Law School Toolbox®: Recent Episodes

None

All the tools you need for law school success

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! This is Part 1 of a two-part series on strict liability as it relates to animals (both wild and domestic), as well as certain super dangerous activities. Join us next week for the second episode on this topic.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Overview of strict liability in torts
  • What activities are considered abnormally dangerous?
  • Strict liability as it relates to keeping wild and domestic animals
  • A fact pattern from the February 2008 California bar exam

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources: “Listen and Learn” series * California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, February 2008 * Foster v. Preston Mill Co.*

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 568: Listen and Learn — Strict Liability: Animals and Dangerous Activities (Part 1) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In this episode, we’re discussing fundamental concepts that are taught in first-year Con Law classes. First, we’ll look at justiciability – the set of threshold doctrines that decide whether a federal court is allowed to hear a constitutional case in the first place. Then we’ll move to the individual rights side and dig into the single most important analytical tool in the entire area – the levels of scrutiny (sometimes called standards of review). We’ll finish by working through a fact pattern that ties it all together.

Thanks to Juno for sponsoring this episode! If you’re thinking about student loans for law school, head to JoinJuno.com to explore your options and see how Juno can help you find a better rate.

In this episode we discuss:

  • An overview of constitutional law
  • Standing, and other justiciability doctrines
  • Levels of scrutiny
  • Foundational cases you’ll likely study as a 1L
  • A fact pattern walkthrough

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources: JoinJuno.com * Marbury v. Madison * Lujan v. Defenders of Wildlife * Loving v. Virginia * Craig v. Boren * Mississippi University for Women v. Hogan* * Podcast Episode 295: Listen and Learn – Due Process and Equal Protection (Con Law) * Podcast Episode 334: Listen and Learn – Standards of Review (Con Law) * Podcast Episode 521: Smarter Borrowing: How Juno Helps Lower Student Loans

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 567: Law Every 1L Should Know — Constitutional Law appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re diving into the fundamentals of criminal law. First, we’ll walk through the building blocks of any crime – the elements that the prosecution has to prove for someone to be found guilty. Then we’ll take those building blocks and apply them to the single most heavily tested topic in 1L Criminal Law – homicide. We’ll see how the different homicide crimes are really distinguished by the defendant’s mental state, and we’ll work through a fact pattern at the end.

Thanks to Juno for sponsoring this episode! If you’re thinking about student loans for law school, head to JoinJuno.com to explore your options and see how Juno can help you find a better rate.

In this episode we discuss:

  • An introduction to criminal law
  • The elements of a crime, which the prosecution has to prove beyond a reasonable doubt
  • The homicide hierarchy
  • A fact pattern walkthrough

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources:* JoinJuno.com * Model Penal Code * Podcast Episode 248: Listen and Learn – Introduction to Homicide * Podcast Episode 305: Listen and Learn – Property Crimes * Podcast Episode 406: Listen and Learn – Defenses to a Crime * Podcast Episode 482: Listen and Learn – Assault and Battery (Crim Law) * Podcast Episode 516: Listen and Learn – Elements of a Crime * Podcast Episode 521: Smarter Borrowing: How Juno Helps Lower Student Loans

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 566: Law Every 1L Should Know — Criminal Law appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today Alison is talking with the ABA’s Managing Director of Accreditation and Legal Education about law school accreditation — what’s been happening in Texas and Florida, and what it means for current and prospective law students.

In this episode we discuss:

  • An introduction to our guest, Jennifer Rosato Perea
  • What does law school accreditation actually mean?
  • Changes to accreditation in Texas and Florida, and what they mean for students
  • The portability of a law degree
  • Choosing a law school in 2026

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources:* American Bar Association

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 565: Law School Accreditation in 2026: A Conversation with Jennifer Rosato Perea appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re diving into a fundamental concept in legal trials — evidence. We’ll discuss the foundation that evidence is built around – relevance, and then we’ll focus on the most important topic in all of evidence – hearsay. We’ll learn what hearsay is, why the law distrusts it, and the major ways it still gets admitted. And we’ll finish with a fact pattern that illustrates how hearsay is tested on an exam.

