Counsel Brew

Shereen El Domeiri & Nicola Hobeiche
  • 5.0 (14)
  • Careers
  • Updated Semiweekly

Welcome to Counsel Brew, with your co-hosts Shereen El Domeiri and Nicola Hobeiche, two fully brewed badass lawyers who blazed their own trails from courtroom to boardroom and beyond.  Grab a cup of coffee or tea, and enjoy our enlightening conversations with amazing guests who share their journeys and bring invaluable wisdom on navigating, defining, and finding success in life.  These compelling narratives of forging distinctive paths will provide the recipe for creating success on your terms and inspire you to embark on your own path to badassery. 

  1. 10h ago

    The Long Flight - Dr. Rhonda Evans

    A flat white earned Dr. Rhonda Evans an immediate nod of approval from Nicola before becoming the perfect springboard for a conversation about Australia, curiosity, and the unexpected opportunities that can shape an entire career. Rhonda didn't get her first passport until she was 28 years old. She had no idea that one long flight to Australia would change the course of her life. In this episode of Counsel Brew, she reflects on how growing up as a first-generation college student in rural Ohio eventually led her halfway around the world, proving that some of life's biggest opportunities begin with simply saying yes. Rhonda also reflects on starting her career as a lawyer before realizing her true calling was in higher education. She shares stories about teaching at The University of Texas, creating a study abroad program centered on the Great Barrier Reef, and helping students build confidence by stepping outside their comfort zones. Woven throughout the conversation are thoughtful reflections on curiosity, lifelong learning, and why the best career advice doesn't always involve having a plan. Sometimes it's simply being willing to follow where your interests lead. From Australian coffee culture and long-haul flights to an unforgettable "stupid shit" story about her time as a prosecutor handling paternity investigations, the conversation moves effortlessly between the lighthearted and the unexpected. What begins as a humorous look back at one of the more unusual chapters of Rhonda's early legal career ultimately reveals a pivotal turning point, helping her realize that while she appreciated the law, her true passion is political science, higher education, and helping students discover where their own curiosity might lead. In This Episode Growing up as a first-generation college student in rural OhioHow one opportunity to study in Australia changed the course of her careerWhy she left the practice of law to pursue teaching and researchCreating a study abroad program focused on the Great Barrier ReefHelping students build confidence through international experiencesWhat makes Australia so fascinating, from its politics and conservation efforts to its unique cultureHow curiosity became the compass for an unexpected careerFlat whites!! About Dr. Rhonda Evans Dr. Rhonda Evans is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Government at The University of Texas at Austin and Director of the Australia, New Zealand & Pacific Studies Initiative. A former attorney, her teaching and research focus on Australian politics, comparative political institutions, and environmental policy. She is also the creator of UT's Maymester program in Australia, where students explore public policy and conservation while studying the Great Barrier Reef. Her work has been recognized for excellence in teaching and for helping students engage with the world through experiential learning. Listen now:   Find Rhonda at  https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonda-evans-305aa4105/ Message us at hello@counselbrew.com   Visit us at http://www.counselbrew.com  And Follow us  @counselbrew https://www.linkedin.com/company/counsel-brew/ Send us Fan Mail  Explicit Rating is for the occasional use of colorful language.

