Colleen Smith honored by the ACLU of Idaho

We are proud to congratulate our partner, Colleen R. Smith, on being honored by the ACLU of Idaho at its Annual Membership Meeting on February 17, 2026.

The award recognizes Colleen’s fearless advocacy for reproductive rights in Idaho in the wake of Idaho’s total abortion ban and the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.

Colleen served as named counsel of record in Planned Parenthood v. Labrador, where she played a key role in securing a significant victory for Idaho physicians. Her advocacy helped obtain a preliminary injunction and ultimately a consent decree protecting physicians’ First Amendment right to refer patients across state lines for abortion care. The court recognized those constitutional protections and awarded attorneys’ fees to the physicians. Colleen donated all of her fees to the ACLU of Idaho to support the organization’s continued civil rights work.

Colleen also represented the Idaho Coalition for Safe Healthcare before the United States Supreme Court in Idaho v. United States. In that case, the Coalition filed an amicus brief supporting the federal government’s position that the Emergency Medical Treatment & Labor Act (EMTALA) requires hospitals to provide stabilizing abortion care when necessary, notwithstanding Idaho’s abortion ban. Colleen’s brief documented the real-world challenges Idaho physicians face in attempting to comply with both state and federal law while providing critical care to their patients. Justice Jackson cited Colleen’s brief in her opinion concurring in part and dissenting in part.

Finally, Colleen spearheaded a Ninth Circuit amicus brief on behalf of Advocates for Youth, the National Network of Abortion Funds, and If/When/How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice in Matsumoto v. Labrador. That case challenges an Idaho statute criminalizing assistance to minors seeking lawful abortion care out of state. Colleen’s brief brought forward the vital perspective of youth directly impacted by the law and the broader consequences for access to healthcare.

Colleen’s work reflects the highest ideals of our profession: principled advocacy, constitutional courage, and a steadfast commitment to the rule of law. We are honored to call her our partner and colleague.