Sarah Isgur
Studying SCOTUS & Campaign Culture
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For many of us who work on the Hill, the Supreme Court is that mysterious neighbor we walk by on our daily commute. Luckily, Sarah Isgur is here to shed some light on this misunderstood branch of American government.
Sarah is the host of the Advisory Opinions podcast at The Dispatch and Editor for SCOTUSblog. In addition, she's also the author of Last Branch Standing, her book on the Supreme Court that will be released this April.
Originally, Sarah went to college to be a math major but, when class registration didn't work, she found herself in a senior-level Poli Sci class in the fall of 2000 (Bush v. Gore year). She couldn't help but become interested in politics, and worked on her first campaign in 2002.
Eventually, Sarah made it to the Hill as a Press Secretary on the House side. After about six weeks, she was fired (more details on that here). At the time, Legally Blonde had just come out and, after watching the movie, Sarah was inspired by Elle Woods.
"I went to law school, having no intention of being a lawyer but just feeling like Elle Woods...," Sarah says.
Sarah found her niche in law, though. Now, with her work at The Dispatch, on SCOTUSblog, and as a Legal Analyst with ABC News, she breaks down complex court decisions and law for her audiences.
Get to know more about Sarah...
🏠 Hometown: outside Houston, TX
🎓 College: Northwestern University & Harvard Law School
🔗 CNCT with Sarah about... Why the raven is her favorite bird
Check out Sarah's episode to hear more about her upcoming book, what to know about the Supreme Court, her love for campaigns, and birding.
More about Sarah & Last Branch Standing
Sarah's upcoming book, Last Branch Standing, is described as a "myth-busting glimpse into the inner workings of the Supreme Court" that's "potentially surprising" and "ocassionally witty."
It's not just an insider's look into SCOTUS, though, it's also the perfect guide for staffers (like yourself) looking to understand the nuances of this branch more.
As discussed in the new episode, power is shifting between the different branches of government and more focus will be placed on the decisions of the courts. Sarah argues that following and understanding the court is key to staying informed as power shifts.
📚 If you're interested in learning more, you can preorder the book here.
When she's not hosting a podcast, appearing on ABC News, or writing a book, you can find Sarah being a mom to her two boys (ages five and two) and birding.
Growing up, Sarah's mother was a wildlife rehabilitator so, a lot of her childhood was spent around injured or orphaned animals. Often, her family vacations were "wildlife-oriented."
🦉 That being said, Sarah's now an avid birder who can do owl calls (and she's currently teaching her son to do them too). Talk to her about her history rehabilitating birds.