CLEO Podcast Network

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Welcome to The CLEO EDGE Podcast Network. The place where we give voice to issues related to education, diversity, and greater equality in the legal profession and society.

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CLEO EDGE PODCAST - SEASON 2 EPISODE 3

Bryan Parker, Esq., Co-Founder and CEO of Legal Innovators

CLEO Edge Podcast Season 2 Ep.3 – CLEO CEO, J.C. Polanco, Esq., MBA, sits with CLEO EDGE Greater Equality Award Honoree Bryan Parker, Co-founder and CEO Legal Innovators.

CLEO EDGE PODCAST - SEASON 2 EPISODE 2

Hon. Judge Phyllis D. Thompson, Senior Judge, District of Columbia Court of Appeals

CLEO Edge Podcast Season 2 Ep.2 – CLEO COO, Leigh R. Allen, II, sits with CLEO EDGE Diversity Award Honoree the Honorable Judge Phyllis D. Thompson, Senior Judge, District of Columbia Court of Appeals. Hear Judge Thompson share her personal history and passion for Washington, DC. Learn about her educational journey, academic experience, and motivational persistence to reach the top of her class and beyond.

CLEO EDGE PODCAST - SEASON 2 EPISODE 1

Rick Petry, Esq., Director, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Adjunct/Affiliated Professor, Mitchell Hamline School of LawCollege of Law

CLEO Edge Podcast Season 2 Ep.1 – CLEO CEO, J.C. Polanco, Esq., MBA, sits with CLEO EDGE Education Award Honoree Rick Petry, Esq., Director, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Adjunct/Affiliated Professor, Mitchell Hamline School of Law. Hear about his inspirational early years, his journey through his legal education, and the importance of mentorship.

CLEO EDGE PODCAST - EPISODE 14

Jennifer Rosato Perea, Dean of DePaul University College of Law - Chicago, IL

CLEO Edge Podcast Ep.14 – CLEO President & CEO, J.C. Polanco, Esq., MBA, sits down with Dean Jennifer Rosato Perea, Dean of the DePaul University College of Law. On this edition of the CLEO Edge Podcast, we highlight Dean Jennifer Rosato Perea, who holds the distinction of being the first Latina dean of a law school in the United States. Dean Jenn dives into her individual and professional journey, offering insight into a range of stories that have influenced her development. Dean Jenn also shares her perspective on the convergence of diversity and the legal field, and explains how this dynamic influences her approach to guiding students in her role as the Dean at DePaul University College of Law.

podcast archives

CLEO EDGE PODCAST - EPISODE 13

CLEO Chief Operating Officer, Leigh Allen II, Interview with Goulston & Storrs Real Estate Attorney Jennifer Jones

CLEO Edge Podcast Ep.13 – CLEO Chief Operating Officer, Leigh Allen II, Interview with Goulston & Storrs Real Estate Attorney Jennifer Jones In this episode of the CLEO Edge Podcast, Chief Operating Officer Leigh Allen II interviews Goulston & Storrs Real Estate Attorney Jennifer Jones. Jennifer shares her family history and journey through law school, clerkship, and her entry into her chosen legal profession. She also discusses her own DEI experience from the women’s perspective and the importance of CLEO’s work. Jennifer’s story is one of resilience and determination. She faced challenges along the way, but she never gave up on her dream of becoming a lawyer. She is now a successful real estate attorney and she is passionate about using her platform to advocate for diversity and inclusion in the legal profession.

CLEO EDGE PODCAST - EPISODE 12

Introducing EDGE Podcast Guest Co-Host Leigh Allen II, CLEO Chief Operating Officer

CLEO Edge Podcast Ep.12 – CLEO President & CEO, J.C. Polanco, Esq., MBA, Introduces Co-Host Leigh Allen II, CLEO Chief Operating Officer.

CLEO EDGE PODCAST - EPISODE 11

Attorney Josh Petty, Executive Vice President and General Counsel at Booz Allen Hamilton

CLEO Edge Podcast Ep.11 – CLEO President & CEO, J.C. Polanco, Esq., MBA, sits down with Attorney Josh Petty, General Counsel at Booz Allen Hamilton. Josh shares his journey from college to Booz Allen Hamilton, where he is now Executive Vice President and General Counsel.

Josh worked as Managing Director at Accenture before joining Booz Allen Hamilton. Prior to joining Accenture in 1999, Josh worked for Lockheed Martin. He earned his B.B.A. in finance from George Washington University, his M.S. in international business from Johns Hopkins University, and his J.D. from John Marshall School of Law.

Josh discusses the importance of diversity in the legal field and workplace, and how Booz Allen Hamilton is an active leader in DEI. He also shares some advice for graduating law school students, including the importance of technology, building agility, and not specializing too quickly.

CLEO EDGE PODCAST - EPISODE 10

Robert Falk, General Counsel Truth Initiative and CLEO Board Member

CLEO Edge Podcast Ep.10 – CLEO President & CEO, J.C. Polanco, Esq., MBA, sits down with Attorney Robert Falk, General Counsel at Truth Initiative, Fulbright Scholar, and graduate of Yale Law School. Rob is also a dedicated member of the Board of Directors for the Council on Legal Education Opportunity, Inc.

Falk’s journey from mental health to law is an inspiring one. He originally planned to pursue a career in mental health but then realized that he was more interested in the legal aspects of social justice. He then went on to law school at Yale, where he focused on healthcare law.

