Send us a text

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.

Send us a text

As the year closes and a new tax landscape takes shape, attorneys can’t afford to rely on outdated assumptions about withholdings, deductions, or firm structures.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

Send us a text

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.

Send us a text

In 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 him
• The bold decision to leave Goodwin for King & Spalding and his vision for building out an IP powerhouse in Silicon Valley
• Strategies for managing landmark cases involving tech giants like Facebook, NVIDIA, and eBay
• The founding of Law Firm Partners United and the coalition’s amicus brief defending the rule of law
• Why public interest and diversity remain central to his career
• How 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 a text

Bree 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 entrepreneurship

From 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.

Send us a text

When Emma Smizer started law school, her path was anything but traditional. From a rescinded Big Law offer to finding her niche in video game law, Emma carved out a career that blends creativity, advocacy, and authenticity.

Now an associate at Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz, Emma is part of the firm’s Interactive Entertainment Group, advising top developers and publishers on everything from in-game economies and licensing to regulatory compliance, consumer protection, and intellectual property.

In this episode of the Sidebar Advisors Podcast, Emma joins Niraj to talk about how she built a thriving career in one of the most exciting corners of the legal world, and what it takes to stand out early in your career.

They discuss:

🎮 How a rescinded Big Law offer turned into an unexpected career opportunity
⚖️ The rise of video game law and what makes it so complex and dynamic
💡 Building a client base early in your career through authenticity and visibility
👾 How gaming culture is shaping the next generation of lawyers
💼 The leadership lessons hidden inside virtual worlds

Emma’s journey is a reminder that the most fulfilling careers aren’t always planned; they’re built through resilience, curiosity, and showing up with your authentic self.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on the Sidebar Advisors Podcast.

Send us a text

After two decades in litigation, Courtney Schulnick, Esq. stepped away from the courtroom to pursue something equally demanding, helping others manage the pressures of law with clarity and balance.

Now a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) instructor, Courtney teaches attorneys and other professionals how to use mindfulness not as an escape from their work, but as a tool to perform at their highest level while protecting their well-being.

In this episode of the Sidebar Advisors Podcast, Courtney joins Niraj to share how her career journey led her to mindfulness, what the practice actually entails, and why it’s a practical, evidence-based approach for thriving in high-pressure environments.

We cover:

⚖️ The science behind focus, clarity, and resilience at work

🧘 How becoming a mother forced her to slow down and re-evaluate what fulfillment looks like

💼 Why mental well-being is a competitive advantage, not a distraction from success

🌱 How stepping away from law allowed her to teach others how to stay engaged and fulfilled within it

🎧 Listen to the full episode now

🔗 Learn more about Courtney’s work: www.CourtneySchulnickMindfulness.com

📖 Download her free mindfulness workbook: https://mailchi.mp/97686ee6c88c/free-mindfulness-workbook

💻 Join Courtney’s free 15-minute drop-in mindfulness sessions every Tuesday at 12:30 PM ET via Jefferson’s: https://jefferson.zoom.us/j/95409363161#success

Send us a text

John Quinn is one of the most recognizable names in the legal world — and for good reason.

As Founding Partner and Executive Chairman of Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, he has built the largest litigation-only law firm in the world, with over 1,300 attorneys across 34 offices, an 86% trial win rate, and a ranking of #19 on the AmLaw 100.

In this episode of the Sidebar Advisors Podcast, John shares the story behind Quinn Emanuel’s steady rise.

We discuss:

• The early years of building Quinn Emanuel from the ground up
• How the firm’s focus on excellence, autonomy, and results shaped its culture
• The importance for every lawyer to be a rainmaker
• Landmark cases that helped define the firm’s reputation
• The balance between leadership, ambition, and longevity in law
• John’s creative pursuits — from art and Michelin-star dining to hosting his own podcasr, Law, Disrupted
  
  

🎧 Listen to this in-depth conversation about what it takes to build, lead, and sustain one of the top AmLaw firms.