As part of our Space series, Christine Calvé, General Counsel of the Canadian Space Agency, joins the podcast to share her career journey from ballet to the law, the importance of mentorship to career success, and the value of taking on stretch opportunities.

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.

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.

Michelle Banks is a champion of women lawyers and their careers. Her own career trajectory – from BigLaw to General Counsel to Executive Coach – is also inspiring. Michelle sits down with host M.C. Sungaila to share her career journey. She dives deep into the meaning she gets from helping others succeed and her work with Ms. JD and DirectWomen. Michelle also shares her contribution to a book on the many ways women lawyers define success and then offers some guidance for in-house counsel about their roles. Tune in to this episode to learn more about Michelle’s inspiring journey.

Client relationship expert Angela Meyer joins the podcast to talk about her corporate career, including business development strategy and tips for lawyers. She is a mechanical engineer, the former executive director of the Product Liability Advisory Council, and a client relationship guru. Tune in and gain important insights on business development from today’s amazing guest.

Utah Supreme Court Justice Diana Hagen sits down with M.C. Sungaila to share her career journey from clerking for a federal judge to serving in the appellate division of the U.S. Attorney's Office and now on the appellate bench. She shares how her acting training helped her gain confidence early in her career, the importance of mentors, and the role a flexible work arrangement played in her remaining in, and rising in, the legal profession.

The highly respected Franceska Schroeder, Founding and Managing Counsel at Schroeder Law PLLC, discusses her niche and growing area of space law, the power of mentoring and paying it forward, and founding her own firm.

Legendary family law attorney Stacy D. Phillips talks with host M.C. Sungaila about being intentional in your career choices but also being open to new opportunities, giving back, moving from her own highly successful law firm to the executive committee of BigLaw firm Blank Rome, and what she learned from her lawyer father.

Former Associate Justice on the California Court of Appeal, now private judge at Judicate West, Laurie D. Zelon shares her journey in the law, including the significant role that mentorship played in her development. She shares how she became a leader in advocating for access to justice and pro bono work long before joining the bench, and the important role that both play in our justice system. This is a tremendous opportunity to hear from a longtime bar and community leader who embodies public service.

Oregon Supreme Court Chief Justice Martha Lee Walters shares her path to the bench with host MC Sungaila, including founding her own women-owned law firm that was involved with some of the most high profile and pathbreaking civil rights cases of the time. Chief Justice Walters discusses the importance of continuing to make sure that the justice system is accessible to, and a helpful forum for, members of the public and their disputes.

Litigation is a complex arena of law. Trial lawyers often need a mentor to guide them on their way. In this episode, MC Sungaila talks about litigation and teaching future lawyers with Caryn Geraghty Jorgensen. She specializes in complex litigation matters and believes in the ability of people to frame paths to resolution when conflicts arise. We discuss trials, litigation, and mentoring the next generation. Tune in for more great insights from women in the corridors of the law.

In this episode, MC Sungaila talks shop with Christine Mayle, Judge, Ohio Sixth District Court of Appeals. Judge Mayle discusses what drew her towards appellate law, and what drove her towards a position as a judge on the Court Of Appeals. Tune in to learn more of Judge Mayle’s journey and why appellate law is so important.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michelle Williams Court took a non-traditional path to the bench. Judge Court discusses her civil rights career and continued commitment to serving the community as a judge. Tune in to hear her insights on service through the law.