Falk’s story is an inspiration to others who are interested in pursuing a career in law. He shows that it is possible to follow your passions and make a difference in the world through the law.

CLEO EDGE PODCAST - EPISODE 9

Bruce Jackson, CLEO Alumnus, and Assoc. General Counsel at Microsoft Corp

CLEO Edge Podcast Ep.9 – CLEO President & CEO, J.C. Polanco, Esq., MBA, sits down with Attorney Bruce Jackson, CLEO Alumnus, and Associate General Counsel & Managing Director of Strategic Partnership at Microsoft Corp.

Attorney Bruce Jackson joins the CLEO EDGE podcast to discuss his new book, Never Far From Home, where he details his perseverance and inspirational story from the tough streets of Brooklyn to his legal career in the Music Industry with Hip Hop Pioneers to the executive offices as an attorney at Microsoft.

CLEO EDGE PODCAST - EPISODE 8

Gloria J. Browne Marshall, writer, civil rights attorney, playwright, and Professor of Constitutional Law at John Jay College (CUNY)

CLEO Edge Podcast Ep.8 – CLEO President & CEO, J.C. Polanco, Esq., MBA, sits with Gloria J. Browne Marshall, writer, civil rights attorney, playwright, and Professor of Constitutional Law at John Jay College (CUNY).

“She Took Justice: The Black Woman, Law, and Power” by Gloria J. Browne Marshall

Book available at all major bookstores. Use discount code: EFL01 on Routledge for 20% off of your purchase of She Took Justice.

Watch Your Democracy, an animated series, hosted by Gloria J. Browne-Marshall as she explores the U.S. Constitution and how it continues to impact our everyday lives. Video is available at: www.whyy.org/programs/your-democracy.

CLEO EDGE PODCAST - EPISODE 7

Sue-Ann Robinson, Esq., Founder of Front Line Law

CLEO CELEBRATES WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

CLEO Edge Podcast Ep. 7 – CLEO CEO, J.C. Polanco, Esq., MBA, sits with Sue-Ann Robinson, Esq., Founder of The Front Line Law, Defense Attorney, TV Legal Analyst, and Social Justice Advocate.

CLEO EDGE PODCAST - EPISODE 6

Deborah Martin Owens, CEO of DMO Strategies, LLC

CLEO Edge Podcast Ep.6 – CLEO CEO, J.C. Polanco, Esq., MBA, sits with Deborah Martin Owens, CEO of DMO Strategies, LLC and Global DE&I Talent Management Strategist & Philanthropist – Learn about Ms. Owens’ passion for civil rights and motivation to become an attorney since her early teens, and her pathway from a legal career to activism and philanthropy.

CLEO EDGE PODCAST - EPISODE 5

Aliza Shatzman, The Legal Accountability Project

CLEO Edge Podcast Ep.5 – CLEO CEO, J.C. Polanco, Esq., MBA, sits with Aliza Shatzman, President and Founder of The Legal Accountability Project, Washington D.C. – Hear Ms. Shatzman discuss her journey into law, and her current advocacy for transparency, accountability, and protections for employees in the judiciary workplace. In March 2022, Aliza submitted written testimony for a House Judiciary Subcommittee hearing about the lack of workplace protections for judiciary employees, detailing her personal experience with harassment and retaliation by a former D.C. Superior Court judge. Please remember to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE!

CLEO EDGE PODCAST - EPISODE 4

CLEO Alumna Veronica N. Dunlap, Esq., MBA

CLEO Edge Podcast Ep.4 – CLEO CEO, J.C. Polanco, Esq., MBA, sits with CLEO Alumna Veronica N. Dunlap, Esq., MBA, Deputy Executive Director, ACLU of Maryland. Hear Ms. Dunlap talk about her inspirational journey into law and advocacy and CLEO experience. Please remember to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE!

CLEO EDGE PODCAST - EPISODE 3

CLEO Alumnus Brig. Gen. Ronald D. Sullivan

CLEO Edge Podcast Ep.3 – CLEO CEO, J.C. Polanco, Esq., MBA, sits with CLEO Alumnus Brigadier General Ronald D. Sullivan, Chief Judge of the Criminal Court of Appeals US Army JAG Corps. Hear Gen. Sullivan talk about his CLEO experience and motivational legal education, and military (and civilian) career. Please remember to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE!

CLEO EDGE PODCAST - EPISODE 2

CLEO Alumnus Lt. Eduardo Reyes-Chavez

CLEO Edge Podcast Ep.2 – CLEO CEO, J.C. Polanco, Esq., MBA, sits with CLEO Alumnus Lt. Eduardo Reyes-Chavez, Attorney at Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG) US Navy. Hear Lt. Reyes-Chavez’s inspiring immigration story and motivational CLEO journey! Please remember to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE!

CLEO EDGE PODCAST - EPISODE 1

CLEO Alumna and renowned attorney, Bernarda Villalona

CLEO Edge Podcast: Welcome to our Inaugural Podcast Episode 1 – CLEO CEO, J.C. Polanco, Esq., MBA, sits with CLEO Alumni and renowned attorney, Bernarda Villalona. Please remember to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE.

The Council on Legal Education Opportunity, Inc. (CLEO) is a 501(c)(3) national non-profit organization founded in 1968 to expand opportunities for underrepresented students to attend law school.

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