Co-hosts Justices Beth Walker of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia and Rhonda Wood of the Arkansas Supreme Court talk about their role as women justices in their respective state supreme courts. They share their experiences and insights and discuss the accomplishments and challenges faced by women in state courts. Along with their invited guests, they cover topics such as the importance of state constitutional law, how courts operate, the meaning of justice, and why state courts matter.
Episodes
Friday Jul 08, 2022
Season 2, Episode 8: Organization Tips for Work and Home - Judicial Edition
Friday Jul 08, 2022
Friday Jul 08, 2022
In this episode, the Lady Justices will discuss their work and home organization preferences as well as how managing these issues can impact legal professionals' well-being.
Tuesday May 17, 2022
Season 2, Episode 7: Jury Trials 101
Tuesday May 17, 2022
Tuesday May 17, 2022
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.
Monday Apr 18, 2022
Season 2, Episode 6: Equal Access to Justice
Monday Apr 18, 2022
Monday Apr 18, 2022
The Justices discuss Equal Access to Justice
Friday Jan 28, 2022
Season 2, Episode 5: Treatment Courts
Friday Jan 28, 2022
Friday Jan 28, 2022
In this episode, the Lady Justices discuss Treatment and Drug Court Programs.
Friday Dec 17, 2021
Season 2, Episode 4: Lady Chief Justices
Friday Dec 17, 2021
Friday Dec 17, 2021
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.
Tuesday Nov 30, 2021
Tuesday Nov 30, 2021
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!
Thursday Oct 28, 2021
Season 2, Episode 2: Your Law School Questions Answered
Thursday Oct 28, 2021
Thursday Oct 28, 2021
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.
Thursday Sep 16, 2021
Season 2, Episode 1: Premier, Why State Constitutions Matter
Thursday Sep 16, 2021
Thursday Sep 16, 2021
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.
Thursday Jul 15, 2021
Season 1, Episode 11: Beyond Their Opinions
Thursday Jul 15, 2021
Thursday Jul 15, 2021
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!
Tuesday Jun 15, 2021
Season 1, Episode 10: Go Your Own Way
Tuesday Jun 15, 2021
Tuesday Jun 15, 2021
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.
How it Started
Before the creation of the Lady Justice: Women of the Court podcast, the four women came together in April 2020 to answer questions about the judicial branch of government posed by Justice Rhonda Wood's granddaughter, Blakeley. After the recording of this video, the justices decided they wanted to get together more often to create educational content.
In the News
KARK in Arkansas: Lady Justices on Capitol View
WSAZ in West Virginia: Lady Justice: Women of the Court on Studio 3
Little Rock Soiree: 5 Podcasts Led by Women in Arkansas
Law.com: Hear Ye, Hear Ye! Four Women State Supreme Court Justices Launch Podcast
Metro News in West Virginia: West Virginia Supreme Court justice joins court podcast
Contact Us
Be a part of the podcast! Record a voicemail at the link below:
https://www.speakpipe.com/LadyJustice
Or, e-mail a question or comment to: podcast@arcourts.gov