Woman Lawyer : The Trials of Clara Foltz

Review"Babcock is at her best in Woman Lawyer . . . giving just enough information to whet the appetite." -- Tracy Thomas ― Journal of American History "By rescuing Clara Foltz's story from relative obscurity, Babcock has provided a powerful reminder of women's strength in the face of adversity, their will to overcome difficulties, and, together with sympathique brothers-in-law, to work toward a system of justice accessible and fair to all. Women Lawyer should engage feminists of my era and my children's generation, and history buffs of any age; most of all, the book should amaze and inspire young women and public defenders just embarking on their lives in the law." -- Ruth Bader Ginsburg ― Stanford Law Review "Barbara Babcock is one of our leading legal historians. Woman Lawyer gives voice to Clara Foltz's long and fascinating life, making vivid her important contributions as a reformer, 'first' woman lawyer, and legal thinker. It will establish itself as a classic in legal studies, women's studies, and American biography." -- Jill Norgren ― City University of New York "[T]his is a magnificent book establishing Clara Foltz's foundational work for women's employment rights, female suffrage, and the public defender's office." -- Gordon Bakken ― H-Net Reviews Woman Lawyer tells the story of Clara Foltz, the first woman admitted to the California Bar. Famous in her time as a public intellectual, leader of the women's movement, and legal reformer, Foltz faced terrific prejudice and well-organized opposition to women lawyers as she tried cases in front of all-male juries, raised five children as a single mother, and stumped for political candidates. She was the first to propose the creation of a public defender to balance the public prosecutor. Woman Lawyer uncovers the legal reforms and societal contributions of a woman celebrated in her day, but lost to history until now. It casts new light on the turbulent history and politics of California in a period of phenomenal growth and highlights the interconnection of the suffragists and other movements for civil rights and legal reforms. Woman Lawyer tells the story of Clara Foltz, the first woman admitted to the California Bar. Famous in her time as a jury lawyer, public intellectual, leader of the women's movement, inventor of the role of public defender, and legal reformer, Foltz has been largely forgotten until recently. Woman Lawyer not only recreates her eventful life, but also casts new light on the turbulent history and politics of the late nineteenth century and the many links binding the women's rights movement with other reform movements. This book tells the story of Clara Foltz, the first woman admitted to the California Bar. She was famous in her time as a jury lawyer, public intellectual, leader of the women's movement, inventor of the role of public defender, and legal reformer. It also describes the turbulent history and politics of the late nineteenth century and the many links binding the women's rights movement with other reform movements Becoming A Lawyer, 1878-1880 -- Making A Living, 1880-1890 -- Moving On A Larger Stage, 1890-1895 -- Changing Locations, 1895-1911 : New York, Denver, San Francisco, Los Angeles -- Clara Foltz As Public Thinker -- Working For Political Equality -- Inventing The Public Defender -- Conclusion : Victory Roses. Barbara Babcock. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [327]-370) And Index. Introduction Becoming a lawyer, 1878-1880 Making a living, 1880-1890 Moving on a larger stage, 1890-1895 Changing locations, 1895-1911 : New York, Denver, San Francisco, Los Angeles Clara Foltz as public thinker Working for political equality Inventing the public defender Conclusion : Victory roses.