Women in Law - On The Record (Allison Stewart)

Allison looks back on Women In Law On The Record in 2019, sharing favorite moments, lessons learned, and personal stories. She also previews what is to come in 2020!

Today I’m talking with Aliza Shatzman, an attorney and advocate based in Washington D.C. who writes and speaks about judicial accountability, clerkships, and diversity in the courts. Aliza earned her bachelor's degree from Williams College in Williamstown, MA in 2013 and her JD from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law (WashU Law) in 2019. Aliza is also the Founder of the Legal Accountability Project, a non-profit mission is to ensure that law clerks have positive clerkship experiences, while extending support and resources to those who do not. Aliza shares her personal experience of with a judicial clerkship and how it motivated her to start her organization. She provides incredible insight into how the system can be improved and more transparent. Please enjoy my conversation with Aliza!

Sarah is a litigation associate and for such a young lawyer, Sarah has put herself in a position where she has gotten great trial experience and great responsibility.

Michelle Banks is currently a senior advisor at BarkerGilmore LLC where she specializes in providing executive coaching to corporate general counsel and their successors in development. Michelle draws on her international legal experience as the former general counsel of Gap and trusted outside counsel to various Latin American and Asian companies in providing guidance to her clients these days. She noted “You have to speak the language of business when you want to be a strong part of the team and be an effective in-house lawyer.” She also shared how she set and was able to accomplish her goal of retiring from practice by the age of 50. I was so impressed by her natural ability to move from one meaningful opportunity to the next and so thankful she shared her valuable insight.

Today I’m talking with Camie Carlock McKee, senior energy transactions associate at Haynes Boone in Dallas, Texas. Camie is a graduate of Washington and Lee University where she studied political science and the University of Texas Law School where she was an active participant at the Center for Women In Law. Camie has made so many incredible contributions to the legal and Dallas community through her practice and her volunteer work. She and I had a great conversation around finding the right balance between committing to your passions and leaving space for yourself so that you can best serve others. She shared several important mentorship moments she’s experienced and we bonded over how to work through anxiety or self-doubt. I really enjoyed my conversation with Camie and I hope you do too. 

Today I’m talking with Kelly Nolan, a former lawyer turned productivity and time management strategist. Originally from Minneapolis, Kelly grew up abroad and moved around a lot. Ultimately, she went to Dartmouth College for undergrad and Boston College Law School. After a handful of years practicing patent litigation, Kelly decided to put her learned organizational and detail-oriented skills to work in another way--as a time management specialist. Now, with her own company, Kelly specializes in helping professional women find time clarity and confidence, feel effective, drive their career forward all while soaking in time with family and friends. And, fortunately for all those listening, she shares several good tips during our discussion.

Allison takes time to talk about the current state of things in light of COVID-19. She shares what is going on with the podcast, some of the positive things that are happening in the community right now, and fun personal things she is enjoying.  

Today I’m talking with Danielle Conway - Dean of Penn State University’s Dickinson Law School. Dean Conway is a leading expert in procurement law, entrepreneurship, intellectual property law, and licensing intellectual property. She joined Dickinson Law after serving for four years as dean of the University of Maine School of Law and 14 years on the faculty of the University of Hawaii School of Law. Dean Conway also served in the US Army for 27 years of combined active, reserve, and national guard service. She retired in 2016. Her scholarly agenda and speeches have focused on, among other areas, advocating for public education and for actualizing the rights of marginalized groups, including Indigenous Peoples, minoritized people, and members of rural communities. 

She has a fascinating story and background. I’m confident you’ll enjoy hearing all about it.

Today I’m talking with Heather Hansen, a trial lawyer, coach, author, and podcast host. As an award-winning, 20-year trial lawyer, Heather discusses how courtroom skills can translate to everyday life and how we can all be better about presenting to our “inner jury.” This approach to winning life’s trials without losing yourself is the basis for Heather’s book and podcast, the Elegant Warrior. As a young female attorney, I was comforted by Heather’s authentic approach to practicing law as she emphasized the importance of being who you really are. She is one of the most ambitious, and elegant, women I have ever met and it was a delight to speak with her. I hope you enjoy this episode.

After 28 years in private practice as a litigator, Justice Lang Miers took her spot on the bench for the 5th Court of Appeals in Texas 15 years ago. Justice Lang Miers spoke about the importance of advocating for your clients and taking time to think about what you really want to do in your professional life.

Today I’m talking with Lindsey Swiger, Senior Associate at Norton Rose Fulbright in Houston, Texas. Lindsey is an energy lawyer who has spent her career advising clients on conventional and renewable energy transactions across the value chain.  Lindsey's practice focuses on project development and financing, mergers, acquisitions, divestments and joint venture structuring. Prior to joining Norton Rose Fulbright, Lindsey was in-house counsel with Exxon. During our conversation, Lindsey candidly shares her journey in and out of big law, how life circumstances factored into her career decisions, and how she persevere through some especially challenging times. In my opinion, conversations like this one with Lindsey don’t happen enough in our industry. I’m so proud of Lindsey for sharing her story and inspiring others, myself included. Please enjoy.

Today I’m talking with Lisa Baker Morgan, attorney turned chef and author. After leaving her litigation practice to focus on her daughters, Lisa found a new, more fulfilling way to live life. In her book, “Paris, Part Time,” Lisa shares how at the age of 38, and newly divorced, she unexpectedly found herself staring down death in a Monaco hospital, nine time zones away from her two young daughters in Los Angeles. After facing mortality and surviving, her life took on a sense of urgency to experience and accomplish all of the things she had ever wanted for herself and her daughters. Top of her list: a life-long desire to live in Paris. The seemingly indulgent and even "crazy" aspiration was part of a journey that set her on the path of recovery of health and of spirit. During the interview, Lisa shared her adventurous evolution of self-creation and determination to overcome obstacles. Her story is one of strength, resilience, and courage. Relatable in sentiment, heart-felt, and humorous, her book bounds with the optimism of infinite possibility and gratitude for life itself. In Paris, Part Time and online, Lisa shares recipes and loads of photographs from her travels. I can’t wait for you to hear this story.

Cassie's meteoric rise to becoming the youngest general counsel in the NFL is full of valuable lessons. Cassie talks about the importance of promoting yourself in an authentic way, remembering the things in your life that keep you grounded, and embracing your creativity in your practice.

Timila Rother, the President and CEO of Crowe & Dunlevy, is a native of Oklahoma. Timila offered a unique perspective because she is someone who has gone from associate, to partner, to president at the same firm. She had terrific advice on how to manage others, what kind of initiative she wants to see from her associates, and how to adapt to the evolving business of law.

Jana is a senior intellectual property lawyer for Louis Vuitton where she has spent the last five years protecting the luxury brand’s iconic logos and products. Before going in-house, Jana spent several years as a litigator at Gibson Dunn and Crutcher in New York City. There, she gained great experience including pro bono experience that allowed her to make a terrific difference in a person’s life and become part of a team of lawyers who would be lifelong friends. 

Today I’m talking with Erin Morris from Portland, Oregon. Erin is a partner at Morris, Stannard, and Batalden. From the beginning, Erin sought out and obtained valuable experiences in law school. And, as you will hear, she has always been drawn to being THE person who is called on in times of distress, which explains how she has thrived in her family law practice. Wanting more control over her brand and expectations for her firm, Erin started her own law firm last year during the pandemic. Once you hear her story, I think you’ll agree with me that Erin’s story is an admirable one and it’s really just beginning. Please enjoy.

