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List of first women lawyers and judges in Pennsylvania

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This is a list of the first women lawyer(s) and judge(s) in Pennsylvania. It includes the year in which the women were admitted to practice law (in parentheses). Also included are women who achieved other distinctions such becoming the first in their state to graduate from law school or become a political figure.

Firsts in Pennsylvania's history

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Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander: First African American female lawyer in Pennsylvania (1927)
Mari Carmen Aponte: First Cuban American female lawyer in Pennsylvania

Law School

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Lawyers

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Law clerk

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State judges

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Federal judges

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Attorney General of Pennsylvania

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Deputy Attorney General

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  • First female: Dr. M. Louise Rutherford in 1939[39][40]
  • First female (First Deputy): Michelle Henry in 2016[41][42]

Assistant Attorney General

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  • First female: M. Vashti Burr from 1926 to 1931[43]

United States Attorney

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Assistant United States Attorney

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  • First female (Middle District of Pennsylvania): Barbara Kosik Whitaker in 1979[47]

District Attorney

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  • First African American female to lead a District Attorney's office in Pennsylvania: Kelley B. Hodge[48]

Political Office

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Pennsylvania Bar Association

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  • First female president: Leslie Anne Miller around 1999[50]
  • First Latino American female president: Sharon López in 2017[51]

Firsts in local history

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See also

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Other topics of interest

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References

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  10. ^ Upon her appointment to the bench in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
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