Working Towards Nine

In this episode, Nicole M. Smithson speaks with Lynn Liberato about her book, Michigan’s CON-CON 11: Women and State Constitution-making in 1961. Lynn’s groundbreaking work about the eleven female delegates to the 1961 Michigan Constitutional Convention was published by Michigan State University Press in November 2025. Lynn is a writer, historian and retired attorney. She received a 2024 State History Award from the Historical Society of Michigan for her article “Con-Con’s Petticoat Revolt: Women at the 1961 Constitutional Convention.” She has written for historical and legal publications.  Lynn's father was a delegate to the 1961 convention. www.lynnliberato.com

WLAM's Carolyn Sullivan talks with SBM Past Presidents Nancy Diehl and Julie Fershtman about their experiences leading one of the nation's most important bar associations. This is episode is a rebroadcast of WLAM's 2025 program.

Isheeta Patel Laxmanan, South Asian American BarAssociation of Michigan, joins us to discuss South Asian American Bar Association of Michigan (SABA), its founding and where it is headed. Isheeta Patel Laxmanan is a patent attorney and shareholderat Brooks Kushman, where she focuses her practice on patent prosecution, portfolio management, and business-driven intellectual property solutions for her clients, ranging from Fortune 10 companies to startups. Beyond her legal practice, Isheeta is an advocate fordiversity and inclusivity within and outside her firm. She has served on the board of SABA Michigan since 2015 and is currently its President, having previously held the role in 2018. She also serves on the Board of Directors for SABA North America and is both a past Fellow and Pathfinder of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD). At Brooks Kushman, she serves on the DEI Committee, leading recruiting and pipeline initiatives, and emphatically supports associate development through mentorship.Passionate about her community, Isheeta devotes time toprograms like Engineer Girl & Girl Scouts, introducing girls to science and IP, and FATE Detroit, helping Detroit high schoolers with college-readiness and building career skills. She was named an “Up & Coming Lawyer” by MichiganLawyers Weekly in 2023 and has been listed in Best Lawyers’ Ones to Watch since 2021. Isheeta has also maintained strong ties with her alma mater, the University of Michigan, by guest-lecturing on IP law and legal careers.Tanya A. Grillo is the President of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan and a Director- National Conference of Women's Bar Associations. She was recently appointed to the Macomb County Circuit Court.Before taking the bench, Judge Grillo was the Managed Assigned Counsel Coordinator for the city of Southfield.  From 2017-2018, she was the Regional Manager for the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC). In that capacity, she worked with all the courts in Lapeer, Macomb, Oakland and St. Clair Counties in the State of Michigan’s goal to reform the indigent defense system. She received a Juris Doctorate from Thomas M. Cooley Law School and a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Central Florida.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 NinePodcast. 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.    

In this episode, Host Shawndrica Simmons talks with Judge Michelle Rick of the Court of Appeals for a timely and candidconversation on vision and purpose in turbulent times. Judge Rick reflects on her extensive career across every level of Michigan’s legal system and discusses the growing challenges facing the judiciary, including public distrust, political pressure, and threats to judicial independence. Theconversation explores access to justice, the importance of serving underserved communities, and the role women lawyers—particularly women in leadership—mustplay in safeguarding the rule of law. Listeners gain insight into the human side of judicial service, the responsibility of legal professionals during uncertain times, and the values necessary to lead with integrity, courage, and clarity in today’s legal landscape.Judge Michelle Rick was elected to the Michigan Court ofAppeals in November 2020. In 2026, she will run for re-election. Judge Rick previously served as a trial judge from 2007–2020. Prior to that, Judge Rick worked as a public servant in the Livingston County Prosecutor’s Office, theMichigan Department of Attorney General, and the office of Governor Jennifer M. Granholm. Judge Rick is a graduate of Michigan State University andthe University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. She is the past-president of the National Association of Women Judges. Judge Rick has also served on the executive board of the Michigan Judges Association, and is past-president ofthe MJA. Judge Rick is the recipient of several local, state, andnational awards. In 2019, the Michigan Supreme Court recognized Judge Rick as a judge who gives back and makes a difference. In 2020, the State Bar of Michigan awarded Judge Rick and select University of Detroit Mercy School of Law faculty and students the Kimberly M. Cahill Bar Leadership Award for creating and executing “Project Access,” a traveling expungement clinic. In 2015, WLAM Mid-Michiganbestowed on her the Carolyn Stell Award. In 2022, NAWJ awarded Judge Rick the Vaino Spencer Award for outstanding leadership in promoting its vision, core values,and mission. In 2021, Judge Rick received one of WLAM’s highest awards, the Mary S. Coleman Award. Most recently, Judge Rick was recognized by the Michigan Lawyer’s Weekly as the Influential Woman of Law for 2025. Judge Rick teaches courses concerning access to justice at UDM Law. She is an international, national, state, and local speaker on legal topics. Judge Rick lives in northern Michigan with her college sweetheart, Matthew. They raised their four adult children in the Lansing area Shawndrica N. Simmons is a solo practitioner and mediator atLawChic.com. Her Michigan civil litigation practice focuses on Labor & Employment, Family & Contractual Law, Probate, and Real Estate. She has been in the legal field for over twenty-four years. A former union advocate and former union president of the American Federation of State County &Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 3309/3rd Circuit Court; she now engages in litigation against employers, unions, school districts, and municipalities for civil rights violations while handling high-risk divorces involving allegations of abuse. She is everything contracts from sports, death to real estate. She is a serial entrepreneur with her latest venture being opening two supervised parenting time facilities in Oakland County and Wayne County while also offeringmediation services based on income levels. She is married to a master barber and co-owns their salon, Bundles on the Boulevard. She is the mother of three biological daughters and six non-biological children who call her Mom. She is ablack woman who understands that hair to us is as important as bathing daily. She is an advocate for those that can’t be authentic to themselves in a world built on white supremacy. She is the voice of the voiceless.

Guest Zenell B. Brown talks with Host Nicole Smithson about steps that listeners can take to create an actionable vision for 2026. Attorney, mediator, and administrator, Zenell B. Brown has worn many hats throughout her legal career. Known for her strategic planning acumen and inclusive leadership, she has made a lasting impact on the legal profession, earning both local and national recognition. Zenell serves as faculty for the National Center for State Courts’ Institute for Court Management, the National Association for Court Management, the Michigan Judicial Institute, and the Michigan Women Lawyers Association’s Leadership Academy.Nicole M. Smithson is the Creative Director of WT9 and WLAM's immediate past president. Nicole is the Oakland County Indigent Defense Services Office's principal attorney.