Today I’m talking with my friend and colleague, Katie Tipper-McWhorter, a litigation associate at Greenberg Traurig’s Houston office. Katie attended SMU for undergrad and the University of Houston for law school. She’s been with GT for a little over two years and as you’ll hear, the reason I wanted to sit down with her is that she has quickly developed a reputation as a talented, hard-working, and passionate advocate. Katie also has been incredibly supportive of me, particularly with the podcast. So we spoke about how to effectively support other women in your firm. We also talked about what her motivations are and how she continues to set and achieve her goals. I’m a huge fan of this lawyer and I’m thrilled to share her insight with you.

Today I’m talking with two lady lawyers - U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Texas, Alia Moses, and Nicole Westbrook, her former law clerk and litigation shareholder at Jones & Keller in Denver, Colorado. During our conversation, Judge Moses and Nicole emphasized the importance of preparation, advocacy and hard work - all things both of them fully embrace. Judge Moses was raised in a small Texas town, has been on the bench since 2002, and feels like the law was her calling. She takes great pride in how her courtroom is run and the lawyers that her former clerks have become. Nicole, who spent several years with Judge Moses, attributes many of her skills to the judge’s mentorship and guidance. Warding off the pressure to go with the flashiest firm, Nicole moved to a law firm that was the right fit for her. She knew she wanted good, substantive experience and to hit the ground running with her practice. That’s precisely what she got. I was inspired by both of these women’s dedication to the law, standard for professionalism, and deep appreciation for women in our field. I think you will be too.

Today is a really special episode of Women In Law On The Record because I’m sharing an insightful panel discussion regarding how to be successful in business development. The panel featured some familiar faces and voices - like Amy Tu, Chief Legal Officer of Tyson Foods and Catherine MacDonagh, Founder of the Legal Lean Sigma Institute. It also featured Kristin Ng, a shareholder at Greenberg Traurig’s Northern Virginia office. As you will hear, these ladies offer their experiences, advice, and wisdom on all things business development. 

You will hear me talk about this at the beginning of our discussion but I wanted to reiterate my thanks to Avocate and Greenberg Traurig for putting this panel together and giving us all the opportunity to have this important discussion. For those that don’t know, Avocate is a women’s legal mentoring network building a community that connects law students with practicing attorneys. I have been a mentor in Avocate for a couple years now and highly recommend it to anyone who is interested. To find out more about how to get involved, go to avocateforwomen.com. 

Today I’m talking with Marlana Shoshtari, Counsel for Entertainment Networks (Scripted) at NBC Universal. Marlana is originally from a small town in Oklahoma but later moved and went to undergrad at the University of Virginia where she studied psychology. She and I bonded over our fascination with crime and psychology as both of us grew up during the peak CSI and Criminal Minds days. Marlana decided law school was the best path for her and attended Syracuse University where she got her JD and a Master’s Degree in Public Relations and Image Management. Marlana had her sights set on being an entertainment lawyer so she made her way to the west coast. As you’ll hear, Marlana did WHATEVER it took to achieve her goals. Initially, when she moved to the LA area, she was staying with a family friend, enduring an hour and half commute every day each way to work. She was grinding it out just to get the experience she needed, which she got from a company called New Form Entertainment where she worked closely with the general counsel and created innovative ways to improve their efficiencies. Marlana then broke into the streaming/network scene when she moved to Netflix where she focused on nonfiction series. Now at NBC Universal, Marlana drafts and negotiates contracts for scripted series, among having many other responsibilities. When she’s not practicing law, you can probably find Marlana reading a book. She is a big book lover and even started her own YouTube series reviewing the latest books she’s read. I hope you enjoy our discussion and find inspiration in Marlana’s story (I know I did).

A graduate of The University of Texas and SMU Law School, Becky started her legal career clerking for Judge Irving Goldberg with the 5th Circuit, then Chief Justice Burger for the United States Supreme Court. Becky spent many years in private practice where she primarily practiced tax law before going in-house to LHP. Listening to Becky’s journey, it is clear that she is fearless in taking on new challenges, that she savors each of her roles and relationships, and is a tremendous team player and leader.

Today I’m talking with Christina Montgomery, Chief Privacy Officer of IBM in Armonk, New York. Christina attended Binghamton University where she studied English before going to Harvard Law School. She spent one year in private practice before taking her first in-house job at IBM over 27 years ago. Over nearly three decades, she has held several roles, become a subject matter expert in a variety of areas of the law, and consistently and loyally served her client. Now, as Chief Privacy Officer, Christina oversees IBM’s privacy program, compliance and strategy on a global basis, and directs all aspects of IBM’s privacy policies, including the IBM AI Ethics Board. Christina’s career is admirable and her insight is beyond valuable. Please enjoy hearing all about it.

Heather is an associate at Weil in their M&A and private equity group. She also is the co-host of the Sinisterhood Podcast--a weekly podcast focused on a different true crime, cult, or creepy topic every week. With her background in comedy writing and improv, Heather weaves in comedic moments of relief throughout Sinisterhood. She is absolutely one of the funniest people I know! She is also sharp, talented, and a terrific storyteller. She shared how she is able to balance a big law job while pursuing her passions.

A New England native, Catherine is a former in-house lawyer turned law firm business development consultant turned entrepreneur. Catherine talks about what it takes to become a rainmaker in a law firm and offers terrific advice on how you can set yourself apart to create your authentic brand.

Today I’m resharing an interview I did in the fall of 2018 with Brittany DeGan, who is the General Counsel of rewardStyle in Dallas, Texas. I wanted to share this interview again because many of you are new listeners and probably haven’t heard Brittany’s story yet. A few things come to mind when I think of my time with Brittany. The first is how nervous I was! This was only my second time interviewing someone and I was still just figuring things out. Frankly, I’m still figuring things out. But more than that, Brittany's story is a prime example of what it means to seek out new and exciting challenges. And I thought it would be especially fitting to share her journey as we have all been stuck in one shared circumstance the last five months -- the continuing challenge of the Coronavirus. In one way or another, it’s affected our personal and professional lives. So, I thought Brittany’s journey could act as a reminder of how we all are capable of shaking our careers up for the better. After spending 9 years with a tech company in the D.C. area, Brittany moved across the country to join rewardStyle and become a one-woman legal department. She has been with the company for almost three years now but when we spoke she had been there for less than a year. Because Brittany is one of my favorite lawyers I’ve ever had on, I know you’ll enjoy this discussion.

Bree Vculek is a first-year law student at George Washington University in D.C. Although she will be a lawyer soon enough, Bree is the first non-lawyer who I have featured on the podcast. I thought it was important to share a student’s perspective because things evolve, and we as lawyers are hiring these students. Plus, I have a lot of listeners who are students or people considering going to law school, so I thought Bree’s perspective could bring some comfort to their circumstances. Of all places, Bree and I met through Instagram. She and I have followed each other for a while and I’ve always admired how she shares her “day in the life” journey through law school and working full time through a positive lens. Bree grew up on a farm in North Dakota, where her parents (entrepreneurs) showed her what it was like to run a business. She went to a small private school for undergrad where she studied biology and chemistry. She later obtained her Master’s Degree in Biotechnology from Texas A&M. Working for a Senator, helping shape legislative policy, Bree ventured to D.C. Now, with hopes that she will be an IP lawyer, Bree goes to GW in the evenings and works for a global, biomedical company during the day. In her role, she supports labs in Germany and calls on her science background to serve clients. She was incredibly kind and I think there is a lot we can all learn from her vision, work ethic, and drive.

