Emory Law Latest News http://www.law.emory.edu/ Latest news from Emory Law en Emory Law Latest News http://www.law.emory.edu//fileadmin/it/images/els_logo_solo.png http://www.law.emory.edu/ 77 71 Latest news from Emory Law TYPO3 - get.content.right http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:55:00 -0400 Fineman’s <i>The Autonomy Myth</i> Published in Japanese http://www.law.emory.edu/home/news-article/article/finemans-ithe-autonomy-mythi-published-in-japanese.html A book by Robert W. Woodruff Professor of Law Martha A. Fineman—The Autonomy Myth: A Theory of Dependency— has been translated into Japanese. The book, originally published in 2005, explores dependency and self-sufficiency in American life. Professor Fineman is director of Emory’s Feminism and Legal Theory Project and a leading authority on family law and feminist jurisprudence. A book by Robert W. Woodruff Professor of Law Martha A. Fineman—The Autonomy Myth: A Theory of Dependency— has been translated into Japanese. The book, originally published in 2005, explores dependency and self-sufficiency in American life.

Professor Fineman is director of Emory’s Feminism and Legal Theory Project and a leading authority on family law and feminist jurisprudence.

]]> ELS General Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:55:00 -0400 Henry L. Bowden Jr. 74L Honored with the Emory Medal http://www.law.emory.edu/home/news-article/article/henry-l-bowden-jr-74l-honored-with-the-emory-medal.html Emory Law Distinguished Alumnus Henry L. Bowden Jr. 74L is a 2009 recipient of the Emory Medal, the highest University award for alumni. He was nominated by his wife, Jeanne Johnson Bowden 77L, for his service to Emory and Atlanta.“To receive the Medal is an honor,” said Bowden Jr. “It is as much an honor to be nominated by your spouse, who knows you warts and all. I’m touched that she thinks that well of me.”Bowden Jr. has served as lifetime trustee since November 1986, when he was appointed at age 37. He is chair of the board’s Real Estate, Buildings and Grounds Committee, past chair of the Audit Committee and serves on the Executive Committee. He also has chaired the University’s Gift Planning Committee, an advisory panel for the Department of Development and Alumni Relations.“It would be accurate to say that there are not many days in the year when he has not done something that promotes Emory University or provides support to the greater Emory community,” Bowden 77L said in her nomination letter.“Henry’s commitment to Emory Law, the University and the Atlanta community is inspiring,” Dean David F. Partlett said. “His continued service to this institution sets the bar high for our students and alumni.” Bowden continues his family’s tradition of service to the University. His father, Henry L. Bowden 32C 34L 59H, served as chair of the Board of Trustees from 1958 to 1979. Scholarships in his parents’ names are awarded by Emory Law, Emory College and the Nell Hodgson... Emory Law Distinguished Alumnus Henry L. Bowden Jr. 74L is a 2009 recipient of the Emory Medal, the highest University award for alumni. He was nominated by his wife, Jeanne Johnson Bowden 77L, for his service to Emory and Atlanta.

“To receive the Medal is an honor,” said Bowden Jr. “It is as much an honor to be nominated by your spouse, who knows you warts and all. I’m touched that she thinks that well of me.”

Bowden Jr. has served as lifetime trustee since November 1986, when he was appointed at age 37. He is chair of the board’s Real Estate, Buildings and Grounds Committee, past chair of the Audit Committee and serves on the Executive Committee. He also has chaired the University’s Gift Planning Committee, an advisory panel for the Department of Development and Alumni Relations.

“It would be accurate to say that there are not many days in the year when he has not done something that promotes Emory University or provides support to the greater Emory community,” Bowden 77L said in her nomination letter.

“Henry’s commitment to Emory Law, the University and the Atlanta community is inspiring,” Dean David F. Partlett said. “His continued service to this institution sets the bar high for our students and alumni.”

Bowden continues his family’s tradition of service to the University. His father, Henry L. Bowden 32C 34L 59H, served as chair of the Board of Trustees from 1958 to 1979. Scholarships in his parents’ names are awarded by Emory Law, Emory College and the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing.

