Sidebar Advisors

Michelle Calcote King: How Law Firms Actually Build Visibility, Credibility, and Demand

Send us Fan MailMichelle Calcote King, Principal & President of Reputation Ink, joins the podcast to break down how professional services firms — especially law firms — can turn their expertise into real visibility, credibility, and growth.At Reputation Ink, Michelle works with law and other B2B firms to help them become known authorities, earn meaningful media coverage, and build reputations that drive business development.In this episode, we talk about why marketing should look different depending on firm size, how owned, earned, and paid media actually work together, and what clients are paying attention to today.We also get into what separates firms that consistently generate opportunities from those that struggle to stand out — and how to build a strategy that creates long-term visibility, not just short-term activity.If you’re thinking about how your firm shows up in the market, or why it’s not translating into growth, this is a practical conversation worth listening to.

Trini Ross: Leadership, Public Service, and the Weight of the Role

Send us Fan MailTrini Ross spent over 30 years in federal service, ultimately serving as the United States Attorney for the Western District of New York — overseeing major cases involving violent crime, civil rights, and public corruption. In this conversation, she shares what that level of responsibility actually looks like day to day — from leading through high-profile, emotionally charged cases to managing a team under constant pressure and scrutiny.We talk about how she built her career in public service, the mindset required to make difficult decisions, and the moments that forced her to step back and reassess. She also reflects on leaving government, transitioning into private practice, and why she chose to build something new rather than follow a traditional path.This is a candid look at leadership, responsibility, and what it means to do the job well when the stakes are real.

Stefani Schwartz & Kathryn Hatfield: From Colleagues to Co-Founders

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Sidebar Advisors Podcast, Niraj Chhabra sits down with Kathryn Hatfield and Stefani Schwartz, the founding partners of Hatfield Schwartz, a women-owned labor and employment law firm that has grown steadily since launching during the uncertainty of COVID.The two first met while practicing at a 60-lawyer firm and quickly realized they shared a similar vision for how a practice could operate — one grounded in partnership, autonomy, and strong client relationships.They talk through what was happening in their lives when they made the decision to leave, how they prepared financially and personally for the transition, and how they’ve navigated the dynamics of building and scaling a firm together.Along the way, Kathryn and Stefani discuss:• How they prepared for the financial realities of launching a firm• Why complementary strengths made their partnership work• What they’ve learned about hiring and mentoring younger attorneys• How they think about culture as their team continues to growTheir story offers a candid look at what it actually takes to step away from stability and build a practice with intention.

Juliet Starrett: Movement, Career Pivots, and Building Control with Financial Readiness

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Sidebar Advisors Podcast, we sit down with Juliet Starrett -a former Big Law commercial litigator, world-champion whitewater paddler, and co-founder of The Ready State, a global platform focused on mobility, recovery, and longevity.Juliet’s career didn’t follow a straight line. Before law school, she spent years competing internationally as an elite athlete. After practicing at a major international firm, she and her husband co-founded one of San Francisco’s earliest CrossFit gyms—then built a second business that eventually became The Ready State, serving busy professionals who want to move better, sleep better, and stay sharp over the long term.In this conversation, Juliet shares:how her athletic background shaped her tolerance for risk and reinventionwhy she didn’t hate practicing law, but couldn’t see a long-term model she wanted to grow intothe financial groundwork she laid before leaving Big Lawwhat The Ready State iswhy movement isn’t optional for attorneys who want sustainable performanceIf you’re rethinking your health, your habits, or your long-term trajectory in the legal profession, this is an honest and tactical listen.

Melissa Peters: What Really Drives Lateral Partner Hiring Today

Send us Fan MailLateral moves look straightforward from the outside. In reality, most fail for reasons attorneys don’t always see coming.In this episode of the Sidebar Advisors Podcast, Niraj Chhabra sits down with Melissa Peters, founder of MP Legal Search, to break down what’s actually happening in the lateral partner market — and how firms evaluate candidates behind closed doors.Melissa shares real-world insight into shifting compensation structures, how firms assess portability and fit, and the common mistakes that quietly derail otherwise strong candidates. The conversation cuts through the noise around lateral hiring and focuses on what matters now.They discuss: • What firms really look for when evaluating lateral partners • How compensation expectations are changing across the market • Why strong books still aren’t enough on their own • The most common pitfalls that derail lateral moves • How attorneys can make themselves more marketable before they explore a transitionA practical, candid conversation for partners and senior attorneys considering a move — or simply trying to understand how the market actually works.🎧 Listen to the full episode on the Sidebar Advisors Podcast.