Law & Order Me Some Tacos

Erika Contreras got her start answering phones at a law firm a temp agency sent her to, and today she is the only woman partner at Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP, where she represents people with catastrophic injuries. This week she sits down with Sandra to talk about how she got there, from night law school with a baby due in her final semester to a second bar exam taken with two kids at home.

Erika grew up believing hard work was how you earned your place, and it carried her a long way. Making partner took something...

Get full show notes and more information at: https://law-and-order-me-some-tacos.captivate.fm/episode/1-a-love-letter-to-east-la

This week Sandra sits down with Evelina Fernández, a playwright, actor, and founding member of the Latino Theater Company. She grew up in East LA and walked into Zoot Suit with no formal training. When young writers ask how to write about where they come from, her answer is simple: look for the beauty.

Sandra and Evelina talk about the East LA stories that have never been told, and why some of them deserve to be movies. Worth hearing for f...

This week Sandra sits down with Judge Yvette Verastegui, the first Latina to supervise the criminal division of the Los Angeles Superior Court. She spent 17 years as a public defender before joining the bench, and she still says where she's from with pride: born and raised in Santa Ana.

Her first job as a public defender came from a single phone call. Yvette calls that white affirmative action, and says it's more powerful than any box you can check. Her take is worth hearing for anyone building a career without connections.

She also explains why...

This week Sandra sits down with Lorena Vazquez, a plaintiffs' employment and injury attorney who grew up in Southeast and East LA. She set up shop upstairs from a La Michoacana in Boyle Heights, and now sits on the board of the Beverly Hills Bar too. Ask her where she works, and she'll tell you: the other BH.

On AI, they couldn't be further apart. Lorena uses it every day and calls it her junior associate. Sandra won't touch it. Their back and forth is funny, honest, and worth hearing for anyone wondering where the legal profession...

Sandra Muñoz returns to the podcast after more than two years away. She opens by sharing a bit about the absence: the Supreme Court ruling against her and her husband in their immigration case, and the appeal which followed that didn’t go their way.

Her guest is Luis Alfaro, a playwright, performer, and MacArthur Fellow who directs the MFA in Dramatic Writing at USC. The two met in the East LA poetry scene in the 1990s and later wrote the play Black Butterfly together.

Luis lost his mother recently, and his father and bro...

It's been two years. A lot happened. My own immigration case went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. The Court ruled against my husband and me. The appeal after that didn't go our way either.

So I stepped away. Now I'm back.

For two seasons, this show made room for Latina lawyers and judges. We make up about two to three percent of the profession. You don't hear our stories very often. Here, you do.

This season, I'm bringing in the other side of my life. Before I was a...

Hi everyone, Sandra Munoz here, and welcome to the first episode of Season 3 of "Law Order meets some tacos." In this episode, I'm stepping into the spotlight to share a very personal story—my marriage to Luis Ernesto Asencio Cordero and our intense legal battle with the U.S. immigration system. Some of you might already know parts of our story from the media or legal rulings, but today, I want to give you a deeper, more personal perspective.

Joining me is my dear friend and respected attorney, Judy Perez. Judy has been by my side from da...

In this episode of "Law Order Me Some Tacos," host Sandra Munoz chats with Judy Perez as they close out Season Two and reflect on the journey of the podcast. Judy Perez, who was a guest on Season One, joins the discussion to share insights and thoughts about the podcast's impact. They discuss the success of the second season, the positive feedback received from listeners, and how the show has resonated with a diverse audience.

Sandra and Judy dive into the power of storytelling, recounting how each guest's unique journey has touched the hearts of many. Discover...

Today, on Law and Order Me Some Tacos, we hear about the remarkable journey of Associate Justice Hernaldo J. Baltodano. From his roots as a Nicaraguan immigrant to his current role as an appellate judge, Justice Baltodano's story is a testament to determination, perseverance, and the pursuit of justice. Justice Baltodano's journey is an inspiring narrative of triumph over adversity. Born in Nicaragua, his family migrated to the United States when he was just a toddler. Overcoming the challenges of a foreign land, he pursued education and earned a Juris Doctor degree from UC Berkeley School of Law. He...

