Alabama Attorney AshLeigh Meyer Dunham Presents on Fertility Law at Harvard Law School
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, April 9, 2026
Birmingham, AL
BIRMINGHAM, Al.—April 9, 2026— Alabama attorney AshLeigh Meyer Dunham traveled to Harvard Law School on Wednesday to present on the rapidly evolving, deeply consequential landscape of fertility law in Alabama.
Invited by the Alliance for Reproductive Justice, Dunham’s presentation provided a comprehensive examination of the legal, ethical, and human dimensions shaping family-building in the state. Drawing from both her legal expertise and personal experience, she addressed the growing tension between reproductive rights, parental equity, and emerging definitions of personhood under Alabama law.
Her remarks explored the far-reaching implications of recent legal developments, including the aftermath of Obergefell v. Hodges and its continued legal reverberations for LGBTQ+ families navigating parenthood. Dunham also analyzed the impact of LePage v. The Center for Reproductive Medicine, a pivotal case that has reshaped how embryos are treated under state law and contributed to widespread uncertainty within Alabama’s fertility landscape.
A central focus of her presentation was the fallout from the recent IVF shutdowns across Alabama, which left countless families in limbo and raised urgent questions about access to care, legal risk for providers, and the future of assisted reproductive technology in the state.
“My husband and I had to leave Alabama in order to start our family, traveling to Oregon in 2020 for IVF,” said Dunham. “That experience shaped my work and my advocacy. No family should be forced to leave their home state to have a child.”
Dunham emphasized the concept of “parental equity and vulnerability,” highlighting how inconsistent legal frameworks disproportionately affect families pursuing adoption, IVF, and other forms of assisted reproduction. She underscored how these legal uncertainties are not abstract, but rather deeply personal, shaping the lives and futures of Alabama families every day.
“State courts have become central to access to reproductive health care and even family recognition. When legislatures fail to act, lawyers like me are forced to get creative to protect modern families. That’s why this work matters, because families are evolving, and the law has to evolve with them,” said Dunham.
Looking ahead, Dunham outlined a path forward grounded in three key strategies: legislative change, strategic litigation, and client counseling.
“What many people saw as impacting only a small group was actually impact litigation at its worst. It affected thousands of families in Alabama and potentially across the country. Too often, courts lose sight of the human impact of their decisions. When we make these decisions, we’re not operating in the abstract; we’re shaping real families in real time.”
Her presentation positioned Alabama, where she is running for Supreme Court Justice, as a critical battleground in the national conversation around reproductive law, personhood, and the future of family formation.
“I’m proud to be at Harvard today. The students I spoke to are from across the country, but many are from the South East. They are eager to bring this understanding back to their states so they can best advocate for their future clients,” said Dunham.
In addition to her legal practice, Dunham has been a leading advocate for Alabama families navigating fertility challenges. Through her work with the Fight for Alabama Families Coalition, she has helped elevate the voices of those directly impacted by shifting reproductive laws, particularly in the wake of IVF disruptions across the state. Dunham also works closely with individuals and couples through her consulting practice, advising Alabama families pursuing IVF and other assisted reproductive options as they confront an increasingly uncertain legal landscape. Her advocacy bridges policy and lived experience, ensuring that legal reforms are informed by the real-world challenges families face.
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ABOUT ASHLEIGH DUNHAM:
For more than 15 years, AshLeigh’s work has centered on protecting children, families, and constitutional rights. As a juvenile court referee and special sitting circuit judge, she made decisions that immediately affected families, such as where children would live, how parents would move forward, and what justice would look like in real time. As a litigator, she has spent years inside courtrooms building cases, weighing evidence, and understanding how the legal system works for the people inside it. And through her work with the bar, she has helped ensure Alabama’s laws keep pace with the realities of modern families.
AshLeigh is running for Alabama Supreme Court Justice because she believes Alabamians deserve dignity and equality. Learn more about AshLeigh at AshLeighforAlabama.com
