In the U.S. in 1968, women comprised 4% of students in law schools. Last year 56% were women, in the U.S. and in Florida. The state’s top law schools by female enrollment: FAMU, 67%; St. Thomas University, 63%; Barry University, 63%. Women were 38% of practicing lawyers in the U.S. in 2022, versus 3% in 1968. Of federal judges, about one-third are women. Law school deans nationwide are 43% women (versus 10% in 2000); law school faculties are 45% women.

At Shepard Broad College of Law at Nova Southeastern University that figure is 58%, No. 5 in the U.S. Disparities narrow, the trend is clear, yet women in leadership — particularly women of color — lags: Women were 27% of partners in 2022, according to the National Association of Women Lawyers. But if past is prologue, the lawyers profiled here represent not just leaders in the law but likely the legal sector’s emerging leadership overall.