First Gen Law Pod

Welcome Back, First Gens!

In this short and powerful solo episode, we’re diving into a topic that doesn't get enough attention in the legal world—celebrating your small wins. Whether you're a law student surviving finals, knee-deep in bar prep, or a practicing attorney figuring it all out day by day, your progress matters.

I reflect on why acknowledging milestones—no matter how small—is essential for First Gen lawyers who often carry more weight and navigate more barriers. You’ll hear my candid thoughts on resisting the pressure to broadcast every accomplishment on LinkedIn, and why your validation doesn't have to come from public applause.

✨ Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and rate the podcast! Your support helps us amplify First Gen voices in the legal field and grow this incredible community.

Welcome back First Gen Law Pod!

Rejection hurts — especially when you're the first in your family or community to break into the legal world. In this episode, we're getting real about the emotional weight of hearing "no" as a first-gen law student or attorney, and how to move forward with clarity, confidence, and resilience.

We unpack the unspoken pressure that comes with being a trailblazer and offers practical tools to help you reframe rejection not as failure, but as redirection. Whether you're navigating law school setbacks, bar exam disappointments, or missed job opportunities, this episode reminds you that rejection doesn't define your journey — it refines it.

✨ Rejection isn’t a red light — it’s a reroute.

Tune in and take your power back.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why rejection feels different for first-gen professionals
• How to manage the emotional and mental impact of “no”
• 5 strategies to overcome rejection and stay in the game
• Real listener stories that show the power of pivoting

🎧 Listen now, and don’t forget to share with a friend who needs this reminder today.

Welcome back First Gen! In this thought-provoking episode, we sit down with Livio De La Cruz — a former software engineer turned non-profit attorney — to unpack one of the most pressing topics in the legal world today: Artificial Intelligence in legal practice.

With his unique, cross-disciplinary background, Livio brings a balanced and insightful perspective to the conversation. Together, he breaks down what is AI, and how AI tools are reshaping legal research, document review, access to justice, and even the attorney-client relationship. But it's not all glowing praise: Livio also highlights the real risks and the limitations of relying on algorithms in human-centered fields like law.

Whether you're a law student, a practicing attorney, or just curious about the future of law, this episode offers an honest, accessible deep dive into the pros and cons of AI in legal practice, from someone who truly understands both sides of the equation.

If you have any additional questions for Livio, feel free to reach out to him on Bluesky. His handle is: @livio.me

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Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and discussion purposes only. It should not be construed as legal advice. All opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the guest and are not affiliated with any organization.

Welcome Back First Gen!

In this special episode of First Gen Law Pod, we sit down with attorney Adriena Clifton to explore what it means to be "First Gen in the 5%"—a powerful reflection on identity, resilience, and representation.

Asian Americans make up just 5% of all U.S. attorneys, a statistic that becomes even more meaningful when viewed through the lens of being a first-generation law student and professional. As part of Asian American History Month, Adriena shares her personal journey navigating law school, entering the legal field, and finding her voice in spaces that often feel unfamiliar or exclusive.

Together, we unpack:

💼 What it means to be first-gen in a system that wasn’t built for you

🇺🇸 How the Asian American legal experience is shaped by both visibility and invisibility

🧭 The quiet pressures of success, perfection, and cultural expectation

🛠️ Tools and mindset shifts to thrive authentically—and make space for others

This episode is an ode to first-gen professionals everywhere who are making history by showing up, speaking out, and breaking new ground.

🔗 Tune in, share with a friend, and join the conversation as we celebrate Adriena’s voice and the broader contributions of the Asian American legal community.

*** Connect with Clifton Law here

#FirstGenLawPod #AsianAmericanHistoryMonth #RepresentationMatters #FirstGenInThe5Percent #WomenInLaw #AAPIHeritageMonth #LawAndIdentity #BreakingBarriers

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Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and discussion purposes only. It should not be construed as legal advice. All opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the guest and are not affiliated with any organization.

Welcome back, First Gens! In this episode, I open up about the emotional weight of assimilation as a first-generation attorney and why showing up as your authentic self matters more than ever. Showing up as your full self in law and life from the pressure to use nicknames to downplaying our cultural identity, many first-gens are taught to “fit in” by fading out who they really are.

But not anymore.

I share personal stories, hard-won lessons, and five ways first-generation students and professionals can honor their identity, without burning out, in a profession that often demands conformity.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why assimilation feels like survival but costs too much
• The emotional impact of “small compromises” like nicknames and code-switching
• The power of reclaiming your full name, your story, and your voice
• Practical ways to stay authentic in spaces that weren’t built with us in mind

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Please stay connected with us!

