rad–I should've clarified–when I referenced Sonia Sotomayor, I was trying to say a non-white female, or female minority. (We could have a much longer discussion on whither and how Jews are/are not a minority. ) But yes, Democrats have a much more forward vision in terms of selecting minorities and women for high-ranking posts. Obama in particular seems determined to fill every seat he can with Latinas, Asians, women.

I'm not sure about this statement. As long as Democrats are in power or at least competitive, this is unlikely judging from recent (or not so recent depending on how you view ~50 years) history.

In 45 years, no Democratic president has put a single white Protestant or Catholic man or woman on the court.

Six nominees have been sent to Congress by Democrats since 1964: Thurgood Marshall, an African-American, four Jewish nominees—Arthur Goldberg, Abe Fortas, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen Breyer, and one Latina, Sonia Sotomayor. The last time a white Christian male was elevated by Democrats was when JFK put Byron White on in 1962.

A quick google search found this:

http://www.jdblissblog.com/attorney_retention.html

“The turnover rate among attorneys at law firms has increased sharply in recent years. According to a study by the NALP Foundation in 2006, an astounding 78% of new associates leave their firms by the end of their 5th year (up from 60% in 2000).”

The #'s used are probably generated differently, so it's hard to compare the studies directly but this would indicate that female minorities are LESS likely to leave than the general attorney population.

rad–I should've clarified–when I referenced Sonia Sotomayor, I was trying to say a non-white female, or female minority. (We could have a much longer discussion on whither and how Jews are/are not a minority. ) But yes, Democrats have a much more forward vision in terms of selecting minorities and women for high-ranking posts. Obama in particular seems determined to fill every seat he can with Latinas, Asians, women.

I'm not sure about this statement. As long as Democrats are in power or at least competitive, this is unlikely judging from recent (or not so recent depending on how you view ~50 years) history.

In 45 years, no Democratic president has put a single white Protestant or Catholic man or woman on the court.

Six nominees have been sent to Congress by Democrats since 1964: Thurgood Marshall, an African-American, four Jewish nominees—Arthur Goldberg, Abe Fortas, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen Breyer, and one Latina, Sonia Sotomayor. The last time a white Christian male was elevated by Democrats was when JFK put Byron White on in 1962.

A quick google search found this:

http://www.jdblissblog.com/attorney_retention.html

“The turnover rate among attorneys at law firms has increased sharply in recent years. According to a study by the NALP Foundation in 2006, an astounding 78% of new associates leave their firms by the end of their 5th year (up from 60% in 2000).”

The #'s used are probably generated differently, so it's hard to compare the studies directly but this would indicate that female minorities are LESS likely to leave than the general attorney population.