NCJ Number
48011
Journal
MS Volume: 2 Issue: 10 Dated: (APRIL 1974) Pages: 74,76,78,93
Date Published
1974
Length
4 pages
Annotation
RECENT GAINS, AND PAST AND EXISTING PROBLEMS, REGARDING SEX DISCRIMINATION IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION ARE BRIEFLY DISCUSSED.
Abstract
IN 1972, RUTH GINZBURG BECAME THE FIRST WOMAN LAW PROFESSOR IN THE UNITED STATES; ALTHOUGH TIED FOR FIRST IN HER CLASS, AFTER GRADUATING LAW SCHOOL IN 1959, SHE WAS UNABLE TO FIND EMPLOYMENT WITH A LAW FIRM. TRADITIONALLY, THE LEGAL PROFESSION HAS BEEN AND STILL CONTINUES TO BE A BASTION OF WHITE MALE POWER. IN 1967, WOMEN JUST ENTERING THE PROFESSION WERE EARNING $1500 LESS THAN THEIR MALE COUNTERPARTS, AND THIS SALARY DISCREPANCY INCREASES OVER THE YEARS OF PRACTICE. ALTHOUGH SLOW IN COMING, SOME CHANGE IN THIS SITUATION IS BEING SEEN. DURING THE LATE 1960'S, A SENSE OF SOLIDARITY BEGAN TO EMERGE AMONG WOMEN LAW STUDENTS. WOMEN DEVELOPED CAUCUSES AND BEGAN TO EXPRESS DISSATISFATION WITH SEXIST LAW SCHOOL ADMISSION POLICIES. THE PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN ENTERING LAW SCHOOL IN 1967 WAS 4.3 PERCENT; BY 1972 THIS HAD INCREASED TO 16 PERCENT. THE ADMISSIONS RECORD HOWEVER REMAINS CHECKERED, WITH SOME SCHOOLS REPORTING FEMALE ADMISSIONS OF ONLY 4 PERCENT, WHILE SOME REPORT HIGHS OF 51 PERCENT. A SECOND AREA OF CONCERN IS SEXISM IN CLASSROOM MATERIALS, TEXT, AND ATTITUDES. SEXISM IS FACULTY HIRING AND TENURE IS ANOTHER AREA IN NEED OF CHANGE. WHILE THE WOMAN WHO IS BETTER QUALIFIED THAN MALE CANDIDATES WILL PROBABLY GET A JOB, THE SITUATION FOR EQUALLY QUALIFIED WOMEN IS NOT GOOD, PARTICULARLY IN SMALL LAW FIRMS WHOSE HIRING PRACTICES ARE LESS OPEN TO SCRUTINY. A LESS OVERT FORM OF SEXUAL DISCRIMINATION HAS BEEN THE CHANNELING OF WOMEN ATTORNEYS INTO CERTAIN LEGAL AREAS SUCH AS TRUSTS/ESTATES OR TAX AND MATRIMONIA LAW. INCREASINGLY, GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE AGENCIES ARE TAKING ON CASES CONCERNING SEXUALLY DISCRIMINATING PRACTICES. A NUMBER OF WOMEN'S ORGANIZATIONS ARE ACTIVELY FIGHTING FOR WOMEN'S RIGHTS AND, THE WHOLE, THE SITUATION FOR WOMEN IN THE LAW SCHOOLS AND IN LAW PRACTICE LOOKS PROMISING. IF EQUALITY IS ACHIEVED IN THIS FIELD, WOMEN IN LAW WILL HAVE SET AN EXAMPLE FOR WOMEN IN OTHER FIELDS. (JAP)