Today I’m talking with Amy Guzzy, General Counsel of Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores in Oklahoma City. Amy is from Tulsa, Oklahoma and attended Texas Christian University for undergrad where she studied merchandising and business. Amy then attended the University of Oklahoma for law school. After law school, Amy went into private practice with a focus on real estate but it wasn’t long before Amy began diversifying her experience and expertise. She would end up spending five years seeking out meaningful opportunities with her firm and building a resume that few could compete with, which is what made Amy perfect for the job of Love’s first in-house lawyer almost 17 years ago. There were many valuable lessons that I soaked up during my discussion with Amy but I’ll share two here. First is the importance of continuously educating yourself and surrounding yourself with smart, trustworthy people. Second, is the positive impact that a team or family mindset can have on one’s career. As you listen to Amy’s story, you’ll understand how she became a trusted advisor to the Love’s family and built Love’s legal department from the ground up. And while she’s become an integral part of the Love’s family, Amy has built a beautiful family of her own. She’s been married to her husband, Christian (who is also a successful lawyer), for 22 years. The two live in Oklahoma City and have three wonderful children: Ellison who is a junior in college, Quincy, who is a high school senior, and Grey who is a freshman. I think I speak for all of them when I say Amy’s family has so much to be proud of. And, I’m hopeful, you all will agree with me after listening to our conversation. Please enjoy.

Today I share brief, but meaningful, conversations with 3 women from across the country--all with very different jobs. First, I spoke with a friend and listener of the podcast, Maryann Zaki. Maryann is a litigation associate at Morgan Lewis in Houston and a mom of two young girls. She spoke about the importance of voicing your needs, wants, and concerns in your career. I next spoke with Kimberly Diego, a solo criminal defense lawyer in Denver, Colorado. Kim talked about how to relate and empathize with your clients, which has furthered her efforts to be a trusted advisor. Lastly, I spoke with Nikita Tuckett, Lead Counsel for Product at Facebook. Nikita and I exchanged messages to cover certain talking points, which I will walk you through. As you will hear, Nikita shares some of the best advice she has been given. I hope you enjoy this new approach and if you do, please let me know!

In this week’s episode of Women In Law On The Record with five different members of the Association of Corporate Counsel’s DFW Chapter. ACC was generous enough to allow me to record at their Annual Meeting. I sat down with various in-house lawyers who reflected on some of the most memorable advice they have been given throughout their careers, what they are proud to have accomplished so far, and what being part of ACC means to them. This was such a fun experience for me, so I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did.

Today I’m talking with Leah Mayersohn, founder of Mayersohn Law Group in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Leah has been practicing for 30 years and focuses her practice primarily on criminal law, corporate criminal investigations, and family law. Leah grew up in southern California where she attended UCLA for undergrad. She then moved to Florida to attend the University of Florida for law school and has been there ever since. Upon graduation, and due to the helpful advice of a mentor, Leah’s first job post-graduation was as an Assistant State Attorney in Broward County. There, she gained tons of trial experience and was bitten by the courtroom bug. While she considered opportunities with certain firms, Leah decided to hang her own shingle. She founded her law firm nearly 25 years ago and hasn’t looked back. She has been able to grow and expand her firm over time and has exciting things on the horizon too. Please enjoy my conversation with Leah.

If you want to hear more from Leah or learn more about her practice, visit one of these sites!

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mayersohnlaw
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mayersohnlawgroup/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mayersohnlaw/
Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mayersohn-law-group-p-a/
Tik-Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mayersohnlawgroup
Profitable Attorney Connections Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/profitableattorneyconnections
Website: https://www.mayersohnlaw.com/

Today I’m talking with Maria Daatio Perez, Senior Counsel & Director for Advertising, Marketing, Content Review, S&P, and E-Commerce. Maria was so fun to chat with. She spoke about her immigrant family’s background, her days in undergrad at UC Santa Barbara, and how she came around to the decision to go to law school. She ultimately attended Southwestern Law School and when she graduated, she wanted to be an entertainment lawyer. She made her way into a startup of sorts, a company called Maker Studios, that was later acquired by Disney. Maria later took a job at Facebook back in the bay area (where she is from originally). At that time, Maria and her husband-to-be were long-distance and commuting to and from southern California to the bay. After that, Maria landed a job at Mattel where she focuses on advertising and marketing issues. Maria was super involved in all the Barbie movie promotional work so you’ll hear me ask about that. I had such a great connection with Maria. I think you’ll hear that and I hope you enjoy the episode.

Judge Cauthron’s career has truly been full circle because she started right of law school as a clerk for the Western District of Oklahoma then later in life became the Chief Judge for that same court. Judge Cauthron’s humble approach to her career is both admirable and inspiring.

This was a special interview and experience for me as we recorded this episode from MMLaFleur’s Bryant Park store in New York City. That night we shared the stories of these two inspiring women, brought female executives and lawyers together, and supported a great cause--Bottomless Closet. The Bottomless Closet experience is all about helping women in need feel confident, prepared, and empowered to ace their job interviews, start a new job, and begin their journey to self-sufficiency. For more information about the organization go to bottomlesscloset.org. I had such a wonderful time getting to know Sarah and Breen. Sarah is the former general counsel of Etsy, was their 17th employee, and helped take the company public. After nine years, she decided to leave to find her next adventure. That’s when she met Breen Sullivan. Breen is the Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel for Watermark Insights, an education technology company. Together, the two created The Fourth Floor, an invite-only ecosystem that connects female founders to industry leaders and general counsel who serve as valuable business strategists for growth. 

Cathy recently celebrated 20 years with the Yum! Brand of companies. After getting a few years of litigation experience under her belt at a law firm, Cathy went in house to KFC, where she later became the General Counsel of that brand. Cathy talks about how she found voice and how important it is to make a lasting impression on others. She talks about the lasting impression other female lawyers have made on her, including the powerful women she was surrounded by during her time at Dell Computers and the women she is surrounded by now at Yum! where each of the company’s brands is currently led by a female general counsel.

In this mini episode, Allison talks with her mom about her background, what she was like as a kid, and how important their relationship has been to her success.

From the time she was a young girl, Eunice knew she wanted to be a trial lawyer. She was fascinated by lawyers on television and aspired to go to law school early in her education. She envisioned herself as an advocate and loved the feeling she got from oral argument and public speaking. But after a temporary secondment with the Texas Rangers, Eunice was bit by the in-house bug. She found a new love for being on the front lines and working directly with the business. Now, she is the General Counsel of the world’s leading nonprofit breast cancer organization, working to save lives and end breast cancer forever. New to the role, Eunice shares how she is gaining the trust of her new clients by observing the business. She talks about the goals she has set for herself personally and how she plans on helping the company tackle its greatest mission.

Devanshi is a dear friend and although I know a lot about her background, I really enjoyed listening to her describe her parents’ immigrant experience. Her family’s story demanded not only great courage and adventure but also real personal sacrifice – all to help position Devanshi to pursue the opportunities that she’s now enjoying.  Devanshi is incredibly ambitious but brings such a refreshing – and unique -- savor-the-moment perspective to each step of her journey. I’ve certainly benefited from her approach as her close friend, and I hope you will too.