Thanks to Juno for sponsoring this episode! If you’re thinking about student loans for law school, head to JoinJuno.com to explore your options and see how Juno can help you find a better rate.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Evidence law and relevance
  • What is defined as “hearsay” and what is “non-hearsay”?
  • Most common hearsay exceptions
  • A fact pattern walkthrough

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources:* JoinJuno.com * Podcast Episode 259: Listen and Learn – Relevance in Evidence * Podcast Episode 261: Listen and Learn – The Basics of Hearsay * Podcast Episode 271: Listen and Learn – Hearsay Exceptions: Present Sense Impression and State of Mind * Podcast Episode 281: Listen and Learn – Character Evidence * Podcast Episode 296: Listen and Learn – Hearsay Exceptions: Government and Business Records * Podcast Episode 301: Listen and Learn – The Confrontation Clause * Podcast Episode 308: Listen and Learn – More Hearsay Exceptions * Podcast Episode 315: Listen and Learn – Non-Hearsay * Podcast Episode 326: Listen and Learn – Multiple Hearsay * Podcast Episode 410: Listen and Learn – Relevance Issues (Evidence) * Podcast Episode 521: Smarter Borrowing: How Juno Helps Lower Student Loans

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 564: Law Every 1L Should Know — Evidence appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In this episode, Lee talks with Natalie Diggins, author of The Autistic Adult’s Toolbox, about her late-in-life neurodivergent diagnosis and the practical “scaffolding” tools she developed to thrive in professional environments. The conversation centers around concrete strategies for meetings, note-taking, and self-advocacy in the workplace.

In this episode we discuss:

  • How our guest, Natalie Diggins, was diagnosed as neurodivergent as an adult
  • Meeting anxiety triggers and solutions
  • Being proactive in the classroom and workplace
  • Deciding whether to seek a diagnosis
  • Advocating for yourself as a junior associate

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources: The Autistic Adult’s Toolbox*, by Natalie Diggins * Podcast Episode 470: Tips for Neurodivergent Law Students (w/Heather Varanini and Rebecca Petrilli) * FAQs for Law Students with ADHD (Part 1) * FAQs for Law Students with ADHD (Part 2)

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 563: Neurodivergence in the Workplace (w/Natalie Diggins) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

None

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! This episode is part of the series “Law Every 1L Should Know”, and today we’re focusing on an important civil procedure topic — personal jurisdiction. We’ll discuss the two branches (general and specific jurisdiction) and we’ll analyze a fact pattern at the end of the episode.

Thanks to Juno for sponsoring this episode! If you’re thinking about student loans for law school, head to JoinJuno.com to explore your options and see how Juno can help you find a better rate.

In this episode we discuss:

  • What is civil procedure?
  • The basics of personal jurisdiction
  • General and specific jurisdiction
  • How to analyze personal jurisdiction questions on an exam, and a sample hypothetical scenario

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources: JoinJuno.com * Pennoyer v. Neff * International Shoe Co. v. Washington * Daimler AG v. Bauman * Ford Motor Co. v. Montana * Mallory v. Norfolk Southern Railway Co.* * Podcast Episode 343: Listen and Learn – Personal Jurisdiction (Civ Pro) * Podcast Episode 263: Listen and Learn – Subject Matter Jurisdiction * Podcast Episode 218: Listen and Learn – Supplemental Jurisdiction (Civ Pro) * Podcast Episode 332: Listen and Learn – Removal (Civ Pro) * Podcast Episode 292: Listen and Learn – The Erie Doctrine (Civ Pro) * Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 148: Listen and Learn – Claim and Issue Preclusion (Civil Procedure) * Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 145: Listen and Learn – Permissive Joinder and Required Joinder * Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 153: Listen and Learn – More Types of Joinder (Civ Pro) * Podcast Episode 521: Smarter Borrowing: How Juno Helps Lower Student Loans

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 562: Law Every 1L Should Know — Personal Jurisdiction (Civil Procedure) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we have a special guest — Teria Thornton from AccessLex Institute — and we are talking about law school financing, loan repayment, and what you can do to improve your credit score.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Introduction to AccessLex and our guest, Teria Thornton
  • The school loan landscape before 2025
  • Changes with the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA)
  • How income-driven repayment plans are structured
  • Does public service loan forgiveness still exist?
  • Credit score basics

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources:* AccessLex Institute * Podcast Episode 184: Handling Law School Finances (w/Lyssa Thaden of AccessLex) * Podcast Episode 294: Money Talk (w/Carrie Friedberg) * Podcast Episode 361: Student Loan Repayment (w/Derek Brainard of AccessLex Institute) * Podcast Episode 383: Talking About Money with Jesse Mecham, Founder of You Need A Budget * Podcast Episode 521: Smarter Borrowing: How Juno Helps Lower Student Loans * Podcast Episode 550: Financial Planning for Law Students and Young Lawyers (w/Alexandra Sandberg)

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 561: Real Talk About the Law School Loan Landscape (w/Teria Thornton from AccessLex) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! This episode is part of the series “Law Every 1L Should Know”, and today we’re delving into real property. We’ll do a quick orientation to what property law actually covers; then we’ll talk about one of the toughest parts of 1L Property — future interests; and finally, we’ll do a deeper dive into adverse possession with a fact pattern at the end.

