In Defense of Women: Memoirs of an Unrepentant Advocate

Nancy Gertner is a fascinating person to read about. Besides her indomitable energy, her obvious intelligence and dedication, she is fun to listen to. In this book about a US District Court Judge, former defense lawyer and women's rights advocate we can learn about real life court cases, major cases, and see how Nancy has shaped the law in Massachusetts. Working women will enjoy her descriptions about being a mother in a court robe when her proceeding is interrupted by a phone calls from her six year old demanding to know where is the chocolate pudding that was supposed to be his snack. And Judge Gertner didn't even know that Peter could dial a phone. While all these hilarious situations appear in chapter after chapter, we are immersed in the world of human rights, women's rights, minority rights. I learned so much about the trials of high-profile defendants such as Susan Saxe who is no longer just a name to me.Her love for her family comes out in every chapter, her husband, her sons, her sister and her parents, Moishe and Sadie. It gives a very human profile to an absolute dynamo. I laughed out loud when I learned that her beagle was named after her mother. She had married late and didn't have children until she was in her early forties. Her parents always lamented that their daughter wasn't married. So when she broke up with her last boyfriend in her late thirties she was left with the beagle which she named Samantha, after Nancy's late mother, "in the Jewish tradition."

Was very pleasantly surprised to find this was signed by the author to someone named Helen (not my name, but nice none the less).

In Defense of Women is both a memoir and fascinating tour of women's and prisoner's rights of the last several decades. Clearly and cleanly written, it tells the story of Judge Gertner's humble beginnings, her struggles, her triumphs and losses; and her rise to the Federal Bench. Along the way there are several cases discussed, dissected and examined all with the intent of making complex legal questions accessible to the lay reader. The battle for women's rights might not be over, but it is clearly and firmly joined by such heroines as Judge Gertner.

An inspirational book. This is an amazing woman who has made the tough choices and stood by her principles. A role model for all of us. I am not an attorney but certainly had admired Nancy Gertner as a judge and as a leading advocate for women. It was the personal anecdotes on work-life balance that were particularly poignant. "Rice cereal epaulets" says it all. I am even more impressed with Nancy Gertner after reading this book. I even bought 10 copies for gifts to female friends.

As a new female lawyer, this book really resonated with me. Judge Nancy Gertner's message about gender equality is great, and the stories she uses to illustrate are interesting and at times unbelievable(but true) (e.g., when a judge sarcastically commented that another woman in the courtroom is just what he needed)!I would recommend this book to any female attorney, anyone interested in women's rights issues, or any interested in great stories about unique legal battles.

"In Defense of Women" was a inspiring account of how Judge Gertner became the sort of lawyer she is well known for having been and now a well respected judge. As a law student this book helped in preparing to practice law; but also not to be afraid to take cases I want/believe in if they come around. Judge Gertner's 'war stories' are inspiring and highlight that it was not an easily paved path for women. This book is a must read for women who are thinking about going into the law profession or women who are ending their career.

Nancy Gertner fought many notable, precedent-setting legal battles on behalf of women. She is an inspiration for any feminist. We still have a long way to go, but Ms. Gertner fought for women at a time when police wouldn't even act on repeated reports of domestic violence. I especially recommend this book for anyone - male or female - considering a career in public interest law.

This is really a wonderful micro and macro-view of the legal profession, especially in the areas of criminal defense and gender discrimination (including against men). Can I say more than I found it engaging and illuminating? I wish I had had Professor Gertner for criminal procedure; I would have understood Battered Women's Syndrome much better than it was taught to me.