The Portia Project

Molly Dwyer is the Clerk of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Prior to serving as the Clerk of Court, she served as deputy clerk and as a staff attorney with the Court. Prior to law school, she attended the London School of Economics and was an assistant to the author Doris Lessing. Molly reveals that fateful day she got off the bus across the street from the beautiful James R. Browning courthouse in San Francisco, and applied for a staff attorney position she saw posted on a bulletin board inside. She also provides insight into the role of both staff attorneys and the Clerk's office, and how they help lawyers and judges provide access to justice. Discover Molly's story, and gain insight into the Ninth Circuit, in today's episode of The Portia Project.

In this episode, M.C. Sungaila takes a look at the fine art of mediation with Sasha M. Cummings, a mediator with the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Prior to becoming an appellate mediator with the Court, Ms. Cummings worked as a litigator for over 15 years. She discusses her path in the law, and what it's like to mediate cases with the Court.

Ann K. Covington shares her trailblazing journey as the first woman on the Missouri Court of Appeals and Supreme Court, and ultimately as the first female Chief Justice in the state. She shares her journey to the bench and work in private practice both before and after her service on the bench, and her role as mentor to many women lawyers. Listen in to hear the wisdom this gracious and humble woman has to share.

Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Dana Kuehn, the first woman to serve on both of the state's high courts (the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals and Supreme Court), sits down with host MC Sungaila to discuss her career trajectory, including her path to the bench, and shares insights on effective advocacy, appellate briefwriting, and moving from the role of trial lawyer to service on both the trial court and appellate bench. 

M.C. Sungaila welcomes Sonia Escobio O'Donnell, Partner at Sonia Escobio O’Donnell P.A., and the former Chief of Appeals and Head Deputy Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Miami U.S. Attorneys' office at a time when few women held such roles. Sonia shares how she helped foster the hiring of more diverse attorneys in the U.S. Attorney's office, and how her judicial clerkship and relationship with the judge she worked for, as well as her work with other significant mentors, impacted her career. Join in the conversation to learn from Sonia’s experiences.

Judge Nancy Wieben Stock served for over two decades on the Superior Court of California in Orange County. After her lengthy career, she is now serving as a full-time mediator, private judge, and arbitrator for JAMS, Inc. In her chat with host MC Sungaila, Judge Stock shares her journey from the bench to her current role as a private neutral. Tune into their discussion to learn more about Judge Stock’s career.

Moujan Kazerani, one of the Founding Partners of Bryant Stibel (alongside Kobe Bryant), shares how their company helps the technology, media, and data companies they invest in grow and succeed. Moujan has carved out a unique role for herself, where she applies her legal knowledge as inhouse legal and strategic counsel for both Bryant Stibel and the companies in which they invest, while also operating on the business side of the operation. Tune in to hear some terrific insights from a woman who succeeds in both law and business.

Judge Rosemary Pooler was passionate about helping people, especially those we call the underdogs. Initially, she planned to make this happen through elected office. But then a friend suggested she consider running for judge because her name was now well known to many since she had run for other types of elected office. From there, her judicial career started, and she was appointed and elected to different positions in the state and federal judicial systems. Listen to her story and her current role as a Senior United States Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

Host MC Sungaila chats with Mary Card Mina, a Supervisory Attorney for a federal government agency, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), and a former Judge Advocate General in the U.S. Army. They discuss the important influences in her career as a lawyer, the valuable lessons she learned from her experience in the military, and how volunteer work shaped her as a lawyer. In addition, Mary shares the many ways lawyers, especially women lawyers, can find opportunities to develop as leaders in law. Listen in for valuable insights on leadership, meaningful work, and finding success as a team. 

Justice Briana Zamora shares her journey from the trial court, the court of appeals, and then the New Mexico Supreme Court. She sheds light on different judicial selection processes, provides tips on brief-writing, and discusses the importance of mentorship and a collaborative environment.