Scharf Receives Congratulatory Retirement Award from Connecticut Senator and UMass Law Alumnus

UMass Law alumnus Senator Dennis Bradley awarded Professor Scharf an Official Citation of Congratulations on retirement.

Spencer Presents at International Symposium on Social Media Regulation and the First Amendment

UMass Law’s Shaun Spencer presented at an international symposium on social media regulation and the First Amendment.

Clifford and UMass Dartmouth Colleagues Publish an Article on Creative Variability in Computer Programming

UMass Law Professor Ralph Clifford co-published an article on computer programs as creative works.

Farber Appointed to Governor’s Task Force on Law Enforcement Body-Worn Cameras

Professor Farber was selected as one of Governor Baker’s appointees to the law enforcement body-worn camera task force.

Librarians Wood and Peltz-Steele Publish Paper About Open Access Alternatives to the Traditional Casebook

UMass Law Librarians Wood and Peltz-Steele have co-authored an article explaining how to integrate low-cost, openly-licensed material into legal education.

Dunlap Named Faculty Fellow by UMass Dartmouth’s Office of Faculty Development

Professor Dunlap named Spring '22 Faculty Fellow by UMass Dartmouth’s Office of Faculty Development.

Clifford Quoted in Commonwealth Magazine on the Unconstitutionality of Tax Deeds

Professor Ralph Clifford was quoted in Commonwealth Magazine on municipalities foreclosing on homes with tax liens.

Baker Presents on “Moot Court: How to Coach Your Team to a Winning Competition Brief”

Professor Julie Baker presented “Moot Court: How to Coach Your Team to a Winning Competition Brief" on a panel identifying best practices for teaching brief-writing to competition students.

Duncan Quoted by Mass. Lawyers Weekly on the U.S. Supreme Court Shadow Docket

Professor Dwight Duncan was featured in Mass. Lawyers Weekly to discuss the U.S. Supreme Court’s use of shadow dockets.

Professor Drew Speaks on Human Rights at Home Clinic at Inter-American Clinical Conference

Professor Drew presented on a panel of human rights clinicians on how UMass Law’s Human Rights at Home Clinic focuses on human rights needs and violations within the United States.

Dunlap Article Warns That Mandatory Reporting Regulations May Harm Survivors of Sexual Assault

Professor Dunlap’s article details how a flawed approach to mandatory reporting under Title IX regulations can inhibit disclosure of sexual assault and in fact violate Title IX.

Drew Featured on American Bar Foundation’s “MeToo” Podcast Exploring Violence Against Women in the Context of Title IX

Professor Margaret Drew was interviewed on the ABF’s podcast “Who’s Law is it Anyway?” on the topic of “MeToo” and its effect on violence against women in the context of Title IX.

Baker Co-Leads Advanced Appellate Advocacy Session at Stetson Law’s Educating Advocacy Teachers Conference

Professor Julie A. Baker joined William and Mary’s Professor Jennifer Franklin to lead a breakout session at Stetson Law’s national Educating Advocacy Teachers conference on techniques for teaching advanced appellate advocacy.

McCuskey Leads Session for Oregon Legislature’s Joint Task Force on Universal Health Care

Professor Elizabeth McCuskey led an information session for Oregon’s Legislators devoted to the issue of ERISA preemption for states pursuing single-payer and public-option programs.

Professor Ho Quoted Regarding First Circuit Whole Foods Employment Suit

Professor Jeremiah Ho commented on Law 360 regarding a class action employment suit between Whole Foods and its employees currently on appeal with the First Circuit.

McCuskey Speaks to Legislators at NCOIL Conference on State Health Reform

Professor McCuskey presented at the annual NCOIL conference, highlighting the potential for state-level health care reform.

Spencer and Volokh Discuss the First Amendment and Content Moderation on Social Media Platforms

UMass Law’s Shaun Spencer and UCLA Law’s Eugene Volokh discussed First Amendment issues raised by potential legislation limiting social media deplatforming.

