![](/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
175 episodes
![](/assets/artwork/1x1-42817eea7ade52607a760cbee00d1495.gif)
The Jabot Kathryn Rubino at Above the Law
-
- Society & Culture
-
-
4.6 • 31 Ratings
-
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.
-
Exposing The Originalism Lie with Madiba Dennie
Kathryn chats with Madiba Dennie, deputy editor at Balls and Strikes, about her new book, “The Originalism Trap”. Discover how originalist ideology affects our legal system, and why it’s crucial to challenge it. A must-listen for anyone curious about the evolving role of law and justice!
Highlights
Potential of the law to help or hurt people. Mediba’s career path in public interest law. Transition from legal practice to legal commentary. Writing process of “The Originalism Trap.” The Originalism Trap: Motivation behind writing the book. Importance of reconstruction amendments in refuting originalism. Modern consequences of originalism: Dobbs and Bruen cases. Originalism’s flawed historical analysis. Originalism’s strategic organizational success. Federalist Society’s influence on conservative legal professionals. Inclusive constitutionalism as a counter to originalism. Effective communication: Making interpretations matter to regular people. The broader impact of judicial decisions on various issues. Emerging positive trends: Law students and optimism. Understanding history to drive change and hope.
Episode Sponsored By
https://www.lexisnexis.com/lexisplus
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 -
Helping Businesses Help Themselves with Peter Bronstein
Kathryn chats with Peter Bronstein, a radio show host and founder of Legal Steps. Peter shares why he became a lawyer, driven by a desire for fairness, and narrates his journey from in-house counsel to successful independent practice. Discover compelling stories of his career highs, advice for aspiring lawyers, and insights on challenges faced by small businesses today, including navigating new regulations like the Corporate Transparency Act. It’s a must-listen for anyone interested in legal careers and business law!
Highlights
Defense of a young Bitcoin exchange owner. Making the leap to start a solo practice: motivations and challenges. Importance of understanding law practice management before going solo. Early strategies for building a new practice. Challenges faced by small businesses in 2024. Corporate Transparency Act: new regulatory requirements for businesses. Value of regulations discussed. Importance of legal expenses: “Pay me now or pay me 10 times later.” Transition to radio show host and purpose behind Ask Brian. Highs and lows of a legal career: litigation victories and bankruptcy heartbreaks.
Episode Sponsored By
https://www.lexisnexis.com/lexisplus
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 -
Biglaw Partner Gets Real About Mentorship with Jane Arnold
Dive into the latest episode of The Jabob Podcast and special guest Jane Arnold, partner at Polsinelli. Discover Jane’s unconventional path to law and her insights on mentoring, flexible work hours, and the future of diversity in Big Law. Listen for inspiring advice and a peek into the evolving legal landscape.
Highlights
Jane Arnold’s career path and flexibility in plans. Working in DC vs. District Offices. Mentorship and its impact on career growth. Collaborative approach and the benefits of in-person vs. virtual meetings. Strategies for effective feedback in a law firm. The “team concept” and promoting diversity. Advice for first-year associates: curiosity, precision, and hard work. Overcoming biases and promoting women in Big Law. Flexible working hours and managing work-life balance. Future of diversity in the workplace and AI disruption.
Episode Resources
epanyard@greentarget.com https://www.polsinelli.com/jane-e-arnold Episode Sponsored By
https://www.lexisnexis.com/lexisplus
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 -
The Journey From Incarceration To Law Student And Beyond with Jonas Caballero
Dive into an inspiring episode as Kathryn Rubino hosts Albany law student Jonas Caballero. Discover Jonas’s incredible journey from protesting the Iraq War to overcoming incarceration and addiction, now excelling in law school and fighting for civil rights. A must-listen for a story of resilience and advocacy.
