SEASON 1 of ATHENA RISING…
Inspired by Vogue’s 73 Questions, which Vanessa is obsessed with, the Athena Rising podcast episodes pose 36 Questions to interviewees.
Why 36? Thirty-six (36) is a POWER number, evidenced by the ancient Chinese 36 art of war strategies. It is also the number that led to women’s’ right to vote (that is, 36 states were required to ratify the 19th Amendment). And, let’s face it, we can get through 36 Questions faster than 73!
Approximately half of the questions focus on their professional work; the others are geared to get to know them better, on a personal level. Notably, the interviewees do not know the 36 questions in advance.
Each week, a new podcast episode and blog post article will be released. Below are descriptors of the episodes released thus far, with the most recent listed first. Cheers to 36 Questions with Athena Rising!
Apple Podcasts link:
Spotify Podcasts link:
Athena Rising: The Power of The Female Lawyer | Podcast on Spotify
YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@athenarisingfemalelawyer/videos
Episode 14: Holly Loiseau & Laquisha Milner
SEASON 1’S FINALE IS FINALLY HERE. On Episode 14, we recorded IN-PERSON at CCWC (yes, that was in the fall 2023!). CCWC is an amazing conference and happens to be the time when badass women of color in the law find meaningful connections. The last time Vanessa saw Holly was at CCWC 2022. What a…
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Episode 13: Sara Alpert Lawson
Sara is a third-generation lawyer and has a diverse practice representing businesses and individuals in high stakes government investigations and commercial disputes. Sara is a partner at Zuckerman Spaeder LLP. Before entering private practice, Sara was in-house general Corporate Counsel for a multinational chemical distributor and manufacturer. In this capacity, she worked directly with the CEO and CFO,…
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Episode 12: Rachel Furst
Rachel is a dynamic class actions and plaintiffs attorney with Maderal Byrne & Furst. She received her A.B. degree magna cum laude from Princeton University and J.D. from the University of Florida, where she served as an editor of the Florida Law Review and graduated magna cum laude. Before joining Maderal Byrne & Furst PLLC,…
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Episode 11: Lauren DeSantis Then
Episode 11 of Athena Rising features Lauren DeSantis Then. Lauren is a white collar and investigations partner at Polsinelli. Lauren shares what it has been like to be at the same firm her entire career and discusses how she’s managed to carve out a niche practice for herself over the years. Lauren also tells us…
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Episode 10: Soumya Dayananda
Episode 10 features Soumya Dayananda, a White Collar and Investigations partner at Wilkie Farr in D.C. Soumya was a Special Investigative Counsel for the U.S. House Committee’s review of the January 6 attacks on the U.S. Capitol. On this episode, Soumya talks about serving in that capacity, transitioning from government to private practice and tells…
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Episode 9: Suneeta Hazra
Suneeta Hazra is a partner at Arnold & Porter and based out of their Denver, Colorado office. As a former Chief of the Criminal Division for the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado, Suneeta brings nearly two decades of experience to counsel both individual and corporate clients on internal and government investigations,…
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Episode 8: Barbara Martinez
Episode 8 of Athena Rising features the dynamic Barbara A. Martinez, a partner at Holland and Knight and legend in the South Florida legal community. Prior to joining private practice, Barbara was a DOJ/USAO prosecutor for 22 years. Barbara was a key figure in creating the Special Prosecutions Unit at the U.S. Attorney’s Office (SDFL),…
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Episode 7: Ami Sheth Sagel
In Episode 7 of Athena Rising, we feature Ami Sheth Sagel. Ami went from Big Law at Kirkland & Ellis, to the United States Attorney’s Office – Central District of California, to starting her own boutique practice. Ami focuses on family law, specifically, adoption law, and on helping sex trafficking victims seek civil relief. She…
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Episode 6: Margot Moss
In Episode 6 of Athena Rising, we feature Margot Moss, a career long criminal defense attorney. Margot is a true defender of constitutional rights and fierce litigator, demonstrated by her recent win against the government on behalf of Andrew Gillum (Florida Democratic candidate for Governor). Margot tells us about the struggles of defending individuals in…
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Episode 5: Alejandra (“Ale”) Lopez
In Episode 5, we interview Alejandro Lopez. Alejandra (“Ale”) is a lifelong prosecutor, first having served as an ASA in Miami-Dade County and now as an AUSA in the SDFL. She wears a white hat prosecuting serious crimes including murders, human trafficking, child pornography and other cases of utmost importance to the community. Alejandra tells…
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Episode 4: Yolanda Strader
In Episode 4, we interview Yolanda Strader, who is certainly a force to reckon! Yolanda is the complete package – a lawyer, an entrepreneur, an author, wife, and mother of two young children. She tells us how she juggles all of this – particularly as she started her own practice! Yolanda also explains the importance…
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Episode 3: Nancy Hollander
In Episode 3 of Season 1, we interviewed the inspiring Nancy Hollander! Nancy discussed her work as an internationally acclaimed criminal defense and human rights lawyer. Nancy shared her journey to law school, the legal profession, and having the career that she always dreamed of. Nancy also shared stories about various cases she has handled,…
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Episode 2: Savaria Harris
In Episode 2, we interview the dynamic Savaria Harris! Among other topics, Savaria discusses her journey from Big Law partner at Kirkland & DLA Piper to Big Law client (in-house at Johnson and Johnson). Savaria also shares personal stories and anecdotes about her evolution along the way, and how the number #1 priority for lawyers…
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Episode 1: Getting to Know U.S. Magistrate Judge Lauren Louis
Did you know that Magistrate Judge Louis dreamed of being a professional equestrian? Learn all about what drives Judge Louis, and what sage advice she has for women in the profession, on our debut podcast, scheduled to be released on March 15, 2023 – Equal Pay Day! A little preview of who Judge Louis is……
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