Advertise on podcast: Sistahs in Law

In this episode, we speak with a multifaceted Caribbean lawyer, Zoë Mercedes, who made a bold career pivot from law to content creation. She shares how she navigated cultural expectations, stopped caring what others think, and chose alignment over approval. This conversation explores career reinvention, leaving the legal profession, personal branding, and the power of living with gratitude. If you’re questioning a traditional career path or seeking permission to evolve, this episode is for you J. Zoë Mercedes Teague, also known as Zoë Mercedes, is a Queeribbean lawyer by training from the twin-island state of Antigua & Barbuda. She began her career in public-interest law, providing legal services to communities that have been historically and systemically disadvantaged, before pivoting into global philanthropy and human rights. Today, Zoë’s work centers gender justice, LGBTI+ rights, and narrative change, alongside her creative practice as a content creator, speaker, facilitator, and storyteller. She is deeply committed to living and working with intention, integrity, and joy—believing that success can be expansive, self-defined, and community-rooted. Her personal mantra, “life nice. thank you, more please,” reflects her gratitude-centered approach to both life and career, and serves as an invitation for people to imagine paths that feel aligned, abundant, and fully their own. Zoë 's Website: https://zoemercedes.com/ Zoë Zoë on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe.mercedesZoë 's Substack: https://zoemercedes.substack.com/ Continue to follow Sistahs in Law on IG and TikTok. For more follow my Substack at On The Visionboard: https://onthevisionboard.substack.com/

In this episode, we sit down with Meryanne Loum-Martin, a trailblazing figure whose path arcs from the precision of the legal world to the soulful artistry of boutique hospitality. She takes us through her early years in law, where structure and strategy shaped her thinking, and into the bold leap that led her to create Jnane Tamsna, her iconic oasis in Marrakech. Listeners will hear how she transformed a dream into a living, breathing sanctuary, merging design, culture, sustainability, and community into a single heartbeat. Along the way, she speaks candidly about identity, ambition, resilience, and what it means to build something both beautiful and meaningful. Whether you're fascinated by creative reinvention or curious about the evolution of African luxury hospitality, this conversation offers a rare window into the mind of a woman who reshaped her world and invited others to do the same. Check out the Jnane Tamsna: https://www.jnanetamsna.com/  More info on the Diaspora Salon event here: https://www.thediasporasalon.com/ Inside Marrakesh: Enchanting Homes and Gardens by Maryanne Loum-Martin available at Rizzoli: https://www.rizzoliusa.com/book/9780847864270/  Follow my Substack On The Visionboard: https://onthevisionboard.substack.com/

In this episode, I had such a generative discussion with Olamide Michelle on wellness and ritual.   Olamide Michelle is a brand strategist, lawyer, and creative founder based in Atlanta. She runs OMI Legal, a boutique law firm that helps entrepreneurs protect their ideas through trademarks and contracts, and leads Ritual House, a studio and community that blends branding, wellness, and storytelling. With a background in law, the arts, and business, Olamide is passionate about helping creative people build aligned, legally sound brands that feel as good as they look.  She is also the host of Ritual the Podcast dedicated to ambitious, creative women seeking a harmonious blend of productivity and purpose. I came across her podcast and immediately recognized that she would make an incredible guest on this podcast.  In a profession built on precision, power, and long hours, how do Black women in law find space to breathe, to heal, and to be whole? | Olamide Michelle's website: https://www.olamidemichelle.com/ OMI Legal: https://www.omilegal.com/ Ritual House: https://www.ritualhouse.co/ Substack - On The Visionboard: https://onthevisionboard.substack.com/

In this episode, we sit down with Anita Moukori, a Black woman from France who lived out a dream: studying law in the U.S. as a Fulbright scholar. She opens up about what it’s like to leave home, step into a whole new academic culture, and carry her identity proudly in spaces where she hasn’t always seen herself represented. We talk about the highs, the challenges, and the lessons she’s learning along the way, and how this journey is shaping not only her career, but also her sense of self. If you’ve ever thought about studying abroad, chasing an opportunity that feels bigger than you, or simply finding your place in new spaces, this conversation is for you. Anita's Bio: I'm Anita, a law graduate with a double degree in English and French law, and an LL.M. in Intellectual Property from Cardozo School of Law, where I was a Fulbright Scholar. I’m currently interning at a IP boutique law firm in Paris. I’m passionate about the intersection of law and creativity, and I love working on projects that help artists and storytellers share their work with the world. I am extremely happy to be on this podcast, which offers the opportunity to connect with others, exchange ideas, and be part of a conversation about building meaningful and fulfilling careers in the legal field. Anita's Recommendations: @_monographie_ On the Vision Board Substack: https://onthevisionboard.substack.com/ U.S. Fulbright Application Checklist: https://charitygates.gumroad.com/l/fulbrightapplicationchecklist

