First Gen Law Pod

In this episode of First Gen Law Pod, I sit down with attorney and law firm owner Mauro Ramirez to discuss what it really means to take a calculated leap of faith. After spending more than 14 years practicing law, Mauro made the decision to leave the security of a traditional legal career and launch his own firm. We talk about how he evaluated the risks, prepared for the transition, and built the...

Welcome back First Gen Law Pod! What happens when your life unfolds differently than you imagined? In this inspiring episode of First Gen Law Pod®, attorney, advocate, and plus-size model Heather Reese joins us for a conversation about purpose, perseverance, and embracing life's unexpected blessings. As she prepares to welcome a new chapter of motherhood, Heather reflects on the lessons she ha...

WELCOME BACK First Gen Law Pod!! We are back with our first episode since host, Onnaedo Nwankwo, completed her LL.M, in Health Law! We are so excited to bring on a guest that she has admired for a while, Houston based employment law attorney Abby Kotun-Thomas! Abby is the true definition of a "Renaissance Woman" who does it all, wife, mother, lawyer, nonprofit leader, entrepreneur, and con...

In this episode, we dive into what it truly means to rebuild at every stage of life. Junior shares his journey from growing up in Nigeria, to living in Italy, to eventually moving to the United States without knowing how to speak English. His story is one of constant transition, adaptation, and resilience. We talk about the realities behind the highlight reel, including navigating divorce during h...

In this episode, we are joined by Zeinab Zahid , Managing Partner of ZKZ Law , who shares her journey into personal injury law and the meaningful work she does advocating for injured clients in her community. Zeinab discusses how her background as a Muslim, Arab-speaking attorney and mother of two has shaped both her perspective and her legal practice. What some may initially view as a challenge i...

Welcome back, FGLP! This week on First Gen Law Pod , we sit down with Attorney Priscilla Castlebary to talk about what it truly means to build a legacy. From once being undocumented to now practicing law in estate planning and immigration, Priscilla’s journey is a powerful testament to resilience, faith, and purpose. We discuss: • The unique intersection of estate planning and immigration law • Ho...

Hi FGLP! In this episode of First Gen Law Pod , we down with attorney Elle Gyamfi, a Native New Yorker who recently launched her own intellectual property law firm. Elle shares her journey into entrepreneurship, her evolving definition of success, and the importance of releasing the pressure to constantly prove one’s worth in the legal profession. The conversation explores the realities Black wome...

In this very timely solo episode of First Gen Law Pod, host Onnaedo Nwankwo speaks from the rare and weighty intersection of being a nurse for over a decade and now an attorney navigating the legal and ethical implications of violence, power, and silence in healthcare spaces. Through that dual lens, she reflects on the events surrounding the killing of Alex Pretti , a nurse, and the broader realit...

Welcome back FGLP! We are starting the Season 3 with an insightful conversation featuring Brian J. Paul , a Tampa-based intellectual property attorney whose path to patent law was anything but traditional. In this episode, Brian shares how his science background positioned him for success in IP law, along with the realities of sitting for not one but two bar exams. While he would not recommend tha...

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2026, FGLP! In this reflective episode, Onnaedo pulls back the curtain on the lessons learned during the first year of building First Gen Law Pod . With honesty and clarity, she shares how Season Two stretched her as a host, a curator, and a steward of a growing platform. Rather than focusing on any single moment or guest, Onnaedo explores broader takeaways about outreach, preparati...

Welcome back, First Gens! In this episode of First Gen Law Pod , we speak with Nedhi Teixeira , a self-proclaimed lawyer, mom, and fashionista, about navigating motherhood, a legal career, and content creation as a first-generation professional. Nedhi shares how she manages competing roles, challenges traditional ideas of professionalism, and embraces a multi-hyphenate identity without apology. Th...

Welcome back, First Gen Law Pod! In this inspiring conversation, I sit down with my first law student guest host, 3L Clayton Rainey, a first generation legal professional who is building a powerful path from full-time paralegal to part-time evening law student at South Texas College of Law Houston. 🎓⚖️ Clayton shares how he manages a demanding full-time career in personal injury while pursuing hi...

