Episode 17: Jury Trials 101
In this episode, the Lady Justices discuss the jury system and how they differ in various states. The Lady Justices also discuss women's critical role in shaping our jury systems.
Episode 15: Treatment Courts
In this episode, the Lady Justices discuss Treatment and Drug Court Programs.
Episode 14: Lady Chief Justices
In this episode, current and former Chief Justices describe the roles and responsibilities that come with the position. Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor of Ohio and Chief Justice Loretta Rush of Indiana join the program to share their experiences and insights.
Episode 13: Women and Law Conference - Live from Charleston, West Virginia
Craving even more insight on career opportunities in the legal field? The women recently spoke at the When There are Nine conference at the University of Charleston in West Virginia, an event designed as a ‘for women, by women’ conversation for those considering a career in the law.
Listen in as the justices discuss formative experiences that inspired them to enter the legal profession, including being a witness to domestic violence. The women also discuss the diverse career possibilities for lawyers that go beyond the typical courtroom scenario we often see on television.
This episode marks the first time that the justices, who are from different states, have recorded the podcast together in person.
The conference title is a tribute to the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who famously said, 'When I'm sometimes asked 'When will there be enough [women on the Supreme Court]?' and I say 'When there are nine,' people are shocked. But there'd been nine men, and nobody's ever raised a question about that."
So come along with us to the conference and take a seat. We’re glad you’re here!
Episode 12: Your Law School Questions Answered
On this episode, the Lady Justices share their insight on how to succeed in law school based on listener questions that we received from students through social media and on our podcast voicemail. Joining the program is special guest Justice Carla Wong McMillian (shown right) of the Georgia Supreme Court.
Episode 11: Why State Constitutions Matter
In this Season 2 opener, we're once again celebrating Constitution Day! The justices discuss timely issues around state constitutions, like redistricting after the recent census. The women also discuss the most recent amendments to the constitutions in their states. Plus, what happens when states interpret the same general language in their constitutions differently? All that explained on this episode about why constitutions matter.
Episode 10: Beyond Their Opinions
Being a state Supreme Court justice is about much more than writing opinions on important cases. Justices are also responsible for overseeing the court system in their state.
Part of this usually involves finding a passion and trying to affect change where they think it’s needed, whether that’s working to help children in foster care, studying the reasons behind an ever-growing prison population, or trying to keep their colleagues safe when job stress and substance abuse seems to be affecting their ability to best serve the public.
The women were recently invited to speak at the Arkansas Bar Association’s annual conference, where they discussed this and other topics, like technology in the court.
This is the last episode of Season 1. We'll return with Season 2 in September!
Episode 09: Go Your Own Way
In some countries, Supreme Courts write an opinion as a whole court. After all, the law is the law and there should be one unified interpretation of it, right? Well, that’s not how things operate in the Unites States. Court decisions recognize openly that the law is not always clear and certain.
A justice can write a dissent to explain why they think the majority got it wrong or a concurrence, meaning they agree with the Court’s decision but not necessarily the steps to getting there. The lady justices discuss the process, which is also known as writing separately.
Episode 08: A Path To Well-Being and Civility
For years, lawyers have struggled with issues like depression, anxiety, and substance abuse at a rate higher than the general population. The women discuss how, historically, there’s been a hands-off approach by the profession to addressing these issues, but that this is changing in some big ways.
We hear from a national expert, Bree Buchanan, who is leading a movement toward recognizing the many benefits of assisting lawyers, law students, and judges with mental health and substance abuse issues and the high cost of turning a blind eye. Plus, the justices share thoughts on promoting civility.
Episode Resources:
The Prevalence of Substance Use and Other Mental Health Concerns Among American Attorneys
Stress and Resiliency in the U.S. Judiciary
Where Are We on the Path to Law Student Well-Being?
