Sidebar Advisors

Send us Fan MailTrini Ross spent over 30 years in federal service, ultimately serving as the United States Attorney for the Western District of New York — overseeing major cases involving violent crime, civil rights, and public corruption. In this conversation, she shares what that level of responsibility actually looks like day to day — from leading through high-profile, emotionally charged cases to managing a team under constant pressure and scrutiny.We talk about how she built her career in public service, the mindset required to make difficult decisions, and the moments that forced her to step back and reassess. She also reflects on leaving government, transitioning into private practice, and why she chose to build something new rather than follow a traditional path.This is a candid look at leadership, responsibility, and what it means to do the job well when the stakes are real.

Send us Fan MailIn 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 growTheir story offers a candid look at what it actually takes to step away from stability and build a practice with intention.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Sidebar Advisors Podcast, we sit down with Juliet Starrett -a former Big Law commercial litigator, world-champion whitewater paddler, and co-founder of The Ready State, a global platform focused on mobility, recovery, and longevity.Juliet’s career didn’t follow a straight line. Before law school, she spent years competing internationally as an elite athlete. After practicing at a major international firm, she and her husband co-founded one of San Francisco’s earliest CrossFit gyms—then built a second business that eventually became The Ready State, serving busy professionals who want to move better, sleep better, and stay sharp over the long term.In this conversation, Juliet shares:how her athletic background shaped her tolerance for risk and reinventionwhy she didn’t hate practicing law, but couldn’t see a long-term model she wanted to grow intothe financial groundwork she laid before leaving Big Lawwhat The Ready State iswhy movement isn’t optional for attorneys who want sustainable performanceIf you’re rethinking your health, your habits, or your long-term trajectory in the legal profession, this is an honest and tactical listen.

Send us Fan MailLateral moves look straightforward from the outside. In reality, most fail for reasons attorneys don’t always see coming.In this episode of the Sidebar Advisors Podcast, Niraj Chhabra sits down with Melissa Peters, founder of MP Legal Search, to break down what’s actually happening in the lateral partner market — and how firms evaluate candidates behind closed doors.Melissa shares real-world insight into shifting compensation structures, how firms assess portability and fit, and the common mistakes that quietly derail otherwise strong candidates. The conversation cuts through the noise around lateral hiring and focuses on what matters now.They discuss: • What firms really look for when evaluating lateral partners • How compensation expectations are changing across the market • Why strong books still aren’t enough on their own • The most common pitfalls that derail lateral moves • How attorneys can make themselves more marketable before they explore a transitionA practical, candid conversation for partners and senior attorneys considering a move — or simply trying to understand how the market actually works.🎧 Listen to the full episode on the Sidebar Advisors Podcast.

Send us Fan MailA lot of people in Big Law hear the phrase “professional development” — but don’t always know what it actually means in practice.In this episode of the Sidebar Advisors Podcast, Niraj Chhabra sits down with Hedieh Fakhriyazdi, Chief Engagement & Development Officer at White & Case, to talk about how growth really happens inside a global law firm — for associates, business services professionals, and everyone in between.Hedieh shares how White & Case thinks about development beyond titles and promotions, including how associates get real leadership experience early, why listening matters just as much as training, and how employee-led affinity groups shape culture from the ground up.They cover: • What “engagement” actually looks like day-to-day • How associates get a real seat at the table earlier than you’d expect • Why development can’t just be classroom training • How firms build trust by acting on feedback — not just collecting itIf you’ve ever wondered what a large firm can do better when it comes to growth, culture, and belonging, this conversation is worth your time.🎧 Listen to the full episode on the Sidebar Advisors Podcast.

Send us Fan MailFew people have a clearer view into the legal talent market than Merle Vaughn, Partner and Law Firm Diversity Practice Leader at Major, Lindsey & Africa.In this episode of the Sidebar Advisors Podcast, Merle joins Niraj Chhabra to share her journey from practicing attorney to one of the most respected legal recruiters in the industry — and what she’s learned from advising firms and attorneys through some of their most pivotal career decisions.They discuss:• What law firms are actually looking for today — beyond résumés and credentials • How DEI efforts have evolved, and where firms still struggle to align intent with action • The shifting expectations between attorneys and employers in a competitive market • Why self-awareness is the most important starting point when considering a move • How relationship-building — especially with recruiters — shapes long-term outcomesMerle offers a behind-the-scenes look at legal recruiting and practical advice for attorneys and firms navigating change with clarity and confidence.🎧 Listen to the full episode on the Sidebar Advisors Podcast.