In this episode, Jennifer Dewey talks to Mary Sheffield, Detroit City Council President, about her life, career, the importance of representation in government, and what it is like as a woman in leadership and politics.  JENNIFER DEWEY BIO:Jennifer Dewey is an in-house attorney for General Motors with a practice focused on dealer franchise law and mergers and acquisitions. She is also involved with policy and economic development projects at GM. Prior to joining GM, Jennifer was a partner at Dickinson Wright PLLC’s Detroit office in the firm’s corporate group. Outside of her work at GM, she is an adjunct professor at Wayne State University Law School and serves on several boards, including the Pope Francis Center, Mercy Education Project, Eisenhower Dance Detroit, Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, Detroit Downtown Partnership BIZ Board, and is an editor of the National Association of Women Lawyers - Women Lawyers Journal. She lives in Detroit with her husband, Fred, and two young boys. MARY SHEFFIELD BIO:Mary Sheffield is a proud Detroiter, lifelong public servant, and the current President of the Detroit City Council. Elected at just 26, she made history as the youngest City Council member and later, the youngest Council President in Detroit’s history.Rooted in a family legacy of civil rights and community service, Mary has built her career on championing people-first policies, including affordable housing, property tax reform, home repair grants, and tenant protections. She is also the founder of grassroots programs like Occupy the Corner – Detroit, the Girls of Destiny Mentorship Program, and the Detroit Reparations Taskforce.She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Affairs from Wayne State University (2008) and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Central Michigan University.Known for her accessible, boots-on-the-ground style, Mary connects directly with Detroiters—whether in neighborhood corners, youth symposiums, or weekly “Conversations with the Councilwoman.” Recognized by Crain’s 20 in their 20s, 40 Under 40, the NAACP, and the Black United Fund, she leads with heart, faith, and a vision for an inclusive Detroit where every resident has a voice and the chance to thrive.

In this episode, host Nicole Smithson speaks with attorneyand author Bernadette Catalana about frendtoring—peers functioning as mentors—and lessons that Bernadette shared in her book, Daughter Lessons. While it can be challenging to find a traditional mentor, everyone has people in their lives who act as wise advisers. Bernadette Catalana is the partner in charge of Thompson Coe’s New York office. She is a litigator focusing on mass torts, toxic exposure cases, and Child Victims Act claims. Bernadette wrote the book, Daughter Lessons, and she shares practice tips and career advice for lawyers and other working professionals in her “Mentoring Moments” series on LinkedIn. Nicole M. Smithson is the Oakland County Indigent Defense Services Office’s principal attorney for compliance with Standards 6 and 7. She is currently president of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, creative director of the Working Towards Nine podcast, and co-chair of the National Association of Women Lawyers’ membership, growth, and engagement committee.Connect with Bernadette Catalana on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernadette-catalana-27057759/.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 asponsorship.  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]/

The Trump administration's immigration changes have had profound consequences. In our new episode, we hear from two expert immigration attorneys about the legal landscape and the human stories behind the headlines. Don't miss this crucial conversation. Listen Now. Available wherever you get your podcasts. Sarah Yore-VanOosterhout, Founder, Advocacy Director& Managing Attorney of Lighthouse Immigrant Advocates. Sarah graduated from Calvin University with bachelor degrees in social work and Spanish. Sarah later attended Michigan State University College of Law where she studied immigration and public interest law. Following law school, Sarah jumped into immigration legal services at the Diocese of Grand Rapids Immigration Legal Services. Later, she did contract and private practice work while working to open her own nonprofit immigration law office in Holland, Michigan. In 2015, she pioneered Lighthouse Immigrant Advocates, a thriving and quickly-growing legal services and advocacy center serving West Michigan. Sarah also serves as the chair of the State Bar of Michigan Immigration Law Section. When she's not working, you can find Sarah tending to her plants (inside and outside!),hiking, backpacking, reading, painting, or snuggling with her very scruffy rescue mutts, Milo and Otis. Sarah's most favorite life event was when she became mom to Evie and Bay (15 and 11), two kiddos who have, since day one, kept her grounded in the midst of a chaotic world and vocation. Susan E. Reed co-founded Michigan Immigrant Rights Center(MIRC) at the Michigan Advocacy Program to expand access to immigration legal services and advance pro-immigrant policy in Michigan. Susan has led and partnered on advocacy and impact litigation that has: developed public funding for immigration legal services at the federal, state, county, and city level; preserved and expanded Medicaid access for approximately 85,000 noncitizens; recovered hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost and stolen wages for immigrant workers; advanced civil rights for detained immigrants and people of color targeted by immigration enforcement; and secured legal immigration status and citizenship for thousands of individual clients. Susan was appointed by the Michigan Supreme Court to the inaugural Foreign Language Board of Review following her participation in successful advocacy for the court rule that created the board and expanded language access in Michigan's courts. She has represented immigrant and immigrant rights interests as a long-time member of the Michigan State Planning Body for Legal Services and as part of several State Bar of Michigan initiatives. She is a proud member of the first class of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation Community Leadership Network. Susan is a graduate of Marquette University and the University of Minnesota Law School. Abril Valdes Siewert has dedicated her career to social justice. Ms. Siewert specializes in immigration law at Valdes Law, PLLC. She is also an instructor for Oakland University’s paralegal program teaching immigration law. Lighthouse Immigrant Advocates: www.lia-michigan.orgMichigan Immigrant Rights Center: www.michiganimmigrant.orgLearn more about immigration law: Join the SBM’s Immigration Law Section! www.michbar.org/sections/homeJoin the American Immigration Lawyers Association www.aila.orghttps://www.cliniclegal.org/https://www.ilrc.org/https://immigrantjustice.org/Nonpartisan/unaffiliated news and research: https://www.cato.org/https://www.pewresearch.org/Book: Separated Family and Community in the Aftermath of an Immigration RaidWilliam D. LopezLearn 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]⁠⁠. 

Lou Ed Danner, President of Vanzetti Hamilton Bar Association, joins us to discuss Vanzetti Hamilton Bar Association its founding and where it is headed. Lou Ed Danner is an Assistant Corporation Counsel for Washtenaw County. Prior to his position with Washtenaw County, Lou served as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office for nine years. Lou is a graduate of Thomas M. Cooley Law School. He was born in Highland Park, Michigan and graduated from Ypsilanti High School. Lou’s greatest accomplishment is being a father of three children. Lous is a very active community leaders and volunteers with his local church and continues to work with his fraternity Iota Phi Theta. Lou believes that a diverse and thriving legal community is a great pillar to a more diverse and engaged community. Email:[email protected]  Tanya A. Grillo is the President-Elect of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan and a Director - National Conference of Women's Bar Associations. She is the Managed Assigned Counsel Coordinator for the city of Southfield.  From 2017-2018, Tanya was the Regional Manager for the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC). In that capacity, I worked with all the courts in Lapeer, Macomb, Oakland and St. Clair Counties in the State of Michigan’s goal to reform the indigent defense system. She received a Juris Doctorate from Thomas M. Cooley Law School and a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Central Florida.   Learn more about WLAM on our ⁠⁠website⁠⁠ and on our social media platforms ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠LinkedIn⁠, ⁠YouTube⁠, and ⁠Twitter⁠.  

