2025 News UMass Law: Shaun Spencer named a Massachusetts Lawyer of the Year in 2024

Associate Dean’s legal advocacy shapes Massachusetts alimony law

Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly recently named UMass Law Associate Dean Shaun Spencer a 2024 Lawyer of the Year in recognition of his impactful legal advocacy. Spencer, who serves as the law school's Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, was honored for his role in a landmark alimony case, Openshaw v. Openshaw, which the publication says secured a "win for women" in Massachusetts family law.

Spencer successfully argued before the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) that a couple's pattern of saving should be considered when determining alimony awards. The ruling closed a potential loophole that could have allowed a spouse anticipating divorce to artificially minimize their future alimony payments by shifting funds into savings.

"Over my many years of appellate practice I've developed a specialty in divorce appeals, and it was rewarding to be part of a case that will shape that field," said Dean Spencer. "Arguing this case before the SJC reminded me of the early years of my practice when I learned by watching my mentors and role models handle similar cases. While law school is a formative learning experience, it's only the beginning, and I hope that our students will learn as much as I did from my early role models, both the lawyers I worked for and the excellent lawyers on the other side."

"This well-deserved recognition underscores UMass Law's commitment to legal excellence and public service, highlighting the real-world impact of our faculty beyond the classroom. Dean Spencer's dedication to legal advocacy and education is inspiring, and our students are incredibly fortunate to learn from him."

The recognition highlights Spencer's exceptional contributions to legal practice and scholarship. His work in this case is expected to have a lasting impact on family law, reinforcing protections for spouses who left the workforce to support their families.

"This well-deserved recognition underscores UMass Law's commitment to legal excellence and public service, highlighting the real-world impact of our faculty beyond the classroom," said UMass Law Dean Sam Panarella. "Dean Spencer's dedication to legal advocacy and education is inspiring, and our students are incredibly fortunate to learn from him."