Send us a text As the year closes and a new tax landscape takes shape, attorneys can’t afford to rely on outdated assumptions about withholdings, deductions, or firm structures.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...
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Send us a text As the year closes and a new tax landscape takes shape, attorneys can’t afford to rely on outdated assumptions about withholdings, deductions, or firm structures.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...
Send us a text As the year closes and a new tax landscape takes shape, attorneys can’t afford to rely on outdated assumptions about withholdings, deductions, or firm structures.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...
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 open...
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 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 Fi...
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 stra...
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 in...
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 Ad...
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 ...
Send us a text In this episode, Candace Dellacona, Principal and Shareholder in the Estates & Trusts practice at Offit Kurman, shares how she guides families through the most personal and complex planning issues: from wills and guardianships to elder care, LGBTQ+ planning, and business succession. We cover: Why estate planning is about more than legal documents - it’s about family dynamics, time, and mental health.The biggest challenges facing the sandwich generation, from caregiver burno...
Send us a text Money is never just about dollars and cents. It’s about choices, values, and emotions. In this Sidebar Advisors episode, Jacquette Timmons — financial behaviorist, speaker, author, and host of the More Than Money podcast — shares how decades of experience have shaped her mission to help professionals, especially attorneys, transform their relationship with money. Jacquette has seen firsthand that wealth doesn’t erase fear or poor decisions — it only changes the scale. In ...
Send us a text Erin Andersen, founder of Your Brand Networker, is on a mission to help professionals reclaim joy in their careers. From guiding burned-out attorneys through bold career pivots to introducing a flat-fee hiring model that challenges traditional recruiting, Erin brings fresh thinking to industries where culture and retention matter most. In this episode, Erin shares: How toxic workplace experiences inspired her to build a career around helping others navigate transitions.Why atto...
Send us a text Before AI, commercial space exploration, or 3D printing became mainstream, James Wolff was already deep in the weeds - founding startups in college and chasing cutting-edge ideas long before they hit the headlines. In this episode, James shares how his lifelong passion for technology continues to shape the way he practices law, advises clients, and builds his reputation in the industry. We explore the winding path that led him from engineering and entrepreneurship to law,...
Send us a text Gail Cummings began her legal career to meet expectations, but the deeper truth was harder to ignore. After more than a decade in Big Law, with a thriving practice and two young children at home, she made the bold decision to pursue her long-standing dream of becoming a psychotherapist. In this episode, Gail shares her path from lawyer to licensed therapist and executive coach, the emotional and practical hurdles she faced, and why so many attorneys find themselves questioning ...
Send us a text In this episode, we sit down with Andrea D’Ambra, Partner and Global Executive Committee Member at Norton Rose Fulbright. Andrea shares her remarkable journey from leaving a major firm to pursue a true partnership track, to navigating Big Law while raising five kids and ultimately rising to leadership at one of the world’s largest law firms. We talk about her role co-chairing the firm’s Women’s Initiative (WiN), her influential work with The Sedona Conference, where she helps...
Send us a text In this episode, Niraj is joined by friend, colleague, and fellow advisor Ian Murray, CFP®, CSLP®. In this episode they discuss the real-life role student loans play in financial planning - especially for attorneys earning at the higher end of the scale. They talk through how student loan strategy shifts across compensation tiers, how to balance repayment with long-term planning, and how lifestyle design and financial clarity go hand in hand. You’ll also hear thoughts on the la...
Send us a text In this episode, we sit down with Emily Logan Stedman, attorney at Husch Blackwell, to explore her unconventional path to Big Law and the powerful personal brand she’s built along the way. Emily shares how she began her career as a teacher before making the leap to law, and how writing and blogging helped her find her voice in a demanding profession. We dive into how her current firm has supported her passion for authenticity—whether that’s speaking openly about mental h...
Send us a text 🎙 On this episode of the SideBar Advisors Podcast, we’re joined by Derek Brainard, CFP®, Director of Financial Education at AccessLex Institute—the nation’s largest nonprofit dedicated to supporting law students and legal education. We cover: The top resources AccessLex offers for law students and recent gradsHow practicing attorneys with student loans should approach repayment plans—especially with ongoing policy shiftsWhy it’s crucial to leave all your options open in an unpr...
Send us a text From skateboarding teen to leading one of the top environmental law practices in the country — meet Justin Savage, partner at Sidley Austin. Justin shares his journey from the DOJ, where he helped try what was then the largest environmental settlement in U.S. history, to his current role advising major companies on high-stakes regulatory and litigation matters. But his story goes way beyond the courtroom. A high school teacher inspired him to pursue college, a debate team flyer...
Send us a text In this episode of the Sidebar Advisors Podcast, we're joined by Stacy Phillips—renowned family law attorney and partner at Blank Rome LLP. With nearly four decades of experience, Stacy has represented some of the most high-profile names in entertainment, business, and beyond. From complex divorces to custody battles, she brings unmatched insight and grace to some of life’s toughest transitions. We dive into her experiences working on cases involving public figures like Britney...
Send us a text Women attorneys face unique challenges when it comes to growing and scaling their firms—something Davina Frederick knows firsthand. As a lawyer, law firm growth strategist, and founder of Wealthy Woman Lawyer®, Davina has built a career helping women attorneys overcome business hurdles, set boundaries, and create sustainable success. In this episode, she shares how she went from running her own practice to coaching women lawyers on business development, mindset shifts, and the ...
Send us a text In this episode, we sit down with Breeana J. Somers, a litigation associate at Ballard Spahr, who shares her incredible story of resilience and success. From being a teen mom relying on government assistance to working multiple jobs while attending law school at night—Breeana defied the odds to break into Big Law. She opens up about hiding her motherhood from her firm, the challenges of balancing it all, and how embracing her authenticity changed everything. Breeana also discus...
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...
