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In this episode of the Bottom Up Podcast, produced by the State Bar of Wisconsin, co-hosts Emil Ovbiagele and Sam Huddleston Baker talk with Mike Sneathern, chief legal officer for the Milwaukee Bucks. Mike has worked 20-plus years for the 2021 NBA champs.

The conversation explores Mike’s journey from his native California to Wisconsin, his experiences in the Marquette University Sports Law Program, and the unique challenges faced by sports lawyers today, including the impact of sports betting and…
Continue Reading Bottom Up Episode 23: A Path to Sports Law with Milwaukee Bucks Chief Legal Officer Mike Sneathern

I recently finished reading Arnold Schwarzenegger’s book Be Useful, and one message really stuck with me: None of us are self-made. Every accomplishment, every milestone, is built on the support, wisdom, and generosity of others. As I reflect on ten years of legal practice, and how I got here, this truth feels especially meaningful.

With the holidays around the corner, it’s the perfect time to express my gratitude to a few of the incredible people who have helped me…
Continue Reading Being Thankful – One Week Early

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Will AI replace lawyers? That’s one of the questions explored in the latest episode of Bottom Up, produced by the State Bar of Wisconsin. Co-hosts Emil Ovbiagele and Kristen Hardy welcome Hiriam Bradley, an attorney specializing in privacy and technology law.

The conversation explores Hiriam’s career path, the evolution of privacy law, and the intersection of artificial intelligence and privacy. They discuss the challenges legal professionals face in navigating developing laws, the importance of consumer awareness, and the regulatory…
Continue Reading Bottom Up Episode 22: Data Privacy and Artificial Intelligence (AI) with Hiriam Bradley

Pamela J. Tillman

Pamela J. Tillman, a Shareholder Attorney at Meissner Tierney Fisher & Nichols S.C., has built a remarkable career in the legal field, particularly in representing businesses in complex litigation matters. With a focus on insurance coverage issues, commercial litigation, employment disputes, and professional liability, Pam has developed a reputation for her deep understanding of the intricacies of litigation.

Reflecting on her journey, Pam offers a wealth of advice to younger colleagues, sharing the lessons she wishes she had…
Continue Reading What I Wish I’d Known – Thought Leadership with Pam J. Tillman

As the golden days of summer start to wane, the mornings greet us with a hint of chill, and the evenings slip into darkness a bit too soon. It’s already noticeable how dark it is by 7:30 p.m. or how it still lingers at 5 a.m. The purpose of this post isn’t to depress you (though I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little sad about the upcoming change of seasons) but to encourage you to finish…
Continue Reading Finish Summer Strong While Prepping for Year-End Success

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When Anthony Procaccio graduated from law school in 2013, he was one of 46,776 U.S. law students to do so (the most of any year on record, and 36% more than 2023). The economy was beginning to recover from the 2007-08 financial crisis, but job seekers were still struggling.
Procaccio, now the president of the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Young Lawyers Division, was among many law school graduates who faced various economic challenges post-2008, including student loan debt. On…
Continue Reading Bottom-Up Episode 21: Finding Your Niche with YLD President Anthony Procaccio

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In this episode of the Bottom Up podcast, produced by the State Bar of Wiscondsin, co-hosts Emil Ovbiagele and Kristen Hardy discuss their experiences as young lawyers and the importance of law clerkships. They are joined by first-year associate Kate Goodhart and summer law clerk Dan Underwood, who share their perspectives.   The conversation covers what employers look for in a good clerk, the importance of mentorship, and the value of doing impactful work. The hosts and guests also share…
Continue Reading Bottom Up Episode 20: Making the Most of Summer Law Clerkships, Tips for First Year Associates

We all have good intentions when it comes to volunteering, but oftentimes we either do not know where to start or have limited availability.

But whether you are volunteering weekly, monthly, or even yearly, any time you dedicate your expertise to helping individuals less fortunate, you are involved in public interest volunteering.

