Legendary former California Court of Appeal Justice Patricia Benke, now in private practice at the Complex Appellate Litigation Group, shares her journey to the bench, tips for effective advocacy, and how when one door closes in your career another one opens. Don't miss this reservoir of wisdom that will undoubtedly inspire you to persevere, regardless of the obstacles on your path. Tune in for an episode that transcends legal insights, offering a compelling narrative of creativity and success.

Bonni Pomush, the CEO of Working Wardrobes, a leading nonprofit in Orange County, California, shares her path to nonprofit leadership and tips for leading and collaborating with others both inside and outside your organization. Named the Most Influential Person in Orange County by the Orange County Register in 2023, Bonni is an upbeat force for good, and a leader to learn from. Join this conversation and learn why nonprofit leadership can be a sensible choice for those who just finished law school and why working for impact can be the most fulfilling career choice.

As part of our series featuring leading women in space law, Kelsie Rutherford, Regulatory Counsel at SES, a global satellite operator, shares her journey to an in-house role and her leadership in space policy through her industry representation at the ITU's World Radiocommunication Conference in Dubai. Kelsie shares what it takes to break into the space industry and what makes an effective in-house counsel. Join in as she takes us into her unique career journey, offering us an insight into what’s in store for those brave enough to give this nascent industry a try. Tune in!

Our Space series featuring the leading ladies of Space Law and Space Exploration continues, with Bailey Reichelt, Co-Founder of startup law firm Aegis Space Law and former in-house counsel. Bailey and Aegis focus on trade law and regulatory counseling for NewSpace companies and startups. In this conversation, Bailey shares her journey in establishing Aegis Space Law and steering it to its current success. Along this trajectory, she highlights the collaborative dynamic with her law partner as a pivotal element that significantly contributed to their achievements. This episode is not only for those interested in carving out a Space Law career but for those seeking to start their nontraditional law firm. Tune in to not miss out!

Today's guest is one of LA Business Journal's Most Influential Women Lawyers for her pro bono work. Stacy Horth-Neubert, former journalist and BigLaw attorney, shares her pro bono journey and her new role as Executive Director of the Harriett Buhai Center (only the second leader in the organization's history). Stacy delves into the pivotal role mentors and sponsors play in her journey within the law firm arena, elaborating on the concept of cultivating various strands of sponsorship and mentorship. She also imparts valuable advice to fellow lawyers, emphasizing the significance of diversifying skill sets and elucidating the profound reasons behind such a strategic approach. This is an inspiring episode about the role of bar leadership in career development and holding fast to your dreams.

Alabama federal district judge Anna Manasco shares her journey from debate champion to appellate litigator and federal judge, and offers tips for young lawyers to grow their skills and gain opportunities to be mentored. Judge Manasco was nominated to the federal bench in February of 2020 and confirmed in May of 2020. Her journey to the bench was characterized by her willingness to learn from everyone and everything that comes her way in throughout her legal career. Tune in and be inspired!

Former California Court of Appeal Justice Judith Haller shares some of her impactful work on statewide commissions on access to justice and judicial ethics. She also talks about her career journey from prosecutor to law firm litigation partner, trial, and court of appeal judge. Justice Haller explains how being a good writer is important in her profession. Her presence radiates so much inspiration in today’s episode. Join Justice Haller today and be inspired by her journey.

Arkansas Court of Appeals Judge Cindy Thyer shares her path to the law and the bench (through two different trial court appointments by Republican and Democratic governors alike, followed by uncontested election to the trial and appellate bench) and provides tips for those considering a judicial career as well as for advocates. Judge Thyer also shares how she earned a Masters in Judicial Studies while serving on the bench.

Arkansas Court of Appeals Judge Rita Gruber describes her career on both the trial court and appellate bench and her unexpected path to judicial service. To do justice that shows mercy is how today’s guest navigates her journey as a judge. To be in a juvenile court, the judge can change lives more than in any other legal setting. Today, Judge Gruber describes her career on both the trial court and appellate bench and her unexpected path to judicial service. Along the way, she shares some life wisdom and tips for effective advocacy. Judge Gruber urges the young ones to be open and willing to go outside their comfort zone because that’s how you build your skills and build yourself into your destination. Be inspired by Judge Gruber in this insightful episode and build your path beyond law school today.

Arkansas Court of Appeals Judge Rita Gruber describes her career on both the trial court and appellate bench and her unexpected path to judicial service. To do justice that shows mercy is how today’s guest navigates her journey as a judge. To be in a juvenile court, the judge can change lives more than in any other legal setting. Today, Judge Gruber describes her career on both the trial court and appellate bench and her unexpected path to judicial service. Along the way, she shares some life wisdom and tips for effective advocacy. Judge Gruber urges the young ones to be open and willing to go outside their comfort zone because that’s how you build your skills and build yourself into your destination. Be inspired by Judge Gruber in this insightful episode and build your path beyond law school today.