Today I’m talking with Erin Borg, Vice President and Assistant General Counsel for the Neiman Marcus Group. Erin is an Arizona native who moved across the country to attend Indiana University Bloomington where she studied political science. She would later return to Arizona to attend the University of Arizona for law school. But, before that, she made a stop to intern at the White House during the Clinton administration. It was her time in Washington D.C. that helped Erin decide she wanted to pursue a legal career. She started out her practice in private practice but made the move in-house to US Airways (now American Airlines) where she primarily focused on labor and employment issues. Erin made a few more stops in-house before landing at Neiman Marcus Group. She speaks openly about why she made the moves she did and how she thinks it has (or has not) impacted her long term. On the whole, through her experiences, Erin has developed a well rounded practice and expertise that has positioned her well for her current position and any role she may have down the road. I found a lot of good takeaways from our conversation, including how we both still deal with imposter syndrome. And y’all…this isn’t a generic discussion about how I question whether I deserve to be a lawyer. We keep it real…giving legit examples of how it shows up for both of us. Please enjoy listening to Erin Borg.

A former law clerk to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Judge David Tatel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, Kelsi has served as lead counsel in dozens of federal and state court appeals. She has presented argument before the U.S. Supreme Court and 11 of the 13 U.S. Courts of Appeals, including the en banc Ninth Circuit. She shares terrific stories from her time at the Department of Justice, in the White House Communications Department, and now as an elite appellate lawyer.

Allison talks with Samantha Monk and Sarah Lopano about the advantages and disadvantages of comparing yourself to others in your profession.

Today I’m speaking with Helen Dooley, Senior Vice President and General Counsel at Tandem Sports & Entertainment in Arlington, Virginia. Helen graduated from Duke University where she obtained both a history degree and her law degree. She spoke about her informative years clerking for federal judges in the 10th Circuit, including Judge Tacha, who taught her the importance of being yourself. It was there that she learned, among other things, how to obtain and maintain the respect of your colleagues. From her clerkships, she went to Williams & Connolly in D.C., where she would spend the next 16 years of practice. While there, Helen’s practice evolved and almost by happenstance, she was asked to help offer real estate advice to Duke alum and basketball superstar, Grant Hill. After spending several years advising sports clients, Helen left the firm to help start Tandem Sports & Entertainment with her long-time colleague, Jim Tanner. Tandem is a full-service sports and entertainment agency with expertise in athlete management, talent representation, marketing, communications and publicity services. Now a Senior VP and General Counsel, Helen serves the agency in a multitude of ways. She spoke about how she has been able to establish such a successful career for herself all while helping home school her three children. Helen has ensured her clients know her level of dedication to her work and has made herself an integral part of any team that she is a part of. Her story is a reminder that so often, we are more capable than what we give ourselves credit for. And with all the challenges we are facing today with coronavirus, Helen’s reminder is nothing short of serendipitous. I think you’ll find her spirit is assuring and her story interesting.

Today I’m talking with Kate Dugan, Associate General Counsel at Energizer Holdings specializing in commercial law, marketing, and intellectual property. Kate started her legal career at Shook, Hardy & Bacon in Kansas City, Missouri where she learned what it meant to be a litigator and got meaningful pro bono experience. From there, she moved to Chicago where she would spend the next 7 years at Greenberg Traurig. During that time, Kate developed valuable mentor relationships and got the type of experiences that would prepare her for her current role in-house. She’s been with Energizer Holdings for over 6 years now. During our discussion, Kate emphasized the importance of planning in order to become the type of lawyer you really want to be. She shared what she learned about herself is some of the more challenging points in her career and how assured she was that she had been trained and prepared for those moments. Kate was so fun to talk to, I hope you enjoy getting to know her as much as I did.

Today I’m talking with Sara Kamal, Legal Counsel at Yum! Brands. This was an especially fun interview for me because Sara is one of my closest friends. She and I met when she was actually a client of my firm and we were working together on an arbitration matter. It didn’t take long for us to become friends. She is someone I count on all the time to give me a work advice so I’m really excited for you all to hear her insight. But, before we dive into the interview, let me tell you about Sara’s background. She was born in Egypt and moved to the States with her family when she was just a baby. She attended the University of Texas where she majored in accounting. She later moved to Washington D.C. and after law school did a fellowship focused on public policy. After her stint in D.C., Sara moved back to Texas (the Dallas-Fort Worth area) and began working for a small firm. She cut her teeth for a couple years learning everything she could about the law, getting diverse experience in all different subject matters. Sara then moved in-house to Dickey’s Barbecue during the pandemic, where she wore many hats and handled various legal issues, including some especially complicated matters where she had no prior experience. Not surprising to anyone who knows Sara, she handled it like a champ. And that experience is, in part, what gave her the confidence to join Yum! Where she is crushing it y’all. She won’t say that, so I’ll say it for her. She’s GREAT at her job. She has a natural ability to gain the trust of her clients and you couldn’t ask for a better team player. I hope you enjoy this conversation with one of my dearest friends.

Today’s episode is a panel discussion with several impressive ladies - including Kelli Roach (General Counsel of Black Mountain Sand), Christina Sanders (General Counsel of NGP ETP, and Casey Moore (Senior Counsel for Litigation at Vistra Corp). Each of them is a member of the Women’s Energy Network - North Texas Division. The vision of the Women’s Energy Network is to provide networking and community outreach opportunities and foster career and leadership development. Although I spoke with lawyers today, the organization invites women from all different backgrounds. 

I thoroughly enjoyed my conversation with Kelli, Christina, and Casey. They shared valuable advice, interesting experiences, and lots of laughs too. But I think my favorite moments in our conversation were the really specific, tangible examples of how they’ve all managed to overcome challenges and insecurities. They’re all talented lawyers and I so appreciated learning more about how they got to where they are.

Today on Women In Law, I’m sharing Part II of my 100th Episode! I hope you enjoyed Part I where I checked in with Amy Tu and Samantha Monk. In Part II, I will first be speaking with D’Lonra Ellis, Chief Legal Officer of the Oakland Athletics and Adjunct Professor at UC Law. D’Lonra was my first guest ever on the podcast. It was such a thrill for me over 6 years ago to be able to feature her. At the time, she was Associate General Counsel of the team and since then she has climbed through the ranks, tackling all kinds of legal issues covering a wide array of subject matters. D’Lonra has set herself apart from most lawyers in the industry and all while also teaching law students the ins and outs of “sports law” at UC Law.  

After D’Lonra, you’ll hear me speak with Iris Chen. Iris is now the General Counsel of Moloco, which provides machine learning-based advertising solutions to drive growth for businesses of all sizes. Before taking on her first GC role, Iris was Deputy General Counsel at AirBnb and before that VP of Legal at Google where she spent 14 years of her career and where we first met. Iris and I walked through her time at AirBnb and how she gained valuable experience that positioned her for her role at Moloco. Just as she was in our first conversation, Iris is so forthcoming with the best insight and advice to share. I always leave our conversations feeling inspired and encouraged about my career. And this time was no exception. 

Please enjoy my conversations with D’Lonra and Iris.

Today I’m talking with Raven Moore, Managing Counsel of Commercial Litigation for McDonald’s. A native of Chicagoland, Raven grew up thinking she would either be a lawyer or a comedian. As you will hear, we got a chuckle out of her comedic aspirations but, in truth, Raven could have been anything she wanted to be. She followed her instinct to the law. She attended the University of Dayton where she studied communications management, then headed south to Tulane for law school. While she had a passion for human rights, she was drawn towards litigation so she took a job with a Chicago-based firm, Sachnoff & Weaver where she cut her teeth as a young lawyer. 