Thanks to Juno for sponsoring this episode! If you’re thinking about student loans for law school, head to JoinJuno.com to explore your options and see how Juno can help you find a better rate.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Overview of property law
  • A primer on future interests
  • A deep dive into the elements of adverse (or hostile) possession
  • A hypo showcasing adverse possession

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources: JoinJuno.com * Pierson v. Post* * Podcast Episode 265: Listen and Learn – Constructive Eviction * Podcast Episode 310: Listen and Learn – Adverse Possession * Podcast Episode 317: Listen and Learn – Covenants (Real Property) * Podcast Episode 392: Listen and Learn – Recording Statues (Real Property) * Podcast Episode 466: Listen and Learn – Concurrent Estates (Property) * Podcast Episode 501: Listen and Learn – Present and Future Estates (Part 1) * Podcast Episode 503: Listen and Learn – Present and Future Estates (Part 2) * Podcast Episode 511: Listen and Learn – Landlord/Tenant Law (Part 1) * Podcast Episode 512: Listen and Learn – Landlord/Tenant Law (Part 2) – Assignments and Subletting * Podcast Episode 521: Smarter Borrowing: How Juno Helps Lower Student Loans

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 560: Law Every 1L Should Know — Real Property appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! This episode is part of the series “Law Every 1L Should Know”, and today we’re focusing on torts. We briefly go through a review of the intentional torts, and we focus more thoroughly on negligence, since it is the most heavily tested topic in 1L Torts. To illustrate how negligence is tested on an exam, we go through a sample scenario.

Thanks to Juno for sponsoring this episode! If you’re thinking about student loans for law school, head to JoinJuno.com to explore your options and see how Juno can help you find a better rate.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Overview of tort law
  • Intentional torts
  • The negligence framework: duty, breach, causation, damages
  • A hypothetical negligence claim

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources: JoinJuno.com * Palsgraf v. Long Island R.R. Co.* * Podcast Episode 288: Listen and Learn – Assault and Battery (Torts) * Podcast Episode 306: Listen and Learn – Intentional Torts: Defamation * Podcast Episode 319: Listen and Learn – Negligence: Duties of Landlords, Owners, and Possessors of Land * Podcast Episode 382: Listen and Learn – Negligence: Proximate Cause * Podcast Episode 244: Listen and Learn – Negligence Per Se * Podcast Episode 257: Listen and Learn – The “Reasonable Person” Standard * Podcast Episode 444: Listen and Learn – Property-Based Intentional Torts * Podcast Episode 519: Listen and Learn – False Imprisonment and Shopkeeper’s Privilege (Torts) * Podcast Episode 521: Smarter Borrowing: How Juno Helps Lower Student Loans * Podcast Episode 523: Listen and Learn – Negligence: Factual Causation * Podcast Episode 555: Listen and Learn – The Breach Element of a Negligence Claim (Torts)

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 559: Law Every 1L Should Know — Torts appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! This episode is part of the series “Law Every 1L Should Know”, and today we’re tackling contracts. We cover the three essential elements of contract formation under common law — offer, acceptance, and consideration — and apply the rules to a practical fact pattern.

Thanks to Juno for sponsoring this episode! If you’re thinking about student loans for law school, head to JoinJuno.com to explore your options and see how Juno can help you find a better rate.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Overview of contract law
  • Contract formation checklist and rules
  • A fact pattern illustrating contract formation

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources: JoinJuno.com * Lucy v. Zehmer * Hamer v. Sidway* * Podcast Episode 344: Listen and Learn – Contract Formation * Podcast Episode 487: Listen and Learn – Consideration (Contract Law) * Podcast Episode 245: Listen and Learn – Promissory Estoppel * Podcast Episode 267: Listen and Learn – UCC 2-207 (“The Battle of the Forms”) * Podcast Episode 341: Listen and Learn – Contract Defenses * Podcast Episode 354: Listen and Learn – Expectation and Consequential Damages (Contracts) * Podcast Episode 497: Listen and Learn – Incidental, Reliance, and Restitution Damages (Contracts) * Podcast Episode 521: Smarter Borrowing: How Juno Helps Lower Student Loans

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 558: Law Every 1L Should Know — Contract Formation appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In today’s episode, Steve Schwartz from LSAT Unplugged shares the latest changes to the LSAT format. We also explore the evolving role of AI in test preparation and admissions and offer practical advice for effective LSAT study strategies.

In this episode we discuss:

  • The latest LSAT format, consisting of:
    • logical reasoning tasks
    • reading comprehension tasks
    • writing sample
  • The role of AI in test prep and admissions
  • LSAT prep strategies and resource

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources:* LSAT Unplugged * LSAT Unplugged & Law School Admissions podcast * YouTube: LSAT Unplugged & Law School Admissions * LawHub * Podcast Episode 448: 10 Things to Consider When Applying to Law School (w/Steve Schwartz)

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 524: LSAT Changes and Prep Strategies with AI (w/Steve Schwartz) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Okay, you’ve read all the cases, outlined the law, and you’re ready to go! You can recite all the law you’ve studied, forwards and backwards, chapter, letter, and verse. All good, right?