Judith Clark is the Presiding Judge of the Riverside Superior Court, one of California's busy and growing trial courts. With host M.C. Sungaila, she shares her path to the bench, offers advice for those considering serving on the bench themselves, and underscores how being open-minded about opportunities and the guidance of mentors led her to become a prosecutor and, later, a judge. Listen in for some thoughtful insights from a remarkable judicial leader.

As part of our series on space law and the space ecosystem, this episode features Shelli Brunswick, a former U.S. Air Force officer and current COO of the nonprofit Space Foundation. Shelli shares her views on leadership, the space economy, mentoring and sponsorship, and succeeding in a traditionally male-dominated industry.

Judith Clark is the Presiding Judge of the Riverside Superior Court, one of California's busy and growing trial courts. With host M.C. Sungaila, she shares her path to the bench, offers advice for those considering serving on the bench themselves, and underscores how being open-minded about opportunities and the guidance of mentors led her to become a prosecutor and, later, a judge. Listen in for some thoughtful insights from a remarkable judicial leader.

Presiding Judge Kimberly Merrifield of the Butte County Superior Court in California, and a former member of the California Judicial Council and leader of the Trial Court Presiding Judges Association for presiding judges throughout the state, shares how her eclectic, well-rounded career (from a court clerk to a varied private law practice after night law school) led her to the bench. She shares some important lessons: be persistent in seeking what you want (she applied several times under different governors before being appointed to the bench), be open to opportunities you had not previously considered, and be aware of the power of bar and community service (including pro bono work) to open doors to new opportunities. This is a must-listen episode.

In this episode, we get to hear some of the most impactful and profound personal and professional mottos that The Portia Project guests have shared on the show. Whether we can articulate it or not, we each have our own motto that we live by, and women in law are no different. You’d be amazed at just how many of these mottos you will resonate with. Most probably all of them. Tune in to find out and be inspired!

In this episode, we get to hear some of the most impactful and profound personal and professional mottos that The Portia Project guests have shared on the show. Whether we can articulate it or not, we each have our own motto that we live by, and women in law are no different. You’d be amazed at just how many of these mottos you will resonate with. Most probably all of them. Tune in to find out and be inspired!

Welcome to the best of The Portia Project. This is the second of three episodes that have been curated and focused on particular topics that lawyers might be interested in. In particular, in improving their skills. Our first compilation episode focused on brief writing. This one focuses on oral argument. Many of the judicial guests on The Portia Project podcast have shared their tips for oral arguments. And here, we compile many of them into a short compilation of those tips. Judges provide insights into arguing at particular levels of the court system, whether it’s intermediate appellate courts or supreme courts, the art of responding to judges’ questions, and elements of persuasion, as well as discussing the mindset that judges are in when they are on the bench listening to oral arguments. So again, this is another treasure trove of information to level up your practice. The best of The Portia Project, Judges’ Top Tips for Oral Arguments. Enjoy.

Many of the judicial guests on the podcast have shared their top tips for briefwriting. This episode compiles many of these tips for those who want to learn. Whether you are preparing for your first appellate argument or seeking to refine your existing skills, this episode offers a treasure trove of practical advice to elevate your brief-writing prowess and become a more effective advocate in the courtroom. Tune in to explore the collective wisdom shared by esteemed judicial experts and bolster your abilities in the realm of appellate advocacy.

Presiding Judge Kimberly Merrifield of the Butte County Superior Court in California, and a former member of the California Judicial Council and leader of the Trial Court Presiding Judges Association for presiding judges throughout the state, shares how her eclectic, well-rounded career (from a court clerk to a varied private law practice after night law school) led her to the bench. She shares some important lessons: be persistent in seeking what you want (she applied several times under different governors before being appointed to the bench), be open to opportunities you had not previously considered, and be aware of the power of bar and community service (including pro bono work) to open doors to new opportunities. This is a must-listen episode.

Presiding Judge Kimberly Merrifield of the Butte County Superior Court in California, and a former member of the California Judicial Council and leader of the Trial Court Presiding Judges Association for presiding judges throughout the state, shares how her eclectic, well-rounded career (from a court clerk to a varied private law practice after night law school) led her to the bench. She shares some important lessons: be persistent in seeking what you want (she applied several times under different governors before being appointed to the bench), be open to opportunities you had not previously considered, and be aware of the power of bar and community service (including pro bono work) to open doors to new opportunities. This is a must-listen episode.