 “I enjoy getting involved with an institution that means so much to me, my family and larger community,” Bowden Jr. said. “Emory is a worthwhile institution in which to become engaged. It is a top 20 research university with top 20 law and medical schools.”

Professionally, he is partner at the firm he founded, Bowden-Spratt Law Firm, which specializes in estate planning and administration, charitable gift planning and representation of tax-exempt organizations.

In addition to his work as a trustee for Emory, Bowden Jr. is past president of the Emory Law Alumni Association (1986-87) and served as an adjunct professor for the school’s tax program from 1982 to 1987. He was named a Distinguished Alumnus in 2005.

Bowden Jr. plays an active role in the Atlanta community, having served as chair of the Atlanta Ballet, the Historic Oakland Foundation, in various bar associations and community organizations. He is the recipient of the 2006 Greater Good Award from the Georgia Planned Giving Council.

Bowden Jr. joins his father and 27 other law alumni as Emory Medalists. Awarded annually by the Emory Alumni Association, the Emory Alumni Board selects medalists for their accomplishments in service to Emory, the alumni association or constituent alumni association, community or public service and business, the arts, the professions, government or education.

He and the other recipient, Arthur Keys 92T, will be honored at a black-tie ceremony Friday, Oct. 30.

Learn more about the Emory Medal and past recipients.

Emory Medalists from Emory Law

2001    Leah J. Sears 80L
2000    Patricia Dwinnell Butler 31L
1998    Anthony A. Alaimo 48L
1997    Glenda A. Hatchett 77L
           Ben F. Johnson Jr. 36C 40L
           Nancy Rankin Tarbutton 57C
1996    Tillie Kidd Fowler 64C 67L
1995    Felker W. Ward Jr. 71L
1994    J. Ben Shapiro 64C 67L
1992    Thelma Wyatt Cummings 71L
1989    Robert T. Thompson Sr. 51C 52L
1988    Marvin S. Arrington 67L
           G. Conley Ingram 49C 51L
           Sam A. Nunn Jr. 61C 62L
1986    J. Robin Harris 48C 49L
1984    Thomas E. Bryant 58C 62M 67L
1978    Gardner B. Allen 28C 30G 33L
1976    Paul H. Anderson 38C 40L
1975    M. Erle Phillips Jr. 41B 48L
1972    Robert Sterling Wiggins 36C 39L
1969    Boisfeuillet Jones 34C 37L
           Randolph William Thrower 34C 36L
           Robert Fleming Whitaker 26C 27L
1967    John Pollard Turman 34C 35L
1963    Emmett Beard Cartledge Jr. 31C 33L
1960    Aubrey Fairfax Folts 26C 27L
1956    Henry Lumpkin Bowden 32C 34L
1949    Granger Hansell 22C 24L

]]> ELS General ELS Alumni Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:55:00 -0400 Price Writes Op-Ed on Birthright Citizenship http://www.law.emory.edu/home/news-article/article/price-writes-op-ed-on-birthright-citizenship.html In an Atlanta Journal-Constitution op-ed piece, Emory Law Professor Polly J. Price argues in favor of birthright citizenship for the children of illegal immigrants. Price states the language of the 14th Amendment is clear. In an Atlanta Journal-Constitution op-ed piece, Emory Law Professor Polly J. Price argues in favor of birthright citizenship for the children of illegal immigrants. Price states the language of the 14th Amendment is clear.

