Law Students

First Women: Joan Lukey

By Joan Lukey

At some point in virtually every working day, a thought passes through my mind -- sometimes grabbing hold and refusing to depart quickly -- about the women who have been my professional role models and about the impact that they have had upon my life.

A few weeks ago, in September, I was elected as the first woman President-Elect of the American College of Trial Lawyers, a spectacular group of trial lawyers in the U.S. and Canada whose ranks one can only join upon invitation.  Next year, I shall automatically ascend to the Presidency.  To head this group of the very best trial lawyers in North America is the greatest professional honor I could ever imagine  -- even trumping my selection as the first woman "Best Oral Advocate" in the National Moot Court Competition in 1974! (Was I ever really only 24 years old?)  The moment the gavel came down upon my election, I immediately thought of the one woman, more than any other person, who had made my ascent possible: Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.

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Full post as published by Ms. JD on October 28, 2008 (boomark / email).