Marlan Publishes Article Opposing the Labeling of Individuals as “Consumers” in Trademark Law

Professor Marlan published an article condemning the usage of the word “consumer” as a label for the public in trademark law.

Rice Calls for ABA Leadership in Developing Best Practices for Alternative Processes for Bar Admission at ABA Young Lawyers Division Mid-Year Assembly

Rice represents UMass Law with a presentation at ABA Young Lawyers Division Mid-Year Assembly.

Clifford Quoted on Property Tax Law in Mass. Lawyers Weekly

Professor Ralph Clifford was quoted in Mass. Lawyers Weekly about the injustices of Property Tax law.

Spencer Analyzes Potential First Amendment Challenges to Consumer Privacy Laws

UMass Law Associate Dean Shaun Spencer published an analysis on potential First Amendment challenges to consumer privacy laws

Duncan Weighs in on Employment Law Case in Mass Lawyers Weekly

Professor Dwight Duncan was quoted by Mass. Lawyers Weekly on the DeWeese-Boyd v. Gordon College case.

Rice Discusses Supreme Court Justice’s Speech with Boston Globe

Professor Rice was quoted by the Boston Globe on Supreme Court Justice Alito’s keynote remarks to the Federalist Society Annual Convention. Professor Rice discussed the historical composition of the Court and the ethical implications and public perceptions of a justice making public comment on political issues.

Dean Quinn Pens an Opinion Piece on the Electoral Process

Dean John Quinn pens an opinion piece on how to gain back confidence in the electoral process through electoral law.

Duncan’s Brief quoted by Justice Alito at the 2020 National Lawyer Convention of the Federalist Society

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel A. Alito quoted UMass Law Professor Dwight Duncan in an address at the Federalist Society’s 2020 National Lawyer Convention.

Farber Awarded Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year by the Florence Project

Professor Hillary Farber was awarded named Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year by the Florence Project.

Marlan Presents at Harvard on Legalization of Psychedelics

Professor Dustin Marlan presented at Harvard Law’s webinar on legalization of psychedelics.

Rice Quoted in the Boston Globe on the 2020 Presidential Election

Professor John Rice was quoted by the Boston Globe on the slim chances of legal success for President Trump’s battle in the 2020 presidential election.

Clifford Cited by Michigan Supreme Court on Property Tax Case

Professor Clifford’s article Massachusetts Has a Problem—The Unconstitutionality of the Tax Deed was cited by the Michigan Supreme Court in Rafaeli, LLC v Oakland Cnty.

Rice Presents at SEALS on Employment Discrimination and the Future of Work

Professor John Rice joined two panels of law professors at the Southeastern Association of Law Schools 2020 Annual Meeting to discuss issues relating to employment discrimination and the impact of technology on the workplace. Professor. Rice commented on the impact of the Supreme Court’s opinion Bostock v. Clayton County, Ga. and the likely emergence of remote working as a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Professor Jeremiah Ho Receives the Manning Prize for Teaching Excellence

Professor Jeremiah Ho recently received the Manning Prize for Teaching Excellence from UMass President Marty Meehan.

Professor Ho’s Supreme Court Commentary Mentioned on SCOTUSBlog

Professor Jeremiah Ho’s recent two commentaries on the Human Rights at Home Blog regarding recent Supreme Court decision garnered separate mentions on SCOTUSBlog.

Professor Tabor Publishes Recommendations for Pensions and Economic Recovery During COVID-19

Professor Anna Tabor, who joins UMass Law this fall in an honorary faculty appointment, recently published her article Unclaimed Defined Benefit Pensions Can Help COVID-19 Economic Recovery in the Journal of Aging & Social Policy. In her article, she observed that people retiring during the current public health crisis may find it particularly difficult to access their defined benefit pensions and recommends specific actions that police makers at the Congress and Department of Labor ought to take to ensure easier access to pensions, which could enhance economic recovery after COVID-19.

Baker Presents at Mary & William’s National Conference on Online Student Engagement

Professor Julie Baker presented at William and Mary’s national conference on building and maintaining online student engagement.

