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Few 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 outcomes

Merle 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.

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As the year closes and a new tax landscape takes shape, attorneys can’t afford to rely on outdated assumptions about withholdings, deductions, or firm structures.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 tool

This 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.

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Some 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 career

For 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.