Many of the women on this year's list entered law school at a time when to be a "lady lawyer" was unusual, even a little weird.  It is extraordinary to recall that as recently as the 1970s, women were discouraged from entering law school on the ground that they would take a "man's place."  Now it's the prejudice against women that seems unfathomable.

We asked our readers to nominate female attorneys who have had a national impact in their fields and beyond during the last five years.  Merely holding high office was not enough; we looked for women with the demonstrated power to change the legal landscape, shape public affairs, launch industries and do big things.  Law professors and in-house counsel were eligible; judges and nonpracticing lawyers were not.

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