Soujoud C. Hamade, President of the Michigan Chapter of the National Arab American Bar Association (NAABA-MI), joins us to discuss NAABA-MI and the exciting growth this organization has experience in the last four years. Soujoud C. Hamade is an attorney, entrepreneur, real estate investor, and community advocate who serves as the President of the Michigan Chapter of the National Arab American Bar Association (NAABA-MI). She and her partner founded HNH Law Group in Dearborn and operate their practice on the top floor of one of the commercial real estate properties Ms. Hamade acquired within the last few years through her investment company, Hamade Capital Investments. Ms. Hamade specializes in Business and Real Estate Law, but her firm also handles Civil Litigation, Criminal Defense, and Personal Injury.  Ms. Hamade began her legal career as an associate member of the Government Policy Practice Group at Dykema Gossett, a leading national law firm, out of their flagship office in Lansing, Michigan. She later accepted a position as the Director of Safety and Compliance at Glorious Cannabis, one of the largest and most sophisticated cultivation facilities in the State of Michigan.  During Ms. Hamade’s spare time, she has served on the board of multiple organizations, including the Arc of Northwest Wayne County, NAABA-National, the Middle Eastern and North African Chamber of Commerce, and NAABA-MI. Since helping establish NAABA-MI, the nonprofit has grown from just four members to over two hundred members. In three years, NAABA-MI has hosted multiple successful networking events, launched a membership program, facilitated the hire of multiple employment positions, hosted a dozen panels at law schools across the State of Michigan, and helped the State Attorney General’s office host an expungement fair and a driver’s license restoration drive.  Ms. Hamade earned her Juris Doctor degree and her Bachelor’s in Philosophy with minors in Linguistics and Cognitive Science from Michigan State University, where she received many honors and awards for her academic achievements, including the Distinguished Law Student Trailblazer Award, Jurisprudence Achievement Award in Negotiation, Jurisprudence Achievement Award in Advocacy, and the Best Oralist Award.  Ms. Hamade’s unique work background and experiences have made her particularly skilled at assisting nonprofits. She looks forward to joining the Board of Directors of the Dearborn Education Foundation and to helping wherever needed.Tanya A. Grillo is the President-Elect of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan and a Director - National Conference of Women's Bar Associations. She is the Managed Assigned Counsel Coordinator for the city of Southfield.  From 2017-2018, Tanya was the Regional Manager for the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC). In that capacity, I worked with all the courts in Lapeer, Macomb, Oakland and St. Clair Counties in the State of Michigan’s goal to reform the indigent defense system. She received a Juris Doctorate from Thomas M. Cooley Law School and a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Central Florida.  Website - Connecting Arab American Legal Professionals Across Michigan - NAABA MichiganLearn 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]⁠⁠. 

Rita Soka, the President of the Chaldean American Bar Association, joins us for a conversation about this organization, its mission, and rich history of advocacy. Rita Soka is the founder and managing attorney at Soka Law, PLLC and she committed to guiding individuals and families through the complexities of legal estate planning and family law related issues.In addition to her legal work, she serves as an adjunct professor at Detroit Mercy, sharing her knowledge and passion for the law with the next generation of attorney and also remains actively involved in her professional community as an alumni board member at Detroit Mercy.Rita earned her Juris Doctor (JD), magna cum laude, from Detroit Mercy School of Law, and holds a bachelor’s degree in clinical science, summa cum laude, from Wayne State University. Before transitioning to law, Rita spent 10 years working in healthcare, where she developed a deep understanding of the needs of individuals and families navigating challenging situations.Rita’s warmth and approachability extend beyond her professional life. She is a devoted wife and mother of three, who treasures time spent with her family. Tanya A. Grillo is the President-Elect of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan and a Director - National Conference of Women's Bar Associations. Tanya is a dedicated leader, advocate, and champion for women in the legal profession who is committed to fostering a culture of authenticity, connection, and empowerment. With a passion for mentorship and advocacy, Tanya works to break down barriers and build a more inclusive legal community. Beyond her leadership in WLAM, Tanya is an accomplished attorney known for her strategic thinking and unwavering dedication to justice. She is the Managed Assigned Counsel Coordinator for the city of Southfield.   Tanya received a Juris Doctorate from Thomas M. Cooley Law School and a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Central Florida. [email protected]://link.edgepilot.com/s/d6380fbd/xotqcpzJLkyTU69NJ2T3jw?u=http://www.chaldeanlawyers.org/Follow CABA on InstagramFollow CABA on FacebookFollow CABA on LinkedInLearn 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]⁠⁠.  

Mikai Green, the President of the D. Augustus Straker Bar Association, joins us for a conversation about this organization, its mission, and its rich history of advocacy. Mikai Green is a native of Detroit and Principal Attorney of GreenLaw Virtual Intellectual Property PC.She specializes in protecting, preserving & monetizing intellectual property to create generational wealth and legacy.Mikai handles novel and complex copyright infringement matters, has advance knowledge of federal trademarks, negotiating free agent contracts, film, music, and licensing agreements, forming and structuring for-profit and nonprofit entities, trusts and estate plans.Makai also serves as a volunteer mentor for the Minority Bar Prep Program, where she finds pleasure in instructing and tutoring recent law school graduates to sit for the Uniform Bar Exam.In addition, Makai also serves as Secretary of One Detroit Credit Union. This position is important to her because she’s at the forefront of facilitating financial independence & financial literacy to the underserved, and promoting economic revitalization in distressed communities.Mikai is a graduate of Western Michigan Cooley Law School, where she received her Jurist Doctorates in Intellectual Property Law and Michigan State University where she earned her Bachelors in Telecommunications.When she is not practicing law, she spends her time developing ideas and concepts. Makai is co-founder of a newly launched bottled water company “Green Water”, the only alkaline, antiseptic, and antiviral water on the market, which her father is co-founder and scientist behind the formula. She is the founder of “Trap Tours”, a sightseeing company, and has several other ventures underway. Tanya A. Grillo is the President-Elect of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan and a Director - National Conference of Women's Bar Associations. Tanya is a dedicated leader, advocate, and champion for women in the legal profession who is committed to fostering a culture of authenticity, connection, and empowerment. With a passion for mentorship and advocacy, Tanya works to break down barriers and build a more inclusive legal community. Beyond her leadership in WLAM, Tanya is an accomplished attorney known for her strategic thinking and unwavering dedication to justice. She is the Managed Assigned Counsel Coordinator for the city of Southfield.   Tanya received a Juris Doctorate from Thomas M. Cooley Law School and a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Central Florida.Website – strakerlaw.orgLearn 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]⁠⁠. 