]]> ELS General Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:10:00 -0400 Emory Law Mourns Pat Butler 31L http://www.law.emory.edu/home/news-article/article/emory-law-mourns-pat-butler-31l.html “When I started, women weren’t supposed to be lawyers,” said Patricia Collins Butler 31L during a campus visit in 2008. “My poor mother was kind of apologetic. My father pushed me into it. He would say, ‘Paddy? She’s a lawyer you know?’”Butler died May 27 at her home in La Jolla, Calif. She was 101 and leaves behind a trailblazing legacy as a female attorney for the U.S. government in the 1930s.A faithful friend to Emory Law, Butler also leaves a $1 million bequest for scholarships to the school.“Pat’s generosity through her gift to Emory Law creates a lasting legacy for our students,” said Dean David F. Partlett. “Through her scholarship, she has helped make it possible for our students to pursue their goals, regardless of their chosen career paths.” A native Atlantan, Butler graduated from Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Ga. in 1928 and enrolled at Emory Law—the only woman in a class of 30. She finished second in her class.“Discussions were foreign to me. Then it just happened,” Butler said. “I made friends and it got better. My dad let me have a car, and I started giving the guys rides into Atlanta—then I started studying with them.”After struggling to find a position with a local firm, Butler was hired to establish the antitrust library for the Department of Justice. She would go on to work for 16 attorneys general, including Robert Kennedy. In 1949, she joined the ranks of the first female lawyers to argue a case, Johnson v. Shaughnessy, before the U.S. Supreme... “When I started, women weren’t supposed to be lawyers,” said Patricia Collins Butler 31L during a campus visit in 2008. “My poor mother was kind of apologetic. My father pushed me into it. He would say, ‘Paddy? She’s a lawyer you know?’”

Butler died May 27 at her home in La Jolla, Calif. She was 101 and leaves behind a trailblazing legacy as a female attorney for the U.S. government in the 1930s.

A faithful friend to Emory Law, Butler also leaves a $1 million bequest for scholarships to the school.

“Pat’s generosity through her gift to Emory Law creates a lasting legacy for our students,” said Dean David F. Partlett. “Through her scholarship, she has helped make it possible for our students to pursue their goals, regardless of their chosen career paths.”  

A native Atlantan, Butler graduated from Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Ga. in 1928 and enrolled at Emory Law—the only woman in a class of 30. She finished second in her class.

“Discussions were foreign to me. Then it just happened,” Butler said. “I made friends and it got better. My dad let me have a car, and I started giving the guys rides into Atlanta—then I started studying with them.”

After struggling to find a position with a local firm, Butler was hired to establish the antitrust library for the Department of Justice. She would go on to work for 16 attorneys general, including Robert Kennedy.

In 1949, she joined the ranks of the first female lawyers to argue a case, Johnson v. Shaughnessy, before the U.S. Supreme Court. Although she took over the case in an emergency, Butler won.

For years, Butler had few female colleagues at the Justice Department. Janet Reno, the only female U.S. attorney general, has called Butler a “pioneer among women” at the department.

During her time at the attorney general’s office, she became friends with Chief Justice Warren Burger. That friendship led to the founding of the Supreme Court Historical Society in 1974.

Butler also was the founding secretary of the American Bar Association’s section on administrative law and the founding editor of what is now the Federal Register.

“The legal community has lost a great treasure in Pat,” Dean Partlett said. “Through her determination and love for the law, she proved to the students who followed her that there are no barriers to success that cannot be overcome. She truly was a pioneer and a wonderful friend to Emory Law.”

She was named a Distinguished Alumna by Emory Law in 1997 and awarded the Emory Medal, the highest honor for an alumnus, in 2000.

Born Dec. 23, 1907, to Philip and Mary Collins in New York, Butler grew up in Atlanta. Married and widowed three times, Butler had no children.

A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 21, in La Jolla with a reception to follow.

Emory Law alumna Patricia Collins Butler recorded shortly after being named to Emory Law's Distinguished Alumni Hall of Honor.

]]> ELS Alumni ELS General Thu, 11 Jun 2009 15:39:00 -0400 An-Na'im Discusses President Obama's Speech and Change in the Muslim World http://www.law.emory.edu/home/news-article/article/an-naim-discusses-president-obamas-speech-and-change-in-the-muslim-world.html Abdullahi Ahmed An-Na'im, the Charles Howard Candler Professor of Law, wrote an opinion piece for the Guardian about President Obama's speech to the Muslim world Thursday in Cairo, Egypt. In the article, Professor An-Na'im argues that "change among Muslims must come from within, not as a result of Western pressure." Abdullahi Ahmed An-Na'im, the Charles Howard Candler Professor of Law, wrote an opinion piece for the Guardian about President Obama's speech to the Muslim world Thursday in Cairo, Egypt. In the article, Professor An-Na'im argues that "change among Muslims must come from within, not as a result of Western pressure."

