The Jabot

Kathryn Rubino at Above the Law
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Philosophy
  • Updated weekly

We are an offshoot of the Above the Law legal blog. But we are focused on the challenges women, people of color, LGBTQIA, and other diverse populations face in the legal industry. Let's be real -- it can suck out there. So we want to create a space where our community can come together share stories, find support and devise strategies. Our name comes from none other than the Notorious Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the jabot (decorative collar) she wears when delivering dissents from the bench. It's a reminder that --even when we aren't winning, we're still a powerful force to be reckoned with.

  1. 3 days ago

    What Lawyers Really Need To Know About Marketing

    Summary Kathryn Rubino sits down with Deborah Farone, one of the most experienced legal marketing and business development advisors in the country, to dig into what actually drives sustainable practice growth. Farone traces her career from a PR firm handling Milbank's account in the 1990s through Chief Marketing Officer roles at Debevoise and Cravath, to running her own advisory practice today. The conversation covers what big law gets wrong about business development, why existing clients are the most overlooked growth lever, how law firms are finally starting to teach associates what was once left unspoken, and what it really means for women lawyers to develop business on their own terms. Farone also addresses the industry's consolidation wave, the squeeze on mid-size firms, and why the biggest strategic risk for any law firm right now is standing still. Key Takeaways Business development starts with strategy, not tactics. Know where you want to go before you pick any tool or activity. Most business comes from existing clients. Growing those relationships and getting referrals from them is more powerful than chasing new names. The minders/finders/grinders model is outdated. Every lawyer at every level is now expected to develop business in some form. Women who build thriving practices do it in ways that feel authentic to them — opera evenings, hikes with clients — not by mimicking someone else's playbook. The biggest risk for any law firm is complacency. GCs want firms to come to them with intelligence and AI guidance, not the other way around. Links and Resources •  Above the Law •  The Jabot Podcast •  Farone Advisors •  Breaking Ground: How Successful Women Lawyers Build Thriving Practices — Deborah Farone Keywords legal marketing, business development for lawyers, law firm marketing strategy, women lawyers business development, Deborah Farone, Breaking Ground book, legal rainmakers, origination credit, law firm business development, boutique law firms, big law marketing, Jabot podcast, Above the Law podcast, legal operations, law firm growth, existing clients strategy, authentic networking lawyers, law firm compensation, mid-size law firms, GC relationships Episode Highlights [00:01:00 — 00:01:25] Deborah explains why working on the Milbank PR account made her want to move into legal marketing full-time. [00:02:16 — 00:02:57] How BD at Cravath included running a competitive intelligence unit to track potential new matters, something she couldn't have predicted 30 years earlier. [00:05:43 — 00:06:09] Why law schools are finally teaching business development, and what a class at Columbia Law looked like. [00:07:07 — 00:07:51] The counterintuitive truth: your best source of new business is the clients you already have, not the shiny new prospect. [00:09:07 — 00:09:56] Deborah's case for why developing a book of business is like putting money in the bank, and why it gives women lawyers more freedom and mobility. [00:10:42 — 00:11:41] The authentic BD methods of successful women lawyers: opera evenings with clients in Milan, group hiking trips, anything that feels genuine. [00:17:45 — 00:18:42] The squeeze on mid-size firms: not niche enough, not global enough, and often without the marketing resources to compete. [00:19:28 — 00:19:54] Dan Troy's line: "You can't be Wachtell in every practice." Why trying to be everything to everyone destroys credibility with clients. [00:21:25 — 00:22:18] GCs don't want to be the ones telling their law firms what legal trends are. They want their firms to come to them with intelligence and AI guidance.