Not so fast! The point of law school isn’t to memorize a bunch of law and regurgitate it on an exam. Just knowing the relevant legal rules is only step one (and won’t get you many points on an exam, believe it or not).

The real goal is to apply the law you’ve studied all semester to a new fact pattern on the exam. To do that, you need to think about how everything fits together.

One very useful tool to help you do that is an attack plan.

What’s an Attack Plan?An attack plan is an analytical framework to guide your analysis of a scenario that’s likely to show up on an exam.

Say, for example, you’re taking Criminal Law and there’s a dead body on the exam. What do you do?

Just being able to recite the degrees of murder doesn’t get you very far in terms of how to do the analysis. What would be useful, however, is a step-by-step series of questions you could ask yourself to figure out whether a potential defendant is guilty of murder (and on what theory or theories), or manslaughter, something else, or nothing.

Or, alternately, you might want a checklist of the different options you’d need to consider in this situation (murder I, murder II, felony murder, voluntary manslaughter, involuntary manslaughter, and so on). As you move through the checklist, you can be sure you’re not forgetting anything important in the heat of the moment.

Attack plans take two primary forms:

  • The Roadmap
  • The Checklist

The difference between the two is that with Option A: The Roadmap, you have to move through each step in the analysis, every time. (You don’t get to skip any parts.) For example, to do a complete Negligence analysis, you’ll always need to consider Duty, Breach, Causation, and Damages. For Battery, you’ll consider:

  1. Is it an intentional act?
  2. Is there harmful or offensive contact?
  3. Is the contact with another’s person?

With Option B: The Checklist, you have a list of all possible topics of discussion, but you only discuss the topics that apply to the factual scenario (although you at least think about whether each item on the list could be relevant). For example, if you have a checklist of potential crimes, and there was no property taken in the hypothetical, it wouldn’t make sense to discuss robbery or larceny. But, if there was property that went missing, these two would be ripe for discussion.

Where Do Attack Plans Come From?At this point, you may be wondering where attack plans come from. The answer is that it varies:

  • Your professor might give you an attack plan. If your professor tells you (or shows you, via hypos in class) how to apply the law in a step-by-step manner, this is an attack plan. Write it down!
  • You might be able to extract one from an old exam answer. The beauty of old exam answers is that you know this analysis is one your professor found convincing. Oftentimes, you can take the attack plan for a topic directly from an old exam question and answer. Just look for the rules and how the prior student did the analysis. This approach is probably a pretty good one!
  • Supplements can be helpful. If you’re not sure how to attack a topic, look in a commercial outline. Although these include extra information you might not need, they’re useful for laying out a typical approach to the problem. (Of course, think about whether this is how your professor taught you the law, and make any necessary corrections.)
  • Talk with your professor and with other students. As you work through the material, formulate some tentative attack plans and go over them with a study group or classmate. Your professor might also be willing to talk them over during office hours, if you have specific questions (after you’ve tried to make sense of the material yourself — don’t just ask them to tell you how to approach a problem without making any effort first).

Wherever you find your attack plans, be sure to use them on a practice test! This is the only way to confirm they’re actually a useful resource.

Here’s a sample attack plan, based on our outline. Notice that Section I.a is a Roadmap for any type of intentional tort, and Section I.a(i) is a Checklist of possibly relevant intentional torts that we should consider discussing.

Attack Plan Example

  1. Intentional Torts: Tortfeasor intentionally causes harm.
  2. [Attack Plan: Intentional Torts]
  3. Look for these intentional torts: assault, battery, false imprisonment, trespass, and intentional inflectional of emotional distress
  4. Analyze elements of specific intentional tort

iii. Analyze causation

  1. Assaulti. Intentii. To create a reasonable apprehension 1. Reasonable = objective test iii. Of immediate harmful or offensive contact to one’s person
  2. Batteryi. Intentii. Harmful or offensive contact iii. To one’s person a. Contact can be with an object attached to or identified with a plaintiff’s body (i.e. a camera). (Picard)

How to Create Your Own Attack PlansNow that you understand what attack plans are and where they come from, let’s talk about how to create your own. Here’s a step-by-step approach:

Step 1: Identify Major Topics That Will Be TestedLook at your outline and identify the major topics that your professor is likely to test. For a Torts class, these might include negligence, intentional torts, strict liability, products liability, etc. For Criminal Law, you might have homicide, theft crimes, inchoate crimes, defenses, etc.

