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Jamie Abrams

Professor of Law, American University
Chapter Member: Virginia SSN

About Jamie

Abrams' research focuses on birthing autonomy, reproductive rights, reproductive health; gendered violence, tort law, masculinities theory, feminist theory, legal writing, and legal education pedagogy. Abrams has published numerous law review articles and book chapters about these topics. She has appeared in media outlets such as the N.Y. Times, Washington Post, and NBC's Today Show.

In the News

Jamie Abrams quoted by Penny Min, "The Abortion Pill Decision, Explained" Health News, April 22, 2023.
Guest to discuss Johnny Depp Back on the Stand on Today, Jamie Abrams, May 23, 2022.
Guest to discuss Amber Heard Back on the Stand on Today, Jamie Abrams, May 17, 2022.
Guest to discuss The Searing Testimony of the Depp-Heard Trial and Its Effect on #MeToo on The DMV Download/Wtop News, Jamie Abrams, May 6, 2022.
Guest to discuss The Undoing of Women's Rights on The Special Report with Areva Martin, Jamie Abrams, May 4, 2022.
Jamie Abrams quoted by Julia Jacobs, "Johnny Depp and Amber Heard to Face Off in Defamation Trial" The New York Times, April 10, 2022.

Publications

"The Language of Harm: What the Nassar Victim Impact Statements Reveal About Abuse and Accountability" University of Pittsburgh Law Review 82, no. 71 (2021).

Studies more than 140 Victim Impact Statements from the Larry Nassar criminal proceeding. Studies the complex strategies that the victims deployed to describe who Nassar was, what he did, and the harms that they suffered. Recommends more robust and holistic approaches to the naming and framing of sexual assault, more proactive policy uses of VIS to meet victim needs in law and policy reforms, and greater law reform efforts to prevent systemic institutional sexual assault.

"Liability in Reproduction and Birth " in Laws of Medicine – Core Legal Aspects for the Healthcare Professional, edited by Amirala S. Pasha (Springer, Forthcoming August ).

Explores liability relating to reproduction and birth. Provides key points, explains the legal concepts, and applies these concepts in cases and examples. Emphasizes strong patient communication, informed consent, and cultural competencies contextualizing the varied experiences of birth throughout different communities.

"Feminist Pedagogy in Law Schools" in The Oxford Handbook of Feminism and Law in the United States , edited by Martha Chamallas, Verna Williams, and Deborah Brakke (Feminist Pedagogy in Law Schools, Forthcoming).

Discusses how feminism has had a broad influence in legal education. Mentions feminist critiques have chal­lenged the substance of legal rules, the methods of law teaching, and the culture of legal education. Elaborates that following decades of advocacy, feminist pedagogical reforms have generated new fields, new courses, new laws, new leaders, and new feminist spaces.

"Is Domestic Violence Politicized Too Narowly" in The Politicization of Safety Critical Perspectives on Domestic Violence Responses, edited by Jane K. Stoever (NYU Press, 2019).

Explores whether domestic violence is politicized too narrowly to end domestic violence. Elaborates first generation political framings collaterally immunized the state from accountability by paradoxically positioning the crisis of domestic violence and accountability for effective interventions squarely on victims and victim support networks.

"The #MeToo Movement: An Invitation for Feminist Critique of Rape Crisis Framing" University of Richmond Law Review 2 (2018).

Presents modern feminists with a powerful, productive, and timely opportunity to critique the existing crisis model of service provision and support.

"Distorted and Diminished Tort Claims for Women" Cardozo Law Review 34, no. 4 (2013).

Seeks to position the birthing woman — distinct from the pregnant woman or the parent — squarely within the negligence framework and, in doing so, to challenge prevailing assumptions dominating obstetric medical decision-making.