In our first live episode, recorded on May 5 during the kickoff of art week in New York, we sat down with international gallerist Kendra Jayne Patrick and intellectual property and art lawyer Gabrielle C. Wilson to explore what it means for Black women in law to also be art collectors, curators, and cultural stewards. This inspiring conversation dives into how collecting art becomes a form of storytelling, legacy-building, and reclaiming space—both professionally and personally. 🎙️ Hosted by Charity Gates Follow and share @SistahsinLaw (on IG, TikTok, and YouTube) for more stories where Black women in law speak their truth.  Kendra Jayne Patrick is the owner and director of Gallery, Kendra Jayne Patrick. The gallery is based in Switzerland and operates between Switzerland and the US and specializes in 21st century avant garde art.  Gabrielle C. Wilson is Counsel in Philip Nizer LLP's Litigation Practice. She advises clients in the creative industries, including artists, collectors, galleries, and institutions on matters involving copyright, trademark art, restitution, cultural property, and complex commercial disputes.

Talia Scott is in her final year of the JD/MBA program at New York University School of Law and the Stern School of Business. A first-generation college and professional student from Harlem, NY, Talia is a proud alumna of TYWLS East Harlem and graduated from Haverford College in 2019 as a QuestBridge Scholar with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. She will begin her legal career as a corporate associate at Davis Polk & Wardwell in the fall. Talia has professional experience across corporate law, entertainment law, finance, and the nonprofit sector. She is the founder of the Legally BLK Fund, a nonprofit organization that supports Black women applying to law school.  Talia is a member of the Amplify Her Foundation Leadership Network, where she helps advance philanthropic efforts in support of organizations serving women and girls and she is deeply passionate about empowering the next generation of changemakers.

Personal finance is such a buzzy yet touchy subject that most of us keep close to the chest especially lawyers. However, it is a topic that is super critical for gaining control over your future and developing important money management skills. I am so excited to feature Rho Thomas who has been on my vision board guest list for the podcast. Rho Thomas is an attorney and money coach who believes that true wealth is having control of your time. She helps lawyers grow their net worth to create more freedom and choice in their lives. She also hosts the Personal Finance for Lawyers podcast where she shares strategies each week for lawyers to improve their money mindset and manage their money to achieve true wealth.Rho’s Website: https://www.rhothomas.com/ Rho’s Podcast Personal Finance for Lawyers: https://www.rhothomas.com/podcast/ Rho's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamrhothomas

It took a little bit of time, but I'm finally bring the podcast back. In this episode, I get into my motivations for going to law school, a little background on my passion for traveling and francophone cultures as well as the immense favor that God has placed on my life in opening up doors that have been divinely placed along my path. I hope my story helps inspire someone as it took a bit of time to really practice gratitude on the way here because the journey was never straightforward. Enjoy the episode!

Intellectual property law is often considered the "sexiest" form of law. Learn more about this practice area from this week's guest who is an expert in the field.  Kamanta  Kettle is a commercial litigator and "Top 40 Under 40" intellectual property lawyer recognized by the National Black Lawyers association. A child of immigrants from Jamaica, West Indies, Kamanta  received her JD from Cornell Law School and Bachelor's Degree, cum laude from New York University. Kamanta  handles complex commercial disputes. Across a broad range of industries, including aeronautics finance and software engineering. In addition, she is a passionate trademark attorney who helps clients in the fashion, retail and beauty industries protect their brand assets. She is currently a Senior Attorney at Arent Fox Schiff. 

Sometimes a passion can be your life's work.  For this week's guest, fashion has always had a unique place in her mission and allowed her to design her own pathway into bridging it with the legal industry.  Ashley N. Cloud founded The Cloud Law Firm, PLLC to educate and empower creative business owners with the tools and resources to establish and build their empires.  She comes from a long bloodline of entrepreneurs ranging from the beauty industry to the trucking and food industries. Ashley graduated from Howard University with her law degree and Master's of Business Administration in supply chain management in 2016. While at Howard, Ashley worked to educate the local and broader community on fashion law as co-chair of Fashion Law Week and co-founder and president of the Fashion Law Society. Shortly after graduating from Howard, Ashley served as an Assistant Attorney General in the District of Columbia Office of Consumer Protection. There, Ashley advised local and national businesses on their marketing and advertising practices.  Ashley's passion for supporting entrepreneurs, led her to serve as an attorney for the U.S. Small Business Administration. The first Black and highest ranked attorney to serve in her office as founder and managing attorney of The Cloud Law Firm PLLC, Ashley has successfully represented fashion and lifestyle brands before the United States Patent and Trademark Office.  She has also negotiated numerous partnership deals on behalf of her clients. Ashley has also assisted our clients in navigating the complicated process of receiving funding and support from the federal government. Ashley speaks on numerous topics, including business formation and development, intellectual property protection, diversity in fashion, cultural appropriation, supply chain management and resources for creative entrepreneurs. Ashley is licensed to practice law in the state of New York, the District of Columbia, and is awaiting bar admission to her home state of Texas. 

