Orange County, California Superior Court Judge Adrianne Marshack joins host MC Sungaila to discuss her career trajectory from teaching to BigLaw to the bench, and explain how she handles her current assignment in family law by expanding her legal expertise and making sure that those going through turbulent family law proceedings are treated with dignity and respect. She also explains the importance of being flexible, listening to your intuition, and getting advice from trustworthy mentors in navigating your career.

Caryn Schenewerk works at the cutting edge of space law and policy -- from the highest levels of the federal government to the early days of SpaceX and now as an adjunct law professor, co-author of a leading space law handbook, and the leader of Relativity Space’s regulatory efforts and policy engagement with all branches and levels of government. In this episode, she sits down with MC Sungaila to share the lessons she learned from her evolving career, and the developing opportunities in the space industry. This episode is the second episode to feature women leaders in space law, and the first one featuring a guest who bridges academia and space law practice.

Theresa Harris, the Program Director of the AAAS Scientific Responsibility, Human Rights and Law Program, sits down with host M.C. Sungaila to discuss her organization's role in connecting scientists with human rights concerns, and her career path from more traditional human rights law leadership to her current role, where she manages projects that include a volunteer referral service that provides technical support for human rights organizations, activities that promote greater understanding of the human right to science, and a new project on artificial intelligence and human rights. This is an inspiring episode for lawyers who want to explore the many ways they can make a difference with their law degree.

Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Holly Kirby sits down with host MC Sungaila to share her path to the bench, including, prior to the state supreme court, becoming the first woman in Tennessee history to serve on the Tennessee Court of Appeals.

Former Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Anne M. Burke sits down with M.C. Sungaila for a wide-ranging discussion on her path to the bench, her role as a founder of the Special Olympics, and the importance of teaching critical thinking and civics education to the future of the judicial system. She also shares tips on brief writing and presenting a powerful oral argument, and why cursive writing is a practical skill every lawyer should possess.

Michigan Supreme Court Justice Megan Cavanagh sits down with host M.C. Sungaila to discuss her career as an appellate lawyer and now as a Supreme Court justice of her home state, Michigan.

Justice Elena J. Duarte is an Associate Justice on the California Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District, in Sacramento. She shares her journey from the U.S. Attorney's office to two separate trial court appointments in Los Angeles and Sacramento, and then to the Court of Appeal. She also provides tips on oral arguments, brief writing, and applying to the bench.

In this bonus episode host MC Sungaila is joined for a crossover show with the co-hosts of the Texas Appellate Law Podcast, D. Todd Smith and Jody Sanders. They discuss the Portia Project’s recent milestone of the 100th episode, share insights from their appellate judge guests and round up some great tips on launching a successful legal podcast of your own. Don’t miss out on this special episode. Tune in!

Many people experience a creative career transition after practicing law. This is exactly what happened to Amy Impellizzeri, a lawyer who became an author. Joining MC Sungaila, she shares how one sabbatical leave from law practice motivated her to embrace her passion for writing, proving once and for all that lawyers are individuals with rich imagination. Amy explains how her fellow lawyers can also unleash their creative side and cope with other people's opinions after making such a huge career jump. She also explains how she keeps a deep love for the law while being a writer, as well as what she does to keep her creative mind in constant growth.

In this episode, Justice Carol D. Codrington, the first African American justice on California's Fourth District Court of Appeal, shares her unique career trajectory, starting with being a litigator and a lawyer and moving up to her current position. She takes us deep behind the scenes of what goes into being a judge, sharing challenges and advice for students and lawyers on the process of opinion and brief writing as well as oral arguments.

Join MC Sungaila as she talks to Justice Dawn H. Beam about her journey into the Mississippi Supreme Court. Beam is the fourth woman to serve on the state’s highest court, and the first woman appointed from the Southern District. Find out what she learned in her journey and some tips for up-and-coming lawyers. Discover how she is making a difference when it comes to child protection, mental health, trauma, and much more.