    23 min

  2. 29 Jun

    Medicine's Monopoly Problem

    Episode Summary Tahir Amin started out wanting to play professional football in England. He found law instead, and specifically intellectual property law in the early 1990s, when the field was still new enough to feel cutting edge. After a decade of commercial IP practice in the UK and the US, he moved to India in 2004 to understand what the new global IP rules were doing to the people they never accounted for. He arrived just as India was being required to comply with WTO patent rules that would affect access to HIV medicines costing tens of thousands of dollars a year. That experience led him to co-found I-MAC in 2006. In this conversation, Amin walks Rubino through the political economy of drug patents: how neoliberal policy from the late 1970s onward handed control of publicly funded research to private companies, how those companies built out sprawling patent portfolios to delay generic competition, and how the word "innovation" became a shield against any real scrutiny. He also talks about what I-MAC's work has achieved, the blowback it has faced, and why he considers himself a "cynical optimist" who believes the long game is the only game worth playing. Key Takeaways Patent stacking is the norm, not the exception. Novo Nordisk filed more than 320 patent applications around the single active ingredient in the Ozempic family of drugs. 1 in 3 Americans are skipping doses or cutting pills to afford their medications. This is a policy problem rooted in decisions made over the past four decades. The word "innovation" replaced "invention" deliberately around 1976–77, allowing corporations to privatize public-funded knowledge and charge rent for it. I-MAC's public patent database puts the evidence on the table. The pharma industry attacks the messenger rather than engaging the data. Incrementalism is the system's release valve. Real change requires playing the long game, not chasing the next quick win. Links & Resources Above the Law The Jabot Podcast Tahir Amin at I-MAC Pharma Monopoly: The Battle for the Future of Medicines by Tahir Amin (book) Keywords pharmaceutical patents, drug pricing, patent monopoly, medicine access, IP law, I-MAC, Tahir Amin, patent stacking, Ozempic patents, Novo Nordisk, innovation myth, neoliberalism, affordable medicine, generic drugs, biosimilars, patent reform, WTO patent law, drug affordability, pharma policy, Jabot podcast Episode Highlights 00:08:18 - 00:09:16 Amin explains the founding of I-MAC and the need to challenge systems treating public knowledge as monopoly property. 00:12:49 - 00:13:33 The survey data: 1 in 3 Americans are skipping or rationing medications, a Western problem as much as a global one. 00:16:12 - 00:16:55 Novo Nordisk's 320+ patent applications on the Ozempic active ingredient, and how that data changed the Congressional conversation. 00:21:52 - 00:24:54 The linguistic shift from "invention" to "innovation" after the late 1970s, and why the distinction matters for policy. 00:30:27 - 00:31:32 Why incrementalism is the system's release valve, and the case for committing to real, structural change over the long run.

    30 min

  3. 27 Jun

    Building A Judicial Legacy

    Episode Summary Judge Nushin Sayfie traces her path from a fifth-grade classroom where a teacher named her attorney general, to 14 years defending clients who couldn't afford a lawyer, to the bench of Florida's 11th Judicial Circuit. She talks with Kathryn Rubino about what she gave up to become a judge, what she has never stopped missing, and what finally pushed her to apply for a vacancy she hadn't planned on. She's direct about the realities most judicial candidates don't advertise: the pressure of running for election, the vulnerability of every public decision, and the steep learning curve of developing the thick skin the job demands. On women in law, she's equally clear. The numbers at the top still don't reflect what's happening in law school classrooms, and that gap doesn't close without honest conversation and real mentorship. Key Takeaways The move from trial lawyer to judge means trading the high of winning for a different kind of authority. Most honest judges will tell you they miss it. Florida's system of judicial elections creates genuine pressure on sitting judges. Any judge who claims otherwise has probably already decided to retire. Preparation is irreplaceable. No natural talent substitutes for doing the work, and that's as true in the courtroom as anywhere. Mentorship isn't optional. It's one of the clearest predictors of who makes it to the top of the profession, especially for women. 'Use the robe.' Authority doesn't require volume. The most effective leaders in any room are the ones who bring the temperature down. Links and Resources Above the Law The Jabot Podcast Keywords Judge Nushin Sayfie, The Jabot Podcast, Kathryn Rubino, women in law, public defender, judicial career, Florida judge, Chief Judge, 11th Judicial Circuit, legal mentorship, judicial elections, trial lawyer, women in leadership, legal career advice, Above the Law, courtroom experience, legal profession, women attorneys, judicial temperament, work-life balance in law Episode Highlights [00:00:24 - 00:01:36]  Judge Sayfie traces her interest in law to a fifth-grade teacher who named her attorney general of the class government. [00:02:10 - 00:04:17]  On 14 years as a public defender, and why defending people who couldn't afford a lawyer felt like the right fit. [00:04:29 - 00:06:04]  The baptism conversation that led to an unexpected application for a judicial vacancy, decided on the drive home. [00:07:54 - 00:09:09]  On the unique high of winning as a trial lawyer, and what it's like to sit on the other side of that feeling. [00:09:47 - 00:11:08]  On developing thick skin, making decisions under public scrutiny, and why judges who avoid deciding are failing. [00:13:30 - 00:16:31]  On running for judicial election in Florida and surviving unfair media coverage as Chief Judge. [00:17:31 - 00:18:03]  On women still not reaching the top despite filling more than half of law school seats across the country. [00:22:05 - 00:24:05]  The death penalty war story: a client who refused to testify mid-trial, dismantling months of case preparation. [00:25:17 - 00:26:16]  On being the calming presence in any room: 'Use the robe. Don't raise your voice.'