Dewnya Bazzi, President of Michigan Muslim Bar Association, joins us to discuss MMBA, the struggles Muslim attorneys face, and the organizations commitment to growth and collaboration as we move forward into 2025. Dewnya Bazzi is a distinguished personal injury attorney, visionary leader, and founder of ATLAW, a multi-service law firm that has redefined the standards of legal excellence. With a proven track record of advocating for injured clients, Dewnya has built an eight-figure law firm that handles thousands of active personal injury cases at a time, all without ad spend, using a grassroots approach that prioritizes client care and community engagement. Driven by a passion for innovation and a deep commitment to transforming the legal industry, Dewnya developed the Client Experience Platform (CXP), a groundbreaking tool that empowers attorneys to deliver superior service and build stronger client relationships. Her vision extends beyond her own firm as she actively mentors and teaches other attorneys how to grow their practices by implementing these cutting-edge strategies. As a mother of three and wife to a supportive husband, Dewnya balances her professional accomplishments with her role as a dedicated family woman. She is deeply empathetic, understanding the human side of the legal process, and strives to make the legal industry more client-focused and compassionate. Dewnya’s life's mission is to disrupt the legal industry for the better, promoting a problem-solving, client-centered approach. She envisions a future where attorneys and clients work together in a positive, solution-oriented environment. Through her entrepreneurial mind and visionary approach, she aims to build a billion-dollar company that not only excels in legal practice but also fosters meaningful change in the industry. Her journey, which includes rebuilding her law firm from the ground up after a significant legal change, serves as a source of inspiration for many. Dewnya is now sharing this journey with other personal injury attorneys, guiding them through the process of building successful law firms while remaining true to their values. Humble in her success and empathetic in her approach, Dewnya is committed to leading the charge in creating a better, more inclusive, and client-focused legal industry.”  Tanya A. Grillo is the President-Elect of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan and a Director - National Conference of Women's Bar Associations. She is the Managed Assigned Counsel Coordinator for the city of Southfield.  From 2017-2018, Tanya was the Regional Manager for the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC). In that capacity, I worked with all the courts in Lapeer, Macomb, Oakland and St. Clair Counties in the State of Michigan’s goal to reform the indigent defense system. She received a Juris Doctorate from Thomas M. Cooley Law School and a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Central Florida. Website –www. mimuslimbar.com Admin 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]⁠⁠.

Join us in a special sneak peek episode to learn all about the keynote speaker at this year‘s 107th Women Lawyers Association of Michigan annual meeting. This episode features Kristen Ekkens, who will talk to us about authenticity and the importance of coming to the table as you are. Kristin Ekkens is a visionary leader, TEDx speaker, and award-winning entrepreneur whose mission is to bring light and joy to the world. As the Founder & CEO of Exponential Inclusion (EXI) and the Founder of Exponential Joy, Kristin is dedicated to empowering individuals and communities to embrace their full potential and create meaningful impact.From empowering women leaders in Saudi Arabia to uplifting Latinx communities in the United States and cultivating impactful teams in the Caribbean, Kristin’s career reflects her unwavering commitment to inclusion, purpose, and transformation.Guided by her belief that joy is a powerful force for change, Kristin creates spaces where people can reconnect with themselves, find inspiration, and amplify their unique light. Whether through retreats, coaching, or community initiatives, her work fosters connection, compassion, and exponential joy for a brighter world. Contact info:Connect with Kristin on LinkedIn Exponential Joy | www.exponentialjoy.globalExponential Inclusion | www.exi.globalKirsten J. Silwanowicz is the Chief General Counsel for the Detroit Housing Commission. She is a distinguished in-house counsel with extensive expertise in federal grants, contracts, litigation, compliance, and risk management. She provides strategic legal guidance and develops tailored solutions that drive organizational growth while aligning with mission-critical objectives. Kirsten has served the Detroit community through roles at the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation and the Great Lakes Water Authority, where she led complex contract negotiations, managed litigation, ensured regulatory compliance, and supported state and federal funding initiatives.A passionate advocate for public service and advancing women in the legal profession, Kirsten is a leader within the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan (WLAM) and the National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL). She serves as Vice President of the WLAM State Board and past President of the WLAM Wayne Region. Through her leadership and publications in the Women Lawyers Journal, she champions women’s rights and equality in the legal field.Kirsten holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from Michigan State University, where she became fluent in Spanish. She began her legal career in Dallas, Texas, before returning to Michigan in 2015 to continue her impactful practice and advocacy efforts.

Delicia Taylor Coleman, President of Black Women Lawyers of Michigan, joins us to discuss The Black Women Lawyers Association of Michigan (BWLAM), its founding and where it is headed. Delicia Taylor Colman is a Senior Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Detroit in the Blight Division and General Counsel for the City of Detroit Board of Ethics. Delicia  had an active trial practice for over 27 years primarily in Criminal (Misdemeanor, Felony and Federal Law), but also Family, Real Estate, Civil (Several Small Business Clients), Probate and Juvenile Law. She represented clients as both Plaintiff’s and Defense Counsel and was a vocal advocate for reforming the Criminal Justice system to incorporate restorative justice along with equity, equality, and respect for all coming before the Court. In seeing disparate treatment for individuals whose financial, racial, or sexual orientation or preference is not considered “mainstream” Delicia actively sought programs to bring about fair and just treatment for everyone especially the disenfranchised.  Delicia has served her community as a mentor for the Midnight Golf Program for the last 11 years. Prior to that I was a Board member of BLAC magazine and previously served as an executive Board member for Serenity Services. She is regular career day speaker with the Detroit Board of Education and participate in Pro Bono legal services through local Bar Associations and a past member of the Wayne County Criminal Bar Association. Delicia is a current member of the NBA, and NAACP. In 2021, she was awarded the State Bar of Michigan, Unsung Hero award selected for an attorney who has exhibited the highest standards of practice and commitment for the benefit of others. In 2017, she was nominated as one of top 10 “Best in Black” attorneys by Michigan Chronicle.   Tanya A. Grillo is the President-Elect of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan and a Director - National Conference of Women's Bar Associations. She is the Managed Assigned Counsel Coordinator for the city of Southfield.  From 2017-2018, Tanya was the Regional Manager for the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC). In that capacity, I worked with all the courts in Lapeer, Macomb, Oakland and St. Clair Counties in the State of Michigan’s goal to reform the indigent defense system. She received a Juris Doctorate from Thomas M. Cooley Law School and a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Central Florida.  Webste - Black Women Lawyers Association of Michigan |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]⁠⁠. 