Duncan Quoted by Supreme Court in Little Sisters Case, Going Two for Two in Amicus Briefs in Support of Religious Freedom this Past Term

Professor Duncan was quoted by the Supreme Court and helped win two for two cases this term involving religious freedom. He participated in both cases as an amicus curiae, or friend of the court.

Rice Responds with Optimism and Commendation to SCOTUS Ruling in Favor of Employment Discrimination Protections

Professor John Rice commented on the Supreme Court’s decision in Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia, in which the Court construed the statutory prohibition against workplace “discrimination on the basis of . . . sex” to protect against workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Rice noted that the Court’s decision has been widely hailed as a victory for civil rights and equality and welcomed the ruling with “cautious optimism.”

Duncan Quoted on SCOTUS Religious Freedom Case

UMass Law professor Dwight Duncan was quoted on the SCOTUS case Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue.

Drew Re-Appointed Chair of ABA HIV Impact Project and Special Advisor to the ABA Commission on Domestic and Sexual Violence

UMass Law Professor Margaret Drew was re-appointed Chair of the ABA HIV Impact Project and Special Advisor to the ABA Commission on Domestic and Sexual Violence.

Duncan Interviewed by Court TV on the Little Sisters of the Poor Case at the Supreme Court

UMass Law Professor Dwight Duncan was interviewed by Court TV on the Little Sisters of the Poor case at the Supreme Court discussing religious freedom in healthcare.

Wood Publishes an Article on Public Libraries as a Community Symbol and Unrestricted Space

UMass Law Librarian Emma Wood published an article on public libraries as a community symbol and unrestricted space.

Clifford Submits a Brief to the Supreme Court for the Case Google v. Oracle

UMass Law Professor Ralph Clifford submitted a brief with a team of UMass Dartmouth and UMass Lowell researchers to the Supreme Court for the case Google v. Oracle.

Farber Presents at Yale Law School’s Annual Rebellious Lawyering Conference

Professor Hillary Farber presented at Yale Law School’s annual Rebellious Lawyering conference on border enforcement at the US-Mexico border.

Professor Rice Presents on Teaching Advocacy, Social Justice, and the Rule of Law at New Approaches in Teaching and Learning Conference

Professor Rice presented at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth’s New Approaches in Teaching and Learning Conference in January 2020. As part of a panel on “Teaching Controversial Topics,” Rice explored the challenges of teaching social justice, advocacy, and the rule of law.

Baker Presents at Stetson Law School on Social Justice Advocacy

Professor Julie Baker presented on social justice advocacy at Stetson Law School’s ReImagining Advocacy Conference.

Duncan Receives Honorable Joseph R. Nolan Award from the Catholic Lawyers Guild

UMass Law Professor Dwight Duncan was selected as the 2019 recipient of the Honorable Joseph R. Nolan Award from the Catholic Lawyers Guild of the Archdiocese of Boston.

Farber Presents on the Legal and Humanitarian Crisis at the U.S. Southern Border

Professor Hillary Farber gave a presentation at Northeastern University on the humanitarian crisis at the U.S. southern border.

Peltz-Steele Presents on Works-in-Progress Panel at American Society of Comparative Law, Attends Play the Game World Meeting

Professor Rick Peltz-Steele presented on a works-in-progress panel at the annual meeting of the American Society of Comparative Law at the University of Missouri Law School. Peltz-Steele presented the most recent iteration of his work on access to information law. While away from UMass, Peltz-Steele also attended the biennial international conference of Play the Game, a Danish organization dedicated to transparency and accountability in world sport.

UMass Law Ranked in Top 41 Law Schools for Privacy Law

UMass Law ranked among the nation’s top 41 law schools for privacy law according to the International Association of Privacy Professionals.

Professor Flanagan Publishes Article on Student Learning in Law School

UMass Law professor Rebecca Flanagan’s article, Anthrogogy: Towards Inclusive Law School Learning, was recently accepted for publication by Connecticut Public Interest Law Journal.

