The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-12-08
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY.

New York Cn!versitys novel womcn's
law class. composed In a large part OF
women OF means, who manage their own
estates and other business interests has
resumed its session for this year The
attendance is about ffty. which shows
no falling of as result OF the war
conditions which have depleted nearly
all other educational classes.
This class was unique when II was
first organized, and even now there are
few others OF its kind In existence. There
, are no compulsory entrance require
ments for its students no examinations
and no final award OF diplomas, except
by special arrangement. The women
are merely there to learn legal details
which will enable them to avoid being
| taken advantage OF in business trans
, actions. Il does not matter to them
whether they are able to write LII b.
after their names or not They never
expect to take fee for legal services or
to try a case In court. but they do eN-
pect to be able to discover doubtful
, clause in any business contract that may
! be presented TO them. They also expect
I TO know what their rights are in a real
estate deal OF the settlement of a mort
e. sc. When they have finished the
course they will seldom need to stop In
the midst of business conversation, rs
many q man has to 90, and say, Il will
have to consult my counsel"
The Idea was the outgrowth Of a
movement started nearly thirty years
ago by the Women's Legal Education
Society, whose members felt that
women should be equipped for conduct
ing large business operations without
feeling lack Of knowledge due to pre-
vous inexperience. 1t grew from n
. ,. a..
fund OF $4,000, which permanently en-
dows n lectureshIp chair Scholarships
in the class amounting to $4,000 also
have been established.
Some OF the women members have
been exceptionally wealthy. and these
have been In many cases particularly
keen to learn. Among those who have
taken courses are Mrs. Finlay J. Shop
, ard, her sister. the Princess De Talley-
rand, formerly Miss Anna Gould; Mrs.
Dave Hennen Morris. a member OF the
Vanderbilt family; Mrs. ]. e Lounsbury
/ Davis, Mrs Robert Lee Morrell Mrs Ray
K. Loeb Mrs John Z. Mum, Miss Isa-
bella VI. Pettus Mrs. Isaac Franklin
! Russell now a member OF the Board
| OF Education; Mrs. koel Swift, Mrs.
Eugene NJ. .Raye Smith and Alma Web
ster Powell, the singer.
The alumni OF the class have formed
B
have studied law without practising the
profession.
The use OF text books is not necessary
| for members OF the class. the| lectures
| being largely practical In the class
work, contracts are prepared, wills and
deeds are executed and powers of Mt
torney are made out and discussed. The
women are specially warned against
rlous mistakes which might arise from
lack of legal knowledge. such as signing
contracts conveying sweeping rights to
! others, and becoming entrapped In the
| mcshes OF complicated financial trans
! actions,
| Chancellor Elmer Ellsworth Brown Of
tho university takes a deep interest in
the class and vista 1t at intervals. The
| lecturers include DR. Frank IL. Sommcr,
| director OF the class and dean OF the
| University School Of Law Miss Isabella
NJ. Pettus, Miss Florence L. Brlning,
Miss Daisy Gaus, Prof Frank A. !cr-
win, Prof. William +. Walsh, Messrs.
AuSustin Derby and Benjamin p. De
witt Mrs. Finley ]. Shepard has
founded one OF the scholarships and an
other was established by Mrs Russell
' Sage.