Everado Tapia, the President of the Hispanic Bar Association of Michigan (HBAM), joins us for a conversation about HBAM and its main focus of growth. Everardo Tapia is the president of the Hispanic Bar Association of Michigan. He is Associate General Counsel at Forvia, the world’s seventh largest automotive supplier. Previously, Everardo was an associate practicing Automotive, Business, Commercial, and IP Litigation in the Detroit office of Butzel Long. Everardo received his JD from Chicago-Kent College of Law and his undergraduate degree in engineering from Penn State.  Everardo is currently serving as the President of the Hispanic Bar Association of Michigan. Outside of work, Everardo enjoys running, cycling, and spending time with his family. Tanya A. Grillo is the President-Elect of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan and a Director - National Conference of Women's Bar Associations. She is the Managed Assigned Counsel Coordinator for the city of Southfield.  From 2017-2018, Tanya was the Regional Manager for the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC). In that capacity, I worked with all the courts in Lapeer, Macomb, Oakland and St. Clair Counties in the State of Michigan’s goal to reform the indigent defense system. She received a Juris Doctorate from Thomas M. Cooley Law School and a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Central Florida.  Website - Hispanic Bar Association of MichiganLearn 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, host Nicole Smithson speaks with three distinguished jurists about their journey to the bench and their advice for attorneys who want to become a judge. Additionally, Lynn Helland, executive director of the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission, shares valuable information about the unique ethical requirements for judicial candidates.Hon. Julie A. Gafkay was appointed to the Saginaw County Circuit Court bench by Governor Gretchen Whitmer on April 26, 2023, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. Janet M. Boes.Prior to her appointment, Judge Gafkay owned a law firm in Saginaw County for 20 years specializing in civil rights, employment discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, Whistleblowers’ Protection Act, and personal injury. She served as president of the Saginaw County Bar Association and Women Lawyers Association of Michigan. Lynn Helland is the executive director of the Judicial Tenure Commission. Prior to joining the JTC, he was an Assistant United States Attorney for 34 years. He has significant experience with Michigan legal ethics as professional responsibility officer for the US Attorney’s Office, discipline hearing panelist for the Attorney Discipline Board, and ethics instructor. His work included helping colleagues in the US Attorney’s Office comply with the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct.Hon. Shelia R. Johnson is Chief Judge of the 46th District Court, which serves the Michigan communities of Southfield, LathrupVillage, Bingham Farms, Beverly Hills, Franklin, and Southfield Township. Judge Johnson was elected in November 2002 and is the first African American to serve as a judge in the 46th District Court and the first African American female districtcourt judge in Oakland County. In 2012, Judge Johnson was selected by the Michigan Democratic Party as a candidate for Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court.  Prior to assuming the bench, Judge Johnson was an attorney, with over 18 years of legal experience in both State and FederalCourts. She has held many positions in professional associations, including but not limited to: past president of the statewide Michigan District Judges Association; member of the State Bar of Michigan Judicial Council; past president of the Association of Black Judges of Michigan, former vice-president and board member of the National Association of Women Judges; past board member, financial secretary, and recording secretary of the Judicial Council of the National Bar Association; former member of the Equal Access Initiative of the Committee on Justice Initiatives of the State Bar of Michigan; and fellow of the State Bar of Michigan, the American Bar Association, and the Oakland County Bar Association.Hon. Sima G. Patel was appointed to the Michigan Court of Appeals in 2022. Before joining the bench, she was anappellate attorney in private practice for over 11 years representing clients in complex litigation before the Michigan Supreme Court, Michigan Court of Appeals, and the Federal 6th Circuit Court of Appeals. Judge Patel began her legal career as a law clerk in the Michigan Supreme Court. Judge Patel was recognized as a 2021 Michigan Lawyers Weekly Leader in the Law. She won the WMU Thomas M. Cooley Law Review Distinguished Brief Award for writing one of the top scholarly appellate briefs submitted to the Michigan Supreme Court in 2020. Judge Patel is a contributing author for the Institute for Continuing Legal Education publication Torts: Michigan Law and Practice. Nicole M. Smithson is the Oakland County Indigent Defense Services Office’s principal attorney for compliance with Standards 6 and 7. She is currently president of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, creative director of the Working Towards Nine podcast, and co-chair of the National Association of Women Lawyers’ membership, growth, and engagement committee.For a copy of Judge Johnson’s PowerPoint slides, please email [email protected].

Jacqueline August, Immediate Past-President of the Michigan Asian Pacific American Bar Association (MAPABA), joins us to discuss the genesis of the organization and how it has evolved. Jacqueline August is the Immediate Past President of the Michigan Asian Pacific American Bar Association.  She is Associate Counsel at RKT Holdings and the She drafts and negotiates a broad range of commercial contracts, including vendor contracts for goods, software, and services.  Jacqueline serves on the Board of Directors of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan (WLAM), and is Vice President of the Women’s Bar Association (Oakland Region of WLAM), Jacqueline was honored by Michigan Lawyer’s Weekly in its Class of 2023 Up and Coming Lawyers.Tanya A. Grillo is the President-Elect of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan and a Director - National Conference of Women's Bar Associations. She is the Managed Assigned Counsel Coordinator for the city of Southfield.  From 2017-2018, Tanya was the Regional Manager for the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC). In that capacity, I worked with all the courts in Lapeer, Macomb, Oakland and St. Clair Counties in the State of Michigan’s goal to reform the indigent defense system. She received a Juris Doctorate from Thomas M. Cooley Law School and a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Central Florida.Website- https://mapaba.carrd.co/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]⁠⁠. 

Warning: This episode contains discussions on murder, assault, and violence. Listener discretion is advised. Julisa Abad the Latina transgender woman from Florida who relocated to Michigan to work in transgender advocacy.  As the Director of transgender advocacy, she is a community leader on the issues that face the transgender community including housing, education, victims assistance, healthcare, and violence reduction. She is fluent in three languages including Spanish and Portuguese. Her critical work has provided emergency housing, furnishings, and healthcare to the transgender community, as well as assisting the justice project aid crime victims and find an interview crime witnesses. She has been instrumental in assisting with name change clinics for transgender persons so that their names match their gender. Abril Valdes Siewert has dedicated her career to social justice. Ms. Siewert specializes in immigration law at Valdes Law, PLLC.  She has worked with small and large firms, as well as non-profit organizations such as Lakeshore Legal Aid; and as the Immigrant Rights Attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Michigan. During her time at the ACLU, she co-authored the Michigan Crimmigration resource guide which was distributed throughout the state. Ms. Siewert is licensed in the states of Michigan and California. She received her J.D., from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and her B.A. in English, from California State University Los Angeles.  She is the secretary and co-chair of the Diversity Equity & Inclusion committee for the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, and corresponding secretary for the State Bar of Michigan’s Immigration Law Section. Read more about the Fair Michigan Justice Project here: https://www.fairmichigan.org/fair-michigan-justice-project/   Read more about Ashia Davis here: https://www.hrc.org/news/honoring-ashia-davis-34-year-old-black-trans-woman-killed-in-detroit Ways to get involved: https://www.glaad.com 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]⁠⁠. 

This episode will be hosted by Marianna Seal and Liberty Turner. Seal and Turner will discuss the impacts of Attorney Sarah Kilgore Wertman, Attorney Grace G. Costavas Murphy, Judge Dorothy Comstock Riley and Judge Cornelia Kennedy. Attorney Wertman was the first woman to graduate from the University of Michigan Law School, and the first woman admitted to the Michigan bar. Attorney Costavas Murphy was Michigan’s first African-American woman lawyer. Judge Riley was the first woman to serve on the Michigan Court of Appeals and the first Latina elected to any state supreme court in the United States. Chief Judge Kennedy became the first female chief judge of a federal district court, serving from 1977 to 1979. All of these incredible women attorneys and judges paved the way for many more. 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]⁠⁠. 

This episode is hosted by Cassie Weck Wun who is interviewing Veronica Beltran, the Assistant Director of Student Engagement and Culture at Wayne State University Law School. In this episode, Attorney Beltran shares her insights and tips for female attorneys. Her messages focus on self-worth and self-love. 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]⁠⁠. 

This episode is hosted by Mecca Muhammad who is interviewing Emily Elmer, who is an associate attorney at Warner Norcross + Judd LLP. Attorney Elmer is here to share a piece of her story and perspective on what it is like to be a woman practicing law in Michigan in 2024.  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]⁠⁠. 

