Ella Graubart

Ella Graubart Arensberg (Sept 30, 1896 Boston, MA - December 26, 1982 in Palm Beach, Florida)^[1] was the first female lawyer in Pittsburgh, PA, the first female senior partner of a law firm in Pennsylvania, and one of the first women to reach such a position in the USA.

Early life

Graubart was born in Boston, MA as first of three children of a family of wealthy second-generation German immigrants. Her father was a lawyer who had travelled extensively during his youth, taught his children how to sail boats and placed great importance on formal education and languages. Untypically for this time, he supported his daughters in pursuing the education and careers they wished to pursue, and fought for his daughter's right to go to law school. Law, at the time, was seen as a profession unbefitting a woman. Ella Graubart graduated from Hunter College in 1917. Supported by her father, she fought for admittance as a student of law and was finally successful at the University of Pittsburgh. In 1927, she obtained her L.L.B. from the University of Pittsburgh and was admitted to the Pennsylvania bar in the same year.

Professional life

In 1927, Graubart became the first female lawyer ever admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar Association, and went on to practice law until her retirement in 1965. She was known as an excellent legal counsel and became one of Pennsylvania's most highly paid and sought-after lawyers. She constantly supported women's rights, often representing women pro bono in cases related with fair salaries, minority rights and abortion. During the 1930s and 1940s, she was active in several committees, projects and actions headed by Eleanor Roosevelt and was invited to the White House on several occasions. Graubart became the first female senior named partner of a Pennsylvanian law firm with Patterson, Crawford, Arensberg and Dunn under her married name Arensberg. She was a life member of the American Law Institute, a member of Scribes and the author of numerous legal articles. Graubart held Civil Rights Movement rallies, provided funds for the Freedom Riders and was an ardent speaker when it came to women's rights. In 1945, she was the Pittsbugh director of the National Association of Women Lawyers.^[2]

Family and Private Life

Graubart was married to Charles F.C. Arensberg, a realtor and entrepreneur; they had one child, a daughter. Her brother was Captain Arthur H. Graubart. She served as the first female president of the First Unitarian Church in Pittsburgh.^[3] Graubart died on December 26, 1982 in Palm Beach, FL and was survived by her brother, her sister, her daughter and two grandchildren.

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