SideBar Advisors
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.
SideBar Advisors
Hedieh Fakhriyazdi: What Growth Really Looks Like Inside a Big Law Firm
A lot of people in Big Law hear the phrase “professional development” — but don’t always know what it actually means in practice.
In this episode of the Sidebar Advisors Podcast, Niraj Chhabra sits down with Hedieh Fakhriyazdi, Chief Engagement & Development Officer at White & Case, to talk about how growth really happens inside a global law firm — for associates, business services professionals, and everyone in between.
Hedieh shares how White & Case thinks about development beyond titles and promotions, including how associates get real leadership experience early, why listening matters just as much as training, and how employee-led affinity groups shape culture from the ground up.
They cover:
• What “engagement” actually looks like day-to-day
• How associates get a real seat at the table earlier than you’d expect
• Why development can’t just be classroom training
• How firms build trust by acting on feedback — not just collecting it
If you’ve ever wondered what a large firm can do better when it comes to growth, culture, and belonging, this conversation is worth your time.
🎧 Listen to the full episode on the Sidebar Advisors Podcast.