Women in the Judicial System

Authors

Stephane J. Kirven, Sacred Heart University

Document Type

Book Chapter

Publication Date

2016

Abstract

Women have been members of the legal profession for over a century. In recent years, the legal profession has undergone significant changes, with rapidly rising numbers of women entering the legal profession (ABA, 2011). Today, women comprise about one-third of the total number of law students in the country and constitute almost 30% of the profession (ABA, 2011). Women have made far more advances in the legal profession than in other criminal justice fields (Van Wormer & Bartollas, 2013). Despite the significant progress of women in the law, however, a legacy of discrimination and gender bias remains. For underneath this façade of progress and seeming equality, women continue to experience discrimination in compensation, responsibilities, and advancement (ABA, 2011). This chapter will trace the historical integration of women in the legal profession and survey current issues of gender inequities.

Comments

9780429257001 (ebook); 9781482260496 (print); Doi: 10.1201/b18726

Recommended Citation

Kirven, S. J. (2015). Women in the judicial system. In T. L. Freiburger & C.D. Marcum (Eds.), Women in the criminal justice system: Tracking the journey of females and crime. Routledge.