    27 min

  4. 13 Mar

    This Harvard Law School Grad Has The Progressive Answer To FedSoc

    Episode Summary In this episode of the Jabot Podcast, host Kathryn Rubino speaks with Molly Coleman, Executive Director of the People's Parity Project (PPP) and newly elected St. Paul City Council member, about organizing within the legal profession and redefining the role lawyers play in democracy. Coleman shares how her early work in public education inspired her to pursue law as a tool for systemic change, and how the People's Parity Project grew from a small group of law students into a national organizing force challenging corporate power, forced arbitration, and inequities embedded within the legal system. The conversation explores the ideological shaping of law students, the long-term influence of legal movements, and the importance of building alternative pathways for lawyers who want to advance social and economic justice. Coleman also reflects on organizing during political crisis, the limits of courts as vehicles for change, and why community action — not institutions alone — ultimately drives democratic resilience. This episode offers a candid look at legal activism, professional responsibility, and what it means for lawyers to engage both inside and outside systems of power. Links & Resources Home - People's Parity Project Keywords People's Parity Project Molly Coleman Legal organizing Law student activism Legal profession reform Forced arbitration Non-disclosure agreements Legal activism Democracy and law Popular constitutionalism Legal organizing movements Corporate power and law Lawyers and social change Legal education reform Political organizing Community lawyering Judicial power Legal profession ideology Public interest law Law and democracy Episode Highlights 00:04–00:26 - Molly Coleman's path from public education to law school 00:26–01:50 - Seeking systemic change beyond direct service work 01:50–03:14 - Law school expectations versus institutional realities 03:14–04:23 - The Me Too movement and the origins of the People's Parity Project 04:23–05:24 - Early organizing against forced arbitration and NDAs 05:24–07:08 - Social media organizing and unexpected influence on Big Law 07:08–08:53 - How PPP evolved from a student project into a national organization 08:53–11:27 - Ideological shaping of law students and counterbalancing dominant narratives 11:27–12:53 - Why organizing lawyers matters for long-term political change 12:53–15:40 - Misconceptions about the political ideology of the legal profession 15:40–17:55 - Political pressures on law firms and the profession's shifting landscape 17:55–19:18 - Crisis in Minnesota and limits of relying on courts for protection 19:18–20:16 - Popular constitutionalism and people-powered resistance 20:16–22:33 - How lawyers can contribute during political and social crises 22:33–24:23 - Transitioning from organizer to elected official 24:23–26:27 - The future of legal organizing and building democratic resilience

