Bradwell v. Illinois: A Reenactment

Setting the "stage" for the next panel, we will travel back to 1872 and have a chance to observe the oral argument before the United States Supreme Court in Bradwell v. Illinois. Myra Bradwell, a married woman, was found qualified to practice law but denied admission to the Bar by the Supreme Court of Illinois on the grounds "[t]hat God designed the sexes to occupy different spheres of action, and that it belonged to men to make, apply, and execute the laws." The United States Supreme Court heard the case. We will have a chance to
hear the argument — or a creative, updated version of it, with different advocates and a different outcome. Ms. Arabella Mansfield, the first women lawyer in the United States, will be arguing arguing for Ms. Bradwell (although in fact, Ms. Bradwell was represented by a male lawyer, and Illinois will be well represented (although, in fact, the state was so sure of the outcome that it did not send any representative to argue in the Court). Should women be able to practice law? Does the United States Constitution have anything to say on the subject? Come and find out.

Introduction: Hon. Marsha S. Berzon, Circuit Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

Reenactment: Members of the U.S. Supreme Court
Hon. Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Associate Justice, U.S. Supreme Court

Hon. Richard R. Clifton, Circuit Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

Hon. Sidney R. Thomas, Circuit Judge U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

Advocates:
Judith Resnik, Arthur Liman, Professor of Law, Yale Law School

Carter G. Phillips, Esq., Sidley Austin LLP


Recorded: August 18, 2011
2011 Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Bradwell
• v.
• Illinois