Well here’s some news that’ll actually make you feel good — the top spot on the mastheads at the best law reviews in the country all belong to women. For the first time ever, the law reviews at the top 16 law schools — as defined by U.S. News & World Report — have all elected women to lead the publications.
This good news is a clear break from what has historically been true. As reported by Law.com, it wasn’t that long ago, 2012, when studies decried the law of women in exactly these kinds of leaderships roles.
That’s a significant shift from 2012, when a study by the nonprofit group Ms. JD found that women comprised just 29% of top editors at the flagship journals housed at the top 50 law schools. Women made up 43% of all law review editors in 2012 and 45% of all law review members.
As Above the Law readers are well aware, these editorial positions at top law schools are incredibly competitive. It’s great to see that not only are women going to law schools at record rates, they’re also excelling once they’re there:
“It speaks well to the progress that many law schools have made toward cultivating a more hospitable environment for women, people of color, and first-generation law students,” said Melissa Murray, a professor at New York University School of Law. “But credit should not go to law schools alone. The law reviews deserve credit as well.”
Congratulations to these outstanding women.
Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, and host of The Jabot podcast. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter (@Kathryn1).