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 H...

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...

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 indepe...

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....

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...

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....

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 Ligh...

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 o...

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...

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 s...

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. M...

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 p...

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...

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 o...

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, Commercia...

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 Sagina...

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 cont...

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...

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...

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, Insta...

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 Twitte...

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...

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 wil...

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, Ins...