melissa Halvorson, John Hubbard, Lara Hubbard, Gina Johnsen, Rebecca Kiessling, Luke Meerman, Right to Life of Michigan, Jane Roe, Save The 1, Andrea Smith (Muise, Robert) (Entered: 04/10/2024)	RECAP
35	April 24, 2024	REPLY to response to motion 29 filed by Jocelyn Benson, Dana Nessel, Gretchen Whitmer (Barranco, Kyla) (Entered: 04/24/2024)	RECAP
36	April 24, 2024	CERTIFICATE of compliance re word count for Reply to Response to Motion 35 filed by Jocelyn Benson, Dana Nessel, Gretchen Whitmer (Barranco, Kyla) (Entered: 04/24/2024)	RECAP
37	April 24, 2024	PROOF OF SERVICE by defendants Jocelyn Benson, Dana Nessel, Gretchen Whitmer re Certificate of Compliance Regarding Word Count 36, Reply to Response to Motion 35 (Barranco, Kyla) (Entered: 04/24/2024)	RECAP
38	Aug. 8, 2024	NOTICE of Supplemental Authority by defendants Jocelyn Benson, Dana Nessel, Gretchen Whitmer (Barranco, Kyla) (Entered: 08/08/2024)	RECAP
39	Aug. 8, 2024	PROOF OF SERVICE by defendants Jocelyn Benson, Dana Nessel, Gretchen Whitmer re Notice (Other) 38 (Barranco, Kyla) (Entered: 08/08/2024)	RECAP
40	Aug. 12, 2024	RESPONSE TO 38 Defendants' Notice of Supplemental Authority filed by plaintiffs American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Celina Asberg, Joseph Bellino, Jr, Christian Medical and Dental Associations, Crossroads Care Center, Grace Fisher, Melissa Halvorson, John Hubbard, Lara Hubbard, Gina Johnsen, Rebecca Kiessling, Luke Meerman, Right to Life of Michigan, Jane Roe, Save The 1, Andrea Smith (Muise, Robert) (Entered: 08/12/2024)	RECAP
41	May 26, 2025	NOTICE re 34 of Supplemental Authority by plaintiffs American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Celina Asberg, Joseph Bellino, Jr, Christian Medical and Dental Associations, Crossroads Care Center, Grace Fisher, Melissa Halvorson, John Hubbard, Lara Hubbard, Gina Johnsen, Rebecca Kiessling, Luke Meerman, Right to Life of Michigan, Jane Roe, Save The 1, Andrea Smith (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1 - Northland Family Planning Center v. Nessel) (Muise, Robert) (Entered: 05/26/2025)	RECAP
42	June 10, 2025	RESPONSE TO 41 filed by defendants Jocelyn Benson, Dana Nessel, Gretchen Whitmer (Aboona, Rebecca) (Entered: 06/10/2025)	RECAP
43	June 10, 2025	PROOF OF SERVICE by defendants Jocelyn Benson, Dana Nessel, Gretchen Whitmer re Response (non-motion) 42 (Aboona, Rebecca) (Entered: 06/10/2025)	RECAP
44	July 23, 2025	NOTICE of Supplemental Authority by plaintiffs American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Celina Asberg, Joseph Bellino, Jr, Christian Medical and Dental Associations, Crossroads Care Center, Grace Fisher, Melissa Halvorson, John Hubbard, Lara Hubbard, Gina Johnsen, Rebecca Kiessling, Luke Meerman, Right to Life of Michigan, Jane Roe, Save The 1, Andrea Smith (Muise, Robert) (Entered: 07/23/2025)	RECAP
45	Aug. 6, 2025	RESPONSE TO 44 filed by defendants Jocelyn Benson, Dana Nessel, Gretchen Whitmer (Aboona, Rebecca) (Entered: 08/06/2025)	RECAP
46	Sept. 30, 2025	OPINION AND ORDER granting 29 motion to dismiss; signed by District Judge Paul L. Maloney (Judge Paul L. Maloney, acr) (Entered: 09/30/2025)	Clearinghouse
47	Sept. 30, 2025	JUDGMENT; signed by District Judge Paul L. Maloney (Judge Paul L. Maloney, acr)	RECAP
48	Oct. 28, 2025	NOTICE OF APPEAL re 46, 47 by plaintiffs Celina Asberg, Grace Fisher, John Hubbard, Right to Life of Michigan, Andrea Smith (Muise, Robert) (Entered: 10/28/2025)	RECAP
49	Oct. 28, 2025	LETTER FROM CCA regarding appeal 48 assigning CASE NUMBER 25-1973 indicating case # and deadlines (mg) (Entered: 10/28/2025)	RECAP
	Oct. 28, 2025	APPEAL FEE PAID re 48 by plaintiffs Celina Asberg, Grace Fisher, John Hubbard, Right to Life of Michigan, Andrea Smith in the amount of $605, receipt number AMIWDC-7849731 (Muise, Robert)

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Case Details

State / Territory:

Michigan

Case Type(s):

Healthcare Access and Reproductive Issues

Key Dates

Filing Date: Nov. 8, 2023

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Right to Life of Michigan; the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists; Christian Medical and Dental Associations; Crossroads Care Center; Save the 1, several private individuals, and "Jane Roe, a fictitious name on behalf of preborn babies"

Plaintiff Type(s):

Non-profit NON-religious organization

Non-profit religious organization

Private Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

American Freedom Law Center

Thomas More Law Center

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

State

Attorney General of Michigan

Governor of Michigan

Secretary of State of Michigan

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Other Dockets:

Western District of Michigan 1:23-cv-01189

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit 25-01973

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Defendant

Relief Sought:

Relief Granted:

Source of Relief:

None

Issues

Reproductive rights:

Abortion

Contraception

Sterilization/sexual rights

Recommended Citation

Case Summary of Right to Life of Michigan v. Whitmer, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, http://www.dev.clearinghouse.net/case/45158/ (last updated 4/16/2026).