Highlights
Reporting on human rights in the West Bank. Struggle with PTSD leading to incarceration. Roadblocks faced in re-entry post-incarceration. Rejection from multiple law schools due to criminal history. Persistence and honesty leading to law school acceptance. Overcoming 1L challenges as a non-traditional student. Continuous self-reminder of mission for civil rights. Role in Student Bar Association advocating for formerly incarcerated. Positive reception and support from law school faculty. Importance of amplifying voices of formerly incarcerated students. Law school environment fostering change and acceptance. Interning with the Abolitionist Law Center. Focus on international law and prisoner rights. Need for diversion programs over incarceration. Favorite law school experience: supportive faculty.
Episode Resources
Class Action Challenges Denial from Prison Early Release Programs on Basis of Disability: https://www.kllflaw.com/news-articles/class-action-challenges-denial-from-prison-early-release-programs-on-basis-of-disability Prison Rape Elimination Act at 20 – Next Steps (Speech on Capitol Hill) https://youtu.be/JgrB33WnAGM?si=6NrxQZfMN-pl9_oD&t=1194 Sexually Assaulted In A NYC Jail? Don't Hold Your Breath For A Timely Investigation https://gothamist.com/news/sexually-assaulted-in-a-nyc-jail-dont-hold-your-breath-for-a-timely-investigation Don't Lock Me Up, Help Me Clean Up (NY Daily News) https://www.pressreader.com/usa/new-york-daily-news/20181021/281547996870524 NYC Inmates Call 311 To Report Mistreatment, But Is Anyone Listening? https://gothamist.com/news/nyc-inmates-call-311-to-report-mistreatment-but-is-anyone-listening Caballero ’25 Speaks to National Audience on Prison Reform https://www.albanylaw.edu/spotlight/student/caballero-25-speaks-national-audience-prison-reform Episode Sponsored By
https://www.lexisnexis.com/lexisplus
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 -
Making The Journey From Biglaw To In-House with Catherine Dawson
In this episode, Kathryn interviews Catherine Dawson, General Counsel at Affinipay, discusses her career transition from big law to in-house counsel, emphasizing her interest in technology. She also talks about the benefits of using AI in legal practice, such as task automation and increased efficiency. Dawson recounts her experience of working part-time while starting a family, emphasizing the possibility of work-life balance in law. She provides advice to parents on navigating their careers; suggesting reevaluation and adaptation based on changing situations.
Highlights
Insights about law school, career path, and working in an in-house role Entering a legal career in the technology space and challenging issues with AI Transitioning from Biglaw to in-house and understanding roles within a company The potential of AI for lawyers and how it can help save time and do more meaningful work Advice on prioritizing different aspects of life at different stages and making choices as per personal needs How being full-time in-house differs from being full-time at a big law and how it was more feasible while her kids were in elementary school How to reevaluate life stages and job demands as children grow older Episode Resources
https://www.affinipay.com/company/about-us/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-d-dawson Episode Sponsored By
https://www.lexisnexis.com/lexisplus
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 -
Sexism And Harassment In Biglaw Are Nothing New with Erin Gordon
In this episode, Kathryn interviews Erin Gordon, author of "Look What You Made Me Do", a memoir exposing a toxic culture in a prominent law firm. Erin shares her experience of continuous micro-harassments, personal defamation, and inadequate work allocation, leading to extreme stress and impeding her professional growth. Despite having a strong legal case against the firm, practical difficulties meant she had to endure the environment with minimal improvement.
Highlights
Insights on the pressure to stay in big law firms despite negative experiences The turning point when she consulted employment lawyers who advised her to leave the firm The long-term impact on her career, including self-esteem issues, lack of professional growth, and financial loss Erin's realization that she wasn't a bad lawyer, but rather a victim of a system that prioritizes loyalty over individual experiences
Episode Resources
https://eringordonauthor.com/
Episode Sponsored By
https://www.lexisnexis.com/lexisplus
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
Customer Reviews
Insightful Questions
Love this podcast! Kathryn asks sharp, thoughtful questions that help provide special insight into certain areas of the law and legal decision making.
Great podcast!
Kathryn is a great interviewer and she has a great rapport with her guests. Highly recommend.
Interesting Topics, Poor Sound Quality
Was excited to listen to the latest episode, but couldn’t get past the annoying whistling sound in the background. This episode was not ready for prime time.