Raven reflects on some of the key experiences she had from her early years of practice and commends those more senior lawyers around her at the time for giving her meaningful opportunities. Sachnoff & Weaver later merged with Reed Smith, which is where Raven made partner as a new mom. The experience was both a proud moment for Raven, who worked hard for years to obtain that achievement, but also a reflection of the impact Raven made at her firm. Not surprisingly, she continues to make the same type of impact today as in-house counsel for McDonald’s, where she has been for the last 8 years. I told Raven during our discussion that she is truly a role model for me and I think you’ll understand why after hearing her humbly walk us through the admirable career she has enjoyed thus far.

An associate in the mergers and acquisitions group at V&E, Samantha is smart, kind, and humble. Samantha spoke about what it was like to be on maternity leave and offered great insight into the thoughts, excitement, and sometimes fear that can go along with experiencing one of the sweetest times someone’s life.

A native of New York, Ali joined SoulCycle two years ago. Her story is a true example of what it means to create great, lasting impressions on those around you.

Robin is the US Head of Norton Rose Fulbright’s Antitrust and Competition practice group. Robin's pragmatic approach to the practice of law is informed by her experience, having served as in-house antitrust and litigation counsel at Swiss healthcare company Novartis before becoming North American General Counsel of Sandoz, the generics and biosimilars division of Novartis. She returned to private practice in 2015 to serve clients. She is incredibly accomplished but most humble. I was so grateful to her for spending time with me and am so excited to share her story with you.

Today I’m talking with Kristin Gomez, Senior Manager at Hyundai Motor America in southern California. Kristin is relatively new to her role, which is focused on advising on business and legal strategies as they relate to the company’s green cars. Day to day, Kristin draws on her pre-law experience in environmental policy as well as her legal expertise. As you will hear, Kristin spent four years before law school working with state regulators in the clean air space. After law school, she joined the Jackson Titus law firm where she gained civil litigation experience. She made the move in-house to Honda a few years ago when the great opportunity presented itself. Now with Hyundai, and as a new mom, Kristin is continuing to do what she loves. Kristin is humble, sharp, and genuine. Please enjoy getting to know her.

Kelly is General Counsel for Texas Capital Bank and creator of the website, “Bipolar Oz.” Kelly’s career has taken her from big law to clerking at a federal courthouse and ultimately, landing an in-house position at the Bank. In addition to these career achievements, Kelly speaks candidly about her bipolar disorder and the strides she is taking to spread mental health awareness. Kelly tells us that with the support of those around her, she is able to maintain her motivation to speak out on mental health issues and act as a role model.

As Controller and sole in-house attorney at M.M. Lafleur, Zuzana describes her journey from Slovakia to New York City and how she was able to realize her goals in having a career in both business and law. Zuzana tells us how she took hold of unexpected opportunities as well as what it is like working at a supportive company like M.M. LaFleur.

Today I’m with Lea Ann King, General Counsel of Toyota Material Handling. Lea Ann cut her teeth as a young litigator at Bose McKinney & Evans after attending the University of Louisville for law school. She made her initial move in-house when she accepted a corporate counsel position with Hill-Rom where she would spend the next 7 years of her career. After that, Lea Ann made the move to Toyota almost 8 years ago to become their General Counsel. She now holds that position as well as serving as Toyota’s Compliance Officer and Corporate Secretary. During our discussion, Lea Ann gave her in-depth view on what it takes to make that first move to in-house and how lawyers can navigate false barriers to entry. As you will learn for yourself, Lea Ann is clearly a natural leader, generous, and bound for continued greatness in her already impressive career.

Today I’m talking to Celeste Bruce, litigation partner at Rifkin, Weiner, and Livingston in Maryland and Lisa Borsook, a real estate partner at WeirFoulds in Toronto, Canada. Both women emphasized the importance of being an effective communicator, explained how clients and mentors have acted as sponsors and endorsed their skills, and discussed how they’ve been able to share mentoring advice they’ve received over the years with the young associates they are now helping develop.

Ava discovered that she wanted to practice fashion law while she was in law school in Washington DC. Determined, she would take the train from DC to New York as much as possible to develop a network made of lawyers working for some of the biggest fashion brands. Now the Assistant General Counsel of David Yurman, Ava continues to diligently develop her career and the careers of young female lawyers around her.

A former teacher, Angela has leveraged her legal expertise and passion for healthcare into an in-house role with a healthcare company and started a podcast focused on self care. She is also a personal trainer and health coach. Angela realized her passion for healthcare when she was asked “What’s your biggest pain point in life?” and told “that’s what you should be focused on.” At the time, Angela was struggling with bulimia and depression off and on and she decided to make big changes in her life. She talks about how she worked her way back to a healthy body and healthy mindset. I so admired her candor and am proud to share her story with you all. 

Today I’m talking to Megan Belcher, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Scoular in Omaha, Nebraska. Raised in the midwest, Megan began her legal career at Husch Blackwell in Kansas City where she cut her teeth and honed her legal skills. She made the jump to in-house counsel when she joined ConAgra Foods in 2014. She would spend the next 9 years with the company, specializing in employment and compliance and learning to lead her business clients. Megan is now at Scoular, where she has been General Counsel for the last 3 years. What I took away from my discussion with Megan was the importance of career growth--Megan has continued to evolve and is driven to be a better leader and communicator every single day. She also walks the walk when it comes to lifting up other women. As you’ll hear, Megan was generous enough to introduce me, a young but ambitious lawyer, to her community of fellow general counsels. This woman has great thoughts and ideas -- I hope you enjoy listening to them as much as I did.

Today I’m sharing an interview I did in 2019 with Iris Chen who was with Google at the time. This is one of my favorite episodes I’ve ever done. Iris is such a bright and inspiring lawyer. After Google, Iris went on to become the Deputy General Counsel of Airbnb and, very recently, Iris became the General Counsel of Moloco. She’s had an incredible career trajectory. I’m going to get the full update from her in my upcoming 100th Episode where I’ll feature Iris and a few others who I have previously interviewed to see “where they are now?” For now, hear all about Iris’s background in our discussion here.

Today’s episode is very special as it is the first of a two-part series featuring four impressive ladies from the Institute for Energy Law: Tina Nguyen (Partner at Baker Botts in Houston), Kristi McCarthy (General Counsel and VP of the Land Department at Chevron Upstream), Suzana Blades (Managing Counsel - Commercial Litigation and Arbitration at ConocoPhillips, and Daniella Landers (Partner at Womble Bond and Dickinson). As you will hear, I spoke with each of them one-on-one to learn more about them individually. In part 2 of this series, I sit down with them as a group to discuss IEL, their involvement, and what the organization is doing to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the energy law industry. Enjoy!

Jennifer discusses the importance of reminding yourself that you’re worth your salt and that you must market yourself effectively. From starting her own law firm to creating an in-house legal department from scratch to continuing to build on her expertise today, Jennifer has had an incredible career.