]]> ELS General Fri, 05 Jun 2009 13:47:00 -0400 Emory Law Announces New Members to Advisory Board http://www.law.emory.edu/home/news-article/article/emory-law-announces-new-members-to-its-advisory-board.html The Emory Law Advisory Board announces eight new members for a three-year term beginning 2009-2010.The new members are:Joel Burris 80B 83LBurris has been a real estate attorney, consultant, developer and broker in New York City for more than 25 years. Following law school, Burris spent seven years with Proskauer Rose. In 1975, he joined Brown Harris Stevens Commercial Services, where he serves as managing director. Brenda Hill Cole 77LCole serves as judge of the State Court of Fulton County, Ga. She previously has served in the Georgia Attorney General’s Office and is a member of the Chief Justice’s Commission on Professionalism, the American Bar Association, the National Bar Association and the Georgia Association of Black Lawyers. John M. Dowd 65LDowd leads Akin Gump’s criminal litigation group in Washington, D.C. He has represented a U.S. senator before the Senate Ethics Committee and a U.S. Army colonel in the Iran-Contra hearings. He also served as special counsel to three Major League Baseball commissioners in the investigations of Pete Rose and others. Dowd was a captain in the U.S. Marine Corps and a member of the JAG Corps.Tim Goodwin 90LGoodwin is a partner at King & Spalding in Atlanta in the real estate practice group. He has served as fund counsel for a private Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) with $9 billion in assets and was instrumental in the acquisition of $400 million self-storage company and the recapitalization of a domestically controlled... The Emory Law Advisory Board announces eight new members for a three-year term beginning 2009-2010.

The new members are:

Joel Burris 80B 83L
Burris has been a real estate attorney, consultant, developer and broker in New York City for more than 25 years.  Following law school, Burris spent seven years with Proskauer Rose. In 1975, he joined Brown Harris Stevens Commercial Services, where he serves as managing director.

Brenda Hill Cole 77L
Cole serves as judge of the State Court of Fulton County, Ga. She previously has served in the Georgia Attorney General’s Office and is a member of the Chief Justice’s Commission on Professionalism, the American Bar Association, the National Bar Association and the Georgia Association of Black Lawyers.

John M. Dowd 65L
Dowd leads Akin Gump’s criminal litigation group in Washington, D.C. He has represented a U.S. senator before the Senate Ethics Committee and a U.S. Army colonel in the Iran-Contra hearings. He also served as special counsel to three Major League Baseball commissioners in the investigations of Pete Rose and others. Dowd was a captain in the U.S. Marine Corps and a member of the JAG Corps.

Tim Goodwin 90L
Goodwin is a partner at King & Spalding in Atlanta in the real estate practice group. He has served as fund counsel for a private Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) with $9 billion in assets and was instrumental in the acquisition of $400 million self-storage company and the recapitalization of a domestically controlled private REIT to one of Boston’s premier downtown office towers.

Lash Harrison 62C 65L
Harrison is managing partner with Ford & Harrison, a major employment firm. Named to the Georgia Super Lawyer and Best Lawyers lists, Harrison has served on many leadership boards in Atlanta including board chair for Trinity School.

Fred Krieger 75L
Krieger is vice president, head of regulatory risk at the New York Stock Exchange. He has served on the Chicago Board of Options Exchange, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Charles Schwab and several independent law firms. Krieger also has taught at Catholic University and American University.

Lee Miller 82L
Miller has had a successful career focusing on senior wealth management including generational wealth transfer, financial education, fiduciary law, and administration and lifestyle analysis. She has served the U.S. Trust, the Threshold Group and most recently J&J Blue Enterprises.

Greg Slamowitz 90L
Slamowitz is the co-founder and co-chief executive officer of Ambrose Employer Group, a professional employer organization providing outsourced human resources, payroll, benefits services and human resources information systems to small and mid-size companies. Prior to founding Ambrose in 1997, Slamowitz practiced tax law with Sidley Austin in New York.

