Released on = March 23, 2007, 3:08 pm

Press Release Author = Ms. JD

Industry = Law

Press Release Summary = Women from 12 law schools came together to create Ms. JD, a
national online forum to support and promote women in the legal profession.

Press Release Body = One year ago, Ms. JD was an idea shared by a group of law
students from around the country. Politically, racially, and geographically
diverse, these women were all concerned by the rates at which women opt out of the
legal profession, the lack of representation of women in the highest courts and
echelons of the legal community, and the role of gender in the progression of many
women’s legal careers. Since then they’ve raised funds from the nation’s most
prestigious law schools and law firms. Today Ms. JD is an interactive blog
featuring posts from women lawyers, students, and their allies from around the
country.


Who is Ms. JD?

Ms. JD provides a forum for dialogue and networking among women lawyers and law
students. Ms. JD is a nonprofit, nonpartisan community founded by a group of law
students from around the country. Contributors are dedicated to reinforcing and
expanding the representation of women in law school and the legal profession.

Ms. JD seeks to improve the experiences of women in law school and the legal
profession. Obstacles to equal participation hinder not only women in the law but
also their colleagues, clients, children, and communities. Ms. JD consequently
strives to give voice to why it matters that women continue to face these barriers.
In doing so, Ms. JD spreads the word: women’s victories are everyone’s victories.

Already students and practitioners have filled the site with posts. Featured
bloggers include Professor Barbara Babcock, Slate Magazine writer Dahlia Lithwick,
9th Circuit Judges Betty Fletcher, Sandra Ikuta, Dorothy W. Nelson, and Milan D.
Smith, Jr.; legal pioneers Shirley Hufstedler, Professor Herma Hill Kay, and Judith
Younger; and Chief Judge Deanell Reece Tacha of the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals.

For more information, visit www.ms-jd.org.

March 31st Launch Conference: Legally Female – What Does it Mean to be Ms. JD?
Scheduled speakers and panelists to include, keynote speaker Judge Janet Bond
Arterton, Judge Nancy Gertner, Deborah Epstein Henry, Deborah Rhode, Vicki Schultz,
and Joan Williams.


Web Site = http://ms-jd.org

Contact Details = For more information, please contact outreach@ms-jd.org or visit
ms-jd.org