Hon. Jerry Bowles ('82) receiving Vision Award from ABA's Commission on Domestic & Sexual Violence

Hon. Jerry Bowles ('82) receiving Vision Award from ABA's Commission on Domestic & Sexual Violence

Hon. Jerry J. Bowles, a retired circuit judge with the Commonwealth of Kentucky and a 1982 Brandeis School of Law graduate, is one of 20 lawyers nationwide chosen to receive a 20/20 Vision Award from the American Bar Association's Commission on Domestic & Sexual Violence. The honorees are being recognized for their notable achievements in advocacy on behalf of victims. Recipients played an instrumental role in mobilizing the legal profession against domestic and sexual violence by either creating, supporting, advancing or advocating for the commission or Violence Against Women's Act throughout the past two decades.

The ABA calls the award recipients "pioneers in the field of domestic and sexual violence, promoting justice and security for all victims."

Bowles initiated Kentucky’s first specialized domestic violence and sexual assault unit, where he served as director and chief prosecutor. He has been active at the local, state, national and international level regarding issues of intimate partner violence and sexual assault and served on numerous task forces and committees regarding the issue.

Currently, he serves as vice president of the board of the Mary Byron Project, a national foundation that fosters innovations and strategies to end domestic violence. He has lectured nationally and internationally on domestic violence and family violence issues.

"We are honored to recognize these 20 extraordinary individuals for the work they have done to respond to domestic and sexual violence," ABA President William C. Hubbard said. "We look forward to commemorating the progress that has been made in the field and all of the effective partnerships that have been created to help combat this violence."

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Commission and the passage of the Violence Against Women Act. The awards ceremony reception will take place on Saturday, Aug. 1, at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, during the ABA's Annual Meeting.