Welcome to another episode of "Law Order Me Some Tacos!" Today, we welcome Alma Puente, an immigration attorney and city council member for El Monte to the show. Alma's philosophy of keeping things "tidy" in political life and relationships shines through as she takes us on an enlightening journey through her life and career.

In this episode, Alma highlights her remarkable career as an immigration attorney and her deep-rooted dedication to her community. Alma shares her experiences as an only child in a monolingual Spanish-speaking home and her education in local schools. Alma also shares with us...

Welcome to another insightful episode of Law and Order Me Some Tacos. Today, I am joined by a remarkable guest, Cindy Lopez. As two passionate attorneys, Cindy and I discuss the diverse paths that brought us to where we are today and the immense satisfaction we find in our work.

During our conversation, Cindy shares her awe-inspiring journey of dedicating over two decades to the State of California Attorney General's office, focusing on prosecuting doctors for sexual misconduct. Her dedication to protecting vulnerable patients and seeking justice in the face of power differentials between doctors and their...

In this episode, I sit down with Workers' Compensation Attorney, Connie Pardo, a fascinating individual whose life story is filled with inspiring moments. We explore her love for reading and learning, ignited during her time in boarding school, where her father gifted her books about remarkable women from history. We also delve into the challenges faced by Connie's late husband, Frank Muñoz, as a Latino in the legal profession and his impactful career as a civil rights attorney. Join us for a captivating conversation that sheds light on their lives and the fight for justice.

Join m...

Welcome back to another episode of Law and Order Me Some Tacos. Today, we're diving deep into the impact of relationships and the strength of the human spirit. Get ready for an inspiring conversation that will leave you with a renewed sense of gratitude and determination.

In this episode, we explore the profound influence that our loved ones, colleagues, and mentors have on our lives and careers. Our guest, Silvia Argueta, Executive Director at the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, shares her personal stories highlighting the power of building strong connections and networks.

Resilience...

Join me in this insightful conversation with Teresa Sánchez Gordon as we dive into her background and experiences. Teresa shares her journey from Mexico to the United States, highlighting her family's dedication to education and the opportunities they sought. We explore the influence of Catholic schools and the rebellious spirit that fueled Teresa's pursuit of higher education.

But Teresa's path took an unexpected turn when she found herself drawn to law school. We explore the chance encounter and her husband's encouragement that sparked this new direction. Teresa takes us through her experiences in law school, where s...

Get full show notes and more information at: https://law-and-order-me-some-tacos.captivate.fm/episode/season-1-wrap-up

Law & Order Me Some Tacos is a podcast for anyone interested in the ins and outs of the legal system. Hosted by Sandra Muñoz, an employment attorney with over 20 years of experience on countless cases involving employment discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. On the show, Sandra takes you behind the scenes on some of her most interesting cases.

And hey, it's not all legal talk here. Sandra grew up in East LA, and she loves her neighborhood and her community. O...

Get full show notes and more information at: https://law-and-order-me-some-tacos.captivate.fm/episode/suing-your-employer-for-discrimination-and-retaliation-dianas-story

Law & Order Me Some Tacos is a podcast for anyone interested in the ins and outs of the legal system. Hosted by Sandra Muñoz, an employment attorney with over 20 years of experience on countless cases involving employment discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. On the show, Sandra takes you behind the scenes on some of her most interesting cases.

And hey, it's not all legal talk here. Sandra grew up in East LA, and she loves her neighborhood and her community. On t...

