The Portia Project

Newport Beach, California City Council Member Lauren Kleiman talks with host M.C. Sungaila about her path to practicing law and the unexpected road to elected office. She also draws the ugly and amazing side of elections and politics in general. Council Member Lauren Kleiman encourages people in Newport Beach to get involved in different areas of what their community is doing to shape and support the place they live in. In this episode, we learn that politics remains an avenue for positive change, and by working together, finding common ground, and putting the community's needs first, we can overcome the negative aspects and create a more inclusive and vibrant society. Tune in to learn more!

Cheri T. Pham, Assistant Presiding Judge of the Orange County Superior Court in California, shares her family's immigrant journey to the United States, her experience as a trial lawyer in both the public defender's office and the district attorney's office, her election to and service in the bench, the challenges and the potential for wide-ranging impact from leading and managing the courts. She also provides advice and inspiration for those considering joining the bench.

Lisa Sarnoff Gochman, a criminal appellate lawyer and author of At the Altar of the Appellate Gods: Arguing before the US Supreme Court, reflects on her career, the parallels between good writing in legal briefs and creative nonfiction, and writing the first book to provide an inside account of preparing for and arguing a landmark criminal case before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Stacy Bratcher, General Counsel of Cottage Health, 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.

To continue the series featuring leading women in space law, Ruth Pritchard-Kelly, an expert on satellite regulatory policy, joins The Portia Project podcast to discuss her career in satellite policy and her role in leading legal strategy for several space startups. She also shares some powerful and moving career and life advice. 

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.

Get a copy of her book here: Women in Law: Discovering the True Meaning of Success 

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.

Bobbi Liebenberg and Lauren Rikleen are both keen observers of trends in the legal profession and women's progress in particular. Joining MC Sungaila, they share their thoughts in a freewheeling discussion about challenges and opportunities for women's path forward in the law.

Bankruptcy Judge Elaine Hammond sits down with host M.C. Sungaila to demystify both bankruptcy law and the path to becoming a bankruptcy judge. Bankruptcy is a very specialized area of the law. Judge Hammond shares how she decided to be a bankruptcy judge, her journey to becoming one, and what her responsibilities are. She also gives some advice for those thinking about applying for the position and the process that goes along with it.