Jennifer C. Braceras

Jennifer C. Braceras is the director of Independent Women’s Law Center, a political columnist, and a former Commissioner of the United States Commission on Civil Rights. She is thrilled to renew her association with Independent Women’s Forum, where almost two decades ago she served as IWF’s first Legal Policy Fellow.

A graduate of the Harvard Law School, Jennifer comments frequently about issues at the intersection of law, politics, and culture. Her columns have appeared in a variety of publications, including the Wall Street Journal, the Boston Globe, the Hill, National Review Online, the New York Sun, and the Washington Examiner. She has been a guest on FOX & Friends and CNN/HLN and appears regularly on WGBH-Boston and New England Cable News.

Earlier in her career, Jennifer practiced labor and employment law with the Boston law firm Ropes & Gray. An expert on Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, she has taught courses on civil rights and constitutional law at both Boston College Law School and Suffolk University Law School. 

From 2006-20011, Jennifer served as a Trustee of the University of Massachusetts, where she chaired the committee charged with vetting candidates for the post of Chancellor of UMass-Amherst (her alma mater). She is also a former Trustee of the Fenn School, a private middle school for boys in Massachusetts.

After graduating from law school, Jennifer served as a law clerk to the Hon. William G. Young of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts and to the Hon. Ralph K. Winter of the United States Court of Appeals for the 2d Circuit.

Prior to becoming a lawyer, Jennifer worked as a Staff Assistant in the Office of Vice President Dan Quayle.

Jennifer and her husband are the parents of four children — three daughters (who are growing up to be very independent young women) and a son (who tries to put up with them).