    27 min

  5. 6 Mar

    This Is Why Criminal Justice Needs Number Nerds

    Episode Summary In this episode of the Jabot Podcast, host Kathryn Rubino speaks with economist and criminal justice expert Jennifer Doleac, author of The Science of Second Chances: A Revolution in Criminal Justice and Executive Vice President of Criminal Justice at Arnold Ventures. Drawing from economic research and real-world policy analysis, Doleac explains how data — not ideology — should guide criminal justice reform. The conversation explores how incentives shape behavior, why increasing the certainty of consequences works better than harsher punishment, and how evidence challenges many widely accepted assumptions about crime policy. From probation reform and recidivism research to hiring discrimination and unintended policy consequences, Doleac argues that solving complex justice problems requires experimentation, humility, and rigorous testing. The episode ultimately reframes criminal justice reform as a question of incentives, systems design, and evidence-based decision-making rather than political narratives. Links & Resources Home Jennifer Doleac (@jenniferdoleac) on X Arnold Ventures | Jennifer Doleac https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdoleac/ Keywords Criminal justice reform Second chances Jennifer Doleac Evidence-based policy Economics of crime Recidivism research Deterrence theory Probation reform Ban the Box policy Employment discrimination Second chance hiring Policy experimentation Data-driven justice Natural experiments Incentives and behavior Public policy evaluation Mass incarceration solutions Economic analysis of crime Criminal records employment Justice system innovation Episode Highlights 00:04–00:50 - Jennifer Doleac's path from economics to criminal justice research 00:50–02:15 - Using economic tools to measure real-world policy impact 02:15–03:28 - Bridging human justice issues with economic analysis 03:28–05:37 - The three ways economists contribute to criminal justice reform 05:37–06:50 - Shifting policy culture from certainty to experimentation 06:50–08:21 - Why certainty of consequences deters crime more than harsh punishment 08:21–09:43 - Structural challenges of implementing reform across states and jurisdictions 09:43–12:19 - Surprising findings: leniency for first-time defendants reduces recidivism 12:19–15:02 - Probation reform and why more supervision can worsen outcomes 15:02–17:03 - Myths about public safety versus data-driven realities 17:03–19:14 - Employment barriers faced by people with criminal records 19:14–21:11 - How Ban the Box policies produced unintended racial disparities 21:11–22:49 - Rethinking incentives to improve second-chance hiring 22:49–24:24 - Insurance models and market solutions for employer risk concerns 24:24–25:25 - Why experimentation and hypothesis testing must guide reform

    26 min

  6. 27 Feb

    The Human Cost Of Our Broken Justice System

    Episode Summary In this episode of The Jabot Podcast, host Kathryn Rubino sits down with public defender, reform advocate, and author Emily Galvin Almanza to discuss her new book The Price of Mercy: Unfair Trials, a Broken System, and a Public Defender's Search for Justice in America. Emily shares her unexpected path into law, her deep commitment to criminal defense, and the emotional realities of representing clients navigating one of the most consequential systems in American society. Drawing from years in public defense and her work co-founding Partners for Justice, she explains why the criminal legal system often punishes instability rather than crime — and how policy choices, not individual morality, frequently determine who enters the system. The conversation explores burnout among defenders, systemic misconceptions about criminal courts, the role of compassion in policy reform, and the economic and social costs of incarceration. Ultimately, the episode reframes justice not as punishment, but as a question of public safety, community stability, and human dignity. Links & Resources emilygalvinalmanza.com Keywords Public defense Criminal justice reform The Price of Mercy Emily Galvin Almanza Public defender experience Mass incarceration Justice system reform Holistic defense model Legal burnout Court system inequality Compassion in policy Criminal legal system Wrongful convictions Socioeconomic inequality Recidivism data Legal advocacy Community safety policy Justice and economics Legal storytelling Human-centered justice Episode Highlights 00:05–02:17 - Emily's accidental journey into law school and discovering criminal law 02:17–04:19 - Finding purpose through public defense and helping clients "come home" 04:19–05:55 - Why passion for clients sustains lawyers through intense legal work 05:55–08:05 - Burnout in public defense and operating under constant crisis conditions 08:05–10:05 - Institutional change and caseload reform as keys to lawyer wellbeing 10:05–11:13 - Fighting not only for clients but for constitutional rights and communities 11:13–12:39 - Why Emily stepped back from trial work to build systemic solutions 12:39–14:11 - Founding Partners for Justice and expanding holistic defense nationwide 14:11–15:28 - Writing the book to make reform knowledge accessible to everyday voters 15:28–17:28 - Misconception #1: people enter the system because of policy choices, not just crime 17:28–18:44 - Court process realities and why 98% of cases end in guilty pleas 18:44–20:05 - Junk science and myths about forensic evidence 20:05–21:35 - Humanizing defendants and challenging public stereotypes 21:35–22:27 - Success stories after incarceration rarely told in public narratives 22:27–24:15 - Why social services function as public safety strategies 24:15–25:59 - Economic costs of incarceration and long-term societal impact 25:59–26:23 - Using data and storytelling to change public conversations about justice

