Every month, we give the Amicus Mundi Award to an outstanding lawyer in our community who exemplifies our shared values of service and dedication to building a more just and equitable society. This month’s award recipient used his time and talent to help a healthcare provider navigate abortion restrictions and keep their doors open in the aftermath of Senate Bill 20 in North Carolina.
Join us in saying…
Congratulations, George McGregor!
A Change in Path: George McGregor began his career working in biomedical engineering and mathematics, and spent decades researching AIDS, cancer treatments, and the effects of airborne toxins.
After deciding to pursue a legal career, he attended law school at night for four years, passed the bar in 2007, and has since devoted his career to the law.
George was raised in a family that valued service, a commitment evident in his work with Disability Rights Vermont, where he advocates for individuals with disabilities.
George joined We The Action in 2021, expecting to volunteer in his areas of expertise. Fate took a turn when he connected with Janet Crepps, Director at Regulatory Assistance for Abortion Providers (RAAP).
Navigating the Post-Roe Landscape: In the aftermath of the Dobbs ruling, state and federal laws and regulations have been used as a tool to hinder access to abortion services.
RAAP relies on volunteer lawyers like George to work with providers in states to help them navigate abortion restrictions and reduce the negative impacts of anti-abortion laws.
This assistance includes assessing the legal implications of providing abortion to patients from states with abortion bans, understanding current threats to medication abortion services, and responding to new and evolving restrictions.
Protecting Healthcare: George has worked tirelessly with RAAP in North Carolina, which passed new restrictive laws in 2023, to help reproductive healthcare providers keep their doors open and remain compliant with the law.
These providers can now confidently work within the law, so they can focus on the day-to-day running of their operations.
Janet says, “George has been committed for a long time, but his enthusiasm hasn’t diminished at all.”
She continues, “Without volunteers like George, our clients would have to go elsewhere because we wouldn’t be able to meet their needs.”
Trying Something New: George had not previously worked in the reproductive health space before taking on this project. He has embraced this new area of law in stride, and encourages others to do the same.
He explains, “If you're going to take on a volunteer project, you might want to look at something you haven't done before. It's going to be a challenge. It adds a little spice to life, so it will give you a little more energy to take it on. Take it one step at a time, inch by inch.”
To follow in George’s footsteps and get involved in reproductive freedom work, check out our projects here.