When Your Boss Is Notorious: Clerking for Ruth Bader Ginsburg

TL;DR

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's impact as a Supreme Court justice, mentor, and champion for women's equality will forever be remembered and celebrated.

Transcript

i think there's very little doubt that she will go down as one of the most consequential justices to have sat on the supreme court my first meeting with justice ginsburg was when i interviewed with her i remember being extremely like nervous about it i don't remember the content of it because i was so nervous i blacked out basically i was very very... Read More

Key Insights

• 🧔‍♀️ Justice Ginsburg's impact extends beyond her legal rulings; she will be remembered as a champion for women's equality.
• 👮 Her commitment to helping individuals and understanding the real people involved in cases shaped her approach to the law.
• 😫 Working for Justice Ginsburg required resilience and dedication, as she set high standards for herself and her clerks.
• 👻 Her calm temperament and focus on the law allowed her to navigate highly contentious cases, such as Bush v. Gore.
• 🦛 Justice Ginsburg's influence reached pop culture, with references to her as the "Notorious RBG" and memes dedicated to her.
• 💢 Her hard work, willpower, and ability to overcome obstacles made her an icon for our country and era.
• 💦 Justice Ginsburg's mentorship left a lasting impact on those who had the privilege of working with her, instilling valuable lessons and perspectives in their legal practices.

Questions & Answers

Q: What made Justice Ginsburg an incredible mentor?

Justice Ginsburg's commitment to working and her meticulousness made her an exceptional mentor. She worked closely with her clerks to ensure every word in her opinions was perfect.

Q: How did Justice Ginsburg handle high-profile cases?

Justice Ginsburg approached high-profile cases, such as the affirmative action challenge and the Bush v. Gore case, with a calm temperament, remaining focused on the law and not letting the heat of the situation affect her.

Q: What was it like working for Justice Ginsburg?

Working for Justice Ginsburg meant late nights and early mornings, exchanging drafts at different times. She would often stay very late and even leave voicemail messages during the wee hours of the morning.

Q: How did Justice Ginsburg treat her clerks?

Justice Ginsburg had a warm relationship with her clerks, making them feel like part of her extended family. They would celebrate each other's birthdays and share meals in her office.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Justice Ginsburg was known for her soft-spoken and meticulous nature, working closely with clerks to perfect her opinions.

• She played a significant role in high-profile cases, including those challenging affirmative action programs and the Bush v. Gore case.

• Justices and clerks felt like an extended family in her chambers, with traditions like celebrating birthdays and sharing meals.