Ninth Circuit Rules in Favor of Washington State’s Ban on Conversion Therapy

A Jenner & Block team filed a brief for the American Psychological Association in support of a Washington law that prohibits state-licensed medical professionals from practicing conversion therapy on LGBTQ patients that are under 18 years old.

The US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled that the Washington law is valid, citing and quoting Jenner & Block’s amicus brief in its opinion.

“The APA, whose task force systematically reviewed the scientific research on conversion therapy and adopted a resolution against it in 2009, confirmed in its amicus brief that the research presented to Washington showed harm from both aversive practices and non-aversive practices, such as talk therapy,” Judge Ronald M. Gould said in the opinion.

Partner Jessica Ring Amunson, former Partner Tassity Johnson, and Associate Jessica J.W. Sawadogo developed the brief with help from Senior Paralegal/ Paralegal Coordinator Cheryl L. Olson and Manager of Docketing Services Tyler J. Edwards.

© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.

Ninth Circuit Rules in Favor of Washington State’s Ban on Conversion Therapy

A Jenner & Block team filed a brief for the American Psychological Association in support of a Washington law that prohibits state-licensed medical professionals from practicing conversion therapy on LGBTQ patients that are under 18 years old.

The US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled that the Washington law is valid, citing and quoting Jenner & Block’s amicus brief in its opinion.

“The APA, whose task force systematically reviewed the scientific research on conversion therapy and adopted a resolution against it in 2009, confirmed in its amicus brief that the research presented to Washington showed harm from both aversive practices and non-aversive practices, such as talk therapy,” Judge Ronald M. Gould said in the opinion.

Partner Jessica Ring Amunson, former Partner Tassity Johnson, and Associate Jessica J.W. Sawadogo developed the brief with help from Senior Paralegal/ Paralegal Coordinator Cheryl L. Olson and Manager of Docketing Services Tyler J. Edwards.

© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.

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