This episode is hosted by Genavieve Kowalski who is interviewing Nina Lotarski. Attorney Lotarski is a senior associate at Aloia law, a wife, a mother of two children, and a believer in community service & promoting female leadership. She practices primarily in family law focusing on domestic relations, and also practices within commercial litigation, banking and creditor’s rights, along with other general civil litigation matters. Attorney Lotarski provides advice and insight into navigating the legal field as a strong woman. The two discuss various topics including the importance of trusting your gut and following your own path, & pink blazers and confidence. 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]⁠⁠. 

This episode is hosted by Alexis Farmer who is interviewing Elyse Culberson. Culberson is an associate in the Detroit, Michigan, office of Jackson Lewis P.C.Her practice focuses exclusively on representing employers in workplace law matters, including preventative advice and counseling and litigation, including complex litigation and class actions. On this episode Alexis and Attorney Culberson will discuss various topics including the journey past JD. 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]⁠⁠. 

This episode is hosted by Alexis Amy who is interviewing Paulina Kennedy. Paulina Kennedy is an attorney at Sommers Schwartz. She also serves as a pro bono volunteer for expungement clients through Lakeshore Legal Aid. On this episode Attorney Kennedy shares her tips and tricks as a Woman Lawyer in Michigan. 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]⁠⁠. 

This episode is part of a special series presented by the WLAM Leadership Class. This episode is a conversation between fellow WLAM 2024 Leadership Class participants, Genavieve Kowalski and Diana Lazar, as they discuss their perspectives as future women lawyers in Michigan. 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]⁠⁠. 

This episode is part of a special series presented by the WLAM Leadership Class. This episode is a conversation between fellow WLAM 2024 Leadership Class participants, Liberty Turner, Alexis Farmer, and Cassie Weck Wun, as they discuss their perspectives as future women lawyers in Michigan. 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]⁠⁠. 

This episode is part of a special series presented by the WLAM Leadership Class. This episode is a conversation between fellow WLAM 2024 Leadership Class participants, Alexis Amy and Marianna Seal, as they discuss their perspectives as future women lawyers in Michigan. 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]⁠⁠. 

This episode is part of a special series presented by the WLAM Leadership Class. This episode is a conversation between fellow WLAM 2024 Leadership Class participants, Mecca Muhammad and Megan Rumbles, as they discuss their perspectives as future women lawyers in Michigan. 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]⁠⁠. 

Justices Michael and Megan Cavanagh talk with Host Lauren Kissel about being the first father and daughter to sit on the Michigan Supreme Court. Justice Michael F. Cavanagh earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Detroit Law School in 1966. Justice Cavanagh was elected to the Judicial District Court, where he served from 1973 until 1974. In 1975, he was elected to the Michigan Court of Appeals and served in that position until 1982. In November of 1982, he was elected to the Michigan Supreme Court and re-elected in November 1990, 1998, and 2006. Cavanagh served as Chief Justice from 1991 until 1995. In addition to his professional career, Cavanagh has been a member of various legal and community organizations. He is a member of several bar associations and judicial committees. Cavanagh was on the Board of Directors for Cooley Law School, the American Heart Association, and the Lansing YMCA. He is a past president of the Incorporated Society of Irish-American Lawyers. Cavanagh ties Big Four Justice James V. Campbell for longest service on the Michigan Supreme Court. He is the father of Justice Megan Cavanagh. Justice Megan Cavanagh 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 as the Co-Lead to the Child Protective Legal Representation Task Force and 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. Lauren Kissel is an associate attorney at the Sinas Dramis Law Firm in Lansing, Michigan. She represents people in a wide variety of personal injury cases. Lauren plays a crucial role as part of the Sinas Dramis legal team in representing complex cases, such as the Andary case, which is a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the 2019 amendments to Michigan’s no-fault law on behalf of several motor vehicle accident victims, their families, and providers. She graduated from Michigan State University Law School.   Lauren is an active member of Michigan’s legal community and serves as the president-elect of the Ingham County Bar Association – Young Lawyers Section, the membership communications director of the Women Lawyers Association Mid-Michigan Region, an executive board member of the Michigan Association for Justice, and a member of the Coalition Protecting Auto No-Fault. In her free time, she enjoys reading, playing soccer, and going on walks with her husband and two dogs. 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 Carrie Almassian interviews Alisha Meneely, the government and community outreach coordinator for the Michigan Child Protection Registry. In this role, Alisha develops relationships statewide with schools, business, non-profits and the media where she educates on, and promotes, the Registry.  She also works with legislators to ensure the Registry remains in place and lobbies other state legislatures to create a similar Registry.  Alicia received a Bachelor of Science from Michigan State University. Carrie Almassian is an Assistant United States Attorney at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of Michigan.  She works in the Civil Division and defends the United States in its agencies in civil litigation including Title VII actions, tort actions brought under the Federal Tort Claims Act, Administrative Procedure Act matters, and immigration litigation.  Carrie earned a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and a J.D. from Wayne State University.   You can visit the Registry at www.protectmichild.com   Another source for internet safety is www.protectyoungeyes.com 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 Zenell Brown, a DISC assessment administrator. In this episode, Zenell explains what the DISC assessment is, the four types of behavioral types identified by the DISC assessment, and what our behavioral type can teach us about our leadership and communication styles. Zenell Brown is the Region 1 administrator for the State Court Administrative Office, the former executive court administrator of the Wayne County Circuit Court, president of the Detroit Bar Association, author of Coffee and Conversations, Inclusion and Belonging, and a WLAM director. 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. 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]⁠⁠.