Today I’m speaking with Lisa Roberts, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Stax Payments. Lisa and I met a couple years ago when we connected through a mutual friend and had coffee over Zoom but this was our first time meeting in person. We had a fantastic discussion about Lisa’s background and how she made the strategic moves she has so far in her career. Lisa grew up in St. Croix with her family where she was a competitive swimmer. Her family later moved to California where she would attend Cal State University in Bakersfield and study English Literature. Lisa took some time off between undergrad and law school to figure out what she really wanted to do. When she decided law school was her best path forward, she chose the University of Montana after having had the opportunity to spend time in Yellowstone and recognizing her love for the outdoors. There, she made a mentor in one of her professors who would help her get a job in Atlanta at a boutique firm specializing in real estate deals. Lisa cut her teeth at the firm for 6 years and when she started to have a family, she decided it was time to make a move in-house. As you’ll hear, Lisa has taken thoughtful steps towards achieving her goal of becoming a general counsel. She diversified her expertise, continuing seeking out mentorship from others, and capitalized on unique opportunities. She has a great perspective that I loved hearing all about.

Today is a very special episode of Women In Law as I sat down with three very impressive young women lawyers: Sophia Mai (Attorney with the US Department of Homeland Security), Ashley Yen (Associate In-House Counsel at Methodist Health System), and Hanna Kim (Associate at Zelle LLP). I brought these women on to talk about The Podium, which is an organization that they each serve in different capacities. For those first learning about The Podium, the organization supports Asian women lawyers by empowering them, advancing and supporting their interests and goals, creating authentic connections, and amplifying their voices. I thoroughly enjoyed my discussion with Sophia, Ashley and Hanna and I think you will too.

Today’s episode is the second in a two-part series featuring graduates from the Ladder Down program in Cleveland, Ohio. Ladder Down is a national year-long program that provides direct training and career development through a combination of coaches, sponsors, and participants to empower women lawyers in three critical areas:  leadership, business development, and mentoring.

In today’s episode, I’m talking with the graduates from the Ladder Down program including Susan Hughes, Jo Tatarko, and Alanna Guy. We talk about the benefits they’ve seen from their participation in Ladder Down, what their big takeaways were from the program, and personal experiences that made a lasting impact on each of them. I truly enjoyed our conversation because it was everything I hope to achieve with this podcast–real conversations with hard working women making it in the legal industry. To those who participated in this episode and to all of you listening - keep up the great work.

Today I’m talking with Lauren Bruning, Associate General Counsel and Global Head of Sustainability and ESG at Energizer Holdings in St. Louis, Missouri. I was excited to talk to Lauren as she was recommended to me by her colleague and prior Women In Law Guest, Kate Dugan. Kate’s description of Lauren was spot on - she is passionate, hard working, and someone who makes things happen! She’s been with Energizer for nearly 8 years, spending most of her career on labor and employment issues. Now, as both Associate General Counsel and Head of Sustainability, Lauren oversees all aspects of Energizer’s global product supply legal work, including patent, environmental, regulatory, supply chain, procurement, and real estate. And beyond the legal department, Lauren brings her women colleagues together in a collaborative and supportive way. You’ll hear her talk about her admirable initiative - the Women’s Leadership Network, which is a first-of-its kind internal organization at the company. Please enjoy.

Brittany DeGan is the General Counsel of rewardStyle in Dallas, Texas. Brittany's story is a prime example of what it means to seek out new and exciting challenges. After spending 9 years with a tech company in the D.C. area, Brittany moved across the country to join rewardStyle and become a one-woman legal department.

A native of southern California, Michelle attended UCLA for undergrad and UC Berkeley for law school. From there, she became a trial lawyer at Quinn Emanuel at a time when the firm had fewer than 100 lawyers. She gained deep trial experience and positioned herself to take on an in-house role at NBC Universal where she investigated and assisted with IP litigation. Michelle went on to eBay where she would spend the next nine years in the family of companies until she became the General Counsel of StubHub. A change in the organization and strong encouragement from a friend led her to consider the GC role at Turo. She was intrigued by the opportunity and inspired by Turo’s CEO, who she casually met for tea to learn about about the company. It was then that she knew, the Turo team was one she had to be a part of. Reflecting back on her storied career so far, Michelle shared experiences that brought her pride like the Tiffany v. eBay case that created precedent around the country in trademark law. She talked about how she builds and manages her team and how she hires her outside counsel. In fact, before Michelle and I met, I knew her from her groundbreaking efforts in the Women’s General Counsel Network, where she helped author an open letter to law firms regarding diversity and inclusion. Michelle undoubtedly leads by example on those efforts and we could learn something from her extraordinary perspective on these issues.

Before becoming counsel for Gold’s Gym, Shelby was a litigator and a partner at a woman-owned law firm in Dallas. Shelby emphasized what it means to pursue your passion and be your authentic self in your practice so that you can be most effective.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Renee gives us insight on how the diversity she grew up around helped shape her for the role she plays in the MLB today as Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer. Ever since leaving the practice of law, Renee has had a multitude of experiences that she has used to impact the world around her. She speaks about her views on “color blindness” and leadership, noting that “what makes us different is what makes us valuable.”

Today I’m talking with Rosanna Berardi, managing partner of Berardi Immigration Law, a boutique immigration firm in Buffalo, New York. A former US Immigration and Naturalization Service immigration inspector and trial attorney, she has extensive experience handling emergency and complex cases, leveraging professional networks at agencies, embassies, and consulates around the world to benefit clients and bring cases to effective conclusions. During our conversation, Rosanna spoke about how she always felt law was her calling. After spending a few years at a big law firm, Rosanna took a chance to start her own law firm, which began as a solo practice in her apartment. Over 15 years later, Berardi Immigration Law is full of team members. But, every step of the way, Rosanna made it a priority to always do her work at the highest level.

A proud Texas Longhorn and former trial lawyer, Sandra is General Counsel, Chief Legal Officer, and Chief Diversity Officer for Toyota North America. Sandra has garnered significant praise in recent years in the legal community and beyond for her work in implementing diversity and inclusion at Toyota. She is, without a doubt, a role model for leaders in their organizations. Sandra is a great storyteller. She shares sweet memories from her childhood about how her family influenced her and some of her favorite trial victories. Sandra talked about how her investment in her community--from her time at UT to the DFW community now--has been personally fulfilling and has inadvertently paid dividends.

In today's episode, I reflect back on 100 episodes of Women In Law On The Record and share some of my favorite moments, guests, and memories from the last six and a half years. 

As Senior Counsel at Genesis Energy, Ellie gives insight into what it was like being a new attorney during a period of recession and the unique perspective she held onto that got her from one job to the next. Ellie explains how maximizing the situations she was in helped her get to where she is now and she takes great pride in her ability to persevere.

Jennifer shares her story from her humble beginnings growing up in Arkansas to taking a step back from practicing law so she could start her family to coming back with a bang when she took a great in-house role at Lennox. Jennifer’s perspective was a breath of fresh air as she was incredibly honest, candid, and realistic. She shared advice like “trust your gut despite your desire to impress others” and “if something was a mistake, admit it and move on.” I’m so thankful to Jennifer for her time and I am so excited to share this interview with you all.

Today, I’m talking with Alex Lagos (Shareholder in Litigation at Greenberg Traurig in Miami), Lara Bueso Bach (Senior VP of Litigation at Televisia Univision), and Mercedes Armas Bach (Retired Judge of the 11th Judicial Circuit in Florida and current JAMS mediator). If you can’t already tell, these ladies all have something in common–they’re related! Alex is the daughter of Mercedes and Lara married into the family when she married Alex’s brother. Law is the family business for these incredibly bright and inspiring women. This was a fascinating discussion. Each of these ladies had a unique experience and perspective to share. And I’m thrilled for you to hear our conversation. Please enjoy!