Step 2: For Each Topic, List the Key Legal Issues and RulesFor each major topic, identify the key legal issues and rules that would need to be addressed in an analysis. For example, for negligence, you would list:

  • Duty
  • Breach
  • Causation (actual and proximate)
  • Damages
  • Defenses (contributory/comparative negligence, assumption of risk)

Step 3: Create a Logical Order for AnalysisDecide in what order these issues should be analyzed. Generally, you want to follow a logical progression where each step builds on the previous one. For negligence, the standard order (duty, breach, causation, damages) makes sense because if there’s no duty, there’s no need to analyze breach, and so on.

Step 4: Add Sub-Issues and Special RulesFor each main issue, add relevant sub-issues and special rules. For example, under “Duty,” you might include:

  • General duty of reasonable care
  • Special relationships creating heightened duties
  • Duties to trespassers/licensees/invitees
  • No duty rules and exceptions

Step 5: Consider Alternative ApproachesFor many legal issues, there may be different approaches or tests that could apply. Make sure your attack plan accounts for these alternatives. For example, for proximate cause, you might need to consider:

  • Foreseeability test
  • Direct consequences test
  • Risk rule

Step 6: Add Memory TriggersInclude key cases, examples, or mnemonics that will help you remember important principles or exceptions. For example, for the elements of negligence, you might use the mnemonic “DBCD” (Duty, Breach, Causation, Damages).

Step 7: Test Your Attack Plan on Practice QuestionsThe only way to know if your attack plan works is to test it on practice questions. Try applying it to hypothetical scenarios or old exam questions. If you find yourself struggling to apply the plan or if it doesn’t seem to cover all the issues that arise, revise it accordingly.

Examples of Attack Plans for Different SubjectsLet’s look at some examples of attack plans for different first-year subjects:

Criminal Law: Homicide Attack PlanHOMICIDE ATTACK PLAN

  1. General Principles
    • Actus Reus
    • Mens Rea
    • Causation
    • Accomplice Liability
  2. Type of Homicide
    • First Degree Murder (intent to kill + premeditation + deliberation)
    • Second Degree Murder (4 theories)
      • Intent to kill
      • Intent to do serious bodily harm
      • Depraved heart or highly reckless killing
      • Felony murder
    • Voluntary Manslaughter (heat of passion)
    • Involuntary Manslaughter (recklessness, criminal negligence, or misdemeanor)
  3. Defenses
    • Self-defense
    • Defense of others
    • Insanity
    • Diminished capacity
    • Intoxication

Contracts: Offer and Acceptance Attack PlanOFFER & ACCEPTANCE ATTACK PLAN

  1. Is there an offer?
    • Definite and certain terms
    • Manifested intention to be bound
    • Communicated to offeree
  2. If yes, was the offer terminated before acceptance?
    • Revocation
    • Rejection
    • Counteroffer
    • Lapse of time
    • Death or incapacity of offeror/offeree
  3. If no termination, was there a valid acceptance?
    • Mirror image rule (common law) vs. UCC 2-207
    • Manner of acceptance
    • Mailbox rule
    • Silence as acceptance
  4. Special Issues
    • Option contracts
    • Firm offers under UCC
    • Advertisements (generally invitations to offer)
    • Battle of the forms (UCC 2-207)

Civil Procedure: Personal Jurisdiction Attack PlanPERSONAL JURISDICTION ATTACK PLAN

  1. Traditional Bases
    • In-state service (Burnham)
    • Domicile (Milliken)
    • Consent
  2. Long-arm Statute
    • Does state long-arm statute apply?
    • Does statute extend to constitutional limits or have specific provisions?
  3. Constitutional Analysis
    • General Jurisdiction
      • For individuals: domicile
      • For corporations: “at home” (Daimler, Goodyear)
    • Specific Jurisdiction (if no general jurisdiction)
      • Minimum contacts (International Shoe)
        • Purposeful availment (Hanson v. Denckla)
        • Stream of commerce (Asahi, McIntyre)
        • Effects test (Calder v. Jones)
      • Claim arises from/relates to contacts (Bristol-Myers Squibb)
      • Fair play and substantial justice factors (World-Wide Volkswagen)
        • Burden on defendant
        • Forum state’s interest
        • Plaintiff’s interest
        • Interstate judicial system’s interest
        • Shared policy interests of states

Making Your Attack Plans Exam-ReadyOnce you’ve created your attack plans, you need to make them usable during the exam. Here are some tips:

For Open-Book Exams:

  • Format your attack plans for quick reference with clear headings, bullet points, and white space
  • Consider color-coding different sections
  • Add tabs or bookmarks for easy navigation
  • Keep attack plans separate from your main outline for easier access
  • Consider creating a dedicated “attack plan” document with all your plans in one place

For Closed-Book Exams:

  • Create simplified, memorable versions of your attack plans
  • Use acronyms or mnemonics to help you remember the steps
  • Practice writing out your attack plans from memory before the exam
  • Immediately after the exam begins, write down key attack plans on scratch paper

