Working Towards Nine

In this episode of Working Towards Nine, our Marketing and Branding Director Lindsey LaForests sits down with Tanya Grillo and Kirsten Silwanowicz, the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan’s Vice President and Treasurer. They discuss the WLAM Leadership Class, a unique opportunity for law students in Michigan to grow as both leaders and people.. Listen to learn more about how you can join the WLAM 2024 Leadership Class! Applications open now at https://womenlawyers.org/.

Tanya A. Grillo (Grillo Law, PLLC) is a criminal defense attorney based in Macomb County, MI.  Ms. Grillo is the current Vice President of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, a Director at Large for the Women's Lawyers Association of Michigan, and a Past President - Women's Lawyers Association of Michigan; Macomb Region. From 2017-2018, she was the Regional Manager for the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC) for Lapeer, Oakland, Macomb, and St. Clair counties and worked to reform the indigent defense system. Upon returning to private practice in 2019, Ms. Grillo has her work in indigent defense and was awarded the contract to manage the indigent defense systems for two metro-Detroit cities.  She is passionate about giving back to her community and profession and sits as the Chair of the Criminal Law Committee for the Macomb County Bar Association and an advocate for Friend of Foster Kids. Ms. Grillo received a Juris Doctorate from Thomas M. Cooley Law School and a bachelor's degree from the University of Central Florida.

Kirsten J. Silwanowicz is an Associate General Counsel at the Great Lakes Water Authority, where she practices contracts, litigation, and federal grants. She graduated from Michigan State University in 2009 with her Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and then from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law in December 2011. She started her legal career in Dallas, Texas, and moved back to Michigan to practice in 2015. Kirsten has been a member of the Women’s Lawyers Association of Michigan since law school in 2009 and is the current Treasurer for the State Board and a past President for the WLAM Wayne Region.

Lindsey LaForest is an Associate Attorney at Dawda, Mann, Mulcahy & Sadler PLC. She focuses her work on corporate law and real estate law, while also gaining experience in estate planning and commercial litigation. She is the current Director of Programming of WLAM-Wayne and Marketing and Branding Director for the Working Towards Nine Podcast. Lindsey earned a bachelor’s degree in Sport Management from the University of Michigan and a J.D. from Wayne State University Law School.

To learn more about the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan Leadership Class and submit an application, visit this link - https://womenlawyers.org/wlam-leadership-class/. Questions can be directed to [email protected].

Host Nicole Smithson speaks with Dr. Pamela Love, renowned author, educator, and goal attainment expert. In this episode, Dr. Love discusses strategic support and the resources you need to start and finish 2024 strong.

Dr. Pamela Love is the president of DP Love Enterprises and the founder of the Finishers Network. She has authored five books—one of which was turned into a stage production. She has extensive experience coaching leaders and helping them accomplish their goals. She has also taught at several universities. 

Nicole Smithson is currently president-elect of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, creative director of Working Towards Nine, and editor-in-chief of the WLAM Journal. She is also on the editorial board of the Women Lawyers Journal, the journal of the National Association of Women Lawyers. She works for the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission. Nicole graduated from Wayne State University Law School and the University of Detroit Mercy.

To find out more about becoming a finisher, check out https://finishersnetwork.com/. You can get a free electronic copy of Dr. Love’s eBook, See You at the Finish Line, at finishersnetwork.com/links. Dr. Love is also on Instagram @finishersnetwork.

Learn more about WLAM on our ⁠⁠website⁠⁠ and on our social media platforms ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠LinkedIn⁠, ⁠YouTube⁠, and ⁠Twitter⁠.  

WLAM supporters can sponsor the Working Towards Nine Podcast. Sponsorship includes a 30-second promo, either audio created by the sponsor or ad copy read by the producer and the sponsor’s name cited in the show notes. Check out our website ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ to learn more and purchase a sponsorship.  

WLAM wants the WTN Podcast to be accessible to all who listen. If you would like a free transcript of an episode, please email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠. 

Host Alexandria Casperson speaks with Robyn Frankel, the Director of the Michigan Department of Attorney General’s Conviction Integrity Unit. In this episode, Robyn explains what Conviction Integrity Units are and how they differ from Innocence Clinics. She also discusses the nuances of conviction integrity cases as well as the Michigan Wrongful Imprisonment Compensation Act. 

Robyn Frankel is an Assistant Attorney General and the head of the Michigan Department of Attorney General's Conviction Integrity Unit. A 30-year private practice attorney, Robyn represented those charged with criminal cases at both the trial and appellate levels, in both state and federal courts. She attended Western Michigan University and received her JD at Lewis and Clark Law School in Portland, Oregon. Before joining the Department of Attorney General, Robyn lectured for the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan, the Oakland County Bar Association, the Michigan Assigned Appellate Counsel System, and the Michigan Appellate Bench and Bar Conference. She served as an adjunct professor at Oakland University’s Paralegal Program, the University of Michigan Law School appellate clinic and Detroit College of Law criminal trial practice clinic.

