In an initiative addressing a persistent challenge in the legal profession, two former BigLaw M&A attorneys have unveiled a virtual apprenticeship platform to bridge the gap between law school education and the practical skills required in transactional practice. Rubi Legal Training, co-founded by Madison Keeble and Geetika Jerath, has launched with the promise of equipping junior lawyers with the capabilities typically developed through years of on-the-job experience.
The founders drew upon their extensive backgrounds as M&A associates at Norton Rose Fulbright to create rubi, a comprehensive training program aimed at cultivating transactional competence (additional details available in a report by LawNext). The platform’s flagship offering, “The Transactional Practice Guide: M&A,” is intended to elevate participants to the level of a second-year associate.
This innovation in legal training has already captured the attention of esteemed institutions, notably through a significant partnership with the University of Texas School of Law, granting students access to rubi’s resources. Eliot Cotton, leading the Texas Law and Business Program, stated that the collaboration seeks to impart skills that are integral to successful transactional practice from the onset of a lawyer’s career.
Rubi’s approach simulates the real-world experience of a junior associate involved in a high-stakes transaction by integrating hands-on guidance with every aspect of deal-making. This method allows participants to engage with assignments that progressively build on one another, encompassing everything from managing priorities to drafting essential documents.
The founders of rubi perceive the platform as a versatile tool, capable of scaling across various legal environments, including boutique firms and in-house counsel. Future plans include expanding to cover additional practice areas, ultimately fostering a comprehensive training ecosystem conducive to both individual and institutional growth.