The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1892-10-05
A LAW FIRM OF WOMEN.
They Have Demonstrated Their Ability
to Take Equal Rank With Men.


tn Take Equal Rank With Men.
The great progress of women has
ceased to be at all surprising in this
country, and in many of the states
women are represented in the various
professions, particularly that of law.
Mrs. Myra Rradwell, of Chicago, who
was recently admitted to practice in the
United States supreme court ably edits
the Legal News" and Mrs. Phoebe
CoZzcns. of st. Louis, is well-known
lawyer in the west
Miss Lavinia Goodale was the first
woman admitted to the practice of law
in the state of Wisconsin. In 1875 she
appeared before the supreme court of
the state asking permission to practice
in that court, and her brief proved that
she had at least the essential mental
qualifications. The motion was denied
by the Judge at that time, who held
that "womanhood is moulded for gen.
tier and better things" Miss Goodale
maintained, however, that women could
never have full justice in the courts I'M
til properly represented, and that the
union of delicacy, refinement and con-
scicntiousness of woman with the firm
ness and vigor of man was necessary
for the proper administration Of justice
in our courts. Also, that in excluding
women, free and wholesome COMPETE
ton of the best existing talent was pre-
vented, and that it was unjust to Danish
so large a portion Of the community
from field for which many have taste
and ability.
Since that date Miss Goodale has
been admitted to the bar and is now
one of the eight women lawyers in the
state of Wisconsin, of whom four are
the subject of this sketch, Mrs. Kate
Pier and her three daughters, Kate H.,
Caroline and Harriet They are all
members of one law firm in the city of
Milwaukee They are all interesting,
feminine" women, if one may use the
expression; apparently they have lost
none of their womanly qualities, but
gained so many privileges that one is
reconciled to progress, which twenty
years ago many thought threatened the
destruction of home life 1t is not
probable that any one of these young
ladies is untitled for home because
she has identified herself with an I'M
usual calling for woman. Only a few
years ago. if woman found it neces-
sary to work for living, as she often
did apparently suffering both the curse
of Adam and Eve) there was no career
open to her save school-teaching or
drcss-making. Now, as 4 progressive
woman says, 'she can do anything
where her petticoats do not catch in the
machinery"
Mrs Pier, after the death of her IA
thcr, was left in charge of his estate.
that arose, and possessing keen and
brilliant mind, she directed it to the
study of law. There are many women
upon whom devolve the responsibilities
of an estate who may appreciate the
motive which led Mrs. Pier to become
her own lawyer. About six years ago
she, with her three daughters, went to
Madison, Wisconsin. She took a house
and kept the home until She and her
daughter, Kate, were graduated from
the law school of the state university.
The two younger daughters were in the
high school at the time. Going to
school with ones mother, Miss Kate as
surcs one, was great Improvement on
the usual way. In speaking of the in
variable kindness shown them by men,
bers of the legal profession, Miss Kate
mentions only one case of direct par
TALLY. The young men of the law
class were in the habit of making a
record of the ages of its members, and
registered Mrs. Pier at twenty-six and
Miss Pier at eighteen.
After the graduation of Mrs. and Miss
Pier, they returned to Fond du Lac
but came to Milwaukee the year fol
lowing, where they have since prac
ticcd their profession. These ladic,
were instrumental in the passage o.
two laws in the legislature, viz: that !
married woman is capable of acting a:
an assignee, and tina: married woman
who is an attorney at law may be 1
court commissioner. In 1891 Mrs Pie
was appointed court commissioner, ant
is the only woman holding a position o
that kind in the United States. Thes,
women have good standing among law
yers, and are not considered unequa
adversaries Their practice is general
with the exception of criminal eases
Most of their cases are corporation, rea
estate, or probate. Mrs Pier take
charge of the Office and Miss Kate usu
ally appears in court She has alread.
had ten cases in the supreme court
The firm is extremely modest in speak
ing of its members. but, as matter o
fact, they are considered successful law
yers. Perhaps one reason for their sue
cess lies in their steady and conscien
tious application to their work,
Mrs. Pier is a handsome woman: he
face indicates a strong and sweet char
actcr, which would temper justice wit
mercy. Miss Kate is very beautiful
She is tall and slight, her face is refined
ana nef uCcp olue cyeo dIS Nuc ~ -
eyes, and full of expression. She wear
her long blacl; hair in braids whic
bang nearly to the ground. 1t may b
of interest to femme readers to know
that Mrs Pier wore, when she plea
and won her first case at Madison,
pretty black silk dress, brightcne
with a bit of color at her throat
must have been astrange scene. whe
five most potent, grave and reveren
seigniors" listened to slip of girl
she plead her case, and plead it we
and with convincing power.