Women’s History Month is a time to reflect on the strength, courage, and achievements of women who have shaped the legal profession.

For decades, women in law have fought for a seat at the table, from Belva Lockwood, the first woman to argue before the U.S. Supreme Court, to Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who reshaped gender equality jurisprudence to Clara Shortridge Foltz, the first female attorney in not only the State of California, but the entire west coast who pioneered the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office.

But history is not just about the past—it is being written every day by women attorneys, judges, and legal advocates who are breaking barriers.

In Los Angeles, we are fortunate to have extraordinary women shaping the future of law. Women like Hydee Feldstein Soto, the first female and first Latina elected as Los Angeles City Attorney.  Justice Lee Smalley Edmon, also a trailblazer, was the first female Presiding Judge of the Los Angeles County Superior Court and now serves as an Associate Justice on the California Court of Appeal, Second District. WLALA’s own Hon. Holly J. Fujie was the first Asian American woman to serve as President of the California State Bar.

Women in private practice are also leading the way for others. Ibiere N. Seck was the first African-American woman to be President of the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles.  Mia Yamamoto, a United States veteran, is a highly respected criminal defense attorney and civil rights activist, and one of the first openly transgender attorneys in the United States.

On a statewide level, Justice Patricia Guerrero is the first Latina Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court, paving the way for greater representation at the highest levels of the judiciary. Former Chief Justice Tani Gorre Cantil-Sakauye was the first Asian-Filipina American Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court, lighting the path for judicial reform and access to justice. But we cannot forget Justice Joyce L. Kennard, the first Asian American woman appointed to the California Supreme Court.

These women, and many others, are not just shaping the law—they are shaping the future. Their leadership and advocacy remind us that while progress has been made, there is still work to be done. The path forward requires mentorship, advocacy, and solidarity—lifting each other up as we climb.

As members of WLALA, we have a responsibility not only to continue to light the way, but take action to ensure the next generation of women lawyers enter a profession that values their voices, respects their leadership, and recognizes their contributions. One way to take action, right now, is to go to https://wlala.org/give/ and make a donation to WLALA Foundation so they can continue their good work in offering scholarships and fellowships to the future leaders of this esteemed profession. And finally, if you have the will, we have the means. Take action now by applying to be on the Executive Committee of the WLALA board or apply to be President of the WLALA Foundation. Both applications are available online at www.wlala.org and are due no later than March 31, 2025.

Noelle Natoli
President, Women Lawyers Association of Los Angel