Transforming Legal Apprenticeship with rubi
rubi is introducing a new model for transactional lawyer training: apprenticeship at scale.
AUSTIN, Texas - Today marks the launch of rubi, a legal technology startup founded by M&A attorneys Geetika Jerath and Madison Keeble to reimagine legal apprenticeship for the next generation of lawyers.
Built over two years of rigorous curriculum development and pilot testing, rubi's flagship program, The Transactional Practice Guide: M&A, is designed to take a brand new lawyer and train them to operate at the level of a second-year associate.
Addressing the Need for Structured Training
Recent pilot testing revealed that the demand for structured training extends beyond new lawyers, reaching boutique attorneys and in-house counsel too. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive:
"A training program like rubi should be required for all lawyers alongside on-the-job training," said Martina Williams, an in-house attorney with five years of experience who completed the program. "Before rubi, I didn't receive any formal training outside of being assigned tasks. This is the first program of its kind I've heard of."
rubi's Unique Approach to Learning
As remote work and AI reshape the legal landscape, rubi is thinking outside the box when it comes to training transactional lawyers.
The program functions as a reimagined apprenticeship where participants assume the role of a junior attorney and receive hands-on guidance through every task, decision, and document.
Jerath shared insights on their innovative approach: "Madison and I drew on the most valuable lessons from our 25,000+ billable hours in BigLaw and crafted a platform that teaches what junior M&A lawyers need to know upfront." Participants engage with a comprehensive mega-deal designed specifically for their learning, building knowledge piece by piece for a complete understanding.
"It's as if Geetika and I are at their desks, teaching not just the 'what' but also the 'why' behind their tasks. We use real transaction documents to help them understand how everything fits together," said Keeble.
Over 10-15 hours, juniors can complete understandable units that fit into their busy schedules, progressing through assignments that build on prior knowledge. Tasks range from managing competing priorities to analyzing critical provisions and drafting full transaction checklists.
Training That Speaks Volumes
The beauty of rubi's approach is its flexibility. Individuals can pursue the program independently, or law firms can adopt it for entire teams, ensuring everyone receives the same comprehensive training. This not only levels the playing field but also allows lawyers to adapt to their firm’s specific preferences, hence maximizing productivity.
"Once rubi is integrated into a firm or law school, the training runs itself," Keeble explained. "It complements on-the-job learning, helping students prepare for summer associate positions while enabling practicing lawyers to add immediate value to their deals without added stress on their responsibilities."
Partnership with The University of Texas School of Law
rubi is excited to announce that The University of Texas School of Law, in collaboration with the Texas Law and Business Program, will offer access to the platform for all students.
"Our program bridges the gap between legal education and real-world transactional practice," stated Professor Eliot Cotton, the director of the Texas Law and Business Program. "rubi equips students with skills that traditionally took years to cultivate in a firm, offering them invaluable insights into how deals actually work. We see tremendous potential in providing this platform to our students."
Jerath and Keeble expressed their enthusiasm for the collaboration. "By offering rubi to every student at Texas Law, the institution is showing a strong commitment to equipping its students with a competitive edge," shared Jerath, mentioning their pride in being UT Austin alumni and the importance of bringing rubi to the university.
Getting Started with rubi
rubi is now accessible through its official website for individual lawyers, law students, firms, and organizations eager to enhance their training. For inquiries about corporate partnerships, interested parties can contact rubi directly.
About rubi
Headquartered in Austin, rubi stands as the first virtual apprenticeship platform dedicated to transactional lawyers, already gaining traction among attorneys in the Am Law 100 and top-tier law students. For more information about rubi and its offerings, visit their official site.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is rubi?
rubi is a legal tech startup focused on creating a unique virtual apprenticeship platform designed to train transactional lawyers effectively.
Who are the founders of rubi?
The company was founded by M&A attorneys Geetika Jerath and Madison Keeble.
What is The Transactional Practice Guide: M&A?
This guide is rubi's flagship program aimed at training new lawyers to perform at the level of second-year associates.
How does rubi's training program work?
rubi's program combines structured hands-on learning and real-world examples to facilitate understanding of transactional law.
Who can benefit from rubi?
New lawyers, boutique attorneys, in-house counsel, and law students can all gain from the training rubi offers.