Episode 130: Amy Lyn Blake
Massachusetts Appeals Court Justice Amy Lyn Blake shares her journey from law practice to the trial and appellate bench. With host MC Sungaila, Justice Blake has a lively discussion about what it takes to become a judge, the difference between law practice and serving on the bench, and the oral argument and brief writing process.
Episode 87: Andrea Sheridan Ordin
Andrea Sheridan Ordin -- the first female United States Attorney for the Central District of California—and only the third female U.S. Attorney in American history— discusses her path to this and other leadership positions in government. Among other roles, Ms. Ordin has also served as Los Angeles County Counsel, Chief Assistant Attorney General of California, and on the Los Angeles Police Commission. In this episode, she sits down with MC Sungaila to discuss her path to these different roles and offers leadership lessons.
Episode 84: Maureen O'Connor
Recently retired Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor shares how she became the first woman to lead the state judiciary and her contribution to the judicial system. Maureen O'Connor is the tenth Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio, a Cleveland-Marshall School of Law graduate, and a member of the Cleveland-Marshall Hall of Fame. She became the longest-serving statewide elected woman in Ohio history. She shares her journey to becoming the first woman to lead the state judicial branch of government and how she led significant reforms and improvements in the Ohio judicial system.
Episode 83: Jennafer Wagner & Erin Smith
Erin Smith and Jennafer Wagner both attended law school to advocate for change. Jennafer is now the Director of Programs at Family Violence Appellate Project (FVAP), where Erin is the co-founder and Executive Director. FVAP is dedicated to helping domestic violence survivors and their children appeal trial court decisions in their cases, and thereby shaping the law in a favorable way for other domestic violence survivors. The success of their model, which thrives on partnerships with law firm attorneys who donate their services for free, has caused them to expand to other states beyond California.
Episode 82: Marcie Getelman
Marcie Getelman, Deputy General Counsel of Lennar Corporation, shares her career journey, the myriad roles held by in-house counsel, and how she supports the careers of the female outside counsel with whom she works.
Episode 81: Karen M. Ashby
Host MC Sungaila sits down with retired Colorado Court of Appeals Judge Karen M. Ashby to discuss her trailblazing career as the first Black woman to be appointed to that court. Judge Ashby shares valuable insights from her experiences as a public defender, trial court judge, and appellate judge. She describes how her path has paved the way for others, and how judges' diverse experiences contribute to decision making.
Episode 78: Jacqueline Nguyen
Judge Jacqueline Nguyen talks with host M.C. Sungaila about her experience as a refugee during the Vietnam War and her journey to becoming a judge, from private law practice to serving as a prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Central District of California. Before her confirmation to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, Judge Nguyen was also the first Asian American woman to serve as a district judge on the United States District Court for the Central District of California.
Episode 4: Elizabeth D. Walker
Joining M.C. Sungaila is Elizabeth D. Walker, Justice of the West Virginia Supreme Court and Co-Host of the podcast Lady Justice: Women of the Court. She shares the ups and downs in her life as a judge, her path to the bench by running for elected office, changes in her state's court system, and weathering an impeachment trial to come out on top as Chief Justice. She also provides practical tips on becoming an effective lawyer who can leave a lasting impact.