Alexandria Casperson is an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Michigan. She is currently in the Civil Rights and Elections Division, and formerly worked in the Criminal Trials and Appeals Division with a focus on public integrity cases. Alexandria started her legal career as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Wanye County and served as the Department Executive for the Wayne County Mortgage and Deed Fraud Unit.  She is a Past President of WLAM-Wayne and currently acts as their Director of Finance. Alexandria serves on several committees for the State Board and is the Chair of the Leadership Class Committee. Alexandria earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan, a J.D. from Michigan State University College of Law, and is a born and raised Yooper. 

To learn more about the Michigan Department of Attorney General’s Conviction Integrity Unit and download the application visit - https://www.michigan.gov/ag/initiatives/conviction-integrity. Questions can be directed to [email protected]. 

Learn more about WLAM on our ⁠⁠website⁠⁠ and on our social media platforms ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠LinkedIn⁠, ⁠YouTube⁠, and ⁠Twitter⁠.  

WLAM supporters can sponsor the Working Towards Nine Podcast. Sponsorship includes a 30-second promo, either audio created by the sponsor or ad copy read by the producer and the sponsor’s name cited in the show notes. Check out our website ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ to learn more and purchase a sponsorship.  

WLAM wants the WTN Podcast to be accessible to all who listen. If you would like a free transcript of an episode, please email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠. 

Host Lindsey LaForest speaks with Justice Megan Cavanagh of the Michigan Supreme Court. In this episode, Justice Cavanagh discusses the Michigan Court Task Force on Well-Being in the Law, co-chaired by her and Molly Ranns, director of the State Bar of Michigan’s Lawyers and Judges Assistance Program. She discusses the Task Force’s comprehensive report with twenty-one recommendations to address the high rates of depression, anxiety, and substance use in the legal profession.

Justice Megan Cavanagh is a lifelong Michigander who grew up in East Lansing and lives in metro Detroit. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan College of Engineering and Wayne State University Law School. Before joining the Michigan Supreme Court in January of 2019, she had over fifteen years of experience as one of Michigan’s top appellate attorneys and was a shareholder at Garan Lucow Miller P.C. in Detroit.

Justice Cavanagh is the Supreme Court Liaison to Tribal Courts, Child Welfare Services, the Well-Being in the Law Task Force, the Attorney Grievance Commission, and the Judicial Tenure Commission. She also serves on the Attorney General’s Elder Abuse Task Force.

Justice Cavanagh has served as Chair of the Appellate Practice Section of the State Bar of Michigan, as a council person for the Negligence Section of the State Bar of Michigan, as co-chair of the Michigan Bench Bar Appellate Conference Foundation, and as a member of the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission. Prior to her election to the Court, Justice Cavanagh was rated as one of Michigan's Super Lawyers. She was honored by Michigan Lawyer's Weekly as Lawyer of the Year in 2006 and a Woman in the Law in 2017. Justice Cavanagh and her husband have four children.

Lindsey LaForest is an Associate Attorney at Dawda, Mann, Mulcahy & Sadler PLC. She focuses her work on corporate law and real estate law, while also gaining experience in estate planning and commercial litigation. She is the current Director of Programming of WLAM-Wayne and Marketing and Branding Director for the Working Towards Nine Podcast. Lindsey earned a bachelor’s degree in Sport Management from the University of Michigan and a J.D. from Wayne State University Law School. 

To learn more about the Michigan Court Task Force on Well-Being in the Law and their Comprehensive Report, visit this link -  https://www.courts.michigan.gov/news-releases/2023/august/task-force-recommends-steps-to-improve-lawyer-well-being,-professional-performance,-and-public-trust-in-the-legal-system/.  

Learn more about WLAM on our ⁠⁠website⁠⁠ and on our social media platforms ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠LinkedIn⁠, ⁠YouTube⁠, and ⁠Twitter⁠.  

WLAM supporters can sponsor the Working Towards Nine Podcast. Sponsorship includes a 30-second promo, either audio created by the sponsor or ad copy read by the producer and the sponsor’s name cited in the show notes. Check out our website ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ to learn more and purchase a sponsorship.  

WLAM wants the WTN Podcast to be accessible to all who listen. If you would like a free transcript of an episode, please email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠. 

