DIVERSITY IN THE LAW – Emil Ovbiagele – OVB Law & Consulting

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Emil Ovbiagele’s path to achieving the American dream came with challenges and high points.

During his on-campus interviews as a 2L, Ovbiagele could write his own ticket.

“I received two offers from Wisconsin’s largest firms and was faced with a difficult choice,” Ovbiagele said.

But all that glittered wasn’t gold.

Ovbiagele noted that after the Summer associate role concluded, he wasn’t offered a full-time position.

“They told me I wasn’t a good fit,” Ovbiagele said, noting how he used the rejection as an opportunity of empowerment and growth.

“When you grow up where I did, you don’t have the luxury to sit back and lick your wounds. You just go out and go at it again,” Ovbiagele said.

The following year he shifted directions and as a 3L he worked in the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s office, which offered him the opportunity of a lifetime.

“I wanted hands on experiences on how to actually be a lawyer. And Marquette’s clinical programs afforded me that opportunity very early on,” he said.

“I spent my last year of law school in the DA’s office. I tried several cases from voir dire to verdict. I was even allowed to try a felony case as a student prosecutor,” said Ovbiagele, who is the current Milwaukee Bar Association president.

After starting his career working for a mid-sized firm and a larger firm, he left to open his own firm, OVB Law and Consulting, in 2016.

“I got tired of living my life in six-minute increments. I didn’t want to grow to dislike the practice of law,” he said noting, “I wanted to grow my own book of business, I wanted to practice law on my terms while making an impact in the lives of my clients.”

Ovbiagele said he finds working for his own firm very fulfilling.

“The law is the only profession that covers every aspect of life. … Everything is about the law. And I am honored to be a part of this profession and for the journey thus far,” Ovbiagele said.