  2. Jul 24

    No Stoplight - Leigha Simonton

    It's often the moments that don't seem remarkable at the time that change everything. For Leigha Simonton, those moments included a move across state lines, a mock trial competition, and a mother who never stopped believing in her. In this episode of Counsel Brew, Leigha reflects on the experiences that shaped her long before she stepped into leadership. She shares what it was like growing up in a rural Louisiana community, moving to Dallas as a teenager, discovering mock trial, and learning that success comes from adapting, asking questions, and putting in the work. Along the way, she talks about the influence of her mother, a former NASA mathematician, the mentors who helped shape her career, and the unexpected way a mock trial competition introduced her to her future husband.  The conversation also explores building high-performing teams, mentoring younger lawyers, and why she hopes to see the legal profession place an even greater emphasis on developing its next generation of leaders. Mixed in with stories about appellate arguments, Secret Service training, and a favorite morning coffee ritual, the episode offers a thoughtful look at a career built through curiosity and a commitment to continuous learning.  In This Episode Growing up in rural Louisiana and adapting to life in DallasHow mock trial shaped both a legal career and a lifelong partnershipThe influence of mentors, family, and the people who opened doors Lessons from a career in public service, including time as U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of TexasBuilding high-performing teams and investing in the next generation of lawyersBalancing a demanding legal career with family lifeSecret Service driving school, appellate advocacy, and a few memorable stories from the Department of JusticeWhy curiosity and lifelong learning continue to guide her careerAbout Leigha Simonton Leigha Simonton is Co-Chair of Dykema's White Collar & Government Investigations Section. Before joining Dykema, she served as the Senate-confirmed U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas after an 18-year career as an Assistant U.S. Attorney. A graduate of Yale Law School, Leigha now represents clients in complex investigations, white collar matters, commercial litigation, and regulatory matters while leading one of the Southwest's premier teams of former Department of Justice attorneys. Listen now:   Find Leigha at  https://www.linkedin.com/in/leigha-simonton-506b3a6/ Message us at hello@counselbrew.com   Visit us at http://www.counselbrew.com  And Follow us  @counselbrew https://www.linkedin.com/company/counsel-brew/ Send us Fan Mail  Explicit Rating is for the occasional use of colorful language.

  3. Jul 10

    Just Hit Post - Mark Melton

    His perfect morning is surprisingly simple: a couple cups of black coffee, one decaf to round out the trio, and then it's off to tackle whatever impossible challenge lands on his desk. Somewhere between leading a national tax practice, advocating for thousands of Texas tenants, and occasionally grabbing a karaoke microphone, he's also managed to build one of the largest eviction advocacy organizations in the country. This week on Counsel Brew, Nicola and Shereen sit down with attorney and published author Mark Melton, co-chair of Holland & Knight's Tax and Executive Compensation & Benefits Practice Group and founder of the Dallas Eviction Advocacy Center. What starts as a conversation about coffee, karaoke, and whether fantasy novels belong on a lawyer's bookshelf quickly turns into one of the most powerful stories we've shared on the podcast. Before becoming a nationally recognized attorney and housing advocate, Mark was a young husband and father who lost everything after his employer collapsed. He experienced eviction firsthand, packed his family into a car, and drove to Dallas with little more than hope for a fresh start. Years later, one Facebook post during the uncertainty of COVID-19 unexpectedly launched what has become one of the country's largest tenant advocacy organizations, helping thousands of families navigate one of the hardest moments of their lives. Along the way, Mark shares why access to justice is about far more than knowing the law, how one mentor changed the trajectory of his life, and why he believes a single conversation—or a single Facebook post—can change everything. Of course, because this is Counsel Brew, there are plenty of laughs mixed in with the deeper moments. From meeting his wife at karaoke and building his own office during the pandemic to debating bookshelf etiquette and admitting that work-life balance isn't exactly his strong suit, Mark proves that even people doing extraordinary work still appreciate a good cup of coffee and a great story. In this episode, we discuss: Growing up in Tulsa and rebuilding life after losing everything.The mentor who changed the course of his future.Why he accidentally became both a CPA and tax attorney.Founding the Dallas Eviction Advocacy Center during the pandemic.The hidden ripple effects of housing instability on families and children.Expanding tenant advocacy efforts beyond Dallas into Houston.Writing his newly released book, Injustice of the Peace.Whether you're a lawyer, law student, policymaker, or simply someone who believes in using your skills to help others, this episode is a powerful reminder that some of the biggest changes begin with a single push of a button. Grab your favorite brew and join us for one of our most inspiring conversations yet. Find Mark at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-melton-144b225/ Message us at hello@counselbrew.com   Visit us at http://www.counselbrew.com  And Follow us @counselbrew & https://www.linkedin.com/company/counsel-brew/ Send us Fan Mail  Explicit Rating is for the occasional use of colorful language.

