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 health, p...
Jul 02, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 52
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 grads How practicing attorneys with student loans should approach repayment plans—especially with ongoing policy shifts Why it’s crucial to leave all your options open in an unpr...
Jun 18, 2025•46 min•Ep. 51
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 le...
Jun 04, 2025•36 min•Ep. 50
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 Sp...
Apr 16, 2025•44 min•Ep. 49
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 s...
Mar 12, 2025•33 min•Ep. 48
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 discusses...
Mar 05, 2025•49 min•Ep. 47
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 might l...
Feb 26, 2025•31 min•Ep. 46
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 of...
Feb 19, 2025•37 min•Ep. 45
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 hav...
Jan 29, 2025•45 min•Ep. 44
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 Nuooly, Micha...
Jan 08, 2025•39 min•Ep. 43
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 sa...
Dec 18, 2024•52 min•Ep. 42
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 development ...
Dec 11, 2024•51 min•Ep. 41
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 a f...
Nov 27, 2024•34 min•Ep. 40
Send us a text On today’s podcast, we had the privilege of interviewing Chaka Patterson, a partner at Alston & Bird. Chaka has built an impressive career that spans both the public and private sectors, including serving as general counsel and trying cases for Fortune 500 companies. In addition to his legal expertise, Chaka is deeply committed to pro bono work, where he advocates for those wrongfully convicted, helping them regain their freedom. His dedication to his community and legal servi...
Nov 20, 2024•28 min•Ep. 39
Send us a text In this episode, we sit down with Christine Amalfe, a trailblazing leader in labor and employment law. As chair of her firm’s labor & employment department, member of the executive committee, and human resources general counsel, Christine has been a champion for women’s equality. She shares her journey in founding her firm’s internationally recognized women’s initiative, her work on New Jersey’s Council on Gender Parity, where she helped institute paid family leave and equal p...
Nov 14, 2024•47 min•Ep. 38
Send us a text In this episode, we sit down with Dylan Adams, a patent attorney at Davis Wright & Tremaine LLP. Dylan shares his unconventional journey from dropping out of college to pursue a music career, to later finding his passion in law. Now a successful patent attorney at an AMLaw 100 firm, Dylan has appeared on CNBC's *The Profit*, worked with *Shark Tank* contestants, and authored the widely respected book *Patents Demystified*, which is used in top universities like Harvard, Stanfo...
Oct 16, 2024•37 min•Ep. 37
Send us a text In this episode, we sit down with William Barrett, CEO of a prominent law firm, to discuss his remarkable journey from Big Law to leading a firm of over 100 attorneys. William shares how he took a 50% pay cut early on to prioritize work-life balance and the strategic moves he made to build a specialized practice in dental and medical transitions. Tune in to hear how his leadership has grown the firm from 20 to 112 attorneys and the key lessons he learned along the way. This is a m...
Oct 09, 2024•51 min•Ep. 36
Send us a text On our latest podcast, we interviewed Zach Ratzman, Director of Product Management at Thomson Reuters. Zach shared insights from his career journey, from his work with the Department of Homeland Security to his current role at Thomson Reuters. We dove deep into the Practical Law product, exploring its features, benefits, and how it stays up to date with the ever-evolving legal landscape. Don't miss this informative conversation!...
Oct 02, 2024•34 min•Ep. 35
Send us a text This week, we feature Sandra Radna, an attorney who grew her law firm from a small operation in her basement to a thriving practice with a team of 15. Specializing in family law and personal injury, Sandra's journey highlights perseverance and entrepreneurial spirit. In this episode, Sandra shares her transition from a nursing career to law, her grassroots approach to building her firm, and how networking and referrals fueled its growth. She also talks about balancing professional...
Sep 25, 2024•38 min•Ep. 34
Send us a text Tune in to our latest episode, where we sit down with the remarkable Lisa Zeiderman, founder of a thriving law firm that has grown to 50 employees in just 10 years. In this interview, Lisa shares the secrets behind her firm's rapid growth, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing client satisfaction above all else. Discover how Lisa and her partner effectively manage their business, including the dynamics of working alongside her husband. Delve into her strategic use of social m...
