Sidebar Advisors Stefani Schwartz & Kathryn Hatfield: From Colleagues to Co-Founders
In this episode of the Sidebar Advisors Podcast, Niraj Chhabra sits down with Kathryn Hatfield and Stefani Schwartz, the founding partners of Hatfield Schwartz, a women-owned labor and employment law firm that has grown steadily since launching during the uncertainty of COVID.
The two first met while practicing at a 60-lawyer firm and quickly realized they shared a similar vision for how a practice could operate — one grounded in partnership, autonomy, and strong client relationships.
They talk through what was happening in their lives when they made the decision to leave, how they prepared financially and personally for the transition, and how they’ve navigated the dynamics of building and scaling a firm together.
Along the way, Kathryn and Stefani discuss:
• How they prepared for the financial realities of launching a firm
• Why complementary strengths made their partnership work
• What they’ve learned about hiring and mentoring younger attorneys
• How they think about culture as their team continues to grow
Their story offers a candid look at what it actually takes to step away from stability and build a practice with intention.