  4. Jun 19

    I Like Winners - Noelle LeVeaux

    This week on Counsel Brew, we sit down with Noelle LeVeaux — strategic marketer, civic brand-builder, cancer survivor, TEDxSMU speaker, children’s author, entrepreneur, and currently the Chief Marketing Officer helping lead North Texas’ FIFA World Cup 26™ moment onto the global stage. If you’ve lived in Dallas long enough, chances are you’ve already experienced Noelle’s work without even realizing it. From launching the award-winning BIG campaign that helped reshape Dallas’ identity to leading marketing efforts for organizations like Visit Dallas, Children’s Medical Center, Communities Foundation of Texas, and D Magazine Partners, Noelle has spent decades helping organizations — and entire cities — tell their stories better. Now, with the World Cup officially underway and Dallas hosting more matches than any other U.S. city, Noelle joins us in the middle of one of the most exciting moments North Texas has ever seen. Over Community Beer’s Citrus Slice IPA (and more than a little coffee), we talk about what it actually takes to prepare a region for a global event, why sports create connections in ways few things can, and why Noelle believes Dallas has an opportunity to become the capital of women’s sports. We also get into the parts of the story that don’t fit neatly into a résumé: surviving breast cancer, raising two daughters as a single parent while building a career at the highest levels, writing a children’s book, delivering her TEDxSMU talk Asleep at the Wheel, and learning to stay open to opportunities that were never on the original bingo card.  As always, the conversation is equal parts insightful, funny, and honest. Exactly how we like it. Cheers. GOAL!! Listen now:   Find Noelle at https://www.linkedin.com/in/noelleleveaux/ Learn more about the FIFA game at https://www.dallasfwc26.com/our-venues/match-schedule/ Message us at hello@counselbrew.com   Visit us at http://www.counselbrew.com  And Follow us  @counselbrew https://www.linkedin.com/company/counsel-brew/ Send us Fan Mail  Explicit Rating is for the occasional use of colorful language.

  5. Jun 5

    Ruby Slippers - Misty Leon

    What happens when a former child actor, ERISA lawyer, and Fortune 500 in-house counsel walks into a coffee shop? In this case, she orders a lavender chai latte* and starts reimagining what a legal career can look like.  *served best in an actual coffee mug, preferably with fancy foam art and enjoyed while sitting in a coffee shop In this episode of Counsel Brew, we sit down with Misty Leon, who at the time of recording was serving as in-house counsel at Texas Instruments. Misty's career has taken her from private practice to the corporate legal department to founder and principal of the freshly launched Practical Counsel Advisors, with a few unexpected stops along the way, including a bread commercial, starring as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, and surviving meetings that involved more conversations with a dog named Mr. Barkey than actual legal work. Because every legal career deserves at least one story that makes everyone ask, "Wait...what?" We explore Misty's journey from aspiring child actor and ruby-slipper-wearing Dorothy to respected legal leader and in-house counsel. We talk about intentionally choosing a niche legal practice, navigating major career pivots, and the coaching and self-reflection that helped her discover what she wanted next. Misty shares insights on building meaningful professional relationships, overcoming the hesitation that often keeps talented people from pursuing new opportunities, and embracing growth even when it feels uncomfortable. We also dive into the future of AI and legal operations, the value of staying curious throughout your career, and why having a friend who occasionally tells you to "just do the thing" might be one of the most underrated professional advantages out there. One of the themes we love exploring on Counsel Brew is that successful careers are built through a series of small decisions that often don't seem significant at the time. Attending a bar association event. Following up with someone you genuinely enjoy. Trying something that feels uncomfortable. Volunteering for the panel even when you'd rather hide behind the podium. Misty's career is proof that those moments add up. Also, if you ever find yourself sitting through a two-hour meeting while someone discusses dog treats with their pet, remember: someday it may become podcast content. Listen now:   Find Misty at https://www.linkedin.com/in/misty-a-leon/ Learn more about Practical Counsel Advisors at https://www.practicalcounseladvisors.com/ Message us at hello@counselbrew.com   Visit us at http://www.counselbrew.com  And Follow us  @counselbrew https://www.linkedin.com/company/counsel-brew/ Send us Fan Mail  Explicit Rating is for the occasional use of colorful language.

