Kathryn Rubino chats with Jiadai Lin, author and winner of the Sandra Carpenter Prize for Creative Nonfiction. Discover Jiadai's journey from big law to heartfelt storytelling, balancing law and literature with grace. Don't miss this inspiring conversation on following your true passion!

Highlights

• The straightforwardness of a legal career versus the uncertainty of a writing career.
• Jiadai's compartmentalization of her law career and writing career.
• The emotional impact and challenges of leaving Big Law to pursue writing.
• The struggle and eventual acceptance of failures in her early writing career.
• The flexibility and benefits of working at a startup law firm while writing.
• The significant impact of winning the Sandra Carpenter Prize.
• The deep personal nature of her writing and its vulnerability.
• The role of memory and its imperfection in writing memoirs.
• Advice for lawyers harboring creative ambitions.
• The importance of giving oneself permission to pursue passions.

Links and Resourceshttps://www.scmemorialfund.com/

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Join host Kathryn Rubino who chats with Rachel Elkin, Pro Bono Counsel at Haynes Boone. Discover Rachel's journey from a family of lawyers to championing public interest work and navigating her unexpected transition into Big Law. Gain insights on the rewarding and challenging aspects of pro bono work and how it shapes careers and communities. A must-listen for legal enthusiasts and those inspired by impactful lawyering.

Highlights

• Why Rachel Elkin went to law school.
• First exposure to public interest law.
• Importance of law school clinics.
• Key mentorship in law school.
• How Rachel secured her first nonprofit job.
• Transitioning from nonprofit to big law.
• Role and importance of a pro bono counsel.
• Managing pro bono case selection.
• Balancing billable hours with pro bono work.
• Rachel's long-term goals for the firm's pro bono program.

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Join host Kathryn Rubino in a riveting episode with law professor Charles Moxley, expert and author of "Nuclear Weapons and International Law". Discover the legal complexities and real-world implications of nuclear policy, deterrence, and modernization. Can law guide us towards nuclear abolition? Stay informed and engaged!

Highlights

• Examining the US's nuclear policies versus international law.
• The esoteric nature of international law and its neglect.
• Different alerts and readiness levels in nuclear weapons policy.
• Legal principle of precaution and US non-compliance.
• Distinction, proportionality, and necessity in nuclear law.
• Nuclear deterrence vs. readiness explained.
• Russia-Ukraine conflict's impact on nuclear weapon risks.
• Failures in US policy to reconsider nuclear weapon modernization.
• The inadequate concern among younger generations about nuclear risks.
• Comparison between legal treatments of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons.
• Appeal to consider law as the path to nuclear abolition.

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Kathryn Rubino welcomes Kelly Hyman, founder of the Hyman Law Firm and host of "Once Upon a Crime in Hollywood". Journey through Kelly's shift from a childhood acting career to making a significant impact in the legal world, advocating for victims of human trafficking and navigating the complexities of starting her own law firm. Kelly shares her passion for true crime and how her podcast, focusing on Hollywood-related cases with female victims, aims to make a difference. An inspiring listen for anyone interested in law, justice, and compelling storytelling!

Highlights

• The impact of a 65-year-old law school peer.
• Supported into acting career by family friend Charlton Heston.
• Founding her own firm: balancing passion and practicality.
• Human trafficking and mass torts: main practice areas.
• Podcasting inspired by appearance on Nancy Grace's show.
• True crime podcast motivated by fascination with mysteries.
• Focus on cases affecting women in the entertainment industry.

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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.

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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.

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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

• [email protected]
• https://www.polsinelli.com/jane-e-arnold

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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

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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

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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/

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