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Step into the world of law with host Niraj Chhabra as he engages in conversations with accomplished attorneys from diverse legal backgrounds.
In this podcast series, we aim to inspire and enlighten the legal community by uncovering the remarkable stories and achievements of these legal professionals. Gain exclusive insights into their work both inside and outside the courtroom, discovering the profound impact they make in the field of law.
59 Episodes
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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 In this episode of the SideBar Advisor podcast, we sit down with Angelica Cesario to discuss her career journey from practicing attorney to her current role in legal education. We dive deep into how diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) have evolved in the legal industry, the challenges firms are facing, and how they are responding to recent shifts in the DEI landscape. Angelica shares valuable insights on what’s working, what’s changing, and what the future of DEI in law migh...
Send us a text In this episode, we sit down with Gerry Williams, the newly appointed Co-US Managing Partner at DLA Piper. Gerry shares his inspiring journey to leadership, including how he overcame challenges being introverted by intentionally networking within his firm—an effort that ultimately propelled his career. He also discusses his vision for DLA Piper, his strategy for positioning the firm as a leader across various practice areas, and his commitment to mentoring the next generation o...
Send us a text In this episode, we sit down with Judge Jose L. Linares, a trailblazer in the legal field and the first Cuban-born Chief District Court Judge in the United States. Judge Linares shares his journey from immigrating to the U.S. as a young boy to navigating incredible challenges and ultimately rising to one of the most prestigious roles in the judiciary. He reflects on his leadership philosophy, the importance of diversity in the legal profession, and how his personal experiences ...
Send us a text In this episode, we sit down with Michael Roybal, founder of Nuooly and an accomplished attorney with a background in international trade law. Michael shares how he built his law practice from the ground up, starting with cold calls and business directories, and the challenges of growing a firm. We then explore his entrepreneurial journey, including how the idea for Nuooly emerged from a desire to fill a gap in the business community. Now spending most of his time on Nuoo...
Send us a text In this episode, we sit down with Anita Ventrelli, Senior Partner at Schiller DuCanto & Fleck, who has dedicated her entire career to one of the nation’s premier family law firms. Anita shares how her first exposure to law came from helping her father navigate divorce paperwork, sparking a lifelong passion for advocacy. We explore the unique challenges of working with celebrity and high-profile cases, including the intense media scrutiny, emotional stakes, and even personal...
Send us a text In this episode, we speak with Michael Gold, Executive Vice President of Redwire Space and a trailblazer in space policy and law. Michael shares how he leveraged his legal expertise to pursue his passion for space, proving that you don’t need to excel at math to make a profound impact in STEM fields. He delves into his pivotal role in the Artemis Accords, a set of international agreements that establish cooperative principles for lunar exploration and the sustainable developmen...
Send us a text In this episode, we chat with Vanessa Vasquez de Lara, an inspiring attorney who shares her journey from immigrating to the U.S. at age 10 from the Dominican Republic to growing a thriving legal practice. Vanessa started her firm in a 10x10 windowless office and, along with her husband, who left his engineering career to join her, grew the business from $1 million to $3.7 million in revenue in under five years. Now leading a team of seven attorneys and staff, Vanessa has built ...
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