The Jabot

In this episode, Kathryn welcomes Laurette Mulry, an Attorney-in-Charge at the Suffolk County Legal Aid Society, to talk about working with different clients as legal aid attorneys. Laurette breaks down the principles that guided her when working with clients, as well as her advice to those who are in a legal job that requires a lot of attention and time. She also explains how it really is working...

In this episode, Kathryn welcomes Richard Zitrin, a trial lawyer and lecturer at the University of California, Hastings College of Law, to talk about how he became a criminal justice advocate and shares some advice for aspiring lawyers. He explains his involvement in the San Quentin Six Case, which became the impetus for his career in criminal justice. Richard has dedicated his career to fighting...

In this episode, Kathryn welcomes Grant Sovern, a Partner of Quarles & Brady LLP, to talk about his area of concentration: Employment immigration. Grant recalls how he shifted to immigration law and describes the challenges of working as an immigration lawyer. Additionally, Grant shares his work with Afghan refugees and where the immigration law stands on this. Who's The Guest? Grant Sovern is the...

In this episode, Kathryn welcomes Linda Benfield, an environmental lawyer, and Partner from Foley & Lardner LLP, to talk about how she became wanting to be a problem solver in law school to be on top of the profession. Linda also recalls the different programs created in partnership between Foley and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, as well as how other organizations can help. Additionally, she...

In this episode, Kathryn welcomes Shirley Jefferson, the newly appointed Vice President for Community Engagement and Government Affairs at Vermont Law and Graduate School (VLGS), and together, they talk about how the law is an effective tool to affect change in the world. Shirley, being the first person of color to be appointed as the VLGS's VP, also shares the twists and turns of her career and h...

Who Are The Guests? Rena Paul and Margaret Gandy are the founders of Alcalaw, a women-founded legal consultancy comprised of former federal and state prosecutors who believe that the most effective advocates are those whose legal acumen and depth of experience are matched by their emotional intelligence. Alcalaw provides legal guidance to individuals, organizations, institutions, and corporations...

In this episode, Kathryn welcomes Shana Simmons, a General Counsel at Everlaw, to talk about how her career in the world of law started. Shana leads the legal department and is responsible for all legal, regulatory, privacy, risk and compliance, and governance issues around the company. She describes the transition from working as the Head of Google's Cloud Go-To-Market Legal team, to being a Gene...

In this episode, Kathryn welcomes Jessica Martin, a lawyer, and a published novelist, to talk about balancing life as a lawyer, a writer, and having a family. Jessica recalls how she got into the world of law, and how she slowly transitioned from big law to working as an in-house lawyer. She also describes the process she underwent to be a published author and shares her advice with those who want...

In this episode, Kathryn welcomes Imani Maatuka, a Commercial Litigation Associate at Sidley Austin LLP, to talk about Bridging the Gap Scholarship. Imani recalls how what made her decide to follow in the footsteps of her other family members and what the big difference is between what she expected and the reality now that she's working as a litigation associate. She describes how she picked litig...

In this episode, Kathryn welcomes back Laura Leopard of Leopard Solutions to talk about their white paper, Women Leaving Law. Laura narrates their experiences writing and running the survey: How depressing it is knowing the reasons why women are leaving the law space and how unfair some firms are to them. She shares how culture affects the work environment. Additionally, Laura describes why a late...

In this episode, Kathryn welcomes Alexandra Brodsky, a staff attorney at Public Justice and author of Sexual Justice Supporting Victims, Ensuring Due Process, and Resisting the Conservative Backlash, to talk about the differences between a dog whistle and real concerns with the due process and what the Title IX is. She shares her thoughts on what's next in the MeToo movement too. Alexandra also na...

In this episode, Kathryn welcomes Danielle Caminiti, a Per Diem Attorney and local counsel for New York Law Firms. With 7 years in a malpractice defense firm, 5 years as a prosecutor, and 2 years in commercial litigation experiences under her belt, Danielle narrates how she went from law school to where she is right now. She shares how she balances all the different things in her life to make the...

