About this 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.
Episodes
The newest 20 of 33 episodes
- Episode 31: René Jovel's Unique Journey from L.A. to Milwaukee, from Political Sphere to In-house Counsel · 1 h 15 min · Season 1 Episode 29René Jovel, an assistant general counsel, shares his inspiring journey from L.A. to Milwaukee, with a pit stop at Northwestern University, navigating multiple cultural…
- Episode 30: Legal Blogging with LexBlog CEO Kevin O'Keefe · 52 min · Season 1 Episode 30Explore the evolution and impact of legal blogging with Kevin O'Keefe, CEO of LexBlog Inc., as he shares insights on how lawyers can leverage blogs for reputation, niche…
- Episode 29: Private Bar Assigned Counsel Program, State Public Defender with Kathleen Pakes and Melissa Lamb · 35 min · Season 1 Episode 29Through the Assigned Counsel Program, the Wisconsin State Public Defender (SPD) appoints private bar attorneys to handle conflict cases, providing attorneys with courtroom…
- Episode 28: Product Liability Law and Legal Writing with Trial Attorney Jesse Blocher · 48 min · Season 1 Episode 28Jesse 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…
- Episode 27: From Steelworker to Civil Rights Lawyer - Veteran Litigator Mark L. Thomsen's Unique Journey · 1 h 10 min · Season 1 Episode 27Mark 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…
- Episode 26: Building a Family Law Practice - Insights from Max T. Stephenson · 48 min · Season 1 Episode 26Are 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…
- Episode 25: Practice Insights and Tips with Judges Ellen Brostrom and Krista LaFave · 52 min · Season 1 Episode 25In 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…
- Episode 24: Listening to Lawyers and Practice Pulse Join the Podcast Mix in 2025 · 27 min · Season 1 Episode 24Exciting 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…
- Episode 23: A Path to Sports Law with Milwaukee Bucks Chief Legal Officer Mike Sneathern · 32 minIn 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…
- Episode 22: Data Privacy and Artificial Intelligence (AI) with Hiriam Bradley · 50 min · Season 1 Episode 22Will 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…
- Episode 21: Finding Your Niche with YLD President Anthony Procaccio · 35 min · Season 1 Episode 21When 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…
- Episode 20: Making the Most of Summer Law Clerkships, Tips for First Year Associates · 59 min · Season 1 Episode 20In 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…
- Episode 19: Stress, Sleep Deprivation, and Lawyer Wellness with Amber Ault · 47 min · Season 1 Episode 19Episode 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…
- Episode 18: The Parade of Horribles in Legal Malpractice Claims with WILMIC CEO Tom Watson · 1 h 34 minAttorney 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…
- Episode 17: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome with Samantha Huddleston Baker · 1 h 8 min · Season 1 Episode 17Ever 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…
- Episode 16: Helping Victims of Human Trafficking, a Hidden Crime, with Erika Petty · 51 min · Season 1 Episode 16Simply 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…
- Episode 15: Hustle, Humility and 63 years in Law Practice with Litigator Frank Gimbel · 59 min · Season 1 Episode 15In 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…
- Episode 14 (Part 2): Solo & Small Firms - Generational Differences and Technology and Practice Management · 50 min · Season 1 Episode 14As younger lawyers enter the profession, how do they collaborate and communicate effectively with older generations, who may collaborate differently? What are the current trends…
- Episode 14 (Part 1): Solo & Small Firm Practice in Wisconsin · 55 min · Season 1 Episode 14In this episode, recorded at the 2023 Wisconsin Solo & Small Firm Conference (WSSFC), co-host Emil Ovbiagele and guest host Joe Forward speak with Jessica Kramer, a small firm…
- Episode 13: Rural Law Practice with Karina O'Brien · 1 h 28 min · Season 1 Episode 13In Episode 13 of the Bottom Up Podcast, produced by the State Bar of Wisconsin, co-hosts Emil Ovbiagele and Kristen Hardy talk with Karina O'Brien, an attorney at Kostner, Koslo…
