Get to Know Barbara L. Baldo
What is your current role?
Partner
How long have you worked at Cohen, Feeley, Altemose & Rambo?
This is actually my second round at the firm. I was hired as an associate in 2000 and left in 2003 after my first child was born. I started my own law practice, and then returned to CFAR in 2018.
What is it like to work at Cohen, Feeley, Altemose & Rambo?
It is a very collegial work environment with a lot of smart and hard-working people.
Why did you decide to become a lawyer?
What else was I going to do with an undergraduate degree in Political Science and History?
Actually, I was leaning toward pursuing a career as a college professor when one of my own professors suggested that I consider law school. I had just finished a presentation and apparently, I made a good impression with my verbal skills and persuasive abilities.
Who is/was your mentor? What was the greatest lesson you learned from him/her?
I think I learned the most from my parents and the life lessons that they taught me. Things like work hard, treat everyone with respect and kindness and don’t expect things will always work in your favor because life can throw a lot of curveballs. You need to be able to brush yourself off and keep moving forward.
How did you choose your area of practice?
Not to sound too metaphysical, but I think that this practice chose me.
What’s one thing – either industry-related or not – that you learned this month?
That I really, really do not like snow!
What motivates you to work hard?
It is the feeling of satisfaction that I get when I get a good result for a client.
What do you like to do outside of the office?
I read quite a bit. I enjoy yoga and Pilates, but mostly yoga since I have realized that the mindfulness aspect of a yoga practice has helped me in so many ways. I also like to take walks with my kids, garden in the spring and summer, and travel.
Name one fun fact about you that would surprise others?
I love to cook and I am really very good at it. My favorite thing to do on a Sunday afternoon is to watch Masterpiece Theatre while I make meals for the week. It’s just so relaxing.
Where is your favorite place you have visited?
It’s a tie – Bermuda (because I’m a beach lover) and London (because I love the history).
What one piece of advice would you give to woman lawyers starting out today?
Be prepared to work hard and make sure that you take time for yourself. It’s way too easy to lose part of yourself in this industry.