The Payoff: How Attack Plans Improve Your Exam PerformanceAttack plans aren’t just study aids—they’re powerful tools that can significantly improve your exam performance in several ways:

  1. They save time: When you have a pre-determined approach to common issues, you don’t waste precious exam time figuring out how to structure your analysis.
  2. They ensure completeness: Following an attack plan helps ensure you don’t miss important issues or elements that should be discussed.
  3. They demonstrate sophistication: Professors notice when students analyze issues in a logical, comprehensive manner, which attack plans facilitate.
  4. They reduce anxiety: Having a clear roadmap reduces the panic that can set in when facing a complex fact pattern.
  5. They improve organization: Attack plans naturally lead to well-organized answers that are easier for professors to follow and grade.

Remember, the goal of an attack plan is not to provide a rigid script that you follow mechanically. Rather, it’s to give you a reliable framework that ensures you address all relevant issues in a logical order. The best attack plans guide your analysis while still allowing flexibility to adapt to the specific facts of the exam question.

By creating and using attack plans for each major topic in your courses, you’ll be well on your way to producing the kind of thorough, well-reasoned analysis that earns top grades in law school.

The post Creating Attack Plans for Law School Exams: The Secret Sauce appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In today’s episode, we’re focusing on one of the most highly-tested topics on law school exams: Negligence. In particular, we’re talking about the different ways in which factual causation can be demonstrated.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Review of the elements of negligence
  • What is factual causation and the five tests that are used to prove it
  • Analyzing two hypos from previous California bar exams

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources: “Listen and Learn” series * California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, February 2019 * California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, July 2017 * Summers v. Tice * Sindell v. Abbott Laboratories* * Podcast Episode 382: Listen and Learn – Negligence: Proximate Cause

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 523: Listen and Learn — Negligence: Factual Causation appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Are you struggling to make your law school outlines work for you? Do you find yourself drowning in pages of text that are hard to navigate during exam prep? You’re not alone—and there’s good news: the traditional linear outline isn’t the only way to organize legal information.

For many law students, alternative study aids like flowcharts, charts, checklists, and other visual tools can be game changers. These formats can help you grasp complex relationships between legal concepts, streamline your analysis, and quickly identify the relevant issues on an exam.

Let’s explore how these alternative study tools work and how you can create your own.

Why Go Beyond Traditional Outlines?Traditional outlines work well for many students, but they have limitations:

  • They can grow unwieldy, sometimes reaching 50+ pages
  • Their linear format doesn’t always capture the relationships between concepts
  • They’re not ideal for visual learners
  • They can be difficult to navigate quickly during an exam
  • They don’t always reflect how legal analysis actually flows

Different formats serve different purposes and learning styles. Using a mix of formats can help you absorb and apply the material more effectively.

Flowcharts: Mapping the Decision-Making ProcessFlowcharts are particularly useful for areas of law with clear sequential decision points—essentially, any legal analysis that follows an “if this, then that” pattern.

When to Use FlowchartsFlowcharts work exceptionally well for:

  • Procedural rules (like personal jurisdiction analysis in Civil Procedure)
  • Multi-step tests (like the Erie doctrine)
  • Decision trees (like hearsay exceptions in Evidence)
  • Categorization schemes (like property classifications)

Example: Personal Jurisdiction FlowchartImagine trying to analyze whether a court has personal jurisdiction over a defendant. You need to consider:

  1. Is there general jurisdiction?
  2. If not, is there specific jurisdiction?
  3. For specific jurisdiction, does the defendant have minimum contacts?
  4. Do those contacts relate to the claim?
  5. Would exercising jurisdiction be reasonable?

A flowchart can map this decision process visually, showing you exactly which questions to ask in which order.

How to Create an Effective Flowchart1. Start with the initial question (e.g., “Does the court have personal jurisdiction?”) 2. Add decision points with yes/no branches 3. Include relevant tests or factors at each decision point 4. End with conclusions (e.g., “Court has jurisdiction” or “Court lacks jurisdiction”) 5. Add key cases next to the rules they establish 6. Use color coding to distinguish different paths or outcomes

Pro tip: Keep your flowcharts to one page if possible. The goal is quick visual reference, not comprehensive detail.

Tables: Comparing and Contrasting Legal ConceptsTables excel at showing comparisons between related legal concepts, rules, or jurisdictional approaches.

When to Use TablesTables are perfect for:

  • Comparing different legal standards (e.g., levels of scrutiny in Constitutional Law)
  • Contrasting majority and minority rules
  • Showing differences between common law and statutory approaches
  • Organizing elements of similar claims or defenses

Example: Contract Formation TableHow to Create Useful Tables1. Identify the comparison points you want to highlight 2. Keep column headings clear and concise 3. Include specific rules and their sources 4. Add note columns for exceptions, tips, or application guidance 5. Consider color coding similar concepts across different approaches

Pro tip: Tables work especially well for open-book exams, as they allow you to quickly locate the rule you need without wading through pages of text.

