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LEWIS, Barry (b. 1950)

Oral Histories

OH 2049

For the Postpartum Depression and Maternal Mental Health Oral History Project. Barry M. Lewis is a criminal defense attorney who became involved with postpartum depression and psychosis related work in the 2010s. He discusses his entry to the field through his partner, Susan Feingold. Focus of the interview is on his and Feingold's work getting Illinois state law changed around postpartum mental illness as a mitigating factor in infanticide and related crimes. Discusses Illinois PA101-411, PA100-574, Paula Sims, and the role of Illinois state politics and governors. Also discusses postpartum diagnostic history including the role of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) in the courtroom, and Edward Strecker, Louis G. Bossi.