E85: M.C. Sungaila Partner at Complex Appellate Litigation Group

M.C. is a UCLA School of Law Graduate and works as a partner at Complex Appellate Litigation Group. In this episode, I sit down with the unstoppable M.C., whose journey is a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and relentless curiosity. Starting as an aspiring writer and poet before pivoting to law, M.C.’s path took an unexpected turn when she enrolled at UCLA School of Law. We talk about how that first year—the toughest by far—tore her down and built her back up, immersing her in the "language of law" and reshaping her vision for the future.

But what really stands out is how M.C. figured out what not to do in law through trial experience—a revelation that ultimately sharpened her focus on what mattered most to her.

We dive into her early days at Irell & Manella and Horvitz & Levy, where she was truly “thrown into the fire,” working on cases right out of the gate. This baptism by fire not only honed her skills but also fueled her confidence. M.C. shares the strategies that propelled her to partnership—how success is rarely a one-size-fits-all path, the importance of building a book of business and becoming the go-to expert in your niche.

Our conversation takes a deep dive into two vital career accelerators: Mentorship and a concept new to this podcast, Sponsorship. M.C. explains how mentorship helps you ask the right questions and acquire skills you didn’t know you needed, while sponsorship—having key people advocate for you behind closed doors—can be the secret weapon to unlocking those game-changing opportunities.

And it doesn’t stop there. We explore M.C.’s latest achievements, including being awarded the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor, her current role at Complex Appellate Litigation Group, and the launch of her own podcast, The Portia Project. Plus, a new frontier piquing her interest—Air and Space Law.

If you’re looking for practical advice on navigating law, mentorship, and building a career on your own terms, you won’t want to miss this one. Check out M.C.’s incredible journey and be sure to tune into The Portia Project below!

M.C.’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcsungaila

M.C’s Podcast: https://www.portiaprojectpodcast.com

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