The first woman to be appointed a “judge” at the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg, Eleanor Sharpston, 52, holds the key position of Advocate-General — which some say is far more influential than the position of the judges themselves. It falls to Sharpston to give the first opinion on cases that come before the court, which then goes to the judges: it is highly persuasive and more often than not is followed by the judges. Before her appointment she was a top QC in European law at Hailsham Chambers where she was joint head: she has spent her career with one foot in the Bar and the other in academia. She speaks several languages and is passionate about Europe. She went to King’s College, Cambridge (taking a first in economics), and then did research at Corpus Christi College, Oxford — developing a career as a lecturer as well as an advocate. Sporty as well as clever, she notched up Blues for rowing and squash and, on top of all this, plays violin and classical guitar, rides a motorbike and sails square-riggers.

Back to the full Law 100 2008

Did we get it right? Tell us your picks

Law 100: women | Law 100: corporate and business | Law 100: public, criminal and human rights | Law 100: judges

Explore Law

• Corporate Law

• Public Law

• Columnists

• Law Panel

• Student Law

• Law Reports

Times Recommends

• PM to sue Icesave to get savers' money
• Former UBS lawyer pays $6.5m to settle probe
• Test case over non-dom told to pay UK taxes