Host Nicole Smithson speaks with Alexander J. Thibodeau, Director of Appointments in Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s executive office, about appointments to the bench and state boards and commissions. In this episode, Alex discusses the work of his office and shares valuable insights for people interested in applying for an appointment.

Alexander J. Thibodeau is the Director of Appointments for the Executive Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer. In his current role, he oversees the appointment process for the more than 240 boards, councils, and commissions over which the Governor has authority, including judicial and cabinet-level appointments. Before starting in the role, he worked as an attorney in the data privacy, cyber security, and emerging technology practice group at Varnum LLP, and as a commercial litigation attorney at Foster Swift Collins & Smith, PC, in Grand Rapids, MI. Thibodeau also serves on the Board of Trustees for the Grand Rapids Bar Association and is the chair of its DEI Committee, as well as leadership roles within the State Bar of Michigan Young Lawyers Section.  

Nicole Smithson is currently president-elect of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, creative director of Working Towards Nine, and editor-in-chief of the WLAM Journal. She is also on the editorial board of the Women Lawyers Journal, the journal of the National Association of Women Lawyers. She works for the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission. Nicole graduated from Wayne State University Law School and the University of Detroit Mercy.

To learn more about appointments, including current openings, please visit www.michigan.gov/appointments. If you have any questions about a state appointment, please email [email protected].

Learn more about WLAM on our ⁠⁠website⁠⁠ and on our social media platforms ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠LinkedIn⁠, ⁠YouTube⁠, and ⁠Twitter⁠.  

WLAM supporters can sponsor the Working Towards Nine Podcast. Sponsorship includes a 30-second promo, either audio created by the sponsor or ad copy read by the producer and the sponsor’s name cited in the show notes. Check out our website ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ to learn more and purchase a sponsorship.  

WLAM wants the WTN Podcast to be accessible to all who listen. If you would like a free transcript of an episode, please email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠. 

In this episode of Working Towards Nine, our Executive Director Kirsten Silwanowicz sits down with the amazing personal stylist Kendra Bissig, a.k.a. The Blonde Mom. They discuss fashion tips to maintain a consistent and professional look while expressing personal style and how to put together versatile wardrobe essentials that can transition from the courtroom to casual outings. Listen to learn more about how to express your own personal style with special tips and tricks from The Blonde Mom!

Kendra, affectionately known as The Blonde Mom professionally, is a Wardrobe Stylist and Personal Shopper. Her approach to styling is grounded in practicality- from wearability to budget, she specializes in effortlessly maximizing wear from office to market to date night.

Kirsten J. Silwanowicz is an Associate General Counsel at the Great Lakes Water Authority, where she practices contracts, litigation, and federal grants. She graduated from Michigan State University in 2009 with her Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and then from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law in December 2011. She started her legal career in Dallas, Texas, and moved back to Michigan to practice in 2015. Kirsten has been a member of the Women’s Lawyers Association of Michigan since law school in 2009 and is the current Treasurer for the State Board and a past President for the WLAM Wayne Region.

Learn more about WLAM on our ⁠⁠website⁠⁠ and social media platforms ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠LinkedIn⁠, ⁠YouTube⁠, and ⁠Twitter⁠.  

WLAM supporters can sponsor the Working Towards Nine Podcast. Sponsorship includes a 30-second promo, either audio created by the sponsor or ad copy read by the producer and the sponsor’s name cited in the show notes. Check out our website ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ to learn more and purchase a sponsorship.  

WLAM wants the WTN Podcast to be accessible to all who listen. If you would like a free transcript of an episode, please email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠. 

Envisioning a justice system that promotes empowered recovery, the Survivor Law Clinic provides civil legal services to survivors of sexual violence and human trafficking with a focus on ensuring their privacy, safety and stability. The clinic provides holistic services, addressing the survivors’ legal needs while offering emotional/trauma support and connections to other community resources. Johanna Kononen, Director of Law and Policy, joins us to discuss the clinic’s legal work and wraparound services for survivors as well as challenges both attorneys and clients face in the path toward justice.

Johanna Kononen, JD, (she/her/hers) is the Director of Law and Policy at MCEDSV. Johanna has practiced law for over 15 years.  She supervises the Survivor Law Clinic which provides direct legal services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking.  Johanna also leads MCEDSV’s multidisciplinary policy team working to advance legislation and policies that support survivors throughout the state.  She has been an active part of MCEDSV’s nonprofit management efforts, supporting member programs with their policy, employment, and legal questions. Johanna’s undergraduate degree was in nursing, and she started her legal career representing survivors in family law litigation under a DOJ Legal Assistance for Victims grant at legal aid. Johanna later moved to private practice, and throughout her career has continued to work on complex domestic violence cases.

