Breaking Barriers is an unprecedented and unique account of Massachusetts women's progress in the legal profession from 1882 to the present day. It is a story, albeit an unfinished one, of the extraordinary accomplishments of some of the most impressive members of the Massachusetts bar—women who have faced head on and broken professional, societal, racial, economic, and educational barriers in their careers as lawyers and jurists.

From historical biographies on the state's first women lawyers to modern-day women lawyers' reflective accounts of their own experiences, this dynamic, hardcover book, enhanced with images and other features, brings together nearly 100 contributors to tell this important, unfinished story. Chapters highlight individual women's accomplishments in private practice, in public service, in academia, on the bench, and in the legal community. Changes in the law that have impacted women and were, in large part, advanced by women are also featured, including laws regarding employment, divorce, nonmarital children, abortion, domestic violence, reproductive technology, and rape and sexual assault.

This book is part of MCLE's Legal Heritage Series—a unique collection of books that celebrate Massachusetts' rich legal history and the people, institutions, and stories that are a part of it. All proceeds from the sales of Legal Heritage Series books support MCLE's Scholarship Endowment.