Allison Brecher, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer of growing fintech startup and digital retirement platform Vestwell, shares her journey from journalism to the law, and from law practice to in-house. She provides insights into how to be a general counsel who is proactive and integrated into the business, and the opportunity to build a department and company culture from the ground up at Vestwell.

California Court of Appeal Justice Martha Gooding shares her career journey from litigator, arbitrator, and bar leader to the trial and then the appellate court bench. She also shares some tips on effective advocacy, the role of a collegial legal community in fostering an enjoyable practice, and the importance of running your own race and not comparing your progress to others.

Nonprofit leader and resilient spirit Michelle Wulfestieg joins the podcast to share her personal and career journey, as well as provide some guidance on finding your own life purpose. Michelle, the executive director of the SoCal Hospice Foundation, came back from a near-death experience to create The Heavenly Home, Orange County's first nonprofit end-of-life care facility that provides round-the-clock care to terminally ill individuals. This is an inspiring episode featuring a beautiful and wise soul.

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Catrina Melograna, a Senior Project Leader-Space Policy and Strategy at The Aerospace Corporation. In this inspiring episode, she shares her journey from pursuing a career in law to becoming a leading expert in the field of space policy. Discover how she found her passion in space law and policy, overcame challenges, and built a successful career in the industry. This episode is not only inspiring to those interested in Space Law but also helpful to anyone navigating a career shift. Learn about the unexpected twists and turns that led her to her dream job and how she overcame challenges along the way. So, tune in to this episode with Catrina Melograna today.

Judge John Owens of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit discusses his career and path to the bench and encourages law students and new lawyers to consider judicial clerkships or externships to enhance their careers.

Sandra Phillips

NASA Engineer and Women's Aerospace Network Founder Holly Pascal joins the podcast to share resume and career development tips, as well as her experience founding and building out the Women's Aerospace Network. Tune in and learn how to advance your career in any industry with the skills you have!

Judge Wendy Wood of the Arkansas Court of Appeals shares her journey from professional basketball player to private practice, research attorney on the appellate court where she now sits, and, of course, judge. Along the way, she shares how the discipline and teamwork of basketball influenced her career and emphasizes the importance of moving beyond your fears to accomplish your dreams.

Ninth Circuit Judge Lucy Koh—the first Korean American woman to serve on a federal appellate court in the United States—shares what inspired her to become a lawyer and her path to the state court and then federal bench. From an early dream of civil rights law to influential roles on Capitol Hill and within the Department of Justice, Judge Koh's path is a masterclass in perseverance and adaptability. She shares candid stories about her transition from state to federal courts, navigating new challenges in criminal and intellectual property law, and the invaluable mentorship and community support that fueled her success. She also offers advice for those considering applying to the bench. This episode is packed with insights and inspiration. Don't miss it!

Carl St. Clair, longtime Music Director of Pacific Symphony, provides insights into conducting world-class musicians, mentoring and paying it forward, and how research for a music performance mirrors a lawyer's preparation for court. For those interested in classical music – as well as leading teams, building community, and encouraging collaboration – this episode is for you.

In this compilation episode, we feature marketing and presentation tips from cross-disciplinary guests Angela Meyer, Rachel Cossar, and Carol Carpenter. If you want to level up your client development and client presentation game (particularly on remote video calls), this is your episode.

In this compilation episode, we feature the journey and advice of some of our guests who are thriving in BigLaw -- leading firms, practices, offices, and trial and deal teams. Hear from Barb Dawson, Hillary Holmes, Paula Hinton, Cindy Chang, Robin Crowther, and Anne-Marie Seibel.

This compilation episode features some of our guests who focus on Space Law - in academia, private practice, and government. Michelle Hanlon, Caryn Schenewerk, Franceska Schroeder, Ruth Pritchard-Kelly, and Bailey Reichelt share their paths to the law and the growing field of Space Law specifically.

In this special episode of The Portia Project podcast, we shine a light on the journeys of our nonprofit leader guests and how they transitioned from law school to leadership roles. Join us as we hear the inspiring stories of female lawyers, judges, justices, and even law professors. Learn how they built their careers, overcame challenges, and achieved remarkable success. Tune in and be empowered to forge your own path and succeed.

In the demanding world of in-house counsel, where navigating complex legal issues and supporting a business are daily realities, staying motivated and focused can be a challenge. But what keeps these legal leaders going? We spoke to a range of inspiring in-house counsel and discovered the mottos they use to persevere, tackle challenges, and ultimately achieve success. From unwavering resilience to the power of kindness, get ready to be inspired by the guiding principles that propel these legal powerhouses forward.

Want to take your client service to the next level? In the second in a compilation series, our in-house counsel guests share their golden rules for outside counsel, including active listening, concise communication, and strategic partnership. These tips will help you build stronger relationships and deliver exceptional value to your corporate clients. Listen now and subscribe to The Portia Project for more inspiring stories from women leaders in law and business.

Ever wondered what drives successful in-house counsel? This episode dives into the journeys of prominent general counsels, revealing their motivations, challenges, and the secrets to their success. Learn what it takes to navigate the unique landscape of in-house legal work. Discover how these leaders rose to the top of their profession. Gain valuable advice you can apply to your own career path, whether you're considering an in-house role or aiming for the top. Tune in and gain valuable insights for your own career journey.

In 2024, women serve as presiding judges in 5 Southern California counties and as presiding justices on several California Courts of Appeal. The Portia Project was invited to highlight many of these dynamic women presiding judges – Justices Kathleen O'Leary, Lee Smalley Edmon, and Maria Stratton, LA Superior Court Presiding Judge Samantha Jessner, and Orange County Superior Court Assistant Presiding Judge Cheri Pham – in a live panel at the California Lawyers' Association's Annual Litigation and Appellate Summit in Long Beach, California. This episode features that panel discussion.

The Portia Project presented a live program at the Center for Women in the Law's Biannual Power Summit in Austin, Texas, featuring an interview with Greenberg Traurig Vice-Chair, leading trial lawyer, and AI innovator Lori Cohen. We were thrilled to be invited to the Summit—described as one of the most significant gatherings of women lawyers in the country and "a veritable who’s who of influential women in the profession”—and are pleased to share Lori's career journey, grit and resilience with our podcast audience too. Lori's celebrated career hit a bump in the road when she inexplicably lost her voice. Her journey over the last two years to collaborate with her technology colleagues to create a new AI voice for herself, to allow her to communicate and remain in the courtroom, is compelling and inspirational.

As part of our Space series, we recorded short interviews with a few select speakers at the inaugural Space Beach Law Lab conference in Long Beach, California. This one with Aaron Brynildson gets substantive, dips into hot topics in space policy and regulation, and demonstrates the range of venues in which a space law career can play out (military anyone?). Oh, and we also share our mutual appreciation for our time in the Ole Miss Center for Air and Space Law program, where Aaron obtained his LLM and I am pursuing one. Enjoy!