  6. May 22

    That Doesn't Go in the Book - Professor C. Paul Rogers III

    Professor C. Paul Rogers III has spent more than four decades shaping lawyers, preserving baseball history, mentoring students, navigating college athletics, and collecting stories that somehow sound too good to be true — except they are. In this episode of Counsel Brew, Nicola and Shereen sit down with one of the most beloved and legendary figures from SMU Dedman School of Law just as he prepares to retire at the end of the semester after an extraordinary career. Both Nicola and Shereen recently attended Professor Rogers’ final lecture at SMU, making this episode especially meaningful for two former students who were lucky enough to learn from him firsthand. Professor Rogers’ formative years stretched from Wyoming and West Texas to the East Coast before he eventually landed at the University of Texas at Austin during the chaos and culture shifts of the late 1960s. He shares the unlikely path that led him into law, academia, and eventually into becoming one of the defining figures in SMU law school history. Along the way, he reflects on lessons learned working the graveyard shift in Vegas, realizing small-town life was not for him, and how a letter to a professor opened the door to a life-changing opportunity at Columbia Law School that launched his academic career and ultimately brought him to Dallas.  The conversation is packed with hilarious stories and classic Professor Rogers moments — including the infamous Playboy Bunny classroom interruption, students arriving to class in full costume presentations, bad margaritas at the AAC, and the reality that some of the best career advice boils down to one simple lesson: if you want something, you actually have to do something.  But beneath the humor is the story of a professor who genuinely loves teaching, deeply values his students, and never stopped learning. In this episode, Professor Rogers reflects on the evolution of legal education over the decades and the importance of mentorship and relationships in the practice of law. Along the way, the conversation wanders through baseball history, vintage baseball cards, West Texas sports culture, and the continuing importance of a properly made margarita. An accomplished scholar, former dean, NCAA leader, baseball historian, published author, and mentor to generations of lawyers, Professor Rogers leaves behind an extraordinary legacy at SMU Dedman School of Law — though after hearing this episode, “retirement” sounds a lot more like a new chapter than a final inning. Grab your favorite brew and join us for a conversation full of wisdom, humor, and unforgettable stories with the incomparable Professor C. Paul Rogers III. Listen now:   Find Professor C. Paul Rogers at https://www.linkedin.com/in/c-paul-rogers-iii-5936ab45/ Find Professor Rogers last lecture at https://youtu.be/jM1vt-btYv8?si=e6UL2d88weJUEsNj Message us at hello@counselbrew.com   Visit us at http://www.counselbrew.com  And Follow us  @counselbrew https://www.linkedin.com/company/counsel-brew/ Send us Fan Mail  Explicit Rating is for the occasional use of colorful language.