Follow First Gen Law Pod on all social media.

Do you have an idea for our next episode or something else on your mind?

Email us at [email protected] for more information.

Like, subscribe, and comment to be part of the conversation.***

Welcome Back First Gens!

In this solo episode, host Onnaedo gets real about a topic that many of us silently struggle with: procrastination.

But this isn't just about poor time management—it’s about perfectionism as a survival strategy and the hidden emotional weight carried by first-gen professionals. From the fear of not measuring up to the pressure of being “the first,” this episode explores how our upbringing, expectations, and internalized standards can keep us stuck—even when we want to move forward.

If you’ve ever felt like procrastination is more about fear than laziness, this episode is for you.

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Please stay connected with us!

Follow First Gen Law Pod on all social media.

Do you have an idea for our next episode or something else on your mind?

Email us at [email protected] for more information.

Like, subscribe, and comment to be part of the conversation.***

This week, we’re joined by the incredible Elissa Brewstwer Langston, JD, MHA an attorney who champions small business owners and healthcare professionals like no other.

From navigating contracts to defending against legal pitfalls, Elissa breaks down what every entrepreneur and provider needs to know to protect their practice, profits, and peace of mind. 💼⚖️🩺

✅ Legal must-knows for business owners

✅ Compliance tips for healthcare pros

✅ Real talk on avoiding lawsuits before they start

Whether you’re building your dream business or running a busy practice, this episode is packed with value.

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Please stay connected with us!

Follow First Gen Law Pod on all social media.

Do you have an idea for our next episode or something else on your mind?

Email us at [email protected] for more information.

Like, subscribe, and comment to be part of the conversation.***

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Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and discussion purposes only. It should not be construed as legal advice. All opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the guest and are not affiliated with any organization.

Welcome back, First-Gen Law! In today's episode, we have the pleasure of discussing the topic of Imposter Syndrome with Giselle! As a first-generation Mexican-American Lawyer, Giselle was motivated by a very personal reason to attend law school and subsequently work in the criminal justice system. Recently, Giselle transitioned her practice of law to the civil court space. Despite her achievements in the past almost three years as an attorney, Giselle admits to facing from Imposter Syndrome at various points in her career.

In this episode, we explore the origins of Imposter Syndrome and how it hinders but also how it can benefit first-generation lawyers.

Please tune in to learn how she navigated life as a law student and now as an attorney with Imposter Syndrome.

If you have more questions for our guest, please reach out to Giselle on IG at: @firstgenlawtina_

First-Gen Law: You may be the first but won't be the last.

Please stay connected with us!

Follow First Gen Law Pod on all social media.

Do you have an idea for our next episode or something else on your mind?

Email us at [email protected] for more information.

Like, subscribe, and comment to be part of the conversation.

Read less

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Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and discussion purposes only. It should not be construed as legal advice. All opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the guest and are not affiliated with any organization.

Welcome back, First-Gen Law! In today's episode, we have the pleasure of discussing tech law with Atty. Bria Wedgeworth! As a first-generation lawyer, Bria took a different path than anyone in her family and continued on a different path for her area of law practice as well. There are so many emerging issues with law and tech, from AI in law school and legal practice.

Please tune in to learn how she navigated life as a first-generation law student and now as an attorney in the tech space. Her story will surely inspire other first-generation law students to think outside the box in many different ways.

First-Gen Law: You may be the first, but you won't be the last.

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Please stay connected with us!

Follow First Gen Law Pod on all social media.

Do you have an idea for our next episode or something else on your mind?

Email us at [email protected] for more information.

Like, subscribe, and comment to be part of the conversation.***

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Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and discussion purposes only. It should not be construed as legal advice. All opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the guest and are not affiliated with any organization.

Welcome back, First-Gen Law! In today's episode, we discuss the criminal justice system. We have the distinct pleasure of having Amrit Sharma, an attorney and first-generation lawyer, on the podcast. As a former English teacher, tax preparer, and track/cheerleading coach, the road to becoming an attorney has not been straight, but each of her unique experiences has helped shape who she is today.

Please tune in to learn how she navigated life as a first-generation law student and now as an attorney. Her story will surely inspire other first-generation law students to examine the criminal justice system through a new lens.

You may be the first, but you won't be the last.

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Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and discussion purposes only. It should not be construed as legal advice. All opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the guest and are not affiliated with any organization.