There’s a unique kind of kinship that’s forged through marriage, but #SistersInLaw, a podcast launched by Politicon, transcends the familial to create a new kindred bond in the world of law and politics. With a shared background in journalism, politics, and law, this quartet of powerhouse women—Barb McQuade, Joyce Vance, Kimberly Atkins Stohr, and Jill Wine-Banks—has crafted a trailblazing platform that’s taking the nation by storm. Their Webby Award-nominated podcast is now gearing up for a live tour across major U.S. cities, bringing their candid conversations directly to the people.
Here’s where Stohr says it all began just a couple of years prior, “all four of us are contributors for MSNBC, where we give on air analysis,” she shared with the Michigan Chronicle. “And actually, members of the audience were fond of these women who had legal backgrounds who gave this analysis, and they came up with the #sistersinlaw on social media. And we thought, oh, that’s not only a great hashtag – it would also be a great podcast to do because we’re not only colleagues, we’re friends,”
#SistersInLaw provides listeners with an insider’s perspective on law and politics, stripping back the legalese to reveal an approachable, enlightening conversation. The podcast features former U.S. Attorneys McQuade and Vance, The Boston Globe columnist Stohr, and Banks, the only woman on the Watergate prosecution team.
Their roundtable discussions reveal the intricacies of how government functions, offering razor-sharp analysis on matters like Donald Trump’s legal battles, immigration, abortion rights, and Supreme Court rulings. Their dynamic chemistry brings fresh insight and humor to serious topics, offering listeners not only understanding but also empowerment as they navigate a complex election year.
Stohr sits as the only Black cast mate on the show and in the midst of tackling everyday politics; race, background, systemic and cultural knowledge plays a major role in the topics for #sistersinlaw, “I see that as a critical part of my perspective as a Black woman and with my experiences as a Black woman,” said Stohr. “Whether it’s the difference in my experience practicing law, to just my experiences in life and political consequences of the things that we talk about. I can say that it hasn’t been a challenge, especially not with my co-hosts, who really appreciate and seek out that perspective because they understand how important it is to understand how different, it’s going to affect different Americans differently.”
Politicon, the leading organization for political enthusiasts, is bringing this powerhouse podcast to three major cities: Chicago, Detroit, and Boston. Fans will have a front-row seat to the debates and perspectives that have captivated weekly listeners since the podcast launched in February 2021. The tour is a timely opportunity to get up close and personal with these legal experts as they unpack the most pressing issues of our time.
“All of us come from different parts of the country. I’m from Detroit,” Stohr shared. “And I think that makes our analysis really rich and diverse. We sometimes disagree with each other on points and we make people and each other think about things a little differently.”
Jill Wine-Banks, known as “The Watergate Girl,” was the only woman on the Watergate prosecution team. She’s also the first female General Counsel of the U.S. Army and appears regularly as a legal analyst on MSNBC. Joyce Vance is a distinguished law professor at the University of Alabama and previously served as a U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama. Her popular newsletter, Civil Discourse, complements her regular commentary on NBC News and MSNBC.
Barb McQuade, a University of Michigan Law professor and former U.S. Attorney, authored Attack from Within: How Disinformation is Sabotaging America and serves as a legal analyst for NBC News and MSNBC. Kimberly Atkins Stohr, a Detroit native, is a senior opinion writer at The Boston Globe and a regular contributor to MSNBC. She previously served as WBUR’s first Washington, D.C.-based correspondent.
For Detroiters, this tour stop holds special significance as it marks a homecoming for Kimberly Atkins Stohr, who continues to bring light to the city and her career. With her voice and insight helping shape the national conversation on law and politics, her return to the Motor City promises to be a triumphant one.
“I am so excited to come home,” said Stohr. “Not just because it’s where I grew up and my family will be among those in the audience, and that’s going to feel so special, that’ll get too emotional, but also because of this moment and what we’ve seen in terms of the people of Michigan, the voters of Michigan, the leaders in Michigan, having reacted to the state of our nation in the way that they have, I am just blown away by the actions by state legislatures and the governor to secure abortion access in the state to make sure that voting is fair and free, to make sure that despite anything else that has happened, that there are opportunities for education doing the best they can to find solutions amid negative rulings on affirmative action. Everyone who I’ve talked to, from the people that I meet when I go home to the people at the top of the administration in Lansing just seems so committed and clear about what’s happening and what needs to be done. I’m immensely proud of Michigan at this point. I think they see the stakes.”
Tickets for the #SistersInLaw Live! tour are now available, offering a rare opportunity to experience this powerhouse podcast firsthand and learn from these trailblazing legal minds. Whether you’re a legal aficionado or a casual observer of politics, this tour is a chance to be part of a conversation that’s sure to shape the road ahead.