Additionally, Gardner Courson 74L, managing director at FSB Legal Counsel, has been appointed as vice chair for the board.

The Advisory Board is the principal advisory body to the dean. The board participates directly in advancing Emory Law and builds strong links between the law school and the various communities it serves. Among other duties, the board aids and supports the dean, faculty and staff in strategic planning, policy formulation and resource development.

]]> ELS Alumni Thu, 04 Jun 2009 10:02:00 -0400 Supreme Court Pick Sotomayor Reflects Political Savvy http://www.law.emory.edu/home/news-article/article/supreme-court-pick-sotomayor-reflects-political-savvy.html A first-term president is "always campaigning," says constitutional law expert Robert Schapiro of Emory Law, so the nomination of federal Judge Sonia Sotomayor, a Hispanic, should not come as a surprise. Supreme Court watchers, including Schapiro, have been expecting the same political savvy that got the chief executive elected to guide the president's first nomination to the high court. President Barak Obama has shown centrist tendencies, says Schapiro, pointing to his support of the court's decision in the D.C. v. Heller case upholding the Second Amendment right to bear arms. Obama also criticized the decision in the Kennedy v. Louisiana case holding it unconstitutional to apply the death penalty to child rapists. "Those instincts toward moderation apply to Supreme Court appointments as well," Schapiro says. Most had speculated that the next appointment would be a woman, and Schapiro had expected Sotomayor "to be at the top of anyone's list." Schapiro also appeared on CNN's "The Situation Room" Tuesday, discussing Sotomayor's ruling in the New Haven firefighters case in which she joined the opinion of the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals. Contact: Elaine Justice, 404.727.0643 or elaine.justice@emory.edu. Contact: Robert Schapiro, 404.727.1103. A first-term president is "always campaigning," says constitutional law expert Robert Schapiro of Emory Law, so the nomination of federal Judge Sonia Sotomayor, a Hispanic, should not come as a surprise.

Supreme Court watchers, including Schapiro, have been expecting the same political savvy that got the chief executive elected to guide the president's first nomination to the high court.

President Barak Obama has shown centrist tendencies, says Schapiro, pointing to his support of the court's decision in the D.C. v. Heller case upholding the Second Amendment right to bear arms. Obama also criticized the decision in the Kennedy v. Louisiana case holding it unconstitutional to apply the death penalty to child rapists.

"Those instincts toward moderation apply to Supreme Court appointments as well," Schapiro says. Most had speculated that the next appointment would be a woman, and Schapiro had expected Sotomayor "to be at the top of anyone's list." 

Schapiro also appeared on CNN's "The Situation Room" Tuesday, discussing Sotomayor's ruling in the New Haven firefighters case in which she joined the opinion of the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals.

Contact: Elaine Justice, 404.727.0643 or elaine.justice(at)emory.edu.

Contact: Robert Schapiro, 404.727.1103.

]]> ELS General Tue, 26 May 2009 10:50:00 -0400 Emory Law Faculty Well Represented at 2009 ALEA Annual Meeting http://www.law.emory.edu/home/news-article/article/emory-law-faculty-well-represented-at-2009-alea-annual-meeting.html Four Emory Law faculty members presented scholarly papers at the prestigious American Law and Economics Association (ALEA) 2009 Annual Meeting, held May 15-16 at the University of San Diego School of Law.Jonathan Nash presented his paper, “Scott v. Harris and the Regulation of Risk: Lessons for, and from, Environmental Law” at the Issues in Risk and Information panel.Joanna Shepherd presented “Separation Or Unification Of Power?: The Strategic Voting of Judges Facing Reappointment” at the Political Economy: Elected v. Appointed Judges panel. Professor Shepherd also served as chair for The Political Economy of Regulation panel.Fred Tung presented his paper, “Leverage in the Boardroom: The Unsung Influence of Private Lenders in Corporate Governance” at the Business Bankruptcy panel.Alexander “Sasha” Volokh, who joins the Emory Law faculty this fall, presented “Property Rights and Contract Form in Medieval Europe” at the Law and Development panel. Four Emory Law faculty members presented scholarly papers at the prestigious American Law and Economics Association (ALEA) 2009 Annual Meeting, held May 15-16 at the University of San Diego School of Law.