A former big law rainmaker who specialized in labor and employment litigation, Pat Gillette is now an industry leader on advancing and retaining women and minorities in companies and firms. She strives to put more women in positions of leadership and to train women to use their collective power to make the changes in their organizations that will advance them in their careers.

Tricia visits Dallas for a global Kimberly-Clark legal leadership conference. Originally from New England, Tricia’s journey has taken her from Boston to Dallas and, eventually, to Atlanta where she now calls home. Tricia talks about her experience in different leadership roles and how her understanding of leadership changed when she transitioned from working for a firm to a corporation. Tricia gives us insight into how she approaches leadership as a discipline and acknowledges the consistent work you need to put forth in order to be a good leader.

Today I'm sharing some exciting personal news - I'm pregnant! I am expecting a baby girl in early April and my family and I are super excited about it. In this episode, I share thing I'm looking forward to, some of my fears, and answer some practical questions I've been asked. Please enjoy this unusual episode!

I've been away from the podcast for about a year but I'm back! And I'm excited to share I've been promoted to Shareholder at my firm, Greenberg Traurig. Today's episode is a little different as it's just me talking about what's happened the last year, how grateful I am for everyone who helped me reach this great milestone in my career, and what to expect from Women In Law On The Record going forward. Hope you enjoy!

Meredith a Partner at Quinn Emanuel in New York City. She attended Harvard University for undergrad and Columbia Law School. Meredith grew up in the Philadelphia area. She is a seasoned trial lawyer with extensive experience litigating a broad variety of complex commercial disputes in a host of state and federal courts and arbitration tribunals. In fact, in career, she has practiced on both coasts–being part of the firm’s San Francisco office as well as New York. Meredith shared valuable insights for any lawyer making their way through big law. I really enjoyed talking with her and hope you enjoy listening to our conversation.

This is a special episode because it was done in collaboration with the University of Houston Law School student organization for First Generation Law Students. Lavonne is an alumni of the University of Houston Law School but before that, she attended Howard University and Johns Hopkins University where she obtained her Masters in Biomedical Engineering and performed her post-doc work. Lavonne was on track to go to medical school but was drawn to the law in the hopes that she could leverage her engineering background into a career as a patent litigator. She started her career at Vinson & Elkins and as she was mastering her skills as a lawyer, she retooled to become an expert in cybersecurity. Lavonne’s drive and work ethic are unmatched and I am thrilled to share with you how she was able to do it. Special thanks to Latham and Watkins and the University of Houston Law School for making this episode happen.

Shruti is a young, rising star lawyer in the DFW area and is General Counsel of Ziosk, the company that brought you the first-ever entertainment, ordering and pay-at-the-table touchscreen tablet for for the restaurant market. Shruti’s journey in the law began when she graduated law school in the height of the recession. She talks about how she powered through that difficult time in the legal market by networking and developing meaningful, lasting relationships. She also shared how she gained the confidence of her company’s leadership, which put her in place to take on her new, exciting role as General Counsel.

Today’s episode is the second part in a two-part series featuring four impressive ladies from the Institute for Energy Law (aka IEL): Tina Nguyen (Partner at Baker Botts in Houston), Kristi McCarthy (General Counsel and VP of the Land Department at Chevron Upstream), Suzana Blades (Managing Counsel - Commercial Litigation and Arbitration at ConocoPhillips, and Daniella Landers (Partner at Womble Bond and Dickinson).

In this episode we talk about IEL. The mission and vision of IEL is to provide superior educational and professional opportunities for lawyers and other professionals in the energy industry through educational courses, conferences, scholarly publications and membership activities. During our conversation, you will hear about what the organization is doing to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the energy law industry. 

Today I’m talking with Amy Tu, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Tyson Foods in Springdale, Arkansas. As you will hear, Amy has great responsibility as she oversees the legal department, ethics and compliance, corporate communications, government investigations, and internal audit. Amy is also the President of Tyson Ventures, a venture capital fund investing in companies developing breakthrough technologies. Amy attended Wellesley College where she studied economics. After graduation, she spent a couple years on Wall Street where she cut her teeth in the corporate world. She moved back to her native Arkansas with the hope that she would work on President Bill Clinton’s first presidential campaign. Amy then attended law school at the University of Arkansas. 

Towards the end of her law school career, she applied for a torts job at Walmart. But instead of interviewing for that job, she got a call from Walmart’s General Counsel who was intrigued by her Wall Street experience and asked her what she really wanted to do, to which she answered “international law.” Amy spent a few years at Walmart but attributes many of her career and legal lessons to her time at Boeing where she spent 16 years making a name for herself, building up her own practice, and going through experiences that would prepare her for her current role at Tyson. My takeaway from Amy’s story is that you must ask for what you want and do everything you can to make your goals a reality. That’s exactly what Amy did when she moved abroad while working for Boeing but before they had any attorneys outside the United States. Amy was diligent to create a place for herself in their London office. This effort took many months, a lot of relationship development, and unwavering drive. It’s one of Amy’s proudest accomplishments but just one example of what it took to get to where she is.

Originally from Long Island, Lisa talks about her journey to becoming Vice President and Deputy General Counsel at Steve Madden and the lessons she learned along the way. Lisa expands on how she dealt with being an efficient worker in a world of billable hours and, ultimately, how she was able to seize her own self-confidence to land this job that excites her every day.

D’Lonra Ellis is the Assistant General Counsel for the Oakland Athletics.D’Lonra, a native of the Bay Area, shares how she came to work for an organization that she has admired her whole life. She offers fantastic insight into what it means to build meaningful relationships throughout your career, to value great work product, and to be agile in your service to your clients.

Today I’m talking with Robyn Diaz, Chief Legal Officer of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, which is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. A native New Yorker, Robyn’s path to success in health law began when she moved to Washington D.C. and worked for a non-profit, The Whitman Walker Clinic. While there, she attended Georgetown Law. After law school, Robyn spent a few years at a law firm where she advised health industry clients on compliance and regulatory issues. She made the move in-house when she took a job with MedStar Health. As you will hear her describe, Robyn wasn’t sure she had the experience necessary for the role at the time. But, she was eager to learn and rose to the occasion when the duty to serve her new clients called. Robyn has been with St. Jude for over 10 years now but her practice continues to grow and evolve. Her journey is an admirable one and I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I did.

Welcome to a special episode of Women In Law On The Record. This week I'm sharing a few stories of women lawyers who are also moms. I wanted to honor all the mom lawyers out there and share the good, the bad, and the ugly of being a lawyer and a mom. So you'll hear all those sides. And I preview my next episode as well featuring Kristine Campbell. Thanks for listening! 

Molly’s kind and caring spirit shined as we talked through her already storied career. It started when she first tested the legal waters working as an assistant at a law firm. She ultimately decided to attend Santa Clara School of Law where she also obtained her MBA. Post-law school, Molly began her legal career working in-house and wearing “many hats” as she handled litigation, employment, human resources, and corporate issues as a young lawyer. She’s been at eBay for 12 years now and is currently their Chief Compliance Officer. Molly emphasized the importance of managing your team with care and empathy. She noted “investing in people is the greatest investment you can make.” Her spirit not only serves her well as a leader at eBay but in her non-profit commitments as well. 

