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.
In a reprise episode coinciding with a season of gratitude and the Thanksgiving holiday in the U.S., 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.
In one of our most downloaded episodes of all time, Rachel Barchie shares her journey from BigLaw attorney to nonprofit and family foundation leader. She offers tips for those interested in transitioning from the practice of law to other arenas, and how legal skills add value to other leadership roles.
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. It is also one of our most replayed episodes.
Former Chief Judge of the Northern District of Texas and Chair of the ABA Section of Litigation, Barbara Lynn, sits down to share insights from her storied career as a trial lawyer and federal judge. Recently retired as a federal judge and now a partner at Lynn Pinker Hurst & Schwegmann, Lynn discusses the importance of mentors, the role we can all play in training the next generation, her path to the bench, advocacy tips, and her new role as mediator and trial strategist.
We continue our Space series with Kiersten Fortson, Senior Counsel for Launch Operations at Relativity Space and former FAA counsel. Kiersten shares how an unexpected moot court competition on international space law sparked her passion for the field, setting her on a path from the Pentagon to the FAA, where she worked on the landmark Part 450 launch licensing framework. She reflects on translating complex engineering concepts into clear regulatory language, the similarities between government and in-house counsel roles, and the satisfaction of partnering with clients to advance spaceflight. Along the way, Kiersten highlights the evolving nature of space law, the value of community in this close-knit industry, and the sense of “hope” that drives her work in commercial launch operations.
Rachel Williams, Executive Director of the Open Lunar Foundation, shares her path from a space startup to a lunar governance nonprofit. Along the way, she shares leadership lessons and tips for navigating career transitions and finding your way to a meaningful next step in your career.
Space security shapes everything from global stability to everyday life on Earth, and it needs leaders who can bridge disciplines and drive collaboration. As part of our Space series, Victoria Samson, Chief Director of Space Security and Stability at the Secure World Foundation, shares her unconventional journey from international relations to space security. She reflects on her path to space policy, from war-gaming scenarios to leading global counterspace threat assessments and launching the Space Boot Camp for nuclear security professionals. Along the way, Victoria offers candid career lessons, practical tips for navigating the evolving space landscape, and insights on perseverance, diversity, and building a sustainable future beyond Earth.
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.
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.
Stacy Bratcher, General Counsel of Cottage Health, and now host of the acclaimed The Legal Department podcast, in conversation with host M.C. Sungaila, shares her journey to in-house leadership and dives into the role of bar associations in shaping professional connections, skills development, and career advancement. She also discusses the pivotal role played by general counsel in organizations. Tune in to be inspired.
This is a reprise of an earlier episode which we are featuring upon the retirement of Kathleen E. O'Leary, the former Presiding Justice of the California Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division Three, and the former Presiding Justice of the Orange County Superior Court-- and the first woman to hold both positions. Justice O’Leary has also served on the Judicial Council, the policymaking body of the California courts. Prior to joining the bench, she served as a public defender and worked in private practice. With host M.C. Sungaila she shares her path to the bench, the importance of access to justice, as well as brief-writing and oral argument tips.
Marisa Cianciarulo, Dean of Western State College of Law in Orange County, California, discusses her journey to academia, her role managing faculty, students, and various stakeholders as a law school dean, and the importance of female role models in her career development.
Karen Stevenson, Chief Magistrate Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, shares her path to the bench and to the law, including a stint at Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. She also describes how her experience living abroad expanded her perspective as a person and enhanced her judicial skills later on. Judge Stevenson exemplifies her motto: "Do it. Do it right. Do it now."
In this classic replay, 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.
A classic episode in our Space series featuring Timiebi Aganaba, a space lawyer and assistant professor at ASU's School for the Future of Innovation in Society. Her career has taken her around the world, including a stint at Nigeria's brand-new space agency right out of law school that launched her career in an unforeseen direction and later took her to France, Canada, and now the United States. In this episode, Timi shares the human elements along her journey and how they helped her. Timi's path shows what openness to the unexpected can bring. Let's join her in her journey and be inspired to step into the unknown.
In one of our classic judicial guest episodes, 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. 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!
In this classic replay from our in-house counsel series, Monica Palko, Chief Legal and Administrative Officer of "NewSpace" company York Systems, shares her journey to the top of the space industry. She offers useful advice for corporate lawyers on how to thrive in their positions and contribute meaningfully to the company. Monica discusses the major changes happening in the traditional and new space industries. She emphasizes the importance of being flexible, cost-effective, and the endless possibilities that come with the new space era. Leading in the universe means not only aiming for the stars but also guiding others to explore new galaxies with you. Tune in now!
Laurie Earl, Administrative Presiding Justice of the California Court of Appeal, Third District, joins the podcast to share her career journey from the public defender and district attorney's offices to Presiding Judge of the Sacramento Superior Court and now Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal. She describes how mentors nudged her along the way and provides insights into judicial decision making and effective advocacy in the trial and appellate courts.
As part of our continuing series on Space Law, Janna Lewis, Senior Vice President of Policy and General Counsel of Astroscale U.S., Inc. joins the podcast to chat with host M.C. Sungaila about her career journey from planning to become a medical doctor to attending law school, becoming a patent litigator and government contracts lawyer in private practice, and then moving inhouse within the space industry. Janna shares what it's like to lead the legal department at a cutting-edge space company pioneering space sustainability and orbital debris removal, how she serves as a thoughtful collaborator in her client's innovation, and one of her favorite mottos: "Be true to your future." This is an engaging and inspiring episode that should not be missed.