Eve in frames.

• Author: Bryant, Marian E.

This wisdom I received when deciding my destiny as a lawyer. The logic behind the statement is apparently that the majority of those accused of allegedly breaking the law are male and would naturally prefer a strong, dependable, logical male representative. Women defendants were also thought to place greater trust in male lawyers for the same reasons and, therefore, unlikely to retain female counsel. Women lawyers being considered, one assumes, susceptible to sudden attacks of the vapours, thereby disrupting the defence.

It was difficult in the beginning. Clients sometimes assumed an emotional sympathy to their plight and were startled to discover such was not the case. Winning not weeping is a more effective strategy.

I was surprised when people I successfully defended on lesser charges, to protestations of eternal gratitude, subsequently retained male lawyers when graduating to allegations of attempted murder or serious narcotic matters.

Over the last ten years, however, I have noticed a growing inclination among the wrongfully accused to retain female barristers from which developed an insightful Bryant theory: the cultural leveler of television and film, by increasingly portraying strong, intelligent, and resourceful female attorneys, has brought about a greater societal acceptance of female lawyers and assisted in promoting equality in the courtroom.

A random sampling of films and television programs illustrates this evolution. Adam's Rib, released in 1949, centers around the trial of a wife charged with the attempted murder of her spouse. Katherine Hepburn plays Amanda, the defence attorney, and Spencer Tracy, Adam, the assistant district attorney prosecuting the case. Conflict issues seemingly being of small consequence, Amanda and Adam are married to each other. This is a movie about stereotypes and double standards. The intelligent Amanda achieves an acquittal for her client by advancing a prototype battered spouse syndrome defence.

And what is her reward from Hollywood? Adam leaves her, accusing her of perverting the rule of law and displaying contempt for the justice system and punishes her for her professional ingenuity and success: "I'm old fashioned. I like two sexes! And another thing. All of a sudden I don't like being married to what is known as a new woman. I want a wife, not a competitor!"

Amanda reconciles with Adam when he proves his intellectual superiority in debate. Of course while doing so, he is pointing what she...