In Re Maddox

Citations

• 50 A. 487
• 93 Md. 727
• 55 L.R.A. 298
• 1901 Md. LEXIS 75

Syllabus

<p>Attorneys at Law— Women Not Entitled to Admission to the Bar Undo the Statutes of this State.</p> <p>The right to practice law, as an attorney and counsellor, is not a natural inherent right of every citizen but depends upon, and may constitutionally be regulated by statute.</p> <p>In the Act of 1898, ch. 139, regulating admissions to the bar, the phrase ology plainly shows that only male citizens of the State are contemplated. Code, Art. 1, containing certain general rules of interpretation, provides that “the masculine includes all genders except where such construction would be absurd or unreasonable. ’ ’ At common law no woman could practice as an attorney, solicitor or barrister. Held,</p> <p>1st. That women are not entitled, merely in consequence of this general rule of interpretation, to be admitted to the bar when the statute on the subject shows that a contrary purpose was held by the Legislature.</p> <p>2nd. That the provision in the Act of 1898, relating to the admission of lawyers from other States does not authorize the admission of a woman lawyer from another State, but relates only to such persons as are entitled to admission under the laws of this State.</p>