Roger's Diffusion of Innovation/ Ideas

While according to some reports up to 60% of attorneys are women (2018), the Road to get there has been long.  Following the theory of Roger's Model for the Diffusion of ideas this progression can be clearly mapped out. Starting back in 1872 with the supreme court case Bradwell v. The State of Illinois, Myra Bradwell acted as a pioneer for all who would come after her. Following this court case, Mrs. Bradwell received her license to practice Law in 1890. With this license, Bradwell successfully opened the door for other women hoping to pursue a career in law.

The tipping point for women's entry into the legal field is arguably the admittance of Sandra Day O'Connor to the United States supreme court in 1981. O'Connor has been responsible for inspiring generations of young women to attend law school. Additionally by rising to that level of prominence O'Connor has changed the face of the American legal system showing women's capabilities in the field of law to those who would cast doubts.

In 2018 it was reported that 1 in 3 attorneys practicing in the United States are Women more recent articles state that the percentage could be as high as 60%. With these higher numbers, it is clear that it is becoming more commonplace for attorneys to be women. With this increase, societal beliefs have also changed. While it would have seemed absurd back in 1872 for a woman to be an attorney in the modern age it is now fairly common.