Today I’m talking with Kristine Campbell, General Counsel of Uhaul. Kristine was so fun to chat with. Not only is she a former Greenberg Traurig attorney, so we bonded over our loyalty to the firm but she was forthcoming about her experiences, how she reached the GC’s office at Uhaul after serving 12 years in the company’s legal department, and how she’s done it all while raising two kids. I also asked her about whether she ever felt like she needed to be a chameleon in the practice of law - everchanging with her circumstances. I thought this was an especially entertaining conversation and it’s an example of why I love doing this podcast. It was a treat to get to know Kristine and I think it will be for you too. Please enjoy this episode.

With over 15 years of in-house experience, Tracy Preston is General Counsel for Neiman Marcus in Dallas, Texas. Tracy emphasizes how important her relationships have been to the progression of her career. Specifically, Tracy talks about the mentorship and support she had from Judge Barbara Caulfield who she worked with before becoming partner at Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe in the Bay Area. For Tracy, keeping an open mindset towards the changes in her legal career has been key.

A graduate of Yale University and Columbia Law School, Iris is a former big law corporate lawyer. She went in-house to Google 12 years ago in New York where she was the lead commercial attorney supporting the company’s ad business. Now, Iris leads the product development and commercial transactions team for Google’s advertising, analytics, commerce departments and more. Iris has established herself as an integral leader at Google, all while raising her three daughters. Iris shares how she continued to get promoted, have meaningful work experiences and gain the trust of her clients.

Judge Wood’s story proves that she is a pioneer for women in the law. She was among the first women at the University of Texas Law School to be admitted as a member of the Friar Society. After law school, Judge Wood was one of the first women to clerk for the United States Supreme Court. And most recently, she became the first woman to serve as Chief Judge for the Seventh Circuit. Despite her incredible career, from prestigious clerkships to her admirable time in academia to being considered for the Supreme Court, Judge Wood has remained humble.

Cindy Buhr, a former litigator and now General Counsel of PrimeLending. Cindy spent the first 11 years of her in-house experience at Southwest, under the mentorship and guidance of prominent industry leaders like Herb Kellerher. Cindy talks about her time at Southwest as her building years - where she learned how to treat and lead others so that the company maintains an authentic culture. Cindy took the lessons she learned at Southwest to build PrimeLending’s legal department from the ground up.

A lifelong hockey fan and someone who aspired to go in-house from the get-go, Cara’s story is uniquely inspiring because she carved out a position with the Stars during law school. Cara walks us through her journey from her career in Canada to moving to Texas to become a lawyer to now advising on all types of legal issues for the Stars.

A former aspiring performer and native Texan, Andrea followed her instincts to get where she is today. Andrea is someone who takes the time to reflect about and assess what she wants next in life so that she can be prepared and ensure it is what she really wants. A prime example of that is when she approached her company about changing to reduced hours after she returned from maternity leave. Andrea shares great advice for all families looking to best navigate that time in their lives.

Today I’m talking to the women behind the “Ladies Who Law” podcast - Samantha Sicola and Haylie Davis. The two together host the “Ladies Who Law” podcast formerly known as the “Ladies Who Law School” podcast. As you’ll hear, now as practicing attorneys, Sam and Haylie provide a fresh take on experiences, insights, and practical tips to help you navigate the complexities of the legal profession. Whether you're just starting out in law school or you're a practicing attorney looking to advance your career, Ladies Who Law offers a supportive community and guidance to empower you on your journey. Listen for engaging discussions, inspiring guest interviews, and actionable advice tailored to the unique challenges faced by women in law. When they’re not podcasting, Samantha is an attorney practicing employment law and Haylie practices family law. Both are proud dog moms and passionate about looking for the newest trends for lady lawyers. Please enjoy our discussion.

Brooke spent the first eight years of her career in big law before making the move to in-house for Fannie Mae in Washington DC. Brooke passionately describes her journey--noting important mentors she had along the way, meaningful projects she has been a part of, and how her desire to make her hometown and family proud has always acted as a wind pushing her forward throughout her career.

Aparna and I recorded this interview before the corona virus pandemic took over and Zoom became a way of daily life for millions and millions of people around the world. Originally from Michigan, Aparna set out to become a technology lawyer after graduating from Harvard Law School. She comes from a family of engineers and entrepreneurs, who she has leaned on throughout her career for advice. She shared inspiring stories of conversations she has had with her role models, including her Aunt, who was an executive at HP and told her as a lawyer - you must direct your client, give them the recommendations they are searching for, and be in the trenches with them. Aparna’s evolution in law began as a corporate and securities associate at Wilson Sonsini then she went on to be an investment banker for technology companies, and now she is the CLO of a global, powerhouse company -- Zoom Video Communications. Her perspective was humble, honest, and to me as a young lawyer, comforting. Aparna’s journey gives me the confidence to know things will work out how they are supposed to in my career if I value my relationships, be a productive and agile communicator, and don’t sweat the small things. She taught me it’s ok not to know what your next move is going to be and for your long-term goals to be more of about WHO you want to be and less about checking things off your checklist. She was absolutely wonderful and I’m thrilled to share her insight. 

Today’s episode is the first in a two-part series featuring graduates from the Ladder Down program in Cleveland, Ohio. Ladder Down is a national year-long program that provides direct training and career development through a combination of coaches, sponsors, and participants to empower women lawyers in three critical areas:  leadership, business development, and mentoring.

In today’s episode, I’m talking with Kelley Barnett who founded the Cleveland chapter of Ladder Down and is the current chair. Kelley and I became friends through this podcast as she was one of my very first listeners. From day one, I have seen first hand that Kelley practices what she preaches and that is to uplift other women in our field. I so appreciate that about her. After Kelley, I have one-on-one conversations with Aanchal Sharma, Janet Stewart Scalley, and Talia Sukol Karas where we talk about their backgrounds and their experience in going through the Ladder Down program.

Today I’m talking with Kelley Barnett, Senior Vice President and Senior Managing Counsel at AmTrust Financial Services. Kelley is so many things to me…a friend, a long time listener and supporter of this podcast, an incredibly talented lawyer, and masterful advocate for women in the legal field. Kelley graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in economics, then attended Case Western University where she obtained her law degree. Early in her career, Kelley was a prosecutor for several years. In 2004, she was honored to become a member of the Major Trial Unit of the prosecutor's office, which is the elite trial unit of the county prosecutor’s office responsible for prosecuting the community's most serious offenders.

Kelley then made the move to private practice at Frantz Ward where she would spend 12 years litigating and trying a wide variety of cases. Next, Kelley moved to AmTrust in 2019 where she focused on labor and employment issues. As you’ll hear, Kelley continuously raised her hand for new opportunities at AmTrust. And now she leads a team of lawyers responsible for overseeing employment, intellectual property, the negotiation and drafting of commercial and technology agreements, antitrust and related regulatory issues, data governance, and related litigation and other issues for AmTrust and some of AmTrust's domestic and international businesses.

When Kelley isn’t practicing law, you may find her hanging out with her dogs or her family or she is promoting other women in the law. In fact, one of her most outstanding achievements was establishing Ladder Down Cleveland. You may recognize the name as I’ve featured the organization on the podcast about two years ago. You’ll recall it’s an organization for women lawyers to help them build their business development skills. Kelley and I have known each other for years now and it was a true pleasure to interview her for this podcast. Please enjoy.