What do the courtroom and Survivor have in common? More than you might think.

The Lawyer Stories Podcast Episode 279 features Sydney Segal, public defender, former Division I athlete, and competitor on CBS Survivor 41 and MTV's The Challenge.

Sydney's Lawyer Story is anything but conventional. From competing as a Division I runner at Columbia University to law school, reality television, and ultimately becoming a public defender, Sydney has built a life around competition, advocacy, and standing up for what she believes in.

At the center of her legal career is a strong belief in due process, the presumption of innocence, and the fundamental goodness of people. We discuss why she chose public defense and what it means to advocate for people during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

We also talk about an innovative initiative Sydney helped create while working in Los Angeles after recognizing that some criminal defendants were missing court simply because they lacked reliable transportation. Sydney worked to establish a program with Uber providing ride vouchers to help defendants get to court—a creative solution designed to prevent a transportation problem from becoming another reason for someone to end up back in jail.

Sydney also shares how growing up with a lawyer for a father influenced her path, and how the competitiveness and resilience she developed as an athlete—and later tested on Survivor and The Challenge—show up in her work as a lawyer today.

Survivor. The Challenge. The courtroom. One incredible Lawyer Story.

🎙️ Watch or listen to Episode 279 of The Lawyer Stories Podcast with Benny Gold on your favorite podcast platform.

This episode is presented by CallRail.

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