Meet the attorney who moonlights as a sports broadcaster

Most lawyers stick to one playing field, but Joe Van Amburg has built a career that straddles two. At Witt, Hicklin, Snider & Fain, P.C., he guides clients through the deeply personal process of estate planning. But by night (and on most weekends), he slips behind the mic, delivering play-by-play commentary that captures the highs and heartbreaks of various local sporting events. Whether it’s drafting a will or dissecting draft picks, Van Amburg knows the importance of strategy, clear communication and keeping the audience engaged.

—Interview by Emily Kelchen, edited by Bianca Prieto

How did you get into sports broadcasting—and how does that fit alongside your estate planning practice? 

I got into sports broadcasting in 2005 when a family friend asked if I wanted to help broadcast a local high school’s football and basketball games. I absolutely loved it. When my legal career started, I gave up broadcasting for a few years, but started again in 2014. Now my sports broadcasting and legal work go hand in hand. 

What does a typical week look like for you? How do you balance client meetings with calling games or being on air?

Avoid sleep! Just kidding. I really try to be efficient when I am at work. Then, after work, I prioritize preparing for broadcasts. The goal is to not be preparing for games at the last minute, or give my clients anything less than my full attention when I am in the office.

Do your colleagues or clients know about your sports broadcasting side gig? How do they react?

Yes, they know about it, and they think it’s interesting. You don’t find too many people dedicated to two careers. I’ve had clients ask me about broadcasting because they saw it on my firm's bio.

I doubt a lot of people watching or listening to the games know that I am a lawyer.

Are there any similarities between estate planning and sports broadcasting?

Both estate planning and broadcasting require good communication and preparation. I have to learn about a client’s goals, assets, and experiences to prepare their estate plan, just like I have to learn about a team’s goals, players and coaches and previous games to prepare for a broadcast. 

Being a lawyer really helps with my broadcasting. I spent my early career as an assistant prosecutor, and that taught me how to think on my feet and ask the right kind of questions to get the information I need. I use those skills when I am interviewing coaches and players about upcoming games.

What would you say to lawyers who feel like they have to choose between law and other passions?

I always recommend supplementing your law practice with something else you enjoy. I know that law practice takes a lot of time, but you have to give yourself that outlet. Law practice is hard, and it can wear on you. Giving yourself time for something else you are passionate about can really help you be a better lawyer and give you a more fulfilling life.

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 Raise the Bar is written and curated by Emily Kelchen and edited by Bianca Prieto.