Baker Awarded a Teaching Fellowship for UMass Dartmouth’s “Online Learning 20 Years Later” Program.

UMass Law Professor Julie Baker was awarded an Office of Faculty Development Teaching Fellowship for UMass Dartmouth’s “Online Learning 20 Years Later” Program.

Albin and Flanagan Publish Bar Examiner Article on Building Bar Success

UMass Law Professors Lori Albin and Rebecca Flanagan published an article discussing elements of UMass Law’s bar success in The Bar Examiner.

Peltz-Steele Joins Inaugural Editorial Board of New Journal

The Brechner Center for Freedom of Information at the University of Florida has launched a new research journal, The Journal of Civic Information, and UMass Law’s Professor Rick Peltz-Steele is serving on the inaugural editorial board.

Scharf Volunteers as a Mentor at Justice Bridge-Boston’s Grand Rounds

UMass Law Professor Irene Scharf has volunteered over the past three months as an on-site mentor at Justice Bridge-Boston’s Grand Rounds.

Peltz-Steele Authors Book Chapter on Law Teaching in Pop-Culture Age

Professor Rick Peltz-Steele has authored a chapter in a new book, The Media Method: Teaching Law with Popular Culture. Professor Peltz-Steele’s chapter talks specifically about using popular culture as a teaching aid in the 1L Torts class.

UMass Law Adjunct Professor Francomano Receives Mass. Bar Association Volunteer Award

UMass Law Adjunct Professor Patrick Francomano was honored with the Massachusetts Bar Association’s Volunteer Recognition Award. Francomano’s decades of service evidence his belief that lawyers are called to public service as well and that education and social justice are essential to a healthy democracy.

As Free Speech Heads to Mass. High Court, Globe Quotes Peltz-Steele

A free speech defense bound for the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) pits the UMass Boston student newspaper and the Massachusetts Attorney General against a plaintiff who claims he was defamed, and The Boston Globe quoted Professor Rick Peltz-Steele to analyze the case in July.

Peltz-Steele Talks Teaching with Pop Culture in Law School

At the annual meeting of the Southeastern Association of Law Schools in Boca Raton, Florida, in July, Professor Rick Peltz-Steele joined a panel of law professors discussing the use of popular culture in legal education. The presenting professors, including Peltz-Steele, are collaborating on a book.

Drew Appointed Chair of ABA AIDS Coordinating Committee and Special Advisor to the ABA Commission on Domestic and Sexual Violence

UMass Law Professor Margaret Drew was appointed Chair of the ABA AIDS Coordinating Committee and Special Advisor to the ABA Commission on Domestic and Sexual Violence.

Peltz-Steele Speaks in Dubai

Professor Rick Peltz-Steele delivered a plenary address at a conference of mass communication scholars in Dubai and attended a global conference of digital human rights advocates in Tunisia.

Peltz-Steele Comments on SCOTUS Tort Case

Professor Rick Peltz-Steele recorded an audio commentary, published by the Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies, about a spring decision of the U.S. Supreme Court involving tort law and sovereign immunity.

Scharf Lobbied Congress at American Immigration Lawyers Association National Day of Action

UMass Law Professor Irene Scharf participated the American Immigration Lawyers Association’s National Day of Action.

Peltz-Steele Talks Teaching Trump at Academic Conference

Professor Richard Peltz-Steele presented on a panel called “Teaching Law in the Trump Era” at the annual meeting of the Law and Society Association (LSA) in Washington, D.C., on June 1. Peltz-Steele talked specifically about teaching 1L Torts with the defamation claims of Summer Zervos against the President, and First Lady Melania Trump against blogger Webster Tarpley.

Professor Ho in the Yale Journal of Law & Feminism

UMass Law Professor Jeremiah Ho’s article Queer Sacrifice in Masterpiece Cakeshop soon to appear in the Yale Journal of Law & Feminism.

Duncan Publishes in Brigham Young University Journal of Public Law

UMass Law Professor Dwight Duncan published an article in the Brigham Young University Journal of Public Law proposing to modify the Supreme Court’s handling of constitutional challenges to legislation.

