Celebrating Women in Law During Women's History Month

Apr 22
2 min read

By: Yanet Serrano

Introduction

Every March, Women’s History Month reminds us of the perseverance, dedication, and resilience of women around the world, but more importantly, the achievements of the notable individuals in every space. From women like Marie Curie, Ruby Bridges, Dolores Huerta, suffragist Susan B. Anthony, to Oscar winning actress, Halle Berry, these women represent the legacy of contributions from women who came before them. Likewise, the legal profession and law have transcended from what the world once knew, as women currently account for 56% of law students, 50% of law firm associates, and 52% of federal government lawyers, as underscored by the ABA Profile of the Legal Profession.

The New Wave of Women in Law

The increase of career opportunities in the legal profession has seen a rise in women in the roles of lawyers, judges, legal assistants, and paralegals. Once a male-dominated field, law has evolved to be an inclusive space where women have slowly started to take the lead in associate and partner roles and contribute to the increasing pool of self-employed lawyers. Most notably, the American Bar Association called the decade between 2016 to 2026, as the “Decade of the Female Lawyer — a time when the profession started to noticeably shift from a male majority to a female majority.” While there is still a gap between male and female lawyers in the United States, the numbers show that women are strongly present in legal spaces. The article reported that women became the majority in law schools in 2016 and became a majority of law firm associates in 2023. As a result, the number of female students in law schools increased, and so did the number of women graduates with juris doctorate degrees. However, we are also seeing more women sitting at the front of the court room. Women judges represent approximately 34% of the judiciary in the United States and now make up 5% of Supreme Court Justices. Women have paved the paths for themselves and have demonstrated gender is not a barrier to success.

Today and Tomorrow

As we celebrated all the women in our lives, Women’s History Month becomes more than a reflection, it becomes a call to sustain the momentum of past and present trailblazers. We look back at women like Charlotte E. Ray, the first black American female lawyer in the U.S., Jane Bolin, the first Black woman Yale Law graduate, or Arabella Mansfield, the first certified attorney in the country, and the current standing Supreme Court Justices, who continue to shape the legal landscape. Progress within the legal profession demonstrates what is possible when barriers are challenged and opportunities are expanded. Still, important work remains, including greater representation in leadership, equity in pay, for example, where efforts are needed. By building on the legacy of those who came before and now, we can strive to contribute to an inclusive and equitable space for generations ahead!