    27 min

  7. 22/12/2025

    An Inside Look At The Law Firm's Law Firm

    Summary  In this episode of the Jabot podcast, host Kathryn Rubino chats with Sandra Cohen, co-managing partner at Cohen & Buckmann. Sandra shares her journey from HR to law, specializing in executive compensation and employee benefits. Discover the challenges and rewards of running a boutique law firm and gain insights into the niche legal field of ERISA. It's a must-listen for those curious about dynamic law careers and the evolving landscape of boutique legal practices!. Episode Highlights 00:34 - Why Sandra Cohen pursued law. 02:55 - Transition from Big Law to personal practice. 05:07 - The elusive work of corporate lawyers. 06:34 - Complexities of executive compensation. 08:39 - Navigating tax and ERISA specializations. 10:59 - Founding a boutique law firm. 13:09 - Teaming up with small/boutique firms. 16:19 - The importance of smart hiring. 18:58 - Networking as making friends, not just connections. 22:14 - Promoting a law firm's unique strengths. Episode Resources Sandra W. Cohen — Cohen & Buckmann, P.C. https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandracohenesq/ Keywords Jabot podcast   Kathryn Rubino   Sandra Cohen   Above the Law   Cohen & Buckman   legal industry   law school   human resources   organizational psychology   big law   Wall Street firm   co-managing partner   executive compensation   employee benefits   corporate law   transactional attorney   ERISA   M&A transactions   tax lawyers   litigators   boutique law firm   businesswoman   mentoring   networking   elite boutique trend   legal talent   mentorship   specialized practices   law firm ecosystem

    27 min

  8. 21/11/2025

    Lawyering With Empathy with Farid Yaghoubtil - Episode 214

    In this episode, host Kathryn Rubino chats with Farid Yaghoubtil, founding partner of DTLA Law Group. Discover Farid's journey from fleeing Iran to empowering the underrepresented through law. His passion for justice, client-focused approach, and the challenges of balancing ideals with firm management make it a must-listen for aspiring lawyers and entrepreneurs. Tune in to catch Farid's inspiring stories and insightful advice on staying true to your mission. Episode Highlights Decision to pursue law due to childhood injustice. Balancing ideals and legal system realities. Motivation behind starting a law firm. Challenges of running a legal business. Importance of organization and hiring in business success. Leading with empathy in law practice. Avoiding burnout through gratitude and meaningful connections. Inspiring story: Helping a child in a lead exposure case. The value of listening to clients. A personal approach over transactional lawyering. Building client relationships for sustained growth.   Episode Sponsored By  https://www.lexisnexis.com/lexisplus   Links and Resources https://downtownlalaw.com/attorney-profiles/farid-yaghoubtil/    Subscribe, Share and Review To get the next episode subscribe with your favorite podcast player. Subscribe with Apple Podcasts Follow on Spotify Leave a review on Apple Podcasts

    20 min
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About

We are an offshoot of the Above the Law legal blog. But we are focused on the challenges women, people of color, LGBTQIA, and other diverse populations face in the legal industry. Let's be real -- it can suck out there. So we want to create a space where our community can come together share stories, find support and devise strategies. Our name comes from none other than the Notorious Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the jabot (decorative collar) she wears when delivering dissents from the bench. It's a reminder that --even when we aren't winning, we're still a powerful force to be reckoned with.

Information

  • Creator
    Kathryn Rubino at Above the Law
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    222
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023 Breaking Media, Inc
  • Show Website
    The Jabot

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