Summary:

In this episode, we sit down Maryland Circuit Court Judge, the Honorable Judge Carlos Acosta where he shares his career journey from working at the State's Attorney's Office, joining the Department of Justice (DOJ), becoming a trial attorney, and his roles in the Prince George's County Police Department and Montgomery County's judicial system. Judge Acosta reflects on his legal education, the importance of mastering language for law, his Hispanic heritage, and the value of education.

He also shares career advice for aspiring lawyers and judges, his views on the U.S. judicial system, particularly differences between district and circuit courts, and his experiences with jury management. He also emphasizes the importance of mentorship, government service for skill-building, and finding career fulfillment. The conversation also touches on his personal life, the work-life balance challenges, and his passions.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

01:00 Judge Carlos Acosta's Early Career

02:47 Insights on Being a Great Lawyer

05:15 Educational Background and Importance of English

07:01 Hispanic Heritage and Family Influence

08:58 Journey to Becoming a Lawyer

12:39 Career Transitions and Mentorship

16:37 Advice for Law Students and Internships

20:56 Experience with the DOJ and Special Assignments

25:03 The Mérida Initiative and Historical Context

26:14 The Evolution of Civil Code in Latin America

27:43 Mexico's Struggle for a Modern Justice System

28:34 The Role of the U.S. in Mexican Judicial Reform

29:47 Challenges and Improvements in Conviction Rates

32:18 Transitioning from Prosecutor to Judge

34:58 The Responsibilities and Qualities of a Judge

36:15 Differences Between District and Circuit Courts

39:16 The Jury System Explained

43:14 Balancing Work and Personal Life

51:19 The Importance of Mentorship and Integrity

53:16 Concluding Thoughts and Gratitude

Bio:

The Honorable Carlos F. Acosta is a Maryland Circuit Court Judge with a distinguished career in law and justice reform. Prior to his judicial roles, he served as Inspector General for the Prince George’s County Police Department and held key prosecutorial positions at the U.S. Department of Justice and State’s Attorney’s Offices in Maryland. A dedicated educator, Judge Acosta has trained legal professionals worldwide, lecturing on topics ranging from prosecutorial ethics to combating corruption and money laundering.

Links:

MD Circuit Court Bio: https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/31cc/html/msa17597.html

American University Washington College of Law Faculty Bio: https://www.american.edu/wcl/faculty/cacosta.cfm

UMD Alumni: https://alumni.umd.edu/news/meet-board-governors-honorable-carlos-f-acosta-85-ma-91

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlos-f-acosta-31470a15/

Maritza Perez Medina, Director of Federal Affairs at the Drug Policy Alliance. Maritza shares her journey from growing up in rural Nevada to attending Berkeley School of Law, and her long-standing desire to advocate for marginalized and vulnerable communities. She discusses her focus on public interest law, specifically criminal justice reform and drug policy, informed by her experiences with immigration advocacy and personal encounters with systemic racism. The conversation explores complex issues such as drug scheduling, the opioid crisis, harm reduction strategies, and the role of policy in addressing public health concerns. Maritza emphasizes the importance of cultural change, community support, and de-stigmatization of drug users, advocating for more informed and compassionate drug policies.

Breakdown

00:00 Welcome and Introductions

00:57 Navigating Cultural Identity

01:42 Maritza's Career Journey

02:40 Early Advocacy and Inspiration

04:19 Pursuing Public Interest Law

08:13 Challenges and Family Support

09:42 Drug Policy and Criminal Justice

13:18 Understanding Drug Scheduling

20:00 The Reality of Drug Use and Safety

21:50 The War on Drugs: A Modern Perspective

23:08 Challenges in Drug Policy and Public Perception

27:42 Historical Context of Drug Legislation

34:57 The Role of Pharmaceuticals and Public Health

37:17 Advocacy and Public Involvement

Bio

Maritza Perez Medina, Director of the Office of National Affairs at the Drug Policy Alliance in Washington, DC, leads federal legislative strategies to end the drug war. With a career spanning roles at the Center for American Progress, MALDEF, and Teach For America, she has championed criminal justice reform, immigration policy, and educational equity. A UC Berkeley School of Law graduate, Maritza’s advocacy has been recognized nationally, earning her accolades like the Hispanic National Bar Association’s “Top Lawyers Under 40.”

Links

Bio: https://www.hbadc.org/page/BoardBiosMaritzaP

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maritza-perez-medina-esq-364b4869/

Drug Alliance: https://drugpolicy.org

Related interview: https://www.mycannabis.com/maritza-perez-medina-director-of-federal-affairs-for-the-drug-policy-alliance-interview-series/

In this powerful season premiere, we sit down with Craig Leen, a leader in labor and employment law and a passionate advocate for disability inclusion. Craig shares his inspiring journey through private practice and impactful roles in government, including his tenure as Director of the OFCCP at the U.S. Department of Labor.

Drawing from personal experiences, including having children with autism, Craig discusses the critical need for DEI programs that embrace neurodivergence and foster inclusive workplaces. He also advocates for adding the "A" which stands for "Accessibility". Packed with insights, stories, and actionable advice, this episode highlights the transformative power of empathy, advocacy, and systematic change. Tune in to learn how we can all play a part in creating a more inclusive future.

