Sidebar with a CFP®: Pierce the Veil on BigLaw Life, Career, and Money with Matt Smith, Episode 7

In this episode of the Sidebar with a CFP®: Pierce the Veil on BigLaw Life, Career, and Money, Matt Smith speaks with tax advisor Brian Leben, partner of Lulloff, Leben & Taylor, LLC, a tax advisory firm.

Tune in to the episode to hear about:

* Tax planning considerations for big law attorneys during tax season

* Avoiding steep underpayment penalties

* Common gaps among high earners, including not maximizing pre-tax 401(k) and HSA contributions

* Backdoor and “mega” backdoor Roth strategies, allowing after-tax contributions and in-service rollovers

* A caution to popular social-media tax strategies (heavy vehicle deductions, conservation easements, intangible drilling costs, and the Augusta rule) are often inapplicable, complex, or not worth the hassle

* Practical opportunities including properly applying composite/PTE state tax payments

Learn more about Brian Leben:

* Connect with Brian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-leben-mba-cpa-pmp-pfs-cfp-r-7b29045

* Visit Lulloff, Leben & Taylor, LLC’s website: https://www.lltcpas.com

* Email Brian: bleben@lltcpas.com

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About “Sidebar with a CFP®: Pierce the Veil on BigLaw Life, Career, and Money”:

You bill in 6-minute increments. Let’s get you some of that time back. “Sidebar with a CFP®” is your space for candid conversations about life inside BigLaw—the real stuff they don’t teach in law school or show in recruiter brochures.

Hosted by Matt Smith, CFP® and founder of Concert Financial Planning, this show pulls back the curtain on what it actually feels like to climb the ranks, navigate transitions, and make big decisions in a high-stakes career.

You’ll hear from Partners, Associates, and experts across law and finance—each sharing stories, surprises, and strategies for building a life (and career) that works for you.

This isn’t a money podcast. It’s a life-in-BigLaw podcast—with a CFP® in the host chair.

Watch or listen to more episodes of Sidebar with a CFP®: Pierce the Veil on BigLaw Life, Career, and Money:

* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@concertfinplan

* Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sidebar-with-a-cfp-pierce-the-veil-on-biglaw/id1847658694

* Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/f6d90e4a-7817-4390-b944-091fac616a7c

* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2au3zmrNf0hb3BNgZid8aX

* iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-sidebar-with-a-cfpr-pierce-298226554

Connect and learn more from your host, Matt Smith and Concert Financial Planning:

* Connect with Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewcharlessmith

* Follow Concert Financial Planning on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/concertfinplan

* Follow Concert Financial Planning on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ConcertFinPlan

* Follow Concert Financial Planning on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/concertfinplan