Jonathan Nash presented his paper, “Scott v. Harris and the Regulation of Risk: Lessons for, and from, Environmental Law” at the Issues in Risk and Information panel.

Joanna Shepherd presented “Separation Or Unification Of Power?: The Strategic Voting of Judges Facing Reappointment” at the Political Economy: Elected v. Appointed Judges panel. Professor Shepherd also served as chair for The Political Economy of Regulation panel.

Fred Tung presented his paper, “Leverage in the Boardroom: The Unsung Influence of Private Lenders in Corporate Governance” at the Business Bankruptcy panel.

Alexander “Sasha” Volokh, who joins the Emory Law faculty this fall, presented “Property Rights and Contract Form in Medieval Europe” at the Law and Development panel.

]]> ELS General Tue, 19 May 2009 15:39:00 -0400 Emory Law Celebrates Class of 2009 http://www.law.emory.edu/home/news-article/article/emory-law-celebrates-class-of-2009.html Emory University celebrated the 164th Commencement on Monday, May 11. More than 220 law school graduates were honored during the Emory Law Hooding and Diploma Ceremony on the South Lawn of Gambrell Hall. Dean David F. Partlett and Halli Cohn 90L, president of the Emory Law Alumni Association, made the opening remarks.“Success in the legal profession that you’re about to enter directly depends on what you put into it,” Cohn said. “The ultimate success is dependent on hard work and perseverance.”During the ceremony, the 3L Class Gift Committee presented a check for $73,560 to Emory Law. The class gift will be used to endow an annual Spring 3L Career Fair and help furnish the "Top Shelf" patio on the west side of Gambrell Hall.In addition to the conferral of degrees, select students and faculty were honored in an awards presentation during the ceremony.Professor of Law Robert Schapiro was awarded the Emory Williams Teaching Award. Established in 1972 by Emory Williams, a 1932 graduate of Emory College, the award is given to the faculty member who embodies the very best a professional school has to offer.Emory Law’s Most Outstanding Professor Award was presented to Dorothy Brown, a recent senior faculty appointment whose expertise is in tax law and critical race theory. In her address to the graduating class, Professor Brown discussed the importance of embracing uncertainty. “Uncertainty creates the space for you to pause and ask, ‘what do I really want to do with my career?... Emory University celebrated the 164th Commencement on Monday, May 11. More than 220 law school graduates were honored during the Emory Law Hooding and Diploma Ceremony on the South Lawn of Gambrell Hall. Dean David F. Partlett and Halli Cohn 90L, president of the Emory Law Alumni Association, made the opening remarks.

“Success in the legal profession that you’re about to enter directly depends on what you put into it,” Cohn said. “The ultimate success is dependent on hard work and perseverance.”

During the ceremony, the 3L Class Gift Committee presented a check for $73,560 to Emory Law. The class gift will be used to endow an annual Spring 3L Career Fair and help furnish the "Top Shelf" patio on the west side of Gambrell Hall.

In addition to the conferral of degrees, select students and faculty were honored in an awards presentation during the ceremony.

Professor of Law Robert Schapiro was awarded the Emory Williams Teaching Award. Established in 1972 by Emory Williams, a 1932 graduate of Emory College, the award is given to the faculty member who embodies the very best a professional school has to offer.

Emory Law’s Most Outstanding Professor Award was presented to Dorothy Brown, a recent senior faculty appointment whose expertise is in tax law and critical race theory.

In her address to the graduating class, Professor Brown discussed the importance of embracing uncertainty. “Uncertainty creates the space for you to pause and ask, ‘what do I really want to do with my career? What am I passionate about?’” she said.

Additionally, Robert W. Woodruff Professor of Law Martha L. A. Fineman is the recipient of Emory University’s Scholar/Teacher Award. Presented annually by the Board of Higher Education of the United Methodist Church, this award recognizes an Emory University faculty member who has excelled as a classroom teacher, shown unusual concern for students and made significant contributions to the scholarly life of the University.

