Judges & the Courts

Supreme Court of the United States

History in the Making

With Elena Kagan's confirmation as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, three women will serve together on the highest court in the land for this first time in its 221 year history.

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Supreme Court and the Health Care Law

In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court upheld the health care law known as the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

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Statue of Justice

Reed v. Reed at 40

Learn more about the Reed v. Reed decision and the past and future of women's legal rights under the Equal Protection Clause.

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History in the Making
Health Care Law Challenge
Women and the Constitution

Highlights

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

April 25, 2013

There are currently 82 vacancies on the federal district and appellate courts, a nearly 10 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

April 26, 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%. But the number of women in the federal judiciary has stagnated. It is of critical importance to increase the representation of women on the federal bench.

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Fact Sheet | Supreme Court Preview: 2012-2013 Term

October 1, 2012

This fact sheet previews important cases affecting women in the 2012-2013 Supreme Court Term.

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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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More Resources

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

April 26, 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%. But the number of women in the federal judiciary has stagnated. It is of critical importance to increase the representation of women on the federal bench.

 Read more...

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

April 25, 2013

There are currently 82 vacancies on the federal district and appellate courts, a nearly 10 percent vacancy rate. This alarmingly high vacancy rate forces people around the country to wait for justice. 

 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.

 Read more...

Legal Briefs & Testimony | NWLC Files Amicus Briefs in Hollingsworth v. Perry and United States v. Windsor

February 28, 2013

The National Women’s Law Center filed an amicus brief in Hollingsworth v. Perry and United States v. Windsor.  Hollingsworth addresses the constitutionality of Proposition 8, the California ballot measure that overturned the California Supreme Court's ruling that same-sex couples have a right to marry.  Windsor challenges the constitutionality of the provision of the Defense of Marriage Act that bars the federal government from recognizing marriages of same-sex couples. 

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Fact Sheet | Genesis Healthcare Corp. v. Symczyk: An Important Case for Low-Wage Women Workers and the Future of the Fair Labor Standards Act

November 02, 2012

In October 2012, the Center filed an Amicus brief in Genesis Healthcare Corp. v. Symczyk.  This fact sheet explains the case's importance and potential impact on low-wage women workers.

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