Patricia Millett is just about the last female appellate lawyer, highlighting Washington’s paucity of women before the Court. Photograph by Chris Leaman.
It’s been a historic year for women at the Supreme Court. Elena Kagan became the country’s first female solicitor general, and Sonia Sotomayor became the third woman to sit on the high court. But one place you won’t find more women is among Washington’s exclusive bar of Supreme Court advocates.
Latham & Watkins partner Maureen Mahoney, widely considered the queen of the DC appellate bar, is scaling back her practice and partially retiring. Renowned Supreme Court advocate Beth Brinkmann, previously chair of Morrison & Foerster’s appellate group, has left to be a deputy assistant attorney general in the Justice Department’s Civil Division. Among the cream of the crop of Washington’s Supreme Court lawyers, the last woman standing is Patricia Millett.
Maureen Mahoney, queen of the DC appellate bar, is scaling back. Photograph by Chris Leaman.
The Akin Gump partner has argued more times before the high court than any other woman in private practice. Millett had her 27th argument on October 6—the second day of the court’s new term—in a First Amendment case concerning animal cruelty. By most accounts, the justices are expected to rule in favor of her client, who was convicted of making videos about pit-bull fights.
Millett is hopeful about the future of women Supreme Court advocates. She says more female law students are enrolling in the Supreme Court clinics she helps with, and she expects Kagan’s appointment to inspire a new generation of women attorneys. Still, one thing makes Millett crazy: the discussion about what female advocates should wear when they argue before the justices.
There was much hoopla surrounding whether Kagan would don the traditional morning coat worn by her male predecessors—she didn’t. Millett says law students also continually ask her what she wears when she’s at the Supreme Court—a question her male counterparts rarely get asked.
Last Woman at the High Court
One place you won’t find more women is among Washington’s exclusive bar of Supreme Court advocates.
It’s been a historic year for women at the Supreme Court. Elena Kagan became the country’s first female solicitor general, and Sonia Sotomayor became the third woman to sit on the high court. But one place you won’t find more women is among Washington’s exclusive bar of Supreme Court advocates.
Latham & Watkins partner Maureen Mahoney, widely considered the queen of the DC appellate bar, is scaling back her practice and partially retiring. Renowned Supreme Court advocate Beth Brinkmann, previously chair of Morrison & Foerster’s appellate group, has left to be a deputy assistant attorney general in the Justice Department’s Civil Division. Among the cream of the crop of Washington’s Supreme Court lawyers, the last woman standing is Patricia Millett.
The Akin Gump partner has argued more times before the high court than any other woman in private practice. Millett had her 27th argument on October 6—the second day of the court’s new term—in a First Amendment case concerning animal cruelty. By most accounts, the justices are expected to rule in favor of her client, who was convicted of making videos about pit-bull fights.
Millett is hopeful about the future of women Supreme Court advocates. She says more female law students are enrolling in the Supreme Court clinics she helps with, and she expects Kagan’s appointment to inspire a new generation of women attorneys. Still, one thing makes Millett crazy: the discussion about what female advocates should wear when they argue before the justices.
There was much hoopla surrounding whether Kagan would don the traditional morning coat worn by her male predecessors—she didn’t. Millett says law students also continually ask her what she wears when she’s at the Supreme Court—a question her male counterparts rarely get asked.
Her answer? “I wear clothes every single time.”
More>> Capital Comment Blog | News & Politics | Party Photos
Marisa M. Kashino joined Washingtonian in 2009 and was a senior editor until 2022.
Most Popular in News & Politics
Meet DC’s 2025 Tech Titans
The “MAGA Former Dancer” Named to a Top Job at the Kennedy Center Inherits a Troubled Program
White House Seriously Asks People to Believe Trump’s Letter to Epstein Is Fake, Oliver North and Fawn Hall Got Married, and It’s Time to Plan Your Apple-Picking Excursion
Scott Bessent Got in Another Argument With a Coworker; Trump Threatens Chicago, Gets Booed in New York; and Our Critic Has an Early Report From Kayu
Trump Travels One Block From White House, Declares DC Crime-Free; Barron Trump Moves to Town; and GOP Begins Siege of Home Rule
Washingtonian Magazine
September Issue: Style Setters
View IssueSubscribe
Follow Us on Social
Follow Us on Social
Related
These Confusing Bands Aren’t Actually From DC
Fiona Apple Wrote a Song About This Maryland Court-Watching Effort
The Confusing Dispute Over the Future of the Anacostia Playhouse
Protecting Our Drinking Water Keeps Him Up at Night
More from News & Politics
Patel Dined at Rao’s After Kirk Shooting, Nonviolent Offenses Led to Most Arrests During Trump’s DC Crackdown, and You Should Try These Gougères
How a DC Area Wetlands Restoration Project Could Help Clean Up the Anacostia River
Pressure Grows on FBI Leadership as Search for Kirk’s Killer Continues, Kennedy Center Fires More Staffers, and Spotted Lanternflies Are Everywhere
What Is Free DC?
Manhunt for Charlie Kirk Shooter Continues, Britain Fires US Ambassador Over Epstein Connections, and Sandwich Guy Will Get a Jury Trial
Can Two Guys Ride a Rickshaw over the Himalayas? It Turns Out They Can.
Trump Travels One Block From White House, Declares DC Crime-Free; Barron Trump Moves to Town; and GOP Begins Siege of Home Rule
Donald Trump Dines at Joe’s Seafood Next to the White House