Checklists: Ensuring Complete AnalysisChecklists help ensure you don’t miss any steps in your analysis—especially valuable during the stress of an exam.

When to Use ChecklistsChecklists are invaluable for:

  • Complex multi-element tests
  • Areas where you need to consider multiple claims
  • Situations with numerous potential defenses
  • Procedural steps that must be followed in order

Example: Criminal Homicide ChecklistHOMICIDE CHECKLIST

General Principles

  • Actus Reus
  • Mens Rea
  • Causation
  • Accomplice Liability

Type

  • First Degree (intent to kill + pre-meditation + deliberation)
  • Second Degree (4 theories)
    • (1) intent to kill
    • (2) intent to do serious bodily harm
    • (3) depraved heart or highly reckless killing
    • (4) felony murder
  • Voluntary manslaughter (heat of passion)
  • Involuntary manslaughter (recklessness, criminal negligence, or misdemeanor)

How to Create Effective Checklists1. List all possible issues within a topic area 2. Organize hierarchically from general categories to specific elements 3. Include sub-elements indented under main elements 4. Add reminders about commonly forgotten factors or exceptions 5. Keep formatting consistent for easy scanning

Pro tip: For closed-book exams, memorize your checklists as mental frameworks. For open-book exams, place checklists at the beginning of each section of your materials for quick reference.

Cheat Sheets: Distilling to the EssentialsA cheat sheet is a one or two-page summary of the most critical components of a class—essentially a hyper-condensed outline.

When to Use Cheat SheetsCheat sheets are perfect for:

  • Final review before an exam
  • Quick reference during an exam (if open book)
  • Memorization for closed-book exams
  • Focusing on the most tested issues

Example: Criminal Law Cheat Sheet (Partial)CRIMINAL LAW “Cheat Sheet”

Crimes Against the Person

Murder Unlawful killing with malice aforethought. Malice aforethought = one of the following:

  • Intent to kill
  • Intent to inflict great bodily injury
  • Recklessness
  • Intent to commit a felony (felony murder)

First v. Second Degree

Voluntary manslaughter An act that would be murder but for:

  • Provocation
  • Sudden and intense passion, no time to cool off

Involuntary manslaughter D killed someone:

  • With criminal negligence OR
  • During the commission of a misdemeanor

How to Create Useful Cheat Sheets1. Focus on the most important rules and elements 2. Use abbreviations to save space 3. Eliminate unnecessary words while maintaining accuracy 4. Organize by topic with clear headers 5. Use formatting (bold, italics, underlining) to highlight key points

Pro tip: If your exam is closed-book, create your cheat sheet anyway. The process of distilling the material to its essence is valuable for memorization, and you can recreate the key points on scratch paper when you begin the exam.

Mixing and Matching for Maximum BenefitThe most effective approach often combines multiple formats. For example:

  • Use a traditional outline for comprehensive coverage
  • Create flowcharts for complex procedural rules
  • Develop tables for comparing different legal standards
  • Make checklists for commonly tested issues

The goal is to have both:

  1. Comprehensive materials for learning and reviewing the law
  2. Quick-reference tools for exam application

Creating Your Own Alternative Study AidsReady to move beyond traditional outlines? Here’s how to get started:

Step 1: Identify the Right Format for Each TopicNot every format works for every topic. Ask yourself:

  • Does this topic involve sequential decision-making? (Flowchart)
  • Does it require comparing different approaches? (Table)
  • Is it a complex multi-element analysis? (Checklist)
  • Is it a set of crucial rules I need to remember? (Cheat sheet)

Step 2: Start SimpleBegin with a rough sketch or draft:

  • For flowcharts, map out the major decision points first
  • For tables, identify the key comparison categories
  • For checklists, list the major issues before adding sub-elements

Did you know that you can use AI to help create these flowcharts? I wouldn’t trust ChatGPT or Claude to draft all the decision points, but you could upload a sketch or a decision tree and AI can make the chart look pretty for you.

Step 3: Refine Based on UseTest your study aid by actually using it to answer practice questions:

  • Is information missing?
  • Is something unclear?
  • Is it organized intuitively?
  • Can you find what you need quickly?

Revise based on this practical testing.

Step 4: Integrate with Your Other Study MaterialsMake sure your alternative study aids work in conjunction with your other materials:

  • Cross-reference between formats
  • Use consistent terminology
  • Consider creating an index that points to where information is located across different formats

The Bottom Line: Find What Works for YouThe goal isn’t to have the most beautiful or complex study aids—it’s to have tools that help you understand, remember, and apply the law effectively. As Alison says, “I used all kinds of crazy diagrams and flowcharts. They weren’t always pretty, but they helped me see connections that weren’t obvious in my linear outline.”

