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 ⁠⁠wtn@womenlawyers.org/

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:vanzettibar@gmail.com

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 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.

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/

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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.

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.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 ⁠⁠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.