2015 2015: UMass Law Professor Margaret Drew receives Commission on Domestic & Sexual Violence 20/20 Vision Award

Professor Drew recognized for instrumental role in mobilizing the legal profession against domestic and sexual violence

UMass Law Professor Margaret Drew has been named a recipient of the American Bar Association Commission on Domestic & Sexual Violence 20/20 Vision Award. The awards were created in honor of the important work accomplished by the passage of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and the creation of the Commission on Domestic & Sexual Violence (CDSV) 20 years ago. Recipients played an instrumental role in mobilizing the legal profession against domestic and sexual violence by either creating, supporting, advancing, or advocating for the CDSV or VAWA over the past two decades. 

"Congratulations to Professor Drew on this remarkable achievement. Our world class faculty members at UMass Law are fighters for human rights, defenders of the wrongfully accused, and central figures in crafting new laws and legislation," said UMass Dartmouth Chancellor Divina Grossman. "For twenty years the Commission on Domestic and Sexual Violence has been an advocate and policy leader for victims and their families. It is a tremendous honor to have Professor Drew's substantial academic and practice experience in this area be recognized." 

"We are very proud of Professor Drew for receiving this award. Access to justice for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault is a cornerstone of our legal system," said UMass Law Dean Mary Lu Bilek. "As the Commonwealth's only public law school, UMass Law connects future justice-centered lawyers with teachers and recognized scholars of the law, who will not only help our students become exceptional lawyers, but leaders in the community and catalysts for social change." 

Professor Drew is one of 17 individuals nationwide to receive a 20/20 Vision Award. Vice President Joseph Biden and Vermont United States Senator Patrick Leahy will receive the American Bar Association (ABA) President's 20th Anniversary Vision Award. An awards reception will be held in the recipients' honor during the ABA's annual meeting in Chicago, IL. 

Prior to entering academia full-time in 2005, Professor Drew practiced law in Massachusetts for 25 years. She represented clients in the District, Probate and Family and Appellate Courts of Massachusetts. Professor Drew's practice focused on family, probate and residential real estate. She handled numerous appeals in family law and probate matters. 

Professor Drew is a member of several bar associations including the American Bar Association, having served with its Commission of Domestic and Sexual Violence since its founding. Professor Drew is a past Chair of the commission. She is a member of the AIDS Coordinating Committee. She is a member and past Chair of the amicus committee of the National Association of Women Lawyers and is a member of the association's Supreme Court Committee. Professor Drew is a member of the state bars of Massachusetts, Alabama and Ohio. 

Prior to coming to UMass Law, Professor Drew taught domestic violence clinics at the University of Alabama Law School, Northeastern University School of Law, and the University of Cincinnati College of Law where she was Director of Clinics and Experiential Learning. Professor Drew is co-founder and editor of Human Rights at Home Blog. 

Professor Drew's publications include: 

• Shadow Report on Domestic and Sexual Violence (2014) for the United Nations review of the United States under the Convention Against Torture
• Collaboration and Coercion, Hastings Women's Law Journal, Vol. 24, No. 79, (2013), 1 Irish Law Journal 27 (2012)
• Denying  Choice of Forum, An Interference by the Massachusetts Trial Courts with Domestic Violence Victims' Rights and Safety, Suffolk University Law Review, Vol. 43 (2010)
• Do Ask and Do Tell: Rethinking the Lawyer's Duty to Warn in Domestic Violence Cases (with S. Buel) University of Cincinnati Law Review, Vol. 75, No. 447  (2006)
• Lawyer Malpractice and Domestic Violence: Are we Re-Victimizing Our Clients? Family Law Quarterly, Vol. 39, p. 7 (2005) 

UMass Law, located at UMass Dartmouth, is the only public law school in Massachusetts. The law school was established in 2010 to provide a high quality, affordable legal education focused on creating justice-centered lawyers. UMass Law is especially committed to increasing the diversity of those who practice law in the Commonwealth and encouraging students to become professionally engaged in their community through pro bono service, clinics, and internships while they study.