The Portia Project

Justice Elena J. Duarte is an Associate Justice on the California Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District, in Sacramento. She shares her journey from the U.S. Attorney's office to two separate trial court appointments in Los Angeles and Sacramento, and then to the Court of Appeal. She also provides tips on oral arguments, brief writing, and applying to the bench. 

In this bonus episode host MC Sungaila is joined for a crossover show with the co-hosts of the Texas Appellate Law Podcast, D. Todd Smith and Jody Sanders. They discuss the Portia Project’s recent milestone of the 100th episode, share insights from their appellate judge guests and conclude with some great tips on launching a successful legal podcast of your own. Don’t miss out on this special episode.

Lawyer-turned-author Amy Impellizzeri shares how her sabbatical leave from law practice motivated her to embrace her passion for writing. Amy explains how her fellow lawyers can also unleash their creative side, how she keeps a deep love for the law while being a writer, as well as what she does to keep her creative mind in constant growth.

In this episode,  Justice Carol D. Codrington, the first African American justice on California's Fourth District Court of Appeal, shares her unique career trajectory, starting with being a litigator and a lawyer and moving up to her current position. She takes us deep behind the scenes of what goes into being a judge, sharing challenges and advice for students and lawyers on the process of opinion and brief writing as well as oral arguments. 

Join MC Sungaila as she talks to Justice Dawn H. Beam about her journey to the Mississippi Supreme Court. Beam is the fourth woman to serve on the state’s highest court, and the first woman appointed from the Southern District. Find out what she learned in her journey, her tips for up-and-coming lawyers, and how she is making a difference when it comes to child protection, mental health, trauma, and much more.

Joining your host MC Sungaila on today’s episode is Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of North Carolina, Anita Earls. She has had an abundant career before the bench, doing significant civil rights work in different arenas, both for the federal government and nonprofits. Today, she shares her journey to the bench and important lessons she gained along the way. Judge Earls also gives insight into working with a diverse group on the bench and offers valuable advice for lawyers and law students who aspire to a similar path. Tune in to learn more about her passion for the law and helping others. 

The Founder of Free to Thrive, Jamie Beck advocates for and represents human-trafficking survivors so they can start living their lives. Aside from being the Founder, President, and Managing Attorney of Free to Thrive, she is also an Adjunct Lecturer in Law at USC Gould School of Law and teaches a course on “Trauma-Informed Legal Skills,” creating the next generation of trauma-informed lawyers. Today, MC Sungaila talks to her about her non-profit organization and how she got so passionate about solving the issue of human trafficking.

Mentors are invaluable. This special joint episode highlights individual mentoring relationships. This episode features Judge Dorothy W. Nelson, Senior Circuit Judge on the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and her former law clerk Lisa Kloppenberg, a University of Santa Clara Law Professor, former law school Dean and Interim Provost of Santa Clara University. Host M.C. Sungaila also counts Judge Nelson among her mentors, having served as one of Judge Nelson's externs.

Professor Kloppenberg recently celebrated Judge Nelson's impact on her students, law clerks, and the law by writing and publishing her biography of the Judge, entitled The Best Beloved Thing Is Justice.

In this episode, they discuss Judge Nelson's impact on academia, the law, and the peaceful resolution of conflict through her multiple leading roles as one of the first women law school Deans, a trailblazing judge, and the founder of the Western Justice Center. Professor Kloppenberg also shares her leadership path in academia, and how Judge Nelson inspired and fostered her career, and demonstrated how to have a holistic life in the law, one marked by career accomplishments, faith leadership, and a rich family life.

Tune in to this intimate and inspiring conversation. 

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit Judge Consuelo Maria "Connie" Callahan joins MC Sungaila to describe her journey from lawyer to judge and her commitment to the rule of law. She also provides advocacy tips for both appellate brief writers and oral advocates. Listen in for valuable insights and practical tips.

Today’s guest is Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Noma D. Gurich. Justice Gurich joins MC Sungaila to share her journey from law school to the bench. Not being an Oklahoma native presented its challenges. Her mindset of always being prepared and open to opportunities became key to her career path. She sheds light on what it’s like working in the Supreme Court and shares the challenges the court faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Listen in for essential tips for aspiring lawyers and judges.