Brent Douglas 09L was chosen as this year’s Most Outstanding Third-Year Student.

“The need for law remains and in fact rises in times of need,” Douglas said. “In broad terms, I assert that every lawyer has an obligation to ensure that all persons subject to our laws are viewed equally before them.”

Currey Hitchens 09L was the recipient of the A. James Elliott Community Service Award—a new award honoring the contributions of Emory Law Professor Jim Elliott 66L. Terri Porter was the recipient of the Gloria Jean Fowler Angel Award, which recognizes a student who embodies the kindness and grace of former Emory Law employee Gloria Jean Fowler.

]]> ELS General Mon, 11 May 2009 13:13:00 -0400 Fineman Receives Emory University Scholar/Teacher Award http://www.law.emory.edu/home/news-article/article/martha-fineman-receives-emory-university-scholarteacher-award.html Martha A. Fineman, Robert W. Woodruff Professor of Law, received the University Scholar/Teacher Award. The recipient is chosen by Emory faculty on behalf of the United Methodist Church Board of Higher Education and Ministry. One of the world’s leading feminist theorists and family-law scholars, Fineman has encouraged colleagues, lawmakers and students to challenge the status quo. After earning a B.A. degree from Temple University and a J.D. degree from the University of Chicago, Fineman clerked for the Honorable Luther M. Swygert in the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Fineman has taught at the University of Wisconsin Law School, Columbia Law School and Cornell Law School, where she held the first endowed chair in feminist jurisprudence in the United States. In 2004, she joined Emory Law.Fineman has published more than 60 scholarly texts. Her books include “The Neutered Mother, the Sexual Family and Other Twentieth Century Tragedies,” “The Autonomy Myth: A Theory of Dependency” and the forthcoming “The Vulnerable Subject: Anchoring Equality in the Human Condition.” In her writings, Fineman explores issues such as the nature and function of the family as a societal institution, the economic and political consequences of welfare and divorce reforms, and the meanings of dependency in American society and politics. An important component of Fineman’s scholarly work is the Feminism and Legal Theory (FLT)... Martha A. Fineman, Robert W. Woodruff Professor of Law, received the University Scholar/Teacher Award. The recipient is chosen by Emory faculty on behalf of the United Methodist Church Board of Higher Education and Ministry.  

One of the world’s leading feminist theorists and family-law scholars, Fineman has encouraged colleagues, lawmakers and students to challenge the status quo. After earning a B.A. degree from Temple University and a J.D. degree from the University of Chicago, Fineman clerked for the Honorable Luther M. Swygert in the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Fineman has taught at the University of Wisconsin Law School, Columbia Law School and Cornell Law School, where she held the first endowed chair in feminist jurisprudence in the United States. In 2004, she joined Emory Law.

Fineman has published more than 60 scholarly texts. Her books include “The Neutered Mother, the Sexual Family and Other Twentieth Century Tragedies,” “The Autonomy Myth:  A Theory of Dependency” and the forthcoming “The Vulnerable Subject:  Anchoring Equality in the Human Condition.” In her writings, Fineman explores issues such as the nature and function of the family as a societal institution, the economic and political consequences of welfare and divorce reforms, and the meanings of dependency in American society and politics.      

An important component of Fineman’s scholarly work is the Feminism and Legal Theory (FLT) Project, which she founded in 1984. The core purpose of FLT is to foster interdisciplinary examinations of laws, social policies and structures that are of particular interest to women.

Her research, scholarship and activism have helped to define the field of feminist legal theory and family and marriage law. A dedicated teacher and mentor, Fineman also carries forward the themes and methods developed in her research and the FLT Project, encouraging students to question the basic assumptions they have about the ways society operates.   

Fineman’s exemplary scholarship and teaching have earned her national recognition, including the Harry Kalven Prize for Distinguished Research in Law and Society, the Ruth Bader Ginsberg Distinguished Visiting Professorship at the Thomas Jefferson Law School and the Centennial Celebration Lectureship at the New England School of Law.

]]> ELS General Mon, 11 May 2009 10:47:00 -0400