The Lincoln Star from Lincoln, Nebraska • Page 88

IISMOMI: Wl CkKt II hr he Sume CM? by llene Barth WASHINGTON, I there a woman quaiified for appointment to the Supreme Court should a vacancy occur during President Nixon's second Administration? Parade spoke with leading law school deans, prominent law association members and experienced judges, and their verdict was a resounding "yes." I think it would be very fitting for a woman DOROTHY NELSON. As Dean of the University of Southern California Law School, Mrs. Nelson will certainly come to President Nixon's attention They already have Dean Nelson served as co-chairman of a panel at the White House.Conference on Children. One of her main interests is judicial reform. She believes that many juvenile and adult offenders become needlessly enmeshed in the legal system, when there should be instead, local family service centers for their treatment.

Dean Nelson also insists that all courts should be removed from political influence. Mrs. Nelson maintains her political independence. "I vote for the man, not the party," she says. If Mrs.

Nelson were to be appointed to the Supreme Court, hers would be a two-judge family. Her husband, James F. Nelson, is a municipal court judge in Los Angeles. The couple met in law school at UCLA, and have two children, Lorna, 10, and Franklin, 13. While still law students, Dorothy and James Nelson converted from Protestantism to the Bahai faith, an international religion founded last century by Persian prophet, Baha'ullah, meaning "the splendor of God." Bahais believe in the "oneness of mankind, oneness of religion, and oneness of God," and Mrs.

Nelson is active in Bahai affairs. Associated with the University of Southern California, as a teacher before she became Dean, since receiving her Masters of Law degree there in 1956, she lacks extensive legal experience outside academia. But against this must be balanced her uniqueness as a woman in charge of a major law school. Is President Nixon likely to choose her? She is, in her own words, a "compromise candidate." to be on the Supreme Court," says former justice Tom Clark, "She would bring to the Court a woman's experience with the law which I'm sure would broaden its horizons." Another former Supreme Court Justice, Arthur Goldberg, concurs. "I think the time is well overdue for a qualified woman to serve on the Court," he says.

There are many who share this prominent jurists as well as private citizens. And Dorothy Nelson with Chief justice Warren Burger. She is Dean of the USC Law School, a political independent and wed to a A main interest is judicial reform. Judge Cornelia Kennedy with husband, Charles, and son, Charles. A Republican, she was named to federal bench by Nixon in 1970 after 18 years of private law practice.

last time there was an opening, Pat Nixon told reporters that she had been "talking it up" with her husband to appoint the first woman to the high bench. What are the chances? The President himself has expressed interest in naming a woman, and ceYtainly, the resurgence of women's rights activities has produced much public support. Moreover, the Court's nine justices have long been in part selected to represent the breadth of the American population. The pool of qualified women is impressive, but not vast. This reflects, in part, discriminatory attitudes which have made it difficult, if not in some cases impossible, for women to obtain the necessary experience.

This means that those women who are today in the qualified pool are, indeed, special. The six women profiled here were all frequently and favorably cited by the jurists Parade canvassed. Each is worthy of consideration by President Nixon, but they also represent a cross- section of the types of legal backgrounds a Supreme Court candidate might be expected to have. a CORNELIA KENNEDY. "People tell me I'm beginning to look stern.

I think the older you get, the more you look like what you do," says Cornelia G. Kennedy. Mrs. Kennedy is 49 years old, and she is a federal judge in the Eastern District of Michigan. And if indeed physiognomy is a guide to occupation.

Judge Kennedy also looks distinguished and wise. President Nixon appointed her to her current post in 1970, and he may look her way if a Supreme Court vacancy occurs during his term. Judge Kennedy is a seasoned lawyer. She was in private practice for 18 years before being elected to a county judgeship in 1967. Although that election was non-partisan, she is a Republican, But as far as judicial philosophy goes, she says, "I don't think I fit Into a cubbyhole.

But it's always difficult to judge yourself, why not ask other lawyers. Parade did and here is one typical, informal verdict: "Judge Kennedy's opinions are well-reasoned and she construes precedent thoughtfully, even creatively. She rhay be closer to President Nixon's views on criminal matters than she is to Justice Douglas'." Mrs. Kennedy says emphatically, "I think there should be plural the Supreme Court. Two or three would be just fine." Judge Kennedy is also capable of looking after her own rights.

When she discovered that pensions were provided for widows of federal judges, but not widowers, she began enlisting other female federal judges to press the government to change this. Her husband is Charles S. Kennedy a public relations executive. Married a dozen years, they have one son, 9- year-old Charles. continued.