Bottom Up | A WisLawNOW Podcast

What issues matter most to young lawyers? Where can new lawyers go to find career advice, professional insights, practice tips, and more? Bottom Up is a podcast dedicated to examining today’s legal challenges. Produced by the State Bar of Wisconsin and hosted by Emil Ovbiagele, a young lawyer and founder of a small law firm based in Milwaukee, each episode features frank discussions and relatable stories that highlight the interests and opportunities for attorneys working to establish their practice their way.

Visit: https://www.wisbar.org/blog/Pages/Bottom-Up-Podcast.aspx

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By: State Bar of Wisconsin​

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Joe Forward
Joe Forward
WisLawNOW

Latest from Bottom Up | A WisLawNOW Podcast

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Through the Assigned Counsel Program, the Wisconsin State Public Defender (SPD) appoints private bar attorneys to handle overflow and conflict cases, providing attorneys with courtroom experience in criminal cases representing clients charged with misdemeanors and felonies across the state. “You can absolutely do it,” said attorney Kathleen Pakes, director of the Assigned Counsel Program.

Pakes is talking about new or newer attorneys who may be interested in taking assigned cases, noting SPD provides training and other resources. Learn more…
Continue Reading Episode 29: Private Bar Assigned Counsel Program, State Public Defender with Kathleen Pakes and Melissa Lamb

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Jesse Blocher is the author of a recently published book, “Wisconsin Tort Law: Products Liability,” published by State Bar of Wisconsin PINNACLE®. He’s also an award-winning author for Wisconsin Lawyer magazine. In this episode of the Bottom Up Podcast, produced by the State Bar, the conversation explores Jesse’s journey into law, the challenges faced by young lawyers, the decline of jury trials, and the intricacies of product liability law.   A partner at Habush, Habush & Rottier, Jesse shares insights…
Continue Reading Bottom Up Episode 28: Product Liability Law and Legal Writing with Trial Attorney Jesse Blocher

Jesse Blocher is the author of a recently published book, “Wisconsin Tort Law: Products Liability,” published by State Bar of Wisconsin PINNACLE®. He’s also an award-winning author for Wisconsin Lawyer magazine. In this episode of the Bottom Up Podcast, produced by the State Bar, the conversation explores Jesse’s journey into law, the challenges faced by young lawyers, the decline of jury trials, and the intricacies of product liability law.   A partner at Habush, Habush & Rottier, Jesse shares…
Continue Reading Episode 28: Product Liability Law and Legal Writing with Trial Attorney Jesse Blocher

Mark L. Thomsen’s path to law is unlike any other story. In this episode of the Bottom Up podcast, host Emil Obviagele dives deep with Mark, a veteran Milwaukee-based litigator and partner at Gingras Thomsen & Wachs LLP. The episode explores Mark’s unique upbringing in Nigeria, his return to America, and the cultural shocks he experienced. They discuss his journey into law, activism, and the importance of fighting for justice. The conversation delves into the role of lawyers in…
Continue Reading Episode 27: From Steelworker to Civil Rights Lawyer – Veteran Litigator Mark L. Thomsen's Unique Journey

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Mark L. Thomsen’s path to law is unlike any other story. In this episode of the Bottom Up podcast, host Emil Obviagele dives deep with Mark, a veteran Milwaukee-based litigator and partner at Gingras Thomsen & Wachs LLP. The episode explores Mark’s unique upbringing in Nigeria, his return to America, and the cultural shocks he experienced. They discuss his journey into law, activism, and the importance of fighting for justice. The conversation delves into the role of lawyers in…
Continue Reading Bottom-Up Episode 27: From Steelworker to Civil Rights Lawyer – Veteran Litigator Mark L. Thomsen’s Unique Journey

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Are you a family law attorney or want to learn more about family law as a practice area? In this episode of the Bottom Up Podcast, produced by the State Bar of Wisconsin, attorney Max T. Stephenson describes his experiences as a family law attorney with Gimbel Reilly Guerin & Brown LLP for more than a decade.

Starting as a new lawyer with no family law experience, Stephenson discusses his 12-year career path and provides insights on building and…
Continue Reading Episode 26: Building a Family Law Practice – Insights from Max T. Stephenson

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In this episode of the Bottom Up Podcast, produced by the State Bar of Wisconsin, host Kristen Hardy talks with former Milwaukee Circuit Court Judge Ellen Brostrom, now a mediator at Resolute Systems LLC, and Wauwatosa Municipal Court Judge Krista LaFave, also a personal injury attorney at Warshafsky Law.

Both explore their unique career paths, motivations for public service, and the differences between circuit and municipal courts. They discuss the importance of courtroom presentation, the challenges with pro se…
Continue Reading Episode 25: Practice Insights and Tips with Judges Ellen Brostrom and Krista LaFave

Exciting News! Starting in 2025, two new podcasts will join Bottom Up in a rotation of podcasts produced by the State Bar of Wisconsin. Bottom Up, co-hosted by Emil Ovbiagele and Kristen Hardy, will continue to explore topics of interest to lawyers in the early stages of their careers. They’ll be back in March 2025. Two new podcasts – Listening to Lawyers and Practice Pulse – will expand the State Bar’s family of WisLawNOW podcasts, giving lawyers more access…
Continue Reading Episode 24: Listening to Lawyers and Practice Pulse Join the Podcast Mix in 2025

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Exciting News! Starting in 2025, two new podcasts will join Bottom Up in a rotation of podcasts produced by the State Bar of Wisconsin.

Bottom Up, co-hosted by Emil Ovbiagele and Kristen Hardy, will continue to explore topics of interest to lawyers in the early stages of their careers. They’ll be back in March 2025.

Two new podcasts – Listening to Lawyers and Practice Pulse – will expand the State Bar’s family of WisLawNOW podcasts, giving lawyers more access…
Continue Reading Bottom Up Episode 24: Listening to Lawyers and Practice Pulse Join the Podcast Mix in 2025

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 Episode 23: A Path to Sports Law with Milwaukee Bucks Chief Legal Officer Mike Sneathern

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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

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 Episode 22: Data Privacy and Artificial Intelligence (AI) with Hiriam Bradley

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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

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 Episode 21: Finding Your Niche with YLD President Anthony Procaccio

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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

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…
Continue Reading Episode 20: Making the Most of Summer Law Clerkships, Tips for First Year Associates