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: The Trials of Clara Foltz
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"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
"For Barbara Babcock, a distinguished legal historian who is herself a feminist pioneer . . . this book is clearly a labor of love, but also of identification. Babcock recognizes that the women we write about are not always model heroines; they have flaws, make mistakes, and choose differently from what we might have chosen. She tells Foltz's tale with commendable dispassion, never too close to her subject nor too critical, yet with her own perspective 'as a trial lawyer, a public defender, a first woman, and a feminist' shaping the account in both the selection and treatment of her material."—Rosemary Auchmuty, Feminist Legal Studies
"Babcock is at her best in Woman Lawyer . . . giving just enough information to whet the appetite."—Tracy Thomas, Journal of American History
"The book is rich in history, and as entertaining and lively as its subject."—Barbara Kate Repa, California Lawyer
"[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
About the Author
Barbara Babcock, Judge John Crown Professor of Law, Emerita, at Stanford University, is the first woman appointed to the regular faculty at Stanford Law School. She served as an Assistant Attorney General and was the first Director of the Public Defender Service in Washington, D.C.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I know this review will not be particularly helpful regarding this book, but I write this from the jury room at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Courthouse in Los Angeles, formerly The Criminal Courthouse, and I want to applaud the subject matter. (It is on the 9th floor that such trials as O.J. Simpson and Phil Spector took place.) While waiting to hear my name called, I read a small publication put out by the courts for juror interest and amusement. The focus was Women in the Law. One of the women mentioned was Clara Foltz...and I realized I was in "her" courthouse. In the halls, all one hears is grumbling about being 'stuck' at jury duty. I think it would be wonderful if the experts on Ms. Foltz' life could create a brief biographical film to show jurors the extent to which some citizens have gone for law. To have sat here and silently read her story has made me want to shout out, "Excuse me, everyone - but listen to this!" We take things like the public defender for granted. Every woman in this room probably takes for granted that she can serve. Clara Shortridge Foltz is my new hero. She lived a life that truly made a difference. Bravo to the author of this book for not letting it be forgotten. Now to fill out one of the juror suggestion cards. ;0)
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Rescuing the Life of a Lawyer, Activist, and Public Intellectual
January 19, 2011
By Massaro
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Barbara Babcock has written an elegant, important biography of a nearly lost figure in American legal history. Clara Foltz led an extraordinary life by any measure, in any era. But in the late nineteenth century Foltz led an almost unbelievable life of professional achievements, vision, and ambition.
Anyone interested in legal history, in women's rights, or in the dawn of American consciousness about the importance of providing legal representation to the poor will enjoy this engaging and brilliantly documented account of Foltz's colorful career. Along the way, they also will learn much about California history and the rise of the west coast as a center of intellectual and cultural innovation and growth.
A "first woman" herself --Babcock has been a path-breaker in her own professional career --the author brings Foltz to life as a complex, compelling human being. Her victories, her disappointments, and her boundless hope all are part of this lovely portrait of an activist who wanted equal rights for all --including for herself in a profession that saw women's role as hearth and home, not bench and bar.
The book also is an excellent account of constitutional and practical arguments for effective assistance of counsel that are as relevant today as they were in the 1870s.
Anyone interested in legal history, in women's rights, or in the dawn of American consciousness about the importance of providing legal representation to the poor will enjoy this engaging and brilliantly documented account of Foltz's colorful career. Along the way, they also will learn much about California history and the rise of the west coast as a center of intellectual and cultural innovation and growth.
A "first woman" herself --Babcock has been a path-breaker in her own professional career --the author brings Foltz to life as a complex, compelling human being. Her victories, her disappointments, and her boundless hope all are part of this lovely portrait of an activist who wanted equal rights for all --including for herself in a profession that saw women's role as hearth and home, not bench and bar.
The book also is an excellent account of constitutional and practical arguments for effective assistance of counsel that are as relevant today as they were in the 1870s.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By jillian
Format:Hardcover
Professor Babcock took a long time to research the life and times of Clara Foltz. Foltz, a pioneering woman lawyer took on the California Governor to change the law so she could go to law school, then bettered her male rivals once graduating. She did what no others would do and made sure every person had representation.
This book is so well written by Barbara Babcock who herself, rivals Clara's career path to be the first woman in a few modern categories.
A must read!
This book is so well written by Barbara Babcock who herself, rivals Clara's career path to be the first woman in a few modern categories.
A must read!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
can't wait to read this + update
I have not yet read this book, am finally ordering it now. My dad was Truman Toland (1922-2011), great grandson of Clara, and son of William Gridley Toland and Trella (Clara's... Read more
Published 17 months ago by tatoland
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Today we would call Clara Foltz a 'public intellectual.'"
Professor Babcock's interview on "Woman Lawyer: The Trials of Clara Foltz" ran as the Rorotoko Cover Feature on January 26, 2011 (and can be read in the Rorotoko archive).
Published 19 months ago by ROROTOKO
5.0 out of 5 stars
California history
Barbara Babcock, much loved Stanford Law professor and herself a hero to hundreds of today's successful women lawyers, has painted a fascinating picture of life in California at... Read more
Published on February 24, 2011 by Marcia Sterling
5.0 out of 5 stars
inspiration by woman of courage
Everyone woman in America should read this book to be inspired by the incredible courage and hard work people like Clara Shortridge Foltz. Read more
Published on January 24, 2011 by Nerf Crazy