Joining your host MC Sungaila on today’s episode is Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of North Carolina, Anita Earls. She has had an abundant career before the bench, doing significant civil rights work in different arenas, both for the federal government and nonprofits. Today, she shares her journey to the bench and important lessons she gained along the way. Judge Earls also gives insight into working with a diverse group on the bench and offers valuable advice for lawyers and law students who aspire to a similar path. Tune in to learn more about her passion for the law and helping others.

The Founder of Free to Thrive, Jamie Beck advocates for and represents human-trafficking survivors so they can start living their lives. Aside from being the Founder, President, and Managing Attorney of Free to Thrive, she is also an Adjunct Lecturer in Law at USC Gould School of Law and teaches a course on “Trauma-Informed Legal Skills,” creating the next generation of trauma-informed lawyers. Today, MC Sungaila talks to her about her non-profit organization and how she got so passionate about solving the issue of human trafficking.

Mentors are invaluable. This special joint episode highlights individual mentoring relationships. This episode features Judge Dorothy W. Nelson, Senior Circuit Judge on the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and her former law clerk Lisa Kloppenberg, a University of Santa Clara Law Professor, former law school Dean and Interim Provost of Santa Clara University. Host M.C. Sungaila also counts Judge Nelson among her mentors, having served as one of Judge Nelson's externs.

Professor Kloppenberg recently celebrated Judge Nelson's impact on her students, law clerks, and the law by writing and publishing her biography of the Judge, entitled The Best Beloved Thing Is Justice.

In this episode, they discuss Judge Nelson's impact on academia, the law, and the peaceful resolution of conflict through her multiple leading roles as one of the first women law school Deans, a trailblazing judge, and the founder of the Western Justice Center. Professor Kloppenberg also shares her leadership path in academia, and how Judge Nelson inspired and fostered her career, and demonstrated how to have a holistic life in the law, one marked by career accomplishments, faith leadership, and a rich family life.

Tune in to this intimate and inspiring conversation.

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit Judge Consuelo Maria "Connie" Callahan joins MC Sungaila to describe her journey from lawyer to judge and her commitment to the rule of law. She also provides advocacy tips for both appellate brief writers and oral advocates. Listen in for valuable insights and practical tips.

Today’s guest is Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Noma D. Gurich. Justice Gurich joins MC Sungaila to share her journey from law school to the bench. Not being an Oklahoma native presented its challenges. Her mindset of always being prepared and open to opportunities became key to her career path. She sheds light on what it’s like working in the Supreme Court and shares the challenges the court faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Listen in for essential tips for aspiring lawyers and judges.

Camilla Lopez, co-founder of access to justice legal tech company People Clerk, joins host MC Sungaila to share her journey to becoming a lawyer-entrepreneur who helps individuals navigate small claims court. She discusses what's involved in running a successful start-up, from funding the company's growth (People Clerk is a Techstars alum backed by Google's Latino Founders Fund) to finding the right mentors and listening to customer feedback in expanding and growing their services.

Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Lorie Skjerven Gildea discusses the important role played by state courts and the surprising turns her own career has taken. She explains how the Court pivoted in order to continue to provide access to justice during the pandemic, the role of the Chief Justice and Supreme Court in administering the state's court system, and important tips on briefwriting and oral argument. Listen in as an accomplished member of the judiciary offers valuable career advice and an important civics lesson.

Host MC Sungaila talks with Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Justice Elspeth Cypher who shares her journey to the bench, from civil practice to chief of the appellate division in the district attorney's office. Listen in as she shares both valuable tips you can use in court and inspiring wisdom for aspiring women lawyers and law students.

Joining MC Sungaila today is Jessica Aronoff, CEO of Cayton Children's Museum. Jessica entered law school with no intention of becoming a lawyer. Her goal? Doing impactful work in a nonprofit. As it turns out, having a law degree was indeed a valuable tool and asset for her work in the field. In this episode, Jessica shares her evolution in the nonprofit space, from Executive Director of teen dating violence organization Break the Cycle to Vice President of Philanthropy for The Wonderful Company. Jessica's career path demonstrates the different ways you can apply your law degree. Tune in to hear from an inspiring and visionary leader.