Hey #FGLP! In this episode of First Gen Law Pod , I sit down with Attorney Marquis Hines , a Nevada-based attorney who brings a powerful story of purpose and perseverance. Before founding his own firm, Marquis spent almost a decade in law enforcement , where he witnessed firsthand the realities of justice and community service. Marquis shares how his experience in the U.S. Air Force gave him the d...

With Halloween in the air, Onnaedo had her heart set on dressing up as Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz — red shoes, blue gingham, and all. But instead of clicking her heels, she brought a little of that spirit to this week’s solo episode of First Gen Law Pod. In Mentors, Midterms, and Motions… Oh My! , Onnaedo takes listeners down her own yellow brick road, reflecting on lessons learned from her law...

In this episode of First Gen Law Pod , I sit down with Tampa-based attorney Will Roberts , whose career embodies what it means to take The Non-Traditional Path . A former theatre major and improv performer for five years, Will brings a creative flair and stage confidence to his work as a civil litigator. The son of a veterinarian and an educator, he carved out his own direction—starting with the F...

We’re kicking off Season 2 of The First Gen Law Pod with a powerhouse guest — Attorney Kathy Roe , a health law trailblazer and co-founder of Health Law Consultancy in Chicago. In this episode, Kathy opens up about her early struggles finding a job after law school, the lessons learned through years of diverse legal work, and the inspiration behind building her own Award-Winning firm. Kathy also s...

Welcome Back First Gen Law! In this episode, Onnaedo reflects on birthdays, boundaries, and what it means to honor both in life and in the practice of law. She shares personal insights from her recent birthday, highlighting how it reminded her of the importance of setting boundaries — not only with others, but also with herself. This episode also marks the completion of Season 1 of the podcast. Af...

Welcome back, First Gen Law! Just in time for football season, today’s episode explores the surprising connections between the law school journey and the game of football. As a proud UT Longhorn, Onnaedo shares her personal ties to the sport and how its lessons—discipline, teamwork, and resilience—mirror the challenges and triumphs of being a first-generation law student. And don’t worry—this epis...

Welcome back First Gen! In this solo episode of First Gen Law Pod , Onnaedo takes listeners inside the whirlwind of the first few weeks of law school as a first-generation student. From navigating the intimidating Socratic method to figuring out where to find outlines and mentors, she shares honest reflections on the challenges and small victories that mark the beginning of every law student’s jou...

Welcome Back First Gen! In this episode of the First Gen Law Podcast , we sit down with Kendrick Washington, a fearless advocate and attorney, to explore the complexities of serving as a public servant in shifting political landscapes. Recently, Kendrick’s position at USAID was impacted by administrative changes, and he shares how he is navigating this legal career transition with both practical r...

Welcome back for Episode 18, First Gen! In this episode of First Gen Law Podcast , we sit down with attorney turned serial entrepreneur, Nkem Okeke, to explore how legal training can be the ultimate foundation for building a business. A proud Tulane Law School alum, Nkem shares how her years as an attorney sharpened the very skills—critical thinking, negotiation, and strategic problem-solving—that...

Hey First Gen Law! In episode 17, I’m honored to sit down with fellow nurse-attorney and friend, Kathleen Kearney , about the topic of being a solo attorney. In most law schools, the emphasis on running your own practice is minimal, and as a first-generation student, it can be very challenging to navigate an already isolated system without any guidance. Fortunately, we have Kathleen to help us exp...

In Episode 17 of First Gen Law Pod , host Onnaedo is joined by her longtime mentor, Shawntá Mosley-App , for an inspiring conversation about the power of meaningful mentorship. Shawntá has been a guiding presence in Onnaedo’s life from law school through her current work in health law, and she shares how her approach to mentorship is rooted in authenticity, empathy, and a genuine commitment to lif...

Welcome Back First Gen Law! In this solo episode of First Gen Law Pod , host Onnaedo Nwankwo explores the overlooked link between physical movement and mental resilience in the legal profession — especially for first-generation lawyers. Onnaedo shares her personal journey of burnout, stress, and how even simple, consistent movement helped her reclaim clarity and confidence during law school and ba...

Welcome Back, First Gen Law! Being the first in your family to attend law school is already a heavy lift — add in the weight of financial strain, and the journey can feel nearly impossible. In this solo episode, Onnaedo dives deep into what it really means to navigate law school and the legal profession on a tight budget. From applying to law school without a financial safety net to bar prep expen...