Elder Dallin H. Oaks On Women in the Law

(Written by Nan Barker, the WIL Committee chair, who is responsible for the blog focus groups "on hiatus" and "using your law degree in your community and family".)

In a recent address, Unfolding in Time, which reviewed the founding and mission of the law school at BYU, Elder Dallin H. Oaks, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, made several statements I found to be very interesting and informative. I thought a couple of them might be of particular interest to people who read this blog.

When referring to women attending law school he said,

I am persuaded that law is a very appropriate study for women, marrried or single... Among other characteristics, law is a professsion that can be practiced from home and on a part-time basis. That surely is not true of many occupations women might choose or be compelled to pursue for support in the world in which we live.

He also mentioned the value and versatility a law degree provides. In a comment which surely applies to all law school graduates who adhere to Gospel standards, he said,

[W]hether in the legal profession or elsewhere, [law school graduates] are using their law degrees and the critical and analytical skills they honed in law school in a multitude of ways that make us proud of their impact on the lives of their clients and families and on the legal and moral environment of their communities and in their areas of influence.

If you're interested in reading the entire article by Elder Oaks, it can be found in the Spring 2013 Clark Memorandum ( http://www.jrcls.org/publications/clark_memo/sections/s13/CMS13_Oaks.pdf).

(One of the goals of this blog is to address seven different focus groups:  full time practice; part time practice; on hiatus; practicing with children at home; students; using your law degree in your community and family; and, singles.  If you have any suggestions about topics you would like to see addressed in these areas, please let us know through the Comment section below.)