In this episode of Working Towards Nine, our Secretary Kristina Bilowus sits down with the Michigan Center for Civic Education (MCCE) Ellen Zwarensteyn to discuss the role of MCCE, its impact on civic engagement, and opportunities for pipelines to law. Ellen Zwarensteyn serves as the Executive Director at the Michigan Center for Civic Education (MCCE).  The Michigan Center for Civic Education is Michigan’s K-12 civic education non-profit organization dedicated to providing meaningful professional learning and student engagement opportunities for civic and law-related education. A few signature programs include Mock Trial, We the People, Project Community, Civic Dialogue, and so much more.  Ellen comes to MCCE as an educator. A teacher and administrator, Ellen has coached nationally top ranked policy debate teams and brings almost 30 years of coaching, teaching, and/or facilitating experience. Furthermore, her Masters in Communications focused on how simulated and experiential educational opportunities, specifically through policy debate, aids civic education and political learning by fostering personal and civic efficacy through agency and voice. In her role with MCCE, Ellen partners with various stakeholders working to advance civic education. A founding member of the MiCivics Coalition, MCCE continues to seek champions and input for our next steps for more vibrant civic education experiences. Also at MCCE, Ellen works with all schools who wish to enhance and advance civic education. MCCE also partners with numerous state and national organizations, including iCivics, Center for Civic Education, the National Constitution Center, and more. She is also a graduate of several MCCE programs (including We the People and Mock Trial) and can speak to the experiences from organizational, administrative, teacher, and student perspectives.   MCCE works with students, teachers, administrators, and community members to motivate students to impact their civic communities. MCCE continues to expand its goals to ensure that each and every student has an authentic and meaningful experience in learning about and engaging in civics and law.  MCCE hopes that, with additional capacity and resources, one day soon every student in every school will be energized by authentic civic learning while every teacher, administrator, and stakeholder values and re-prioritizes civic education as the bedrock of all learning, as the core of our shared civic identity. This identity would permit us to recognize historical inequities while relishing Constitutional possibilities and proposing civic remedies. Kristina received her JD from Cooley Law School, and her LLM from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School. She received her BA from Madonna University. She currently serves as an Assistant Director at MSU College of Law, where she advises, provides career counseling, and offers professional development assistance for law students and new attorneys. Previously, she practiced family law and criminal defense in metro Detroit.  Kristina is very active in leadership and professional organizations, including serving in organizations like WLAM (Secretary), ICBA DEI Committee (Co-Chair), OCBA DEI Committee (Co-Chair), SBM YLS (prior Chair), SBM BOC, SBM Strategic Planning Committee , MCCE Board Member,  and various leadership roles within the WLAM regions and committees. 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 Carrie Almassian speaks with the Honorable Jane Beckering, a United States District Court Judge in the Western District of Michigan, and the most recent Article III judge appointed to the federal bench.  Judge Beckering began her career as a commercial litigator in Chicago, Illinois.  She later returned to Grand Rapids where she practiced negligence and wrongful death cases. In 2007, Governor Jennifer Granholm appointed Judge Beckering to the Michigan Court of Appeals, where she served until the senate confirmed her nomination to the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan in December 2021.  Among other achievements, Judge Beckering served as the President of the Grand Rapids Bar Association and as served on the Hillman Advocacy Program steering committee for 22 years.   Carrie Almassian is an Assistant United States Attorney at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of Michigan.  She works in the Civil Division and defends the United States in its agencies in civil litigation including Title VII actions, tort actions brought under the Federal Tort Claims Act, Administrative Procedure Act matters, and immigration litigation.  Carrie earned a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and a J.D. from Wayne State University.    For more information about the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan, please visit https://www.miwd.uscourts.gov/.   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]⁠⁠. 

The National Conference of Women’s Bar Associations (NCWBA) is a unique organization of women’s bar associations, for women’s bar associations, representing approximately 35,000 women lawyers.  It provides a national forum for exchanging ideas and information vital to organizational growth and success in today’s profession. For leaders of women’s bar associations, active participation in the NCWBA is an easy way to access the wisdom and experience of peers in other states and provinces, to give or get inspiration and to keep up with the challenges faced by those who juggle the competing concerns of law practice, bar leadership and personal life. The NCWBA is an affiliate of the American Bar Association, with a vote in the ABA House of Delegates. The NCWBA works closely with the ABA sections and commissions, as well as with other ABA affiliate organizations.   Sheila Abron (Willis) is a partner at Fisher Phillips, LLP, where she represents employers in all types of employment law matters, federal contractor compliance, and Title IX compliance. She frequently advises employers and speaks on topics regarding hiring, discipline, investigations, diversity, equity, and inclusion. She is co-Chair of the Firm’s Affirmative Action and Federal Contractor Compliance Practice group and co-lead’s the Firm’s diversity book club. She is a former president of both the South Carolina Women Lawyers Association and the South Carolina Bar Young Lawyers’ Division. She is currently President of the National Conference of Women’s Bar Associations and serves on the South Carolina Bar Board of Governors. A former Staff Attorney for the South Carolina Supreme Court, she is a graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Law and has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of South Carolina Darla Moore School of Business. She is an active community volunteer, serving as a member of the Junior League of Columbia and the Board of Directors for Trustus Theater and the Riverbanks Zoo Society. She is a recipient of the Silver Compleat Lawyer Award from the University of South Carolina School of Law and has been recognized as a Woman of Influence by the Columbia Regional Business report, a Best and Brightest 35 and Under by Columbia Business Monthly, and a Top 40 under 40 lawyer by the American Bar Association.   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 National Conference of Women Bar Associations, 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 is the Managed Assigned Counsel Coordinator for the city of Southfield, MI. 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.   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 Marketing and Branding Director Lindsey LaForest sits down with Molly Ranns, the Director for the State Bar of Michigan’s Lawyers and Judges Assistance Program (LJAP). They discuss the Lawyers and Judges Assistance Program and mental health in the law. Learn more about all that LJAP has to offer at https://www.michbar.org/generalinfo/ljap/home.   Molly Ranns is the Director for the State Bar of Michigan’s Lawyers and Judges Assistance Program where she has worked for the past 12 years.  She earned her Graduate Degree in Counseling from Michigan State University.  Molly is a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Nationally Board Certified Counselor, and an Internationally Certified addictions therapist.  She is an Advisory Committee member to the American Bar Association’s Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs and a member of the Federation of State Physician Health Programs.  Molly co-hosts a podcast produced by Legal Talk Network, SBM On Balance, which explores the intersection between practice management and lawyer well-being.  She was a member of the Task Force on Well-Being in the Law, a collaboration between the State Bar of Michigan and the Michigan Supreme Court, and will now serve as Vice-Chair of the Commission on Well-Being.  She presents regularly on topics pertaining to law student and lawyer well-being and has extensive experience working with impaired professionals, substance use disorders, and mental health diagnoses.   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 for the Women's Lawyers Association of Michigan; Wayne Region and the 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 State Bar of Michigan’s Lawyers and Judges Assistance Program, visit this link -https://www.michbar.org/generalinfo/ljap/home. 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]⁠⁠. 

