Names: Samantha Baldwin and Jessica Phillips
Title/Company: Attorneys at Law at Maho & Prentice, LLP
Specialty: Personal Injury Representation
Chapter: Santa Barbara, California
Contact: sbaldwin@sbcalaw.com or jphillips@sbcalaw.com or visit their company website!
Q: Tell us about yourselves. You are both a part of the Santa Barbara chapter, where do you live?
Samantha: I live a couple of blocks from the beach in the Mesa neighborhood with my new baby and husband. I am a part of the 1st generation in my Guatemalan family to go to college, let alone obtain a professional credential. My grandmother reached 3rd grade before starting to work. Ultimately supporting her 6 children, including my mother.
Jessica: I live near the rose garden at the Mission. I moved here 2 years ago, but I spent 3 years in Manhattan Beach before that (shout out to the Manhattan Beach Chapter!). I came to California from Baltimore. I have two adorable dogs. I come from a family of helpers. My grandmother was a teacher, my grandfather was a pastor, my mom a social worker, and my dad was a physical therapist. Seeing them dedicated to the people they interacted with made me know that I wanted to help people in the biggest way possible, whatever I did for a living.
Q: What is one thing everyone should do at least once in their lifetime?
Samantha: I highly recommend doing a chef’s table menu where you sit in the kitchen and get to interact with people and their art. It can be pricey, but one of the best ways to spend money.
Jessica: I have two! At least once in your life, be sure to have a dog. The second is more adventurey, biking down from the Haleakalā National Park at sunrise on Maui—it’s a can’t miss!
Q: Did you choose your profession, or did it choose you?
Samantha: It chose me! I have known one of our partners since right out of high school and while interviewing at other law firms, he brought me in as a law clerk, and I've been there ever since. And now I'm a partner!
Jessica: I actually chose my profession because I saw my family's limitations in their respective fields, for example, bound by rules and regulations as a teacher. I wanted to be in a career where I could do more and have more of a say.
Q: What goals are you working on now?
Samantha: I'm personally trying to make myself more of a priority, like actually getting on my Peloton. Professionally, things are going really well. A goal of our team is to gain more of a California statewide presence. We want to prioritize seeing if we can help more people outside our local market.
Jessica: I want to solidify my networking relationships in the community. Since I'm relatively new in the community, strengthening the relationships via coffee and lunches is what I hope to do.
Q: What do you like to do when not working?
Samantha: l love spending time with family, friends, going on surf trips, and camping!
Jessica: I was really lucky to make a group of friends locally with similar interests. Camping, hiking, beach days and anything on the water are my top picks. Actually, I met one of my closest friends by joining the Santa Barbara chapter of The W Source!
Q: How does your work connect you to The W Source network?
Samantha: We are honestly so lucky with what we do, despite the dark subject matter. We help people on their worst day - an accident. Someone you love has been hurt either intentionally or because of negligence. The reality is that we help people facing death, loss of limb, physical assault, or sexual assaults. To build relationships with clients from months to multiple years later is the rewarding part. Ultimately, when we walk with clients to the point that they get compensated for what they have been through, it makes it worth the late-night calls and difficult conversations. We wouldn't trade it for the world.
Jessica: I would add, one of the things our partners say is that they love the male and female counterbalances to client conversations and litigation. Our partners both are proud to have Sam and me on the team. They both have daughters and are very supportive of us in everything that we do. Bringing a female voice and empathetic element to a difficult situation allows us to help our clients navigate through those difficult days.
Regarding The W Source, we're both members of Santa Barbara, CA. The W Source has given us a chance not to be that typical personal injury billboard attorney - but allows us to share who we are as people, what drives us, and what we care about. We know our group and have friendships with trusted resources. Once you're an attorney for one area of a client's life, they come to you for everything, so it's important to have that connection at our fingertips.
We're in other networking situations, so what I find most interesting about The W Source is that it's not just business. There are genuine friendships. I walk into a meeting and it's different from talking about cases or financial markers - we're friends first, and business second.
Q: What else would you like W Source members to know about you?
Samantha: Call us if you have a question or know someone who has been hurt. Literally, just call us. One of the best things we do is networking and making connection. If you have any questions, we want to help you! We're also really good at dog questions.
Jessica: Right! We have 4 attorneys at our firm and 6 dogs, but regardless we're here for any questions. We are always happy to have a free consultation any time.
Our Mini Member Spotlight series was created for you to meet the many amazing women who make up The W Source™.
If you are a current member and would like to be nominated for a future spotlight or know someone who could benefit from connecting with The W Source™, please contact us for more information!