The Portia Project

Judge Samantha P. Jessner is the Presiding Judge of the Los Angeles Superior Court, the largest trial court in the United States. Judge Jessner discusses the role that mentors, including powerhouse women lawyers like her mother Patricia Phillips and former U.S. Attorney, now Court of Appeal Justice Nora Manella, played in moving her career forward. She also shares what goes into leading the nation's largest trial court, and how she pays it forward to the next generation of women lawyers. 

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. 

Renowned Supreme Court and appellate advocate Patricia Millett, now Judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, joins MC Sungaila to share her journey to the bench and how her experience in appellate advocacy impacts her work on the court. She provides valuable insights on brief writing and oral argument, highlighting the perspective of a member of the bench and the importance of taking the court's perspective in crafting oral argument. Judge Millet offers refreshing insights for aspiring lawyers and judges. 

Women lawyers can learn from high-achieving women in a range of industries. Today, Jeanniey Walden, former CMO of DailyPay, and now CEO of LiftOff Enterprises and host of the national daytime TV show “LiftOff with Jeanniey Walden," provides some insights into branding. With host MC Sungaila, Jeanniey shares tips on building an authentic brand for yourself, public speaking, and the role of risk-taking in your career.

As the first General Counsel of M Financial Group, Cheryl Tobin oversees all legal, corporate compliance and corporate governance matters for the company. She is also responsible for strengthening M’s government affairs capabilities. Here, in conversation with host MC Sungaila, Cheryl takes us across her interesting career journey—from law school to the insurance industry, and a longstanding in-house role at market leader Pacific Life. She shares the many opportunities that helped her grow professionally, including taking on a new role building an in-house legal department. 

Massachusetts Appeals Court Justice Amy Lyn Blake shares her journey from law practice to the trial and appellate bench. With host MC Sungaila, Justice Blake has a lively discussion about what it takes to become a judge, the difference between law practice and serving on the bench, and the oral argument and brief writing process. 

Ashley Herd has had a deep and wide legal career, including in-house counsel at leading companies like Yum! Brands (including Taco Bell) around the world to founding her own company Manager Method, which provides efficient training and scalable tools to build healthy workplaces (along the way becoming a breakout TikTok and Linkedin star). Ashley joins host MC Sungaila to share how she uses her background in employment law and experience in corporate sales to help grow relationships, how she uses her strong online presence to provide practical insights, and the importance of empathy in law and business. Ashley has carved a unique career path for herself, one that embraces many facets of her personality and skills, and her authenticity is inspiring.

Montana Supreme Court Justice Laurie McKinnon shares her journey from prosecutor in Baltimore, Maryland, to Deputy County Attorney in Glacier and Teton Counties in Montana, and to her election to the bench. In conversation with host MC Sungaila, she provides great advice on being elected to the bench, writing opinions and briefs, and the role of oral argument in appellate decision-making. 

Laurie D. Zelon, former Associate Justice on the California Court of Appeal, now at Judicate West, 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.

Trailblazing Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Bernice B. Donald has had a multifaceted judicial career. She sits down with host MC Sungaila to discuss her time on the federal appellate bench, and, before that, as a federal district judge and bankruptcy judge. She shares her work in the area of implicit bias, mentoring and encouraging women of color to consider the bench, and provides some insights into effective brief-writing and oral argument.