Murdoch Mysteries Wiki
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Clara Brett Martin is the first female lawyer in all of the British Empire. She also paved the way for all female Canadian lawyers in the future.

Appearance

She first appears in court as the women are being read their charges. She asks to act as lawyer to the four women facing charges, and both they and judge agree to it. Later on, the charges on the other women were dropped, save for Emily.

After being released, Julia meets with Clara, who talks about how it took a year for the Law Society to decide that "person" in their statute included women. Together, the women come up with a plan to save Dr. Grace.

Julia and Clara meet with the Crown Prosecutor, telling him about Leslie Garland's past misdeeds, and warn him they will press charges unless they drop the charges against Emily.

At Dr. Grace's trial, the judge asks if Clara had prepared a defense, which she had, but the Prosecutor announces that they've dropped all charges due to new information. The judge expresses disappointment at not seeing her at work, but Miss Martin assures him that he'll hopefully see her one day.

History

In real life, Miss Martin accomplished all this and more. From a well-to-do Anglican-Irish family, she went to Trinity College and received a Bachelor in Mathematics at the age of sixteen. After applying to become the first female lawyer, her cause was supported by reputable people such as Lady Aberdeen and Emily Stowe, the first female doctor in Canada.

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