Welcome to HH&K’s Meet Your Lawyer blog series dedicated to giving you up close and personal insight of the people behind our one hundred twenty-two-year-old institution. The individuals we profile here have dedicated themselves to continuing Hinman, Howard & Kattell’s motto … Peace of mind 1901.
Meredith Baio is Special Counsel with Hinman, Howard & Kattell in our Oneonta office and is a member of HHK’s Commercial & Residential Real Estate, Elder Law & Guardianship and Trusts & Estates Practice Groups. Meredith received her bachelor’s degree from Colgate University and went on to receive his law degree from William and Mary School of Law. Meredith’s practice focuses primarily on real estate, trusts & estates, elder law and guardianship.
What made you decide to be an attorney?
I became a lawyer because I worked with Tim Johnson, Esq. in Morris during college, and I really liked his small town practice and how he served the community. I’m grateful that I have the opportunity to do the same thing now for HH&K!
Where were you born?
Cooperstown, New York
What was your high school mascot?
Emma Willard Court Jester
What podcast are you listening to right now?
I am a bit of a politics junkie and have several regulars: The Dishcast with Andrew Sullivan, The Fifth Column, and The Reason Interview with Nick Gillespie.
What book are you currently reading?
I was recently given Wendell’s Berry’s “Another Day: Sabbath Poems, 2013-2023,” which is absolutely wonderful. I love his fiction and his poetry. I am also reading “The Captive Mind” by Czeslaw Milosz and Mary Karr’s “The Art of Memoir.”
What is your favorite musical group?
My 10 and 7 year old daughters dominate the speakers now—so it’s a lot of Taylor Swift in our house, whether I like it or not!
What is the best concert you have ever seen live?
B.B. King at the Stanley Theatre many years ago. Not only was he an incredible musician, his dialogues between the songs were just as wonderful. A true master.
If you could witness any event of the past, present or future, what would it be?
It is too hard for me to pick a specific moment, but I would choose to shadow Winston Churchill.
If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?
I would love to go back to New Zealand. I was in Christchurch for a law school study abroad program in 2011 which abruptly ended due to a devastating earthquake, and the people were so kind during that time. I would love to travel the country again and hike in Queenstown as I’d originally intended.
What teacher or coach in high school made the biggest impact on you and why?
I was fortunate to have many great teachers in high school, but Brendan Randall, who was a retired lawyer, really challenged his students and made us think and make reasoned arguments.
If you were not an attorney, what would your job be?
I homeschooled my children for several years. I think I would have liked teaching as a career. I also gained a lot of respect for teachers through those years—it’s not an easy job, but it is certainly rewarding.
To find out more about Meredith, check out her bio.