The Lavinia Goodell Cases: Wisconsin’s First Female Lawyer and Her Fight for Justice

In 1874, Lavinia Goodell was admitted into the Rock County bar and began practicing law in Janesville. She represented a number of female clients in the area, particularly in divorce classes. When one case required her to appeal to the Supreme Court, she petitioned to become a member of the bar of the Wisconsin Supreme Court and was denied. Her fight to end discrimination against women in law practice, eventually led to a change in state law and her admittance to the Wisconsin Supreme Court. This presentation will examine her fight for women’s rights through her court cases.

Presented by Jennifer Motszko, Head of Archives

Thursday, April 6, 2023, 2:00 pm