Judges & the Courts

Statue of Justice

Women and Our Courts

Despite record numbers of female judicial nominees, the percentage of female federal judges, however, is far lower. 

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Supreme Court of the United States

Supreme Court Term

Learn more about a number of cases that the Supreme Court will hear in its new 2013-2014 Term could have a significant impact on women's legal rights. 

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Women and Our Courts
Supreme Court Term

Highlights

Fact Sheet | Supreme Court Preview: 2013-2014 Term

October 2, 2013
During the 2013-2014 Term, the Supreme Court will review several cases that concern legal rights of importance to women—including access to abortion, equal opportunity in education, protection against housing discrimination, and the ability to use the Equal Protection Clause to challenge discrimination in public employment. In addition, the Court will review an important case involving the President’s ability to fill vacancies on a body that protects workers. Finally, the Court may decide whether for-profit businesses can refuse to provide employee insurance coverage for contraceptives based on asserted religious objections. The decisions in these cases may have a significant impact on women’s rights in all of these important arenas.
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Fact Sheet | Supreme Court Review: 2012-2013 Term

July 10, 2013

The 2012-2013 Supreme Court Term witnessed a number of blockbuster cases affecting women’s rights, from affirmative action to workplace protections to voting rights to marriage equality. The results in those cases were decidedly mixed, with some historic victories, but also, unfortunately, heartbreaking setbacks. The National Women’s Law Center participated in most of these cases. This fact sheet explains key cases and the potential impacts of their decisions.

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Fact Sheet | The Vacancy Crisis in the Federal Judiciary: What's at Stake for Women

August 2, 2013

There are currently 86 vacancies on the federal district and appellate courts, a ten percent vacancy rate. This alarmingly high vacancy rate forces people around the country to wait for justice. 

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Fact Sheet | Women in the Federal Judiciary: Still A Long Way to Go

August 2, 2013

Over the past three decades, an increasing number of women have joined the legal profession.  Since 1992, women’s representation in law school classes has approached 50%. Despite record numbers of female judicial nominees, the percentage of female federal judges, however, is far lower. It is of critical importance to increase the representation of women on the federal bench.

 Read more...

More Resources

Fact Sheet | Supreme Court Preview: 2013-2014 Term

October 02, 2013
During the 2013-2014 Term, the Supreme Court will review several cases that concern legal rights of importance to women—including access to abortion, equal opportunity in education, protection against housing discrimination, and the ability to use the Equal Protection Clause to challenge discrimination in public employment. In addition, the Court will review an important case involving the President’s ability to fill vacancies on a body that protects workers. Finally, the Court may decide whether for-profit businesses can refuse to provide employee insurance coverage for contraceptives based on asserted religious objections. The decisions in these cases may have a significant impact on women’s rights in all of these important arenas.
 Read more...

Fact Sheet | The Vacancy Crisis in the Federal Judiciary: What's at Stake for Women

August 02, 2013

There are currently 86 vacancies on the federal district and appellate courts, a ten percent vacancy rate. This alarmingly high vacancy rate forces people around the country to wait for justice. 

 Read more...

Fact Sheet | Women in the Federal Judiciary: Still A Long Way to Go

August 02, 2013

Over the past three decades, an increasing number of women have joined the legal profession.  Since 1992, women’s representation in law school classes has approached 50%. Despite record numbers of female judicial nominees, the percentage of female federal judges, however, is far lower. It is of critical importance to increase the representation of women on the federal bench.

 Read more...

Fact Sheet | Supreme Court Review: 2012-2013 Term

July 10, 2013

The 2012-2013 Supreme Court Term witnessed a number of blockbuster cases affecting women’s rights, from affirmative action to workplace protections to voting rights to marriage equality. The results in those cases were decidedly mixed, with some historic victories, but also, unfortunately, heartbreaking setbacks. The National Women’s Law Center participated in most of these cases. This fact sheet explains key cases and the potential impacts of their decisions.

 Read more...

Fact Sheet | Hollingsworth v. Perry and United States v. Windsor: The Supreme Court Should Presume Laws Discriminating On the Basis of Sexual Orientation are Unconstitutional

March 25, 2013

This term, the Supreme Court will decide United States v. Windsor and Hollingsworth v. Perry. Windsor challenges Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (“DOMA”), which prohibits the federal government from recognizing marriages between same-sex couples, and Hollingsworth challenges the constitutionality of California’s Proposition 8, a state constitutional amendment that revoked same-sex couples’ right to marry in that state.  This fact sheet explains why Section 3 of DOMA and Proposition 8 should be subjected to heightened scrutiny under the Constitution and struck down.

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