Law a family occupation for new ADA

Molly Rubin didn't exactly have a slow build-up to her new job as a Gaston County assistant district attorney.

Hours after beginning her first day Oct. 7, the 25-year-old New Jersey native was inside a courtroom, working the first court appearance for two suspects accused of killing a man in Colorado.

"That was definitely an exciting day," Rubin said. "For sure."

A lifelong Tar Heel fan, Rubin enrolled at the University of North Carolina School of Law after graduating from Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, where she played guard for the women's basketball team.

Rubin said she enjoyed watching as many UNC basketball games as possible while studying to become a lawyer.

The daughter of a prosecutor and the niece of a police chief, Rubin grew up knowing she wanted to defend the law.

"I think the most important thing is focusing on the victims and looking at what happened and what we can do to bring justice to the issue," Rubin said.

Rubin graduated from law school in May, and received her positive results on the North Carolina Bar exam a few weeks ago.

She will spend her first few weeks at the Gaston County District Attorney's Office handling various District Court cases before transitioning to traffic court.

Her long-term goal is to work bigger cases, she said.

"I would love to work my way up to Superior Court and see where everything goes from there," Rubin said. "Right now my focus is doing the best I can in District Court."

In the meantime, she enjoys the fact that every day presents a wildly different caseload.

She said fellow assistant district attorneys Mark Warshawsky, Donald Rice and Howard Wellons have helped mentor her into the role.

"Everybody from the office has been great," Rubin said. "I already feel comfortable here. People go out of their way to help me out. People are definitely welcoming and helpful."

Rubin first interviewed for the position in December. Before taking the job, she said she only knew of Gaston County as a suburb of Charlotte.

She lives in Charlotte with a puppy, and enjoys playing basketball and working out in her spare time.

You can reach Adam Lawson at 704-869-1842 or on Twitter @GazetteLawson.