Judges & the Courts

Women and Our Courts

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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.

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.

Legal Briefs & Testimony | Amicus Brief: Genesis Healthcare Corp. v. Symczyk

October 26, 2012

Today, the Center filed a friend of the Court brief in Genesis Healthcare Corp. v. Symczyk. Read the brief and find out more about the case's potential impact.

Fact Sheet | The Supreme Court's Decision in Fisher v. UT Austin will be Particularly Important for Women of Color

October 03, 2012

In October 2012, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin to decide whether UT Austin may consider race as a factor in admissions in addition to their race-neutral Top Ten Percent Plan. This fact sheet explains how the Court's decisions will potentially impact on women of color.

Fact Sheet | Supreme Court Preview: 2012-2013 Term

October 01, 2012

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

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Emily Martin

Emily Martin is Vice President and General Counsel at the National Women's Law Center, where she undertakes cross-cutting projects addressing women's health, economic security, and education and employment opportunities. She also provides in-house legal advice and representation to the Center. Prior to joining the Center, Ms. Martin served as Deputy Director of the Women's Rights Project at the American Civil Liberties Union, where she spearheaded litigation, policy, and public education initiatives to advance the rights of women and girls, with a particular emphasis on the needs of low-income women and women of color.

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