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 landscape in financial services. Hiriam emphasizes the need for lawyers to adapt to emerging technologies and the philosophical implications of data privacy. The episode concludes with a call to view privacy as a fundamental human right and the importance of being diligent about data protection.

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 top of that, he wasn't sure he wanted to practice law at all.

Post-law school, Procaccio took law adjacent positions that did not require a law degree. Then it hit him: he didn't want to lose the opportunity to use his law license. It was time for Procaccio to get in the game to find work as a practicing lawyer and to find his niche.

In this episode of the Bottom Up podcast, produced by the State Bar of Wisconsin, Procaccio and Communications Director Joe Forward discuss the challenges young lawyers can face in finding desired employment and navigating the early years of practice.

Procaccio shares his own winding path to his current role as an attorney in Milwaukee and offers advice for new graduates and younger lawyers. The conversation highlights the importance of mentorship, the stress of the job, and the need for self-care.

He notes that the Young Lawyers Division is a resource for young attorneys to network, gain leadership experience, and find support. And Procaccio reiterates a common theme among all guests of the Bottom Up Podcast: there is no right or wrong path - there is only your path.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Overview

02:46 Challenges of Finding Employment

10:36 The Importance of Mentorship

25:17 Managing Stress and Self-Care

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Catching Up
06:13 The Value of Law Clerkships
11:10 What Employers Look for in a Good Clerk
13:28 The Importance of Mentorship in Law Clerkships
16:18 Doing Impactful Work as a Law Clerk
27:07 Seeking Opportunities and Making Connections as a Law Clerk
29:54 Owning Mistakes and Learning
32:42 The Importance of Soft Skills
37:54 The Impact of Technology on Job Security
45:18 The Role of Lawyers in Regulating AI
51:38 Advice for New Lawyers

Takeaways

Law clerks should be teachable, have a strong work ethic, and be willing to learn and grow.
Employers look for candidates who are curious, coachable, and have a likable personality.
Law clerks should seek out opportunities to do impactful work and make connections with their employers.
It is important for law clerks to ask for feedback and constructive criticism to improve their skills.
Law students and young lawyers should be open to exploring different areas of law and figuring out what they enjoy and excel at. Owning mistakes and learning from them is crucial in the legal profession.
Employers should show grace and provide opportunities for new lawyers to fail and learn.
Soft skills, such as punctuality and attention to detail, are important for success in the legal profession.
Advice for new lawyers includes being themselves, embracing new learning opportunities, asking questions, getting involved, and being resilient.