The Women's Advocate

For our latest session, we had the opportunity to speak with a guest we have longed admired, the bold and powerful Maria Bourn. We discuss Maria's journey from fighting fires to fighting for justice in the courtroom, how COVID-19 changed the practice of law, the surprises that come up in trial and the cases that have had the greatest impact on her career. She also discusses how challenging traditional expectations of women in the legal profession and staying true to herself has shaped the way she advocates for her clients.

For our latest session, we had the opportunity to speak with Darci Groves, co-founder of Moms in Tech, a community we have long admired. Darci shares the story behind building a global network for moms in the tech industry, the challenges of overcoming isolation as a mom in tech, and the importance of connection and volunteer-driven engagement in sustaining a meaningful community. She also discusses how Moms in Tech continues to evolve alongside the industry, creating opportunities for support, growth, and dreaming big.

For our latest session, we got the opportunity to speak with a guest we have long admired: the powerfully empathetic, action-minded Claire Wasserman. We discuss Claire's journey of channeling her anger at persistent corporate misogyny and the importance of financial empowerment for women – forces that played a key role in her founding of Ladies Get Paid. Claire further shares her inspiring story of getting sued by a group of men's rights activists (and turning those lemons into money). We also talk about the power of empathy in connecting to community and in negotiating effectively. Claire discusses her findings regarding the activation of fight / flight / freeze / fawn nervous system responses in women who are feeling stuck in their careers – and how to overcome them. Tune in for transformative life and career insights!

In this week's episode, the inimitable Gloria Allred walks us through key elements of how she helps victims and survivors of sexual assault fight for justice. She also talks about how powerful it is to be free from the yoke of needing to be liked, the egregious contexts in which women are criticized for not smiling, and her strategy of shifting fear from victims to perpetrators. Gloria further shares insights on diffusing conflict and making strategic choices in our fights for justice. We hope you enjoy!

Some of us crushed on boy bands as teenagers. Our guest Rachel Pusey, however, recalls crushing on California's first female Chief Justice (in a lovely, inspired, non-romantic manner of course). On this episode of The Women's Advocate, Rachel and Sarah talk about Rachel's beautiful, evolving path through the law – a journey that has taken Rachel from representing employees to supporting employers, and, most recently, to a reinvigorated passion for employment law as a mediator. Together, we dive into the challenge and payoff of making bold career leaps, centering human connection in our work, and practicing emotional intelligence both at work and beyond. We further discuss the power of mediation as an alternative form of legal resolution that can help all the parties find common ground and reach agreements. Enjoy!

Deidre shares her own powerful journey of navigating many big life changes at once as she dives into the challenges of being a woman and mother, leaving a job, her battle with cancer, divorce, and ultimate decision to found Von Rock Law. Deidre and Sarah discuss how these experiences have been a strength to Deidre as she has centered her award-winning trust and estate law practice around kindness and empathy for clients going through and planning for major life changes. The pair sing the praises of the beauty of San Francisco, engaging in the community outside of work, choosing the people you work with, and finding love.