**Press Release**
**JW Howard Attorneys Secure Major Legal Victory for Health Freedom Defense Fund Against LAUSD**
*San Diego, CA – June 14, 2024* – JW Howard Attorneys, representing the Health Freedom Defense Fund (HFDF) and other plaintiffs, have achieved a significant legal victory in the case of *Health Freedom Defense Fund, Inc. v. Carvalho*. The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit vacated the district court’s dismissal of the plaintiffs’ case, which challenged the COVID-19 vaccination mandate imposed by the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD).
The Ninth Circuit’s decision marks a pivotal moment in the fight for health freedom and the right to refuse medical treatment. The court held that LAUSD’s pattern of withdrawing and reinstating its vaccination policies kept the case alive under the voluntary cessation exception to mootness. This means that the legal dispute remains relevant despite LAUSD’s recent repeal of the mandate.
John W. Howard and Scott Street, lead attorneys for the plaintiffs, argued that the district court misapplied the precedent set by the Supreme Court in *Jacobson v. Massachusetts* (1905). The plaintiffs contend that the COVID-19 shot, which prevents neither infection nor transmission but, arguably, only mitigates symptoms, should not be classified as a “vaccine”, as that term is defined by federal statute, and therefore cannot be mandated, consistent with consistent Supreme Court precedent.
The Ninth Circuit agreed, emphasizing that the plaintiffs plausibly alleged that the COVID-19 shot does not effectively prevent infection or the spread of the virus. As such, the court found that the district court erred in applying *Jacobson* to uphold LAUSD’s vaccination mandate.
In his concurring opinion, Judge R. Nelson highlighted that the case’s mootness was not established since LAUSD had not demonstrated that it would not revert to its previous policy. Judge Collins concurred, emphasizing that the right to refuse medical treatment is a fundamental right, a principle established by consistent Supreme Court opinions in cases such as *Cruzan v. Director, Missouri Department of Health* (1990) and *Washington v. Glucksberg* (1997).
Health Freedom Defense Fund is an established leader in the fight for health freedom and individual bodily autonomy. Led by Leslie Manookian, its founder and CEO, it has championed cases throughout the nation that have materially advanced individual rights, including the case that freed Americans from required masking in airports and on airlines.
This decision underscores the importance of protecting individual health freedoms and sets a precedent for similar cases nationwide. JW Howard Attorneys remain committed to defending the rights of individuals against overreach and mandates that infringe upon personal medical decisions.
**About JW Howard Attorneys**
JW Howard Attorneys is a premier law firm based in San Diego and Los Angeles, California, specializing in civil rights, constitutional law, and public interest litigation. The firm is dedicated to providing exceptional legal representation and protecting the fundamental rights of individuals and organizations.
For more information, please contact:
JW Howard Attorneys
Phone: (619) 234-2842
Email: pr@jwhowardattorneys.com
Website: www.jwhowardattorneys.com
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This press release highlights the key aspects of the Ninth Circuit’s decision and emphasizes the role of JW Howard Attorneys in securing this legal victory. If you need any additional information or further customization, please let me know!
