Courts

Women Lawyers Share Lessons They Learned From Ruth Bader Ginsburg

The Notorious RBG changed women's lives and law practices across America.

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(Photo by Nikki Kahn/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, 87, passed away from complications of metastatic pancreas cancer on Friday. She was the second woman to be appointed to the Supreme Court, and the first Jewish woman to serve on the highest court in the country. A champion of women’s rights and civil liberties, Ginsburg served as encouragement for many women to embark upon careers in the legal profession. As the nation mourns the loss of the Court’s liberal lioness, we asked women lawyers from across America how the late justice had inspired them and how she had changed their lives or the way they practiced law.

Tiffany Ann Jones, attorney, Alabama
RBG’s honesty and refreshing take on her law school experience before the term “work-life balance” was even coined made becoming an attorney possible for me. In embracing both motherhood and law school by intentionally dedicating and scheduling time to each, as RBG did raising baby Jane during her time as a law student, I was able to succeed as both a mother and a law student. Now, that “balance” and intentional dedication of time to both motherhood and the law is integral to my success as a practitioner and a mother.

Meredith King, associate attorney, California
Justice Ginsburg’s insistence that being a mother made her a better lawyer and that being a lawyer made her better mother always reminds me not to accept false dichotomies designed to place artificial barriers on how far I can go.

Haley Nicole, assistant state’s attorney, Illinois
I had my daughter while in law school. She gave me the courage to finish on time, take the bar, and begin practicing with a baby.

DawnMarie White, associate attorney, Indiana
RBG is my role model to keep fighting without compromising my morals or myself. No matter what.

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Meghan Malloy, general counsel and lobbyist, Iowa
I am reminded frequently of Justice Ginsburg’s quote of her success in law school attributed to her daughter, Jane. This is how I often feel about my oldest child, who was two years old when I started on law school. There were many times I wanted to give up during law school, and I would think of Justice Ginsburg and everything she went though during law school — caring for her ill husband, public humiliation at the hands of professors, being a mother, and staying on top of her studies — and I would remember something important: Her legal education was for more than only herself; it was for her children, and generations of women whose lives have been impacted by her selfless work. What a fantastic example for those of us who came after her. Thank you for everything, Justice Ginsburg.

Andrea Eklund, chief compliance officer, Iowa
Justice Ginsburg unapologetically paved the way for women to be both successful in the profession and the home. As a non-traditional law student, I continued to work and raise two small children while earning my law degree. I successfully balanced competing factors without compromise. Because of Justice Ginsburg’s influence, I am empowered to speak up, and I know the added value I bring to the corporate table.

Claire Parsons, small law firm partner, Kentucky
She found success by being herself and by using her voice. It is tempting as a lawyer to want to blend in and it is scary to stand out. She shows that it is not only possible but necessary for each of us to be ourselves to best serve our clients, our communities, and ourselves.

Robyn Smith, plaintiff-side civil rights and employment attorney, Kentucky
She picked cases that could make a difference for long-run strategic change — rather than which ones would pay out. She didn’t practice to get rich, nor did she devote her life to making senior partners rich. Instead, she practiced the cases that required risk and ridicule because they meant being an advocate for the underdog. Even today, that would be brave.

Amanda Main, in-house counsel, Kentucky
Knowing she was fighting the patriarchy, with the full love and support of her husband, while raising two children, is just an inspiration. She never let men in positions of power ever get her discouraged, or deter her from her path. She is truly an inspiration, for me, women like me, and the next generation of women too.

