Pioneers in the Law: The First 150 Women

Sarah Quigley Benham
1937
(1904-1974)

Little is known of Sarah Quigley Benham, who was admitted to the bar by the Wisconsin Supreme Court in January 1937 on the basis of her having practiced law in Ohio since 1928.

She received her law degree and an LL.M. from John Marshall School of Law in Cleveland. She practiced law in Cleveland with her father until she moved to Wisconsin in September 1936. By that time she was married to James Benham. Her application for admission to the Wisconsin bar dated Sept. 14, 1936, said she was a bona fide resident of Milwaukee, living in an apartment on 12th Street. By the time she signed the roll at the Supreme Court in January 1937, she gave her address as Manitowoc. No record of her residence in Manitowoc has been found.

Sarah Quigley Benham applied for Social Security in Cleveland in 1969. She died in Cleveland in 1974, survived by her husband, three children, and 17 grandchildren.

Her death certificate gave her occupation as retired attorney.


Highlights

  • Help your clients plan ahead for future medical care with the State Bar's new Spanish Life Planning booklet. More
  • Learn more about the Wisconsin Law Foundation. More

Consumer Pamphlets
Lawyer Dispute Resolution