Send us Fan MailAs the year closes and a new tax landscape takes shape, attorneys can’t afford to rely on outdated assumptions about withholdings, deductions, or firm structures.In this episode of The Sidebar Advisors Podcast, Niraj Chhabra sits down with Larry Pon, CPA/PFS, CFP®, a nationally recognized tax expert, to break down what the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) and recent tax changes actually mean for lawyers heading into 2026.Whether you’re an associate adjusting withholdings, a newly elevated partner navigating K-1 income and buy-ins, or a firm owner evaluating deductions and SALT limitations, Larry offers clear, practical guidance grounded in real-world scenarios.They discuss: • The common tax trap new partners fall into  • Why tax planning, not tax prep, is essential for attorneys • Changes affecting pass-through entities, SALT limitations, and more • How high-earning attorneys should think about cash flow, estimated payments, and surprises • Law firm owners using student loan repayment contributions as a talent recruiting and retention toolThis is a timely, actionable conversation for any lawyer who wants to start 2026 with clarity instead of regret.🎧 Listen now on the Sidebar Advisors Podcast.

Send us Fan MailSome career stories unfold neatly. Andrea N. Rivers story isn’t one of them, and that’s exactly why it resonates.This week on the SideBar Advisors Podcast, I sat down with Andrea, an associate in the Antitrust & Competition group at Baker McKenzie, whose path into law has been shaped by grit, community, and a whole lot of real-life juggling.In this episode we talk about: ⚖️ How she handled working full time through law school  🌱 The mentors who opened doors early on 💼 Navigating career moves between Akin Gump, Axinn, and now Baker McKenzie 🤝 Co-founding Black JD, Inc. to support first-gen and underrepresented pre-law students 👶 Balancing new motherhood with a demanding legal careerFor newer attorneys and JD candidates trying to find their footing, Andrea’s story is a candid look at the realities of starting out in Big Law. 

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we sit down with Neel Chatterjee, one of the nation’s leading IP litigators and a finalist for ALM’s Attorney of the Year award.We cover a wide-ranging conversation, including:His path into law and the mentors who shaped himThe bold decision to leave Goodwin for King & Spalding and his vision for building out an IP powerhouse in Silicon ValleyStrategies for managing landmark cases involving tech giants like Facebook, NVIDIA, and eBayThe founding of Law Firm Partners United and the coalition’s amicus brief defending the rule of lawWhy public interest and diversity remain central to his careerHow he brings authenticity and humor into BigLaw culture—from snacks in the office to his tongue-in-cheek business cards declaring him “the very handsom man”Neel also opens up about his heritage and upbringing, and how those experiences shaped his worldview, his advocacy, and his drive to lead with purpose.This is a thoughtful, funny, and inspiring conversation with one of the legal industry’s most authentic voices.

Send us Fan MailBree Herman didn’t set out to specialize in legal accounting, but a childhood spent learning how to “find the missing penny” sparked a passion that eventually led her to launch Herman Ledger Services, a boutique firm supporting solo and small law practices with bookkeeping, trust accounting, Clio and QuickBooks integrations, and fractional CFO support.Today, Bree helps attorneys move from confusion to clarity by giving them the financial systems, compliance oversight, and strategic insight they need to run their firms with confidence.In this episode of the Sidebar Advisors Podcast, Bree joins Niraj Chhabra to discuss: 📊 Why so many attorneys struggle with bookkeeping and trust accounting ⚖️ The biggest blind spots lawyers face when starting their own firms 💼 How to scale from solo practice to multi-attorney firm without losing control of finances 🔗 The power of integrating Clio + QuickBooks — and how it saves 5–10 hours a month 💰 When it’s time to move from outsourced bookkeeping to fractional CFO guidance 🌾 How life on her New Hampshire farm unexpectedly shaped her approach to entrepreneurshipFrom compliance pitfalls to multi-state payroll issues to planning benefits for growing teams, Bree breaks down the financial side of running a law firm in a way that’s approachable, practical, and empowering.🎧 Listen to the full episode on the Sidebar Advisors Podcast.