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Michelle Browning Coughlin, law firm partner, Kentucky
RBG was a mom in law school just like me, and felt her daughter Jane contributed to her success, just like I thought my daughter Lane did (and then my second daughter Sloane born during law school). The sheer determination and toughness with which she faced doors that closed in her face is a model by which many of us have lived — the doors may have looked a little different, but we have had still had to face obstacles based on our gender with toughness. And critically, her brilliance in fighting for gender equity for women by fighting, often, for legal rights for men. For being willing to quietly but forthrightly say the perfect words to cut right to the heart of the issue (“all we ask of our brethren is that they take their feet off our necks”; “when there are nine”; “the gender line keeps women not on a pedestal but in a cage”)…

Melanie Lowe Stratton, general counsel of statewide public defender agency, Kentucky
RBG inspired (and continues to) in the way that she found creative angles to use the law as a tool to fight oppression. She knew what the rules were and she weaponized them against the patriarchy. She was completely unflappable, wicked smart, and tough. When I was becoming a mom, I was terrified that I would fail at being a lawyer and a mother. Knowing her story gave me strength to navigate the difficult days. Her tireless fight for equality and fairness carried me through nearly two decades of being a public defender.

Shannon Fauver, small firm partner, Kentucky
The thing I remember most about when RBG spoke to students at my law school was how genuine she was, and I was surprised by how funny she was. She was just exceeding human, and for those of you don’t know anything about Star Trek, that is actually one of the best compliments you can give someone, as they exemplify the best qualities in us. She was a shining example of what one person can do to bring about change in the world by just using their skill set, and I have carried that with me every day of my practice.

Josephine Bahn, government lawyer, Maryland
Atticus Finch may have made me a lawyer, but Ruth Bader Ginsburg made me want to be one. We named our daughter Ruth after Justice Ginsburg. I wanted her to know how powerful she was. And my Ruth has some of the same qualities — she’s a tireless, strong, kind, witty, smart, little warrior who can beat me in arguments just like Justice Ginsburg would certainly be able to do. The only way that Justice Ginsburg’s legacy of striving for equality, fairness, and justice for all can live on, is if you vote with the fervor she would have. Decency is on the ballot. This could be the last stop for our democracy. Fighting until the very end, she left us instructions to pick up her mantle. There is much work to be done — may her memory be our nation’s blessing and our guidepost to revolution leading to true equality.

Christine Kain, law firm partner, Minnesota
Learning with my three young daughters about RBG’s life and accomplishments has helped THEM understand why I work as hard and much as I do, both for my billable work and pro bono clients. Her story helped normalize the idea of the mom as the breadwinner and the dad as the cook and 8-to-5 worker. I want them to assume there are no limits to someone’s goals based on other people’s expectations, and she is a sterling example of not accepting others’ limitations. Smash through the ceiling, and help others up the ladder, girls!

Amanda Mason-Sekula, family lawyer, Minnesota
I started my 1L year when my youngest was 18 months old. I graduated when she started kindergarten. At the time, I only knew two other women in school that had kids. RBG was a HUGE inspiration to me and helped me get through all those sleepless nights.

Katie Jeter-Boldt, government lawyer, Missouri
I grew up in a fairly traditional household and in an area full of traditional households. As a result, I came to the RBG fan club a bit late. I had in my head that a woman couldn’t be a loving mom AND have a high-powered career. There was a part of me that believed the stereotype of the cold-hearted career woman. When I finally opened my eyes, RBG showed me a woman could do great things at work and at home. My daughters and I are forever in her debt for showing us that career and family are not mutually exclusive.

Sarah Mitchell Foster, magistrate/staff attorney common pleas court, Ohio
I feel a little silly saying this, but I love that when I look in my closet in the morning and ask myself, “How do I want to present myself to the world today?”, the answer doesn’t have to be “staid,” “boring,” or “just blend in.” She showed me we can be fun, we can accessorize to send a message, we can be ourselves. That’s quite revolutionary in itself.

Chrissy Dunn Dutton, law firm partner, Ohio
I’m sure many people feel this way, but RBG is truly my personal hero. As a woman lawyer and mother, she paved the way for me, and I 100% wouldn’t be where I am today without her blazing the trail. It was a true pleasure and honor to meet her and stand in the presence of such greatness. She was so kind to take the time to meet with our law school when our alumni members were sworn in to the U.S. Supreme Court in April 2017. She is an inspiration to us all!