  7. May 1

    To Do F/U - Gabe Vazquez

    This conversation covers a lot of ground. From exploding matcha to stepping into leadership before you feel ready, Gabe keeps it real about what it looks like to operate under pressure. In this episode of Counsel Brew, we sit down with Gabe Vazquez, Vice President and Associate General Counsel at Vistra Corp., to talk less about titles and more about how he works. His approach is simple on the surface. Gather. Organize. Optimize. Build the system. Trust the system. Then know when it’s time to throw it out. And yes, there’s a checklist or two in the mix. Gabe guides us through how he thinks about productivity, including his very real commitment to the to-do list. If it’s on the list, it’s getting done. If it’s not, it’s probably getting added just so it can be checked off. And yes, that includes a running list of F/U reminders. Follow-up, technically. Stepping into leadership early. Managing people with more experience. Navigating situations where there is no clean answer and no time to overthink it. No playbook. Just judgment, trust, and a willingness to move. When things go sideways, whether it’s a major weather event or an operational crisis, the focus shifts quickly. Not perfect answers. The right people in the room. Clear heads. Forward movement. As Gabe puts it, it’s go time. What makes the conversation work is the balance. Discipline, but flexibility. Structure, but self-awareness. And just enough humor to admit that even the best systems don’t always survive contact with real life. There’s also the matcha. Gabe is fully committed and does his best to convince us we’d like it if we just gave it a real shot. We remain unconvinced. Listen now.   Find Gabe at https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabevazquez/ Message us at hello@counselbrew.com   Visit us at http://www.counselbrew.com  And Follow us  @counselbrew https://www.linkedin.com/company/counsel-brew/ Send us Fan Mail  Explicit Rating is for the occasional use of colorful language.

  8. Apr 17

    Y'all Build Different - Jasmin Brand

    Jasmin Brand doesn’t just build businesses. She builds ecosystems. An award-winning marketer, speaker, and serial entrepreneur, Jasmin has made a career out of doing what most people just dream about: creating strategic partnerships, unlocking opportunity, and moving communities forward in real, measurable ways. Born and raised in Dallas, with roots at Booker T. Washington and Southern Methodist University, Jasmin’s path has never been linear. From launching her first creative agency in 2009 to stepping into the startup world and eventually founding HerTexas, she has consistently followed one instinct: build what is missing. Not what is trendy. Not what is safe. But what is needed. And when the startup bro culture did not fit for her, she didn’t shrink. She pivoted, recalibrated, and built something better.  Enter HerTexas, a statewide platform that started as a casual connection and evolved into a movement focused on economic impact, not just networking. Jasmin is laser-focused on one thing. If you are bringing women together, it better do something. That mindset led to initiatives like Fork & Femme, where the ask is simple but powerful: show up, spend money at women-owned businesses, and track the impact. No fluff. Just dollars, data, and real results, with tens of thousands in a single day and growing.  What makes Jasmin stand out is not just what she has built, but how she thinks. She is unapologetically direct, deeply intentional, and constantly evolving. She talks openly about designing your own career, rejecting boxes others have tried to put her in, and staying open to opportunity, even when it does not look like the plan. Whether she is leading innovation for an organization, mentoring the next generation, or challenging what supporting women actually means, Jasmin operates with a level of clarity and conviction that is hard to ignore. Also: hot coffee only, no ghost tours, and absolutely no patience for performative support. If you are going to show up, show up with purpose. We hope you enjoy!! Listen now!   Find Jasmine at  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasminbrand/ Find Her Texas at  https://www.linkedin.com/company/hertexas/ https://linktr.ee/hertexas https://www.instagram.com/hertexasco/ Fork & Femme $100K Spring Challenge  is April 22, 2026 - Register and track your spend at women owned businesses here: Fork & Femme 100K Spring Challenge Tickets, Wednesday, April 22  •  6:30 AM - 11:30 PM | Eventbrite Message us at hello@counselbrew.com   Visit us at http://www.counselbrew.com  And Follow us  @counselbrew https://www.linkedin.com/company/counsel-brew/ Send us Fan Mail  Explicit Rating is for the occasional use of colorful language.

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5
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

Welcome to Counsel Brew, with your co-hosts Shereen El Domeiri and Nicola Hobeiche, two fully brewed badass lawyers who blazed their own trails from courtroom to boardroom and beyond.  Grab a cup of coffee or tea, and enjoy our enlightening conversations with amazing guests who share their journeys and bring invaluable wisdom on navigating, defining, and finding success in life.  These compelling narratives of forging distinctive paths will provide the recipe for creating success on your terms and inspire you to embark on your own path to badassery. 

Information

  • Creator
    Shereen El Domeiri & Nicola Hobeiche
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    62
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Counsel Brew
  • Show Website
    Counsel Brew