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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.

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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.

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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.