Ariya Villegas, prosecutor, Texas
I was in my 2L year of law school, pregnant, and suffering through Hyperemisis and HELLP. Shortly after my daughter was born, my husband was admitted to the ICU for two months and the outlook was pretty grim. Between being a law student, being a new mom, sleeping at a hospital between classes, and being the caretaker for another adult, I really struggled. No one in my family was a lawyer or understood how difficult it was to juggle it all. There were countless nights where I would read her story about being in law school coping with Marty’s health issues all while raising her daughter and it gave me hope that I could make it through as well. On top of the many professional achievements she made for women, she was a beacon of light for me. I’ll forever be grateful.

Sharadha Sankararaman, immigration lawyer, Texas
I was drudging through the life as software developer while all I ever wanted to be was an attorney. Decided to go to law school finally when life threw a curveball and I realized I was pregnant with my first child when LSAT was a month away. I took my exam, went to law school as a part-time evening student, full-time programmer (was on H-1B), and a mother of an infant. Every time I wanted to quit, I looked at the picture of RBG on my wall and that was enough to keep going.

Melissa Bearden Cobb, in-house counsel, Texas
RBG inspired me with her quiet and patient, yet persistent force. She refused to give up but understood that you have to build consensus and bring others along with you to achieve real, lasting change. As a mom, I’m in awe of how she juggled the demands of school, work, and domestic life at a time when women didn’t have as many options.

Samantha Snow Ward, Director of Paralegal Studies, Texas
She helped me realize I could get a divorce, raise my son as a single mom, have a great job, and hold my head high. That I could go to law school and not give it a second thought that I wouldn’t be accepted just because of my gender. Even her marriage was a model for us. I can have my own pension, credit cards, car loan, and house. She literally makes my life possible.

KS Stolarczyk, appellate lawyer, Texas
What I appreciated about RBG, among other things, was her insistence that her opinions (whether majority or dissent) were readable by all (lawyers and non-lawyers). She made great effort to take cumbersome and complicated subject matter, analyses, and legal standards, explain them, then apply them in a way that anyone could understand. This method was even more important in her dissents, where should would always paint the majority opinion (or the opposing argument) in the best light, and then set about dissecting it and disproving it, all while avoiding legalese and 10-dollar words. Those opinions helped educate many folks who wanted to be civically involved but may have lacked the legal training to critically read statutes or other laws. Armed with her opinion, they knew what the “other side” was basing the opinion on and then how to combat that opinion by deconstructing it. She never lost sight of the fact that Supreme Court opinions are for the people, not just the lawyers.

Sarah Schneider, government lawyer, Texas
When I had just started working for SSA, and was learning how to hone my craft of persuasive writing, an ALJ I work with recommended I read Justice Ginsburg’s opinions, particularly her dissents. It was like taking a master class in how to be the most thorough and detail-driven attorney I could be. The better I became about writing persuasively, the more the ALJs I work with valued my opinion. I gained so much more confidence in using my voice to bring issues to the ALJs that were inadvertently overlooked, and supplying them with various solutions. I’m forever grateful to have had a quasi-mentor in Justice Ginsburg.

Erin Ranney, criminal defensee attorney, Virginia
In a state and field where the old boys club is a real thing, she was an inspiration of how to end that.

Teresa Donaldson, small firm family lawyer, Virginia
I met my partner when I was a 3L and he was a 1L. Ruth and Marty’s marriage is an aspirational model for us with regard to how we support and sometimes make sacrifices for the other’s career, and how we approach parenting as a two-lawyer household.

Ann O’Brien, law firm partner, Washington, D.C.
RBG was not only an inspiration reminding me that women can be smart, successful lawyers while also being moms and wives, but her relationship with Justice Scalia reminded me of the importance of friendship, respect, and civility in law and life. When I was a law clerk in DC 20 years ago, Justice Scalia came to speak and some of his originalist comments made my blood boil, but the next week, I happened to see RBG in an interview talking warmly about her friendship with Scalia. I was inspired to think that RBG was so incredibly strategic that she was probably on to something — her ability to befriend Scalia probably had some unspoken impact on him that helped us all! Listening to the viewpoint of others you don’t agree with and treating them with respect is something we should all strive for as people and lawyers.

Staci ZaretskyStaci Zaretsky is a senior editor at Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Twitter or connect with her on LinkedIn.

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