Loida L. Tapia has dedicated her career in building capacity for communities to engage in public policy and government both at the state and federal level. Loida led MI Poder, a new 501c4 in Michigan, to engage Latino communities across the state in civic participation and political advocacy.  She previously led the Redistricting Initiative for the Michigan Nonprofit Association; the largest statewide redistricting engagement program. In 2020 she led the ACLU of Michigan's Election Protection Program. In 2019 Loida established the Office of Public Engagement in the Michigan Department of State. As Director, she led internal analysis of policy to remove systemic barriers for marginalized communities to attain Secretary of State services and information. She led the implementation of a statewide public education strategy around new voting rights laws and helped establish the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission.Prior to her work in Michigan, she served as a Senior Advisory on Workforce Planning and Talent Development to the Obama Administration. As a White House appointee to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, she led the strategic outreach in workforce development in diversity and inclusion. Loida’s previous roles include working in the U.S. Senate for the Assistant Minority Leader Dick Durbin (2009-2011), both 2008 and 2012 Barack Obama Presidential Campaigns (2007-2008) (2011-2012), and for Majority Leader Senator Harry Reid’s 2010 Senatorial campaign. She is a graduate of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and is a proud resident of Detroit, MI.    Abril Valdes Siewert has dedicated her career to social justice. Ms. Siewert has spent the last decade specializing in immigration law; however, recently joined the Unemployment Insurance Appeals Commission for the State of Michigan as an Administrative Law Specialist. She has worked with small and large firms, as well as non-profit organizations such as Lakeshore Legal Aid; and as the Immigrant Rights Attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Michigan. During her time at the ACLU, she co-authored the Michigan Crimmigration resource guide which was distributed throughout the state. Ms. Siewert is licensed in the states of Michigan and California. She received herJ.D., from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and her B.A. in English, from California State University Los Angeles. She is a Governor Whitmer appointed Commissioner and Secretary for the Hispanic/Latino Commission of Michigan, Secretary for the State Bar of Michigan’s Immigration Law Section, Director at Large and co-chair of the Diversity Equity & Inclusion committee for the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, as well as a Board of Director for the Hispanic Bar Association.   [SHOW NOTES]   United States Government Policy and Supporting Positions (Plum Book) http://tinyurl.com/4t9mc2ez   Women Don't Ask: The High Cost of Avoiding Negotiation--and Positive Strategies for Change http://tinyurl.com/55vazbpj     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 Carrie Almassian speaks with the Honorable Janet Neff, a United States District Court Judge in the Western District of Michigan.  Judge Neff  attended Wayne State University Law School and was one of six female students in a class of 200, graduating with her J.D. in 1970.  She went on to become the first female partner at a law firm in Grand Rapids and the first female president of the Grand Rapids Bar Association.  Judge Neff was elected to four terms to the Michigan Court of Appeals where she served from 1989 to 2007.  In 2007, Judge Neff was appointed as the first Article III federal district court judge appointed in the Western District.  She assumed senior status on March 1, 2021.    Carrie Almassian is an Assistant United States Attorney at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of Michigan.  She works in the Civil Division and defends the United States in its agencies in civil litigation including Title VII actions, tort actions brought under the Federal Tort Claims Act, Administrative Procedure Act matters, and immigration litigation.  Carrie earned a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and a J.D. from Wayne State University.    For more information about the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan, please visit https://www.miwd.uscourts.gov/.   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 Chief Deputy Attorney General Fadwa Hammoud about her experience making history as the youngest ever Michigan Solicitor General and the first Arab-American Solicitor General in the United States, as well as the first Arab-American Muslim woman to argue in front of the Supreme Court of the United States. Hammoud also discusses the impact of public education and importance of public service.    Fadwa Hammoud is currently the Chief Deputy Attorney General at the Michigan Department of Attorney General. In total, Chief Deputy Hammoud oversees over 500 employees and is responsible for managing the Department’s $100 million annual budget. Chief Deputy Hammoud started with the Department when she was sworn in as Michigan’s 12th Solicitor General on January 15, 2019. Hammoud assumed her role as Michigan’s top appellate attorney after years of public service on behalf of the people of Wayne County. As Lead Attorney under Wayne County Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy, Hammoud established the Business Protection Unit and prosecuted criminal enterprise, homicide, financial crime, and identity theft cases. Hammoud also served as a Trustee and Treasurer of the Dearborn Public Schools Board of Education and the Henry Ford College Board, championing public education in her hometown. A first-generation American, Hammoud advocated on behalf of Wayne County’s various ethnic and immigrant communities and advised state, county, and city leaders on their affairs.    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.      You can reach Chief Deputy Fadwa Hammoud by email - [email protected]. For more information about the Michigan Department of Attorney General visit https://www.michigan.gov/ag. Chief Deputy Hammoud argued Brown v Davenport in front of the Supreme Court. Listen to the argument at https://www.oyez.org/cases/2021/20-826 and read the court’s decision at https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/21pdf/20-826_p702.pdf.    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 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]⁠⁠. 

WLAM’s Kristina Bilowus talks with Julia Donovan Darlow, the first female president of the State Bar of Michigan (SBM), Judge Victoria A. Roberts, the first Black female SBM president, and Dana M. Warnez, the most recent female SBM president. Julia Donovan DarlowA Wayne Law graduate, Julia Donovan Darlow practiced law with Dickinson Wright and Varnum. Darlow served as President of WLAM in 1976-77. During her term, WLAM revised its constitution and bylaws to create regional WLAM organizations across the State. After urging the Michigan Supreme Court to focus on race and gender issues in the Michigan courts and Bar, she served as Chair of the Supreme Court’s Task Force on Gender Issues. Throughout her career, Darlow served on various nonprofit and business governing boards including the founding boards of organizations serving women and girls. In 2006, Darlow was elected to the Board of Regents of the University of Michigan. Honorable Victoria A. RobertsJudge Victoria Roberts serves in the Eastern District of Michigan. She is recognized as an international teacher and lecturer on behalf of the Federal Judicial Center, the State Department, and the Department of Justice. On the Court, she proposed and implemented the operation of a Pro Se Legal Assistance Clinic in conjunction with the Detroit Mercy School of Law. She also submitted a proposal to the bench to launch an Early Mediation Program for Pro Se Prisoner Civil Rights Cases. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including the two highest conferred by the State Bar of Michigan. Dana M. WarnezA University of Detroit Mercy Law graduate, Dana M. Warnez has been practicing law since 1996, with both her mother Florence Schoenherr-Warnez (1957-2022) and older sister SBM Past President Kimberly M. Cahill (1960-2008) in Center Line, specializing in probate and real estate matters. Warnez has been active with the Macomb County Bar Association and Foundation, serving as the President of both the Association (2012-2013) and the Foundation (2019-2020). She is a member of Tri-County panel of State of Michigan Attorney Discipline Board, a Fellow of the Michigan State Bar Foundation,and a member of Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, Macomb County Bar Association, and the American Bar Association. Kristina Bilowus is the Assistant Director for Career Services at the Michigan State University College of Law. Bilowus earned her LLM and JD from Thomas M. Cooley Law School and her BA from Madonna University. She previously worked in private practice as a family law and criminal defense attorney. She also served as an adjunct professor at WMU Cooley Law School. She is secretary of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, and has served on various boards and professional. 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]⁠⁠. 

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]⁠⁠. 

Domestic violence is common in every community and affects all people. According to National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, more than 10 million adults in the United States experience domestic violence annually. One in four women and one in nine men experience sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime. Attorney Jennifier (Jen) C. Smith, joins us to discuss these statistics, the cycle of violence, how to best support a survivor of domestic violence, and the role of education in prevention.    Attorney Jennifier (Jen) C. Smith, is a graduate of the University of Detroit Mercy. She began her law practice as a legal aid attorney working exclusively with survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. During her time at legal aid, Jen obtained certification for the Dr. Jacquelyn C. Campbell Danger Assessment and assisted many survivors of domestic violence on their path to achieving independence and freedom. Jen is the former Treasurer for The Butterfly Collective, a nonprofit in Macomb County that’s mission is to bring awareness about the Domestic Violence epidemic in our world and to financially assist survivors of Domestic Violence as they begin to build a life on their own. Jen is also a board member for the WLAM -Macomb region. 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.   Resources discussed during the podcast: Domestic Violence Hotline – 800-799-7233 National Domestic Hotline chat - 24/7 hotline via text START to 88788 Michigan Coalition to End Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault – www.mcedsv.org Shelters in the tri-county area: ·      Turning Point – Macomb County ·      Haven – Oakland County ·      First Step – Wayne County ·      Safe House Center – Washtenaw County ·      Blue Water – St. Clair County ·      Ava’s Place – Huron County More resources available at www.michiganlegalhelp.org. 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]⁠⁠.