Women in the Workforce: Diana Woodward Hagle

Diana Woodward Hagle

In my  UCLA law class in fall, 1966, there were twelve women in our class of 180.  When all 180 graduated in 1969, thirteen women were among the graduates and all continued to have full careers in the law.

Participation for women in associated facets of law school was either limited or denied.  The two social legal fraternities were open to men only, so it was impossible for women to meet other classmates and students in the other classes. I regret the lack of opportunity for women law students to bond with other classmates because of this exclusion, especially because, after law school, my paths crossed with other classmates I’d known only by name and we became good friends. In short, a lot of nice opportunities were lost because of that exclusion.

It was also tacitly understood that women were not welcome to sign up for interviews or luncheons with big city (Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York) law firms that came to the law school regularly looking for talent.

I’m sure that this was what other women students at Boalt Hall (UC-Berkley Law School) also faced in those years because, in 1971, two years after we graduated, the new Dean at Boalt Hall, Herma Hill Kay, changed all that, and opened opportunities for all students, not just men.  She was a groundbreaker for women lawyers.

Professionally, I couldn’t have asked for a better legal career.  In the California Attorney General’s Office, in my first two years, I had several arguments before Courts of Appeal and one before the California Supreme Court. I had rubbed shoulders with Bernie Wilkins and several California Supreme Court justices.  I wouldn’t say there was no discrimination in the AG’s office, but that it was complex and I had more control over the situation than I understood at the time. I then had three years of civil trials.  And now, as an administrative law judge with the New Motor Vehicle Board, hearing complex business cases, attorneys from the big city law firms appear before me. 

As part of my work for the State of California, I also served as a member of the Judge Advocates Corps for the California Army National Guard.  I was the first female attorney to join the Army National Guard JAG, although I don’t count that as much of an accomplishment.  I was deployed both in the state and around the world to provide legal advice and counsel for unit commanders as well as legal advice to military personnel, to serve as a prosecutor or a defense counsel or a judge in courts-martial.

My military experience was very good to me and for me. I met and worked with people I never would have known.  I did things I never would have done or had the opportunity to do. I traveled to places I never would have gone to otherwise or which were closed to civilian travelers.  I worked with foreign nationals toward a common goal.  I was placed in a leadership role that I never would have had otherwise ,and I learned things that I never would have dreamed of learning.  And, I flew between here and Asia in cargo planes with no windows, slingseats and a porta-potty in the back. 

Editor’s Note: Diana was the Echoes Editor, responsible for creating our 1960 yearbook. The yearbook contains 152 pages of photos and copy documenting the 1959-1960 school year. Working with Lee Bacon, Carol Zook, and Elaine Hill, Diana oversaw every aspect of the yearbook’s production and sales. Echoes 1960 is the source of many photos and much information on this website. We use it daily. Many, many thanks to Diana and her team for this gift that keeps on giving. This story was originally published here in 2021.