UMass Law Faculty Members Host Interdisciplinary Colloquium

UMass Law faculty members hosted the fifth annual UMass Interdisciplinary Legal Studies Colloquium at the UMass Club in Boston.

Peltz-Steele Speaks, Serves at Political Science Conference

Professor Rick Peltz-Steele attended and spoke at the annual meeting of the New England Political Science Association (NEPSA) in Portland, Maine, in April. He presented in his own research in comparative law and moderated a panel on American politics.

Peltz-Steele Reports Mass. Tech Case in International Law Journal

UMass Law Professor Rick Peltz-Steele reported on a Massachusetts internet jurisdiction case in the Europe-based International Journal of Procedural Law.

Scharf Interviewed by the Cardozo Law Review Podcast on Her Latest Article

UMass Law Professor Irene Scharf was interviewed by the Cardozo Law Review Podcast about her recently published article, Second Class Citizenship? The Plight of Naturalized Special Immigrant Juveniles.

Farber Represents Detainees at Mexico-US Border

Professor Farber blogs about her experiences working with migrants and refugees on the Mexico-United States border.

Drew Publishes Article on Massachusetts Child Marriage

UMass Law Professor Margaret Drew published an article on Massachusetts child marriage, and new legislation that will protect minors from forced marriage.

Spencer Presents on Consumer Privacy Legislation at Ohio State University

Associate Dean Shaun Spencer presented on consumer privacy legislation at Ohio State University’s Center for Ethics and Human Values.

Peltz-Steele Visits, Lectures at SUNY Oswego

Professor Rick Peltz-Steele was welcomed to the State University of New York (SUNY) in Oswego in March to participate in the induction of undergraduate students to Pi Sigma Alpha, a national political science association. While visiting SUNY Oswego for two days, Peltz-Steele visited a class on civil liberties, met with political science students, delivered remarks at the Pi Sigma Alpha induction ceremony, and gave a campus-wide lecture on his research on indecency and the First Amendment.

Clifford Quoted on Delinquent Utility Bills Resulting in Tax Lien Foreclosure

UMass Law Professor Ralph Clifford was quoted on homeowners whose overdue utility bills and other taxes lead to home foreclosures.

Professor Ho Presents on Implicit Bias at the Mass. Bar Association’s Practicing with Professionalism Program

Professor Ho presented on implicit bias and diversity in the legal profession as part of the Massachusetts Bar Association’s Practicing with Professionalism Program.

Peltz-Steele Records Commentary on SCOTUS Oral Argument

Professor Rick Peltz-Steele recorded an audio commentary, published by the Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies, about a case pending in the U.S. Supreme Court involving tort law and sovereign immunity.

Clifford Receives Grant to Study Creative Process of Software Development to Gain Insight on Copyright Laws

UMass Law Professor Ralph Clifford received a grant for his study of the creative aspects of computer programming.

Scharf Publishes Article on Naturalized Special Immigrant Juveniles

UMass Law Professor Irene Scharf published an article on the impacts of discrimination on Naturalized Specialized Immigrant Juveniles.

Drew Presents on the Intersection of HIV/AIDS and Intimate Partner Abuse

UMass Law Professor Margaret Drew presented for the American Bar Association on the intersection of HIV/AIDS and intimate partner abuse.

Dunlap Publishes Article on Funding Civil Legal Aid

Professor Dunlap published an article in the Standard Times on the importance of funding civil legal aid for low-income people.

Peltz-Steele Publishes on Development Accountability in India

Professor Richard J. Peltz-Steele has published a research article on accountability in international development in an Indian social science journal. The article appears in the peer-reviewed Research Journal Social Sciences, a publication of Panjab University in Chandigarh, India.

Flanagan Named Co-Director of Annual New York Academic Support Workshop

UMass Law Professor Rebecca Flanagan was named co-director of the New York Academic Support Workshop alongside Professor Kris Franklin.