Get full show notes and more information at: https://law-and-order-me-some-tacos.captivate.fm/episode/cultivating-your-authentic-self-with-gladdys-uribe

Law & Order Me Some Tacos is a podcast for anyone interested in the ins and outs of the legal system. Hosted by Sandra Muñoz, an employment attorney with over 20 years of experience on countless cases involving employment discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. On the show, Sandra takes you behind the scenes on some of her most interesting cases.

And hey, it's not all legal talk here. Sandra grew up in East LA, and she loves her neighborhood and her community. On t...

Get full show notes and more information at: https://law-and-order-me-some-tacos.captivate.fm/episode/paving-the-way-for-latina-lawyers-with-judy-perez

Law & Order Me Some Tacos is a podcast for anyone interested in the ins and outs of the legal system. Hosted by Sandra Muñoz, an employment attorney with over 20 years of experience on countless cases involving employment discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. On the show, Sandra takes you behind the scenes on some of her most interesting cases.

And hey, it's not all legal talk here. Sandra grew up in East LA, and she loves her neighborhood and her community. On t...

Get full show notes and more information at: https://law-and-order-me-some-tacos.captivate.fm/episode/workplace-retaliation-what-are-your-rights

Law & Order Me Some Tacos is a podcast for anyone interested in the ins and outs of the legal system. Hosted by Sandra Muñoz, an employment attorney with over 20 years of experience on countless cases involving employment discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. On the show, Sandra takes you behind the scenes on some of her most interesting cases.

And hey, it's not all legal talk here. Sandra grew up in East LA, and she loves her neighborhood and her community. On t...

Get full show notes and more information at: https://law-and-order-me-some-tacos.captivate.fm/episode/the-path-to-becoming-a-lawyer-with-araceli-lerma

Law & Order Me Some Tacos is a podcast for anyone interested in the ins and outs of the legal system. Hosted by Sandra Muñoz, an employment attorney with over 20 years of experience on countless cases involving employment discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. On the show, Sandra takes you behind the scenes on some of her most interesting cases.

And hey, it's not all legal talk here. Sandra grew up in East LA, and she loves her neighborhood and her community. On t...

Get full show notes and more information at: https://law-and-order-me-some-tacos.captivate.fm/episode/exploring-the-intersection-labor-and-law-with-monica-guizar

Law & Order Me Some Tacos is a podcast for anyone interested in the ins and outs of the legal system. Hosted by Sandra Muñoz, an employment attorney with over 20 years of experience on countless cases involving employment discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. On the show, Sandra takes you behind the scenes on some of her most interesting cases.

And hey, it's not all legal talk here. Sandra grew up in East LA, and she loves her neighborhood and her community. On t...

Law & Order Me Some Tacos is a podcast for anyone interested in the ins and outs of the legal system. Hosted by Sandra Muñoz, an employment attorney with over 20 years of experience on countless cases involving employment discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. On the show, Sandra takes you behind the scenes on some of her most interesting cases.

And hey, it's not all legal talk here. Sandra grew up in East LA, and she loves her neighborhood and her community. On this podcast, you’ll also get a flavor for her life as a Latina Lawyer, her cul...

Get full show notes and more information at: https://law-and-order-me-some-tacos.captivate.fm/episode/introducing-law-order-me-some-tacos

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Now, if you enjoy today's podcast and you're thinking, "Hey, I think I need to speak to a lawyer." You should get in touch with me. You can do that by going to scmlawoffices.com and sending me a message there.

If you're not ready to do that. Definitely say hi anyway. You can connect with me on Twitter @scm_in_ela.

Thanks for tuning in, and we'll see you on the next episode.

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Welcome to Law & Order Me Some Tacos with your host, Sandra Muñoz.

Yes, Sandra is a lawyer, and yes, she loves tacos… and on this podcast, she talks about both.

Sometimes you’ll sit down with just Sandra, and you hear about what it’s truly like to be a Latina Lawyer, and other times she’ll have some special guests join the conversation.

Sandra has over 20 years of experience working on countless cases involving employment discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, and on the show, she’ll take you behind the scenes on some of her...