Julia Wilson’s Journey from Dancer to CEO of OneJustice
By Akunna Ofodu • March 08, 2018 •Ms. JD, Conference
Julia Wilson is a Stanford Law alumna and mover and shaker in the Public Interest sector. I spoke to her about how she got her position as CEO and what the prospects are for the future in the legal aid. One experience with a lawyer and her life took a different turn. Inspired by the entire public interest sector, Julia knew there was power in the law to help others, especially persons with disabilities. Julia’s awareness of her own privileges and inequalities within the legal aid sphere was beyond refreshing to hear. Julia is confident, intelligent, dedicated and a bad…
Truths about Big Law and Finding Joy in Your Tribe: A Transparent Dialogue with Jennifer House
By Akunna Ofodu • March 07, 2018 •Ms. JD, Conference
Self-Proclaimed “Law Firm Refugee” Jennifer House spoke with me on some truths working in Big law and how her move to Netflix was one of the best decisions for her. Jen is a Harvard Law alumna, mother, wife, and attorney. In just one hour, Jen kept things very real on her experiences as a black woman working in a field that doesn’t necessarily cater to women—especially women of color. Jen, reflects with me all her experiences: the good, the bad and the ugly. It was absolutely refreshing to hear her perspective on the disparities that women who look like her…
How Stacey Hallerman Created Her Own Destiny with a Relentless & Inspiring Desire to Take Initiative
By Akunna Ofodu • March 03, 2018 •Ms. JD, Conference
Stacey Hallerman is the definition of finding a need and filling it. For 6 years while working for a boutique food and drug law firm, she realized that her firm was outsourcing intellectual property work to other law firms and took it upon herself to learn trademark law. She bought books and studied IP law, specifically trademark applications that normally would be delegated to other firms. Inevitably by learning IP law, Stacey saved her firm thousands of dollars and grew as an IP lawyer. With every positon that Stacey took on, she made a point to never leave the firm…
A Conversation with 2018 Ms. JD Honors Reception Keynote Speaker Lily Y. Hughes
By Akunna Ofodu • March 01, 2018 •Ms. JD, Conference
“Always remember that no matter the toughest challenge that you’re facing, have faith that there is always an end to it. Choose joy while going through hell, buckle up, know you are growing stronger and there will be light on the other side” were the last words that Lily Hughes gave me before ending our call. When Lily Hughes was only 11 years old she and her family immigrated from Hong Kong to East LA. Lily’s mother was illiterate even in Chinese, and her father repair shoes during the day and was a busboy at night. From a young age,…
How Following her Instinct and Passions took Heather Washington from the Law Firm to the Film Set
By Akunna Ofodu • March 01, 2018 •Ms. JD, Conference
Go to law school, work for a firm, make lots of money, rinse wash and repeat. The typical story for most attorneys was not the path set out for Heather Washington. I had the opportunity to speak with Heather and pick her brain on how she became the Feature Film Executive that she is today. Heather is a Howard University and University of Pennsylvania Law School alum, and she relentlessly followed her inspirations in the Entertainment business. After working for two prestigious law firms, Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP and DLA Piper, Heather found her calling and her passion in…