In this episode, Kathryn welcomes Joann Selleck, a mediator from Selleck Mediation, to talk about the ins and outs of being a mediation professional. Joann narrates how she came into the practice area. She cites the qualities a person should have to be a facilitator, as well as why people are handling litigations differently. Joann also describes what challenges specific to the mediation practice...

In this episode, Kathryn welcomes Kellie Johnson, the Enforcement Chief Public Ethics and former Deputy District Attorney of Oregon. Kellie shares the very unique reason why she decided to go to law school to how other people around her helped and guided her, despite the hardship of women and people of color studying the law. She also talks about how her interest in international policies shifted...

In this episode, Kathryn is joined by Elizabeth Platt, the Director of the Law, Rights, and Religion Project at Columbia Law School. Together, they talk about what the career path is once you make the decision to go to law school. They also discuss what the connection is between law rights and the practices of other religions. Elizabeth shares her findings after making different research on aborti...

In this episode, Kathryn speaks with Bridget Crawford and Emily Waldman, the authors of the book Menstruation Matters: Challenging the Law's Silence on Periods. Bridget and Emily narrate how they came into the path of academia, as well as the pros and cons for other people who are considering the same path. They share where the idea for the book came from and what they found out in the course of d...

In this episode, Kathryn welcomes Linda Priebe, an EU US data privacy/protection compliance and government relations attorney and a partner in Culhane Meadows PLLC, a nationwide woman-owned and woman-managed technology and business law firm. Linda shares how her career evolved: From working in a small boutique firm to working in the federal government. She also shares her experiences working for p...

In this episode, Kathryn speaks with Carmen Rosas of the Your Legacy Protection Firm, regarding the tough truth of growing your own firm. Carmen narrates how she came into the practice area of being an estate attorney and what the pros and cons are for people who are considering being in the practice area. She also shares how the experience was owning a firm and how she grew it from having a paral...

In this episode, Kathryn speaks with Yvette Ostolaza and Mike Schmidtberger of Sidley Austin LLP, about the rationale behind dedicating different resources to the members of the firm without fearing them leaving. They also share what the twists and turns of their careers were to where they are now. Yvette also talks about her goals and priorities as she takes over the role of the first female chai...

In this episode, Kathryn speaks with Katharine von Ter Stegge, a circuit court judge for the Multnomah County in the Oregon Judicial Department, about the best lessons on being a judge. Katharine talks about how the law has always interested her and how her career changed her view on what law really is. She also shares the skills she's learned throughout her career that helped her in being a judge...

In this episode, Kathryn speaks with Anne Cortina Perry of Jenner & Block, and how she balances her work at the firm, her personal life, developing her practice area, and even writing her book of business. Anne shares her transition from going to law school to her path to partnership, and her own advice to people who want to take the same path. She also runs down the different red flags in a toxic...

In this episode, Kathryn speaks with Samantha Barbas, a University at Buffalo School of Law professor and Director of the Baldy Center for Law and Social Policy, about the future of the first amendment. Samantha talks about who Morris Ernst is and how he got recognition in the field. She also discusses how she was able to go through all the materials and documents left by Morris Ernst to share his...

In this episode, Kathryn speaks with Donna Edbril, a Certified Leadership Coach, about how she helps female lawyers find the balance between their personal lives and working in a law firm. Donna also shares her transition from starting out in law school, working in different companies to being a career coach. She also runs down the different advice she can give to people who are finding it difficu...

In this episode, Kathryn speaks with Hannah Brenner Johnson and Renee Knake Jefferson about their book focusing on the research on the women who appeared on the presidential shortlist back in history. Hannah and Renee not only share the stories of the women who represent the gender on the court, but also how the nomination impacted the lives and careers of those who did not make the transaction. T...

In this episode, Kathryn speaks with Jodi Schwimmer, partner at Reed Smith and global co-lead of the Financial Industry Group, about how she balances firm leadership responsibilities with her practice. Jodi shares how the Financial Industry Group has changed because of the pandemic, and some firm priorities for this year. She also discusses some of the biggest successes and failures of her career....