Sep 18, 2024•40 min•Ep. 33
Send us a text Attorney Sheryl Axelrod discusses how she successfully shifted from Big Law to a small ADR practice while continuing to handle cases worth hundreds of millions of dollars. She discusses her research on the ethical & financial advantages of diversity in the workplace and her efforts to promote a more inclusive legal industry.
Sep 11, 2024•46 min•Ep. 32
Send us a text In this episode of our podcast, we had the pleasure of interviewing Dina Cataldo, a certified coach who specializes in working with attorneys. Dina is the host of the Be a Better Lawyer Podcast and is dedicated to helping attorneys manage their time, overcome overwhelm, and find fulfillment in their careers. Her mission is to empower attorneys to achieve both professional success and personal fulfillment. Join us as Dina shares invaluable insights and practical strategies to help ...
Sep 04, 2024•47 min•Ep. 31
Send us a text Join us in our latest podcast interview with Michael Donahue III, the seasoned managing shareholder of Stark & Stark. With three decades of dedication to his firm, Donahue shares invaluable insights on leadership, emphasizing the importance of fostering diversity even amidst shifting legal landscapes, such as recent Supreme Court rulings on Affirmative Action. Discover how Stark & Stark maintains its competitive edge through Donahue's approach of assertiveness without aggr...
Aug 21, 2024•50 min•Ep. 30
Send us a text Join us on the latest episode of the SideBar Advisors Podcast as we dive into the remarkable journey of Kristin Grant, Founder of Grant Attorneys at Law. From her early aspirations in pre-med to her dynamic transition into patent law, Kristin shares invaluable insights gleaned from her diverse experiences. Discover how her entrepreneurial spirit led her from running an online retail store to establishing and nurturing her own successful legal practice. In our conversation, Kristin...
Jul 10, 2024•27 min•Ep. 29
Send us a text In this episode we interview Tiffany Webber as shares her journey from law school to establishing a thriving solo practice. What truly sets her apart is her innovative approach to marketing. Despite the traditional norms of solo practitioners shying away from social media, Tiffany has leveraged platforms such as YouTube to build a robust online presence. Learn firsthand how she harnessed the power of digital marketing to connect with clients and demystify the complexities of real ...
Jun 26, 2024•46 min•Ep. 28
Send us a text In this episode, we're joined by Philip Fairley, president of the Rainmaker Institute. The Rainmaker Institue is the largest marketing law firm company in the nation. Philip sheds light on the crucial role of intake automation in law firms and why firm owners shouldn't be at the forefront of sales. Delving into the power of video content, he offers insights on overcoming hesitations and getting started. Plus, Philip generously shares a link to exclusive resources for SideBar liste...
Jun 12, 2024•40 min•Ep. 27
Send us a text In our conversation, we explore Judge Quraishi's path to the bench, the challenges he faced along the way, and his commitment to justice and mentorship. Join us for insights into his remarkable journey and his call for attorneys to dream beyond their own communities.
May 29, 2024•50 min•Ep. 26
Send us a text In this episode, we're chatting with Catherine Adams., a total powerhouse in the legal world. She's faced some real tough stuff, like being widowed with young kids, having to sue her prior employer and dealing with gender discrimination. But guess what? She's turned all that into fuel for her passion for civil rights. We'll dive into her journey into law, how she's kicking butt in the fight for justice, and why she's all about giving back through volunteering. Get ready for some r...
May 01, 2024•29 min•Ep. 25
Send us a text Steve Fretzin, Founder of Fretzin Inc., specializes in coaching attorneys on the art and science of business development. With over 20 years of coaching experience, he has authored three books on the topic, hosts the "Be that Lawyer" podcast, and regularly speaks on business development for various media outlets and bar associations. Listen to Steve discuss why it’s critical for attorneys to develop their own books of business and how they can hone these skills, even if they aren’...
Apr 10, 2024•37 min•Ep. 24
Send us a text In this episode, we unravel the intricacies of legal marketing. Listen to our guest, Aron Solomon of Amplify for Lawyers, as he discusses the evolving realm of branding in the legal sphere, the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence, and the indispensable strategies law firms must adopt to stand out in today's competitive landscape.
Apr 03, 2024•35 min•Ep. 23
