Working Towards Nine

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. Info@ChaldeanLawyers.orghttps://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 ⁠⁠wtn@womenlawyers.org⁠⁠.

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 – info@mibuslimbar.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 ⁠⁠wtn@womenlawyers.org⁠⁠.

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 ⁠⁠wtn@womenlawyers.org⁠⁠.

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 info@womenlawyers.org.

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 ⁠⁠wtn@womenlawyers.org⁠⁠.

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 ⁠⁠wtn@womenlawyers.org⁠⁠.

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 ⁠⁠wtn@womenlawyers.org⁠⁠.

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 ⁠⁠wtn@womenlawyers.org⁠⁠.