Women’s path to the bench, bar, and beyond
Chronicling the storied careers of women judges, lawyers, and leaders. And propelling the next generation forward.
Live recording of a Portia Project Podcast panel for Girls Inc. of Orange County’s “Girls Meet the Workforce” job readiness and externship program for high school girls.
As part of a Girls Inc. Of Orange County "Girls Meet the Workforce" job readiness and Externship program, 100 11th grade girls from Orange County gathered at Santa Ana College for a live recording of the Portia Project® podcast, which featured prominent female lawyers and judges from Southern California.
This live event featured previous podcast guests and was tailored for Girls Inc. of Orange County attendees. In addition to podcast host M.C. Sungaila, panelists included Justices Eileen Moore and Joanne Motoike of the California Court of Appeal; Judge Kimberly Knill of the Orange County Superior Court; Orange County Senior Assistant Public Defender Tracy LeSage; and Loyola Law School professor, Rebecca Delfino.
Girls Inc. of Orange County has been a respected member of the non-profit community since 1954. The mission of Girls Inc. is to inspire all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. We put our mission into practice through the Girls Inc. experience that equips girls to navigate gender, economic, and social barriers and grow into healthy, educated, and independent adults. Health, education, and independence are the three main areas that surround its program curricula.
Episodes
Categories: Academia | Arts | Criminal Law | Elected Office/Government | Entrepreneur/Business | Inhouse Counsel | Judge | Law Firm | Nonprofits | Public Interest | Skills | Space |
About
The Portia Project®
Portia was a character in Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice; her name became synonymous with women lawyers and women’s entry into and early progress in the legal profession. In the play, the character Portia disguises herself as a man then assumes the role of a lawyer’s apprentice in order to save the life of her beau’s best friend—and wins, despite having no formal legal training.
She delivers one of the most famous speeches in the Merchant of Venice:
“The quality of mercy is not strained. It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven upon the please beneath. It is twice blest: It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.”
“Stories, told well and acted upon by one generation, ignite the next generation to greatness; because they have heard with their own ears, and seen with their own eyes, what courage can achieve.”
— Bobette Buster
The Host M.C. Sungaila
M.C. is a highly regarded appellate attorney who has briefed and argued appeals raising cutting-edge and fundamental business issues for over two decades. Recognized for over a decade by the Daily Journal as one of California’s 100 Leading Women Lawyers, she is also frequently recognized for her sustained commitment to community service and pro bono work, particularly on behalf of women and girls. She was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, an honor she shares with seven U.S. Presidents, Nobel Prize winners, athletes, leaders of industry, artists, and others whose work has had a lasting impact on humanity, for her combined professional achievements and humanitarian and pro bono work.
Reviews
“I’m a full time law professor now at East Los Angeles College when I have the privilege of helping first gen and students of color forge paths to careers in the law, including many non traditional aged students. After fielding questions from my students last week about whether it is possible to work and go to law school part time, I was so proud today to be able to send all 180 of my students a link to the episode with Judge Maria Hernandez. Thank you again for this wonderful tool that I will continue to use with my students.”
–Courtney Powers, Associate Professor of Law East Los Angeles College
“Here are my LinkedIn best of Law & Tech 2023…Podcasts:
- The Portia Project® by M.C. Sungaila
- California Appellate Law podcast, by Tim Kowal and Jeff Lewis
- Podium and Panel podcast, by Dan Cotter and Donald Patrick Eckler
- Texas Appellate Law podcast, by D. Todd Smith and Jody Sanders
- OptimalWork podcast, by Kevin Majeres MD and Sharif Younes”
– Brendan Kenny, Appellate & Legal Writing Practice Group at Hellmuth & Johnson
The Portia Project ® was recently recommended by Georgetown Law
“Once you’ve checked out our professors’ podcasts, here are some others they recommend for keeping up with legal news and analysis: […] The Portia Project®.”
In Episode 2 the Portia Project®️ features a discussion with Judge Michelle Williams Court, presently serving as the Supervising Judge of the Civil Division for the Los Angeles Superior Court, including her legal career, path to the bench, and commitment to serving the legal community.
– LACBA
In Episode 7 the Portia Project®️ features a discussion with California Court of Appeal Justice Judith Ashmann-Gerst, including details regarding her fascinating path to the bench and insights for lawyers appearing before the Court of Appeal.
– LACBA
In Episode 134 of the Portia Project®️ features a discussion with Judge Samatha P. Jessner, the Presiding Judge of the Los Angeles Superior Court, including the role of mentors in her career and what it takes to lead the nation’s largest trial court.
– LACBA
Last night I listened to the recent episode of [The Portia Project®️] podcast with Sheryl Gordon McCloud. It was wonderful. I loved not just her recommendation of clinics but also her points about listening to, and making opinions understandable for, laypeople.
I look forward to listening to more.
– Elizabeth Bluestein, Associate Clinical Professor and Executive Director, Loyola Law School of Los Angeles Social Justice Law Clinic
“The Portia Project®️ is simply mesmerizing. It's an oral history of women in law that transcends time with stories that resonate.
What can we learn from the strengths of the women who persevered in a profession not always welcoming to them? These podcasts offer timeless truths of human strength and character that need to be part of our history. And our future!”
– Pat Wetzel, Creator and Host of Bump in the Road podcast
“The Portia Project®️ podcast stands out as a platform that gives voice to a unique group – women who chose the law as a livelihood. It is the brainchild of host M.C. Sungaila who consistently draws out compelling stories from her guests about their backgrounds and their journeys to carve out bespoke careers. I was honored to have M.C. as a guest on my podcast and am excited to share her creative journey that led to the formation of the Portia Project. For those who would like to explore the diverse ways a law degree can be applied, this podcast is a must.”
– Stephanie Drawdy, artist, attorney and host of Warfare of Art and Law Podcast
