What has changed for women in the legal profession over the past 150 years, and what challenges remain? Nancy Kopp, a former commissioner with the Wisconsin Supreme Court, explores the progress women lawyers have made since Lavinia Goodell became Wisconsin’s first female attorney in 1874.
What has changed for women in the legal profession over the past 150 years, and what challenges remain? In this discussion, Nancy Kopp, a former commissioner with the Wisconsin Supreme Court, explores the progress women lawyers have made since Lavinia Goodell became Wisconsin’s first female attorney in 1874. Women now make up over 50% of law students and hold leadership roles across the profession, including six out of seven seats on the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
Kopp shares personal experiences from the 1980s, highlighting how perceptions of women in law have evolved. She also addresses ongoing challenges, particularly the struggle for work-life balance and the underrepresentation of women in top law firm leadership. Looking ahead, she emphasizes the need for greater workplace flexibility and continued efforts to achieve full equality.
With legal issues such as reproductive rights remaining highly relevant, Kopp discusses how female attorneys are uniquely positioned to lead on these matters. This conversation offers valuable insights into the evolving role of women in the legal profession and what the future may hold.
Kopp presented on this topic at the State Bar of Wisconsin Annual Meeting & Conference, June 19-21, 2024. Learn more at wisbar.org/amc.
