Ever heard of imposter syndrome? In this episode of the Bottom Up podcast, produced by the State Bar of Wisconsin, cohost 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 syndrome. She also talks about finding her path in business and real estate law. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the dynamic between partners and associates. In this episode, the hosts discuss the challenges faced by young attorneys in the early years of their careers. They advise navigating these challenges, including how to effectively use support staff, deal with imposter syndrome, cultivate trust with clients, and handle difficult feedback. They emphasize the importance of confidence, communication, and continuous learning in building a successful legal career.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction
02:24 Impostor Syndrome and Carving Out Paths in Early Years of a Legal Career
08:10 Background and Journey to Law School
13:17 Joining the Law Firm and Overcoming Impostor Syndrome
23:37 Dealing with Impostor Syndrome and Fear
30:09 Defining Impostor Syndrome and Overcoming It
33:32 Dynamic Between Partners and Associates
34:58 Navigating the Early Years as a Young Attorney
46:08 Challenges Faced as a New Attorney
55:55 Using Support Staff Effectively
58:08 Dealing with Imposter Syndrome
01:00:05 Cultivating Trust with Clients
01:02:37 Comparing Career Progress with Peers
01:05:52 Handling Difficult Feedback

Takeaways
Impostor syndrome is common among young lawyers and can make them feel inadequate or like they are pretending to be something they're not.

Overcoming impostor syndrome requires preparation, hard work, and a willingness to ask for help and seek guidance from more experienced attorneys.

Finding a path in a specific area of law often comes through experience and working with clients who give opportunities to learn and grow.

The dynamic between partners and associates can sometimes create a fear of bothering the partner with questions, but it's important for associates to ask for help and not spend unnecessary time on tasks that could be resolved quickly with guidance. Do initial work to understand the subject matter before asking questions.

Be persistent and confident in asking for help.

Don't be afraid to challenge more experienced attorneys respectfully. Build a network of mentors and peers for support and guidance.

Avoid comparing yourself to others and focus on your own progress.

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Disclaimer:
This video is for general informational purposes only. Due to the rapidly changing nature of the law, information presented here may be outdated. The State Bar of Wisconsin is not liable for any damages resulting from the use of this material. Statements or expressions of opinion here are not necessarily those of the State Bar of Wisconsin, its members, sponsors, or staff.
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