Breakdown

00:00 Introduction

01:06 Welcome

01:51 Career Journey

03:43 Early Aspirations and Influences

05:35 Political Experiences and Reflections

13:11 Advocacy for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

18:34 Personal Connection with Disability Advocacy

28:00 The Cost of Accessibility

28:12 Legal Rights and the ADA

29:40 Global Perspectives on Disability Rights

31:16 Personal Advocacy and Challenges

34:16 Navigating Public Spaces with Disabilities

39:19 Neurodiversity and Workplace Inclusion

44:07 The Importance of Empathy

49:28 Concluding Thoughts on Inclusion

Bio

Craig Leen is a partner at K&L Gates in the Labor, Employment, and Workplace Safety practice, where he co-leads the firm’s OFCCP and Affirmative Action Compliance focus. He previously served as the Director of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) at the U.S. Department of Labor, overseeing federal civil rights enforcement for contractors and leading initiatives in disability inclusion and pay equity. A frequent speaker on disability inclusion and accessibility, Craig combines his government and private sector expertise to help organizations develop effective and inclusive equal employment opportunity programs.

Links

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-leen-1a47155b/

K&L Gates Bio: https://www.klgates.com/Craig-E-Leen

Email: Craig.Leen@klgates.com

In this episode we share some deleted clips from our first talks from Episodes 1 and 2; similarly, we share out interview with ChatGPT which was intended for our Halloween episode, but we didn't feel it was ready for the interactive discussion we're used to with our guests.

Paulina Vera, a dedicated U.S. Immigration attorney and Professor at The George Washington University, helps people navigate their legal issues to stay in the United States. Known for her empathy and bedside manner, she adeptly handles complex situations and connects deeply with her clients' struggles. She also shares the personal challenges of balancing a demanding work life while maintaining her own sanity and well-being. Join us for an insightful conversation about compassion, resilience, and the human side of immigration law.

=====================

Guest Info:

Paulina Vera, Professor at The George Washington University Law School, Legal Associate at the GW Law Immigration Clinic, and Founder of Hermanas In The Law.

She is President of the Hispanic Bar Association of the District of Columbia (HBA-DC) and Co-Chair of the Immigrant Legal Defense Task Force at the Hispanic National Bar Association. She has been recognized locally and nationally; she is the recipient of the GW Latinx Excellence Awards, Alma Award (2019), DC Courts Community Agency CORO Award (2019), Hispanic Bar Association of DC (HBA-DC) Rising Star Award (2019), and the Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA) Top Lawyers Under 40 Award (2021).

Her passion project is managing an online community called Hermanas In The Law, where she features Latinas thinking about law school, Latina law students, and Latina lawyers. She is originally from Tucson, AZ and is the proud daughter of two immigrants.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulina-vera-00a89439/

Email: pnvera@law.gwu.edu

Ayana Johnson shares the importance of having a will, with cautionary tales of what can go wrong without one, including a story about a cat inheriting an entire estate. Tune in for practical advice and intriguing stories from her diverse legal journey.

=========

Guest Info:

Ayana Johnson, Johnson Legal

Attorney Johnson spent the first few years of her career as an Assistant District Attorney in Brooklyn, New York, where she prosecuted and indicted hundreds of cases. She later moved on to an estate planning law firm in Maryland, where she had the privilege of learning about asset and family protection through the use of estate planning documents. Further, Attorney Johnson has interned at the United States House of Representatives, at the Superior Court for the District of Columbia, for the Office of the Federal Public Defender for the District of Delaware, and for the Delaware Department of Justice.

Phone: (929) 322-4006

website: ⁠https://johnson-legal.co⁠ (also, find her on ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠LinkedIn⁠, and ⁠TikTok⁠)

We sit down with Staci Gellman, an Arbitration Specialist at Crowell & Moring, to explore her fascinating career journey from aspiring bankruptcy lawyer to international arbitration expert. Staci shares the unique challenges and opportunities in arbitration, the critical role paralegals play in large case teams, and the intricate logistics of organizing international hearings. With insightful advice for aspiring legal professionals, she highlights the importance of teamwork, adaptability, and practical learning in navigating complex cases and building a successful career.

=========

Staci Gellman's info

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/staci-gellman-7b876574/

Anna D. Aviles-Alfaro discusses her career journey which started as a mom right out of high school finding herself working as a legal secretary for a world-renowned international arbitration arbitrator. The support of those around her encouraged her to get her college degree and pursue a rewarding career as a paralegal first starting at the World Bank's ICSID institution and later in the private sector. Anna also shares her tips on work-life balance and how legal teams can work best with each other.

=====================

Guest Info:

Anna D. Aviles-Alfaro, Senior Paralegal at Dechert LLP

Anna started as a legal secretary and found herself into the world of International Arbitration. She later transitioned as a paralegal at the World Bank's International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) which is an institution for International Investment Arbitration Disputes. After a few years, she transitioned to the private sector where she is currently a leader in the paralegal sector for international disputes.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annaavilesalfaro/