I'm a little saddened today at the news of O'Connor's resignation. I'm not sad because of the possibility of Roe being overturned. In fact, O'Connor is one of those truly moderate judges for whom almost every case seems to be a close call. What I'm sad about is that there are no women on the "short list" of nominees. Women have made great stides in all careers, but something seems to be happening to women who go to law school. Women now out-number men in law school. But, women only make up 15% of the deans of law schools. Eighty-seven percent of partners in law firms are men. Women are much more likely than men to give up the practice of law entirely. I hope that when I retire, hopefully close to the O'Connor's age, the Supreme Court, law firms and all professions will look more like the world does: Half men, half women. |