Women in the Legal Profession

Initially women were mainly entrusted with the household jobs on the grounds that they were better suited for the household jobs. The women were considered to be inferior and were associated with the activities such as child bearing and child care. The men on the other hand were considered to be more able and entrusted with the responsibility of tasks outside the house. It was unthinkable that women would enter the profession of law for practicing. The women were not thought of as being tough enough to withstand the pressure of arguing cases in the court room. Women throughout the ages have been considered to be the weaker gender. Women were never thought to possess a dominating profile with which they could battle for legal cases.

Women today have emerged victorious in whatever field they choose to be. The survey researches conducted have revealed that more than 30% of the lawyers in the legal field are comprised of women. Even if the law schools are looked into, one can find that the total number of students coming forward to enroll in law schools have also increased. Women in the earlier days in the legal field had to face problems of discrimination, but today they have an equal footing with men in the legal profession. Women in the law jobs are treated with respect and reverence and looked upon with awe and veneration.


The survey data reveals there to be about 40 women posted in the position of chief counsel of Fortune 500 companies. About 65% of the women are currently in the area of private practice. About 18% of the total judges in the appellate court and the U.S federal district courts are comprised of women. Two women have been positioned as judges in the seat of the Supreme Court of the United States of America. The current opportunities in the legal field have inspired more and more women to join the legal profession.

Sandra Day O'Connor was appointed as the first women judge in the U.S. Supreme Court. She has played a major role in increasing the number of women in the legal profession. Though she had a very bright academic background, she found it very hard to get into any elite legal organization. To quote her, she said, ''Couldn't even get an interview for a job in a private firm to practice law''. Women found it very difficult to get into the private sector. Women attorneys in public sector were fraught with comparatively lesser hurdles. Sandra Day O'Connor has left a mark in history, for she volunteered and supported the building up of legal communities who wanted to enter into the legal profession or cater to the needs of the masses by delivery of social services.

The scenario in legal jobs has improved a lot, which has been admitted even by Sandra Day O'Connor. To quote her, ''I have seen a revolution in the legal profession that has resulted in women representing about 40 percent of practicing lawyers in the country today, and slightly over 50 percent of all law school graduates currently''.