Becca Zarras, JD, (she/her/hers) is a Staff Attorney at MCEDSV’s Survivor Law Clinic in Detroit. She provides holistic legal services to survivors of sexual assault including personal protection orders, public benefits, economic security & credit restoration, education & housing advocacy, crime victim compensation, family law, and expungement. Becca has been a member of the State Bar of Michigan’s Affordable Legal Services Committee since 2022. She is the current Recording Secretary for the WLAM Wayne Region. In her spare time, Becca enjoys playing guitar and gardening. 

Find out more about the Survivor Law Clinic at https://mcedsv.org/survivor-law/. 

Contact Johanna at [email protected]. Contact Becca at [email protected]. 

Learn more about WLAM on our ⁠⁠website⁠⁠ and on our social media platforms ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠LinkedIn⁠, ⁠YouTube⁠, and ⁠Twitter⁠.  

WLAM wants the WTN Podcast to be accessible to all who listen. If you would like a free transcript of an episode, please email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠. 

Jennifer Dewey, attorney at GM, joins us to discuss the difficulty of being a working mother and the systems we use to create and maintain parity with our partners for running a household and raising children. She joins our Executive Director, and WLAM Treasurer, Kirsten Silwanowicz, in a discussion about the book by Eve Rodsky, Fair Play, and how specific cultural or societal expectations have influenced how working mothers are perceived or treated in today’s society. 

Jennifer currently works in the legal department of General Motors. In her role, she primarily focuses on a combination of dealer franchise law and corporate law. She also works on various diversity, equity, and inclusion projects at GM. Previously, she was a partner at Dickinson Wright in their corporate group with a practice focused on M&A and franchise law. Jennifer lives in Detroit with her two boys, Louis (5) and Carter (3), and her husband Fred, an army veteran and former Dickinson Wright partner, also works at General Motors. Outside of the law, Jennifer loves music, theater, and writing. She performs in community and professional productions and contributes to the Detroit Mom blog.

Kirsten J. Silwanowicz is an Associate General Counsel at the Great Lakes Water Authority, where she practices contracts, litigation, and federal grants. She graduated from Michigan State University in 2009 with her Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and then from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law in December 2011. She started her legal career in Dallas, Texas, and moved back to Michigan to practice in 2015. Kirsten has been a member of the Women’s Lawyers Association of Michigan since law school in 2009 and is the current Treasurer for the State Board and a past President for the WLAM Wayne Region.

Learn more about WLAM on our ⁠⁠website⁠⁠ and on our social media platforms ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠LinkedIn⁠, ⁠YouTube⁠, and ⁠Twitter⁠.  

WLAM supporters can sponsor the Working Towards Nine Podcast. Sponsorship includes a 30-second promo, either audio created by the sponsor or ad copy read by the producer and the sponsor’s name cited in the show notes. Check out our website ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ to learn more and purchase a sponsorship.  

WLAM wants the WTN Podcast to be accessible to all who listen. If you would like a free transcript of an episode, please email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠. 

In this episode, Katie Stanley talks with Nicole Smithson about mindfulness: what it is, how it can be practiced, and why it’s essential for lawyer wellbeing.

Nicole Smithson became the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission’s regional manager for the Lapeer, Macomb, Oakland, and St. Clair Region in January 2019. Before joining the MIDC, Nicole was an attorney with a law firm specializing in representing credit unions, working in its bankruptcy, creditor’s rights, litigation, mergers and acquisitions, and real estate departments. She has experience as a sole practitioner representing individuals in criminal, juvenile, domestic relations, and probate matters. She previously consulted for the JUSTICIA Foundation for Development and Human Rights in Lebanon on projects for the World Bank and the United Nations Development Program. She also served as a staff attorney/magistrate at the Butler County Common Pleas Court in Ohio and a judicial law clerk at the Arizona Court of Appeals, Division Two. Nicole is currently president-elect of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, creative director of Working Towards Nine, editor-in-chief of the WLAM Journal, and on the editorial board of the Women Lawyers Journal, the journal for the National Association of Women Lawyers. She was selected as one of Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s “Influential Women of Law” for 2022. Nicole graduated from Wayne State University Law School and the University of Detroit Mercy.

Learn more about WLAM on our ⁠⁠website⁠⁠ and on our social media platforms ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠LinkedIn⁠, ⁠YouTube⁠, and ⁠Twitter⁠.  

WLAM supporters can sponsor the Working Towards Nine Podcast. Sponsorship includes a 30-second promo, either audio created by the sponsor or ad copy read by the producer and the sponsor’s name cited in the show notes. Check out our website ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ to learn more and purchase a sponsorship.  

WLAM wants the WTN Podcast to be accessible to all who listen. If you would like a free transcript of an episode, please email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠.