Written By To start, we need to identify who the most influential judges in modern legal history are. Modern legal history can be defined as the period from the 20th century until today. Here are some judges that are widely considered to be among the most influential:
- Ruth Bader Ginsburg – Ginsburg served on the U.S. Supreme Court from 1993 until her death in 2020. She was a champion of women’s rights and was known for her sharp legal mind and eloquent writing style.
- Thurgood Marshall – Marshall was the first African American to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. Before that, he was a lawyer and argued many important civil rights cases, including Brown v. Board of Education.
- Earl Warren – Warren served as Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court from 1953 to 1969. During his tenure, the Court issued several landmark decisions, including Brown v. Board of Education and Miranda v. Arizona.
- Sandra Day O’Connor – O’Connor was the first woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. She served from 1981 to 2006 and was known for her pragmatic approach to the law.
- William J. Brennan Jr. – Brennan served on the U.S. Supreme Court from 1956 to 1990. He was known for his liberal views and was a key figure in expanding civil rights and liberties.
These are just a few examples of influential judges in modern legal history. Now that we have identified some of the key figures, we can begin to develop profiles on each of them. Here’s an example of what a profile on Ruth Bader Ginsburg might look like:
Ruth Bader Ginsburg – A Champion of Women’s Rights
Ruth Bader Ginsburg served on the U.S. Supreme Court from 1993 until her death in 2020. She was known for her fierce dedication to women’s rights and her sharp legal mind. Born in Brooklyn in 1933, Ginsburg was one of only nine women in her class at Harvard Law School. After graduation, she struggled to find work in the male-dominated legal profession. She eventually landed a job teaching at Rutgers Law School, where she became the first female tenured professor.
In the 1970s, Ginsburg began arguing cases before the Supreme Court that challenged gender discrimination. She won several landmark cases, including United States v. Virginia, which struck down the male-only admissions policy at the Virginia Military Institute. In 1993, President Bill Clinton appointed Ginsburg to the Supreme Court, making her the second woman to ever serve on the court.
During her time on the court, Ginsburg continued to advocate for women’s rights. She wrote several influential opinions, including the majority opinion in United States v. Virginia. She was also known for her strong dissents, which often became rallying cries for progressives.
Ginsburg’s legacy as a champion of women’s rights has inspired generations of lawyers and activists. She will always be remembered as one of the most influential judges in modern legal history.
This is just a sample profile, but you can use it as a guide to develop profiles on the other influential judges as well. Remember to include key biographical information, important cases or opinions, and any other relevant details that help to illuminate the judge’s impact on the legal system.
