23 April 2019

Laura Devine Solicitors hosted an exclusive screening of the inspiring documentary RBG, recounting the US Supreme Court Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsberg’s, rise to become one of the most notorious female legal figures in the United States. The private showing at the Soho House Hotel on 3 April was attended by women and a few men from all corners of the legal industry in the UK.

The moving film details Ginsberg’s start in law, including the challenges she faced as a woman entering the legal profession, and the support she received from her husband, Marty, until his death. It portrays a determined, intellectual woman with strong convictions on gender and race discrimination and a true love of law. As the second woman nominated to the Supreme Court, Justice Ginsberg has become a cultural icon for liberals, rightfully earning her the nickname “Notorious RBG.”

The documentary is not without surprises, however. Justice Ginsberg’s unique relationship with Justice Antonin Scalia may surprise viewers, as the two justices’ positions on key legal issues could not be more politically opposite. Also, as a US Supreme Court Justice, maintaining a neutral position in the political landscape is paramount and Justice Ginsberg has allowed her opinion on President Trump to slip on at least one occasion.

Although the film does not wade deeply into a political dialogue, it is clear that the filmmakers sought to chronical Justice Ginsberg’s life and the importance her liberal feminist views have had on shaping the legal framework in the US. It was a fascinating and inspiring film for both women and men, lawyers and non-lawyers.