When you first think about immigration law, the creative lives of artists and other innovators may not be the first thing that comes to mind. But for this week’s guest, her mission is to “serve artists and creative professionals by helping them secure artists visas, cement their brands, and monetize their artistry.” Elektra B. Yao, Esq. is the founder and principal attorney at Yao Law Group law firm dedicated to international and domestic artists.Elektra earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Arts from Marymount Manhattan College in NYC, one of the top art schools in the nation. During her undergraduate university career, Elektra wrote, directed, and produced two documentaries (N*gga What? and The Choking Game) which were screened in Texas and New York City. Elektra is a very active attorney and is a member of The American Immigration Lawyers Association, Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyer Association, and The New York City Bar Association, where she is a member of several committees. As a multicultural attorney, with immigrant parents from Italy and Cote D’Ivoire, Elektra is fully fluent in French, Italian, and Spanish. She has lived, studied, and worked internationally in the US, the EU, and Africa. Not only does she understand the language her clients speak, she understands the cultural and artistic landscape of where they come from. Elektra has successfully represented record labels, modeling agencies, production companies, individual artists, and creatives. Check out more on Elektra at yaolawgroup.com.

It's not everyday that you meet someone in jewelry law let alone a sistah! So many gems are dropped (pun intended) on this week's episode.  Miya Owens, Esq. brings years of experience in business and intellectual property litigation, corporate compliance and two information privacy protection certifications to her roles at the Jewelers Vigilance Committee. Before joining the JVC, Miya worked with a diverse client base at two prominent law firms, both specializing in intellectual property matters. During her time at both firms, she received recognition for exceptional service to her clients and her dedication to pro bono advocacy. She then focused on broker-dealer and anti-money laundering compliance matters at a well-known multinational investment bank. In addition to earning her JD from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Miya graduated with honors in Technology and Communication from Baruch College, where she minored in Journalism.

Ever wondered what it's like to practice law in a foreign country? Well this week's guest has such a fascinating legal journey that traversed patent law in the United States to going overseas to establish a legal practice in France.  Victoria Bennett specializes in global intellectual property protection, client counseling, business compliance, entertainment industry solutions, and licensing, with an emphasis on patent procurement in the United States and Europe. She is a licensed attorney in the United States and qualified to prosecute intellectual property matters with the USPTO. Prior to working in the legal field, she was an analysis engineer developing weapons, space systems, and aeronautic systems for several U.S. government contractors. She is also an accomplished film producer, having IMDB credits for short films shown at festivals around the world as well as occasionally managing the production of commercials in the US and France. She previously worked as a clinical law student in the prestigious Indie Film Clinic in New York. She has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (2007) from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia, and a Juris Doctor (2013) from Yeshiva University Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in New York, New York. She is admitted to practice law in California*, New York and Florida.

2021 was quite a year! It marked the beginning of the Sistahs in Law podcast, which introduced the perspective of many talented Black women in law. I'm excited to continue the tradition with another season of brilliant stories and discussions with more successful Black women in law. Stay tuned for new episodes coming soon!

Living life out loud and in multiple capacities is not very common in the legal field. However, when you are a mother, strategist, sustainability advocate and attorney, you forge your own pathway. Whitney McGuire. Esq. is a mother, a New York state licensed attorney, legal and sustainability consultant & strategist, and co-founder of Sustainable Brooklyn, an organization that disrupts the whitewashing of sustainability in order to concretize equity in the sustainability movement. With more than a decade of experience in law and sustainability, she is a pioneer in the field of fashion law and a fierce advocate for the sustainability of communities first and most impacted by environmental and social degradation. In 2013, after graduating law school at the Catholic University of America - Columbus School of Law, Whitney opened her own law firm to support the sustainability of primarily BIPOC artists and fashion designers. Whitney has held positions in fashion lobbying, the U.S. federal judiciary, various fashion-oriented for profit and non-profit companies, and in law firms. In addition to her work as a mother, attorney and sustainability strategist, Whitney is a co-founder of the record label swiMMMers ear with her husband, multi-disciplinary artist, Nelson Nance. Whitney received her undergraduate degree in English and Africana Studies from The George Washington University. P.S. This is our final episode of the season, so continue to follow us on social media to get updates on when the new episodes for Season 2 will premiere!