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"Jus Vitae" is Latin for "the Law of Life" or "the Right to Life". Jus Vitae is a national law reform organization originally founded at Valparaiso University. Its members use their professional skills to protect the dependent and disabled against all forms of violence -- including abortion, infanticide, and the involuntary killing of the sick or aged. Its ultimate aim is equal protection and civil rights for every human being.
Our law reform activities include working to overturn the Supreme Court decision of Roe v. Wade, which removed all significant legal protection from the unborn child thoughout pregnancy. But in the short run we also work for
such reforms as insurance for the costs of raising special children, protection from child abuse for newborns with disabilities, and fully informed consent prior to any lethal medical act or omission. In general, we hope to use our professional skills and understanding to decrease the frequency of abortion, infanticide, the involuntary killing of the sick or aged, and all other forms of unjust destruction of human life.
Locally, we participate in the Life Chain with the Porter County Right to Life and attend their banquet each year. We travel to Washington, D.C. each January to participate with thousands of other pro-life Americans in the March for Life. We also cooperate with many pro-life public interest law firms, including Americans United for Life Legal Defense Fund in Chicago. We have had law clerks at this organization and other pro-life public interest law firms as well.
As a group, Jus Vitae offers many opportunities for the individual to be effective in advancing the fundamental constitutional right to life and equal protection for all. This is particularly significant because VUSL has a graduation requirement of 20 hours of pro bono service by each student. The opportunities offered by Jus Vitae would help fulfill this requirement and futher prepare the student for an effective professional career in the service of justice.
Some VUSL students have gone on to important positions in the pro-life movement. Dan Avila '83, Mary Nimz '86, Joel Barkow '86, and Clarke Forsythe '83. Mr. Forsythe is currently the head of the Americans United for Life Legal Defense Fund in Chicago and a popular speaker in the pro-life movement nationally.
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