NCJ Number
54633
Journal
CRISIS Volume: 82 Issue: 5 Dated: (MAY 1974) Pages: 167-172
Date Published
1974
Length
6 pages
Annotation
THE HISTORY, PROBLEMS, AND UNIQUE PERSPECTIVES OF THE BLACK WOMAN LAWYER ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
PORTIA IS THE HEROINE IN SHAKESPEARE'S 'MERCHANT OF VENICE,' WHO IMPERSONATED A LAWYER AND PREVENTED SHYLOCK FROM EXPLOITING A DELINQUENT DEBTOR. THE BLACK WOMAN LAWYER CAN FULFILL A SIMILAR ROLE BY USING HER LEGAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE TO REMEDY EXPLOITATION OF BLACKS AND WOMEN. IN 1970, ALMOST 100 YEARS AFTER THE GRADUATION OF THE NATION'S FIRST BLACK WOMAN LAW STUDENT (CHARLOTTE E. RAY, HOWARD UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL, 1872), THERE WERE ONLY 376 BLACK WOMEN LAWYERS AND 18 BLACK WOMEN JUDGES IN THE UNITED STATES, COMPARED WITH A TOTAL 1970 LAWYER POPULATION OF 260,066, WHICH INCLUDED ABOUT 3,000 BLACK MALES AND 13,000 WHITE WOMEN. EVEN THOUGH BLACK LAWYERS ENJOY SOCIAL STATUS ALONG WITH OTHER BLACK PROFESSIONALS, THERE HAS BEEN A DISPARITY IN ECONOMIC STATUS BETWEEN BLACK AND WHITE LAWYERS. JEROME SHUMAN'S 1966 STUDY OF THE BLACK LAWYER IDENTIFIED SEVERAL FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THIS DISPARITY--GENERAL EXCLUSION FROM PRESTIGIOUS LAW FIRMS, LOW INCIDENCE OF REPRESENTATION OF INSTITUTIONAL AND BUSINESS CLIENTS, AND DIFFICULTIES IN GOING BEYOND GENERAL PRACTICE INTO SPECIALIZATIONS. IN A STUDY OF WOMEN IN GENERAL WHO GRADUATED FROM LAW SCHOOL FROM 1956-1965, HALF OF THE WOMEN INTERVIEWED BELIEVED THEY HAD EXPERIENCED EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION, AND THE STATISTICS ON THEIR AVERAGE INCOME SUPPORTED THAT BELIEF. BLACK WOMEN LAWYERS SHARE WITH THEIR WHITE COUNTERPARTS DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT AND INCOME. THE BLACK LAWYER, HOWEVER, UNLIKE HER WHITE FEMALE COLLEAGUE, HAS A CULTURAL HISTORY AND ESTABLISHED MODELS TO ASSIST HER IN COMBINING OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT WITH THE TRADITIONAL ROLES OF WIFE AND MOTHER. IN ADDITION TO THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH BEING FEMALE, THE BLACK FEMALE ATTORNEY MUST ALSO FACE THE SAME CHALLENGES AS HER BLACK MALE COLLEAGUES. THESE INCLUDE DEALING WITH IMAGES OF INCOMPETENCE AND PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT IN SCHOOLING AND HIRING UNRELATED TO ABILITY. THE UNIQUE SET OF BACKGROUND INFLUENCES AND SOCIOECONOMIC OBSTACLES AFFECTING THE BLACK FEMALE LAWYER QUALIFY HER BY EXPERIENCE AND INCENTIVE TO USE THE LAW TO EFFECT SOCIAL CHANGE THAT WILL ENHANCE INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP UPWARD MOBILITY. (RCB)