Peltz-Steele Publishes in Villanova Law Review on Access-to-Information Law

Professor Richard J. Peltz-Steele published comparative research in the Villanova Law Review proposing reform of the U.S. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) inspired by South African law.

Peltz-Steele Featured in Video Commentary on SCOTUS Case

Professor Rick Peltz-Steele was featured in a video commentary, published by the Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies, about a case pending in the U.S. Supreme Court involving tort law, constitutional law, and statutory interpretation.

Clifford Quoted in WGBH Article on Tax Lien Foreclosure Cases

UMass Law Professor Ralph Clifford was quoted in a WGBH article on home owners over-due tax liens resulting in home foreclosure.

Duncan Publishes Articles on MLK’s Letter from Birmingham Jail

Professor Duncan illustrates MLK Day lesson of resisting unjust law by contrasting the experiences of two Nazi-occupied islands during the Second World War.

Duncan Invited to Participate in Panel Discussion of Gun Violence Prevention

Professor Dwight Duncan was invited to sit on a panel for an event focused on the prevention of gun violence.

Peltz-Steele Teaches and Counsels Polish Law Students

Professor Richard Peltz-Steele taught American Tort Law to students at Jagiellonian University (JU) in Kraków, Poland as part of their American Law Program.

Farber Presents at New England Drone Conference on Drone Law and Privacy

Professor Farber presented at the New England Drone Conference discussing the intersection of drone operation and privacy laws.

Almeida Presents at NELA Conference on Law, Technology, and Access to Justice

UMass Law Librarian Jessica Almeida presented at the New England Library Association Conference on the technology available to assist self-represented litigants and on how public librarians can help their patrons find the legal information they need without giving legal advice.

Baker Coaches National Moot Court Team to Success in Regionals

Professor Julie Baker coached UMass Law’s National Moot Court team to a semi-final appearance and the Best Brief award in the regional round at Roger Williams University School of Law.

Peltz-Steele Quoted on Jurisdiction in Mass. Defamation Case

Professor Richard J. Peltz-Steele was quoted in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly (MLW) about a superior court decision denying personal jurisdiction in a defamation case

Professor Scharf Begins Fellowship with the Supreme Judicial Court’s Access to Justice Commission and the Lawyers Clearinghouse

Professor Irene Scharf began her term as an Access to Justice Fellow with the Lawyers Clearinghouse to support volunteer lawyers working with immigrants

Albin Presents on UMass Bar Prep Program

Professor Lori Albin presented to St. Thomas School of Law-Miami to present on UMass Law’s bar prep program

Professor Drew Publishes an Essay in the St. Louis University Law Journal

UMass Law Professor Margaret Drew analyzed the differences between opinion writing in the U.S. Supreme Court and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. Drew’s analysis was part of the Childress Human Rights Symposium at St. Louis University and was published by the St. Louis University Law Journal

Spencer Discusses Kavanaugh Nomination and Privacy Implications

UMass Law Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Shaun Spencer was quoted in a Washington Times story on how Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court could affect constitutional protection against government surveillance

Professor Scharf Talks with WGBH Radio About J-1 Visa Students

Professor Scharf discussed the temporary nature of the J-1 visa program and how it can lead to abuse by employers

Professor Drew Quoted on Judges’ Challenges in Identifying Domestic Violence

Professor Drew was quoted in a MassLive article about family court judges’ responses when mothers raise abuse allegations against fathers. Drew recommended specialized training to help judges identify symptoms of domestic abuse.

Librarians Almeida and Wood Present on Pop Culture in Libraries

Jessica Almeida and Emma Wood were invited by the Senior Editor of School Library Journal to speak at School Library Journal‘s Leadership Basecamp

Peltz-Steele Research Examines Student Privacy When Violence is Caught on Video

Co-authoring with a former student, Professor Peltz-Steele has published an article on student privacy law when violent incidents are video recorded. Peltz-Steele and attorney Kitty L. Cone argue for federal regulatory reform to protect K12 students victimized by violent crime or tortious injury