Here are opportunities for individuals to find their volunteer journey – whether they are a newly minted volunteer or those with experience seeking to broaden their volunteer…
Continue Reading Get Involved: Public Interest Law Volunteer Opportunities

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Episode 19 of the Bottom Up Podcast, produced by the State Bar of Wisconsin, features a discussion on lawyer wellness, stress, and sleep deprivation, focusing on the unique stressors legal professionals face. Amber Ault — who manages the State Bar’s Wisconsin Lawyers Assistance Program (WisLAP) and has extensive experience in the fields of therapy, sociology, and social work — shares insights and tips for reducing stress and improving sleep habits. Communications Director Joe Forward hosts the discussion, which also…
Continue Reading Bottom Up Episode 19: Stress, Sleep Deprivation, and Lawyer Wellness with Amber Ault

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Attorney Tom Watson, the featured guest in the latest episode of the Bottom Up Podcast produced by the State Bar of Wisconsin, knows what it means to reinvent yourself.

Tom started his career in broadcast radio. He interviewed big names like Bill Clinton, Jesse Jackson, entertainer Red Skelton, and others. At age 37, Tom enrolled in law school. He’s now the CEO and president of Wisconsin Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company (WILMIC).

From radio to public relations, from family law…
Continue Reading Episode 18: The Parade of Horribles in Legal Malpractice Claims with WILMIC CEO Tom Watson

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Ever heard of imposter syndrome? In this episode of the Bottom Up podcast, produced by the State Bar of Wisconsin, co-host Emil Ovbiagele and guest host Joe Forward interview Samantha Huddleston Baker, a partner at OVB Law and Consulting S.C. in Milwaukee. They discuss impostor syndrome and carving out paths in the early years of a legal career.

Samantha shares her background and journey to law school, as well as her experience joining the law firm and overcoming impostor…
Continue Reading Bottom Up Episode 17: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome with Samantha Huddleston Baker

The immeasurable benefits of a healthy work-life balance are well known. Engaging with outside organizations, taking time for personal interests and hobbies, spending time with family and friends, exercising, gardening, caring for pets, traveling – all of these are ways in which we can help our bodies, minds, and souls stay fresh for our law practices and our clients. Additionally, we can learn a lot from our out-of-office activities that help us as attorneys.

In my working life, I…
Continue Reading March Madness: How Basketball Can Help You Be a Better Attorney

Watching the lawyers involved in numerous high-profile trials, from the various Trump cases to the Michigan mother of the school shooter, causes me to wonder: just how much do these lawyers actually believe what they’re advocating?

The practice of law can be highly disingenuous. As a friend of mine once put it: “Sometimes I feel like a prostitute where I’m assuming a position in exchange for a fee.”

Being a lawyer brings innumerable variations on this theme, some more…
Continue Reading Law as a Career

There was much buzz today about an article in the Cut (a lifestyle website from Vox Media/New York Magazine) – “The Day I Put $50,000 in a Shoe Box and Handed It To A Stranger.” Charlotte Cowles, the Cut’s financial advice columnist, discussed in embarrassing detail how she fell victim to what she termed a “cruel and violating [scam] but one painfully obvious in retrospect.” Cowles did not believe she could ever be a victim—she did not fit any…
Continue Reading When Dumb Scams Happen To Smart People

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Simply defined, human trafficking is the exploitation of human beings for someone else’s gain, according to Erika Petty, executive director at Milwaukee-based Lotus Legal Clinic, a nonprofit that provides free legal services exclusively to victims of human trafficking.

As you’ll discover in Episode 16 of the Bottom Up podcast, produced by the State Bar of Wisconsin, while human trafficking can be simply defined, the complexity of the issue spans the nation and the globe, and hits home right here…
Continue Reading Bottom Up Episode 16: Helping Victims of Human Trafficking, a Hidden Crime, with Erika Petty

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In 1963, Frank Gimbel was just three years out of law school when he became an assistant U.S. attorney, serving five years before switching to defense counsel. Gimbel’s career as a trial lawyer, spanning six decades, has been chronicled extensively, with many awards to his name.

But the early days were no walk in the park. Gimbel worked as a tax return preparer, a clothes salesman, and held other side jobs to keep food on the table. These experiences…
Continue Reading Bottom Up Episode 15: Hustle, Humility, and 63 years in Law Practice with Litigator Frank Gimbel