Harold J. Cassidy is a constitutional and civil rights attorney practicing in Shrewsbury, New Jersey, with a career spanning some of the most significant legal cases in modern American jurisprudence. He served as counsel in two of the 100 most important cases of the 20th century, more than any other attorney included in that compilation, and remains one of the most consulted legal voices on matters involving reproductive law, surrogacy, and the rights of pregnant and birth mothers.

Cassidy first gained national attention as chief counsel in the Baby M case (In the Matter of Baby M, 109 N.J. 396, 1988), where the court declared surrogacy contracts unenforceable on the grounds that they exploited women and violated public policy. He has since become widely recognized as a leading attorney representing the interests of pregnant mothers in litigation involving abortion-related disclosures, and his work is regularly sought out by state legislatures shaping related policy. In 2008, he won an en banc decision before the U.S. Court of Appeals in Planned Parenthood v. Rounds, and followed it in 2012 with another en banc appellate victory addressing physician disclosure requirements.
Beyond his work in reproductive and family law, Cassidy's practice extends into medical litigation, racial injustice cases, and commercial litigation, reflecting a broad-based civil rights and constitutional law practice.

Areas of Practice

Abortion Litigation & Legislative Initiatives – Representing pregnant mothers and consulting with state legislatures on related legal and policy matters
Surrogate & Birth Mothers' Cases – Litigation protecting the legal rights of surrogate and birth mothers, building on precedent set by the Baby M case
Medical Litigation – Legal representation in medical-related disputes and claims
Racial Injustice Cases – Civil rights litigation addressing racial injustice
Commercial Litigation – Representation in business and commercial legal disputes

Recognition & Notable Work

* Counsel in two of the 100 most significant legal cases of the 20th century
* Chief counsel in the landmark Baby M surrogacy case
* Winner of two en banc U.S. Court of Appeals decisions (2008 and 2012) on abortion-related disclosure law
* Collaborated with Saint Mother Teresa, who filed a Friend of the Court brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in support of one of Cassidy's cases
* Frequent public speaker, including at Princeton University and the University of Notre Dame
* Published editorial commentary on abortion law, surrogacy, bioethics, and assisted suicide

For decades, Harold J. Cassidy has built a distinguished legal career rooted in constitutional advocacy and civil rights, representing clients in some of the nation's most consequential cases. Contact the office today to discuss your legal matter.