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different formats until you find what works best for your learning style and for each particular subject. Remember, the best outline is one that works for YOU.

Whether you’re a visual learner who benefits from flowcharts, a comparative thinker who loves tables, or a methodical analyst who thrives with checklists, expanding your study toolkit beyond traditional outlines can transform your law school experience and improve your exam performance.

So go ahead—draw that flowchart, build that table, or create that checklist. Your future exam-taking self will thank you!

The post Beyond Traditional Outlines: Using Flowcharts, Charts, and Checklists in Law School appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we’re talking about a topic we’ve been thinking about a lot recently – whether social media is destroying our ability to focus. We reflect on how our daily routines were impacted by a week-long break from social media, and how we used the freed up time.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Pain points that led to our social media break
  • Effects of a social media detox
  • Reflections on how social media has evolved
  • Implications of excessive social media usage for law students

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources: Tough Broad: From Boogie Boarding to Wing Walking – How Outdoor Adventure Improves Our Lives as We Age, by Caroline Paul * The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness, by Jonathan Haidt * Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence*, by Dr. Anna Lembke * Digital Distraction: When Is Media Helpful and Harmful While You Are Studying * Exercising Your Focus and Attention Muscles * Alison and Lee check their social media usage

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 522: Is Social Media Destroying Our Ability to Focus? appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence
The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness
None

View Details

Let’s talk about ways to solve common outlining problems. What happens if you get stuck?

What does it mean to get stuck? Well perhaps you are looking at your notes, and they don’t make sense to you. Or maybe you just don’t understand how the law fits together no matter how many times you review your notes. Have no fear! There are plenty of resources to help you through.

Common Outlining Problems and SolutionsBefore we dive into specific resources, let’s identify some of the most common outlining challenges:

Problem #1: Your class notes are confusing or incompleteMaybe your professor speaks quickly, or you missed a class, or you just weren’t able to capture everything clearly. This is a very common problem that can make outlining feel impossible.

Solution: Look for alternative sources of information. Talk to classmates about filling in gaps, consult your casebook for clarification, or turn to supplements to help make sense of the material.

Problem #2: You can’t figure out the organization of the subjectSome areas of law have clear, logical structures. Others seem like a jumble of disconnected rules and cases. If you can’t see the forest for the trees, outlining becomes extremely difficult.

Solution: Look at the table of contents in your casebook or a commercial outline to get a sense of the typical organization of this subject. Your professor’s syllabus can also provide clues about how they conceptualize the topic. Also, check out a solid student outline from a previous year of the class.

Problem #3: You can’t distinguish between major and minor pointsWhen everything seems important, it’s hard to create a hierarchical outline that emphasizes the most critical concepts.

Solution: Focus on the main topics that your class has covered. Pay attention to what your professor emphasizes in class or spends the most time on. Review old exams to see what issues come up repeatedly. Note where there is ambiguity (where you can argue both sides) on practice exams or hypos (usually major points).

Problem #4: You’re overwhelmed by the amount of materialSome courses cover enormous amounts of material, making the prospect of outlining seem insurmountable.

Solution: Break the outlining process into smaller, manageable chunks. Outline one topic at a time rather than trying to tackle the entire course at once. Set specific, achievable goals for each outlining session. This is another reason why you want to start early! Give yourself plenty of time and don’t get burned out or overwhelmed.

Problem #5: You’re not sure if you’re “doing it right”Without feedback, it’s hard to know if your outline will actually help you on the exam.

Solution: Compare your outline to trusted sources (like outlines from successful students or commercial outlines). Test your outline by working through practice problems to see if it helps you analyze issues effectively. Talk to someone at your Academic Support Office, or reach out to us to work with one of our tutors.

Resources for TroubleshootingNow let’s explore the specific resources you can turn to when you’re stuck in the outlining process:

Commercial OutlinesWe’re sure that someone will say to you as a law student at some point that you don’t need to make your own outlines. Why? Because there are commercial outlines that have done all the work for you!

Commercial outlines are supplements that summarize the rules governing an area of law in outline form. They give a good basic summary of the rules, and usually contain some examples, diagrams, and practice problems.

Here’s what commercial outlines do well: They give you a general overview of the most commonly accepted statements of black-letter law for a given subject. This is great if you’re confused about the general concepts or don’t understand how the cases you read fit together. They can also help explain certain concepts that you don’t understand.

Here’s how to use a commercial outline: Cross-reference the material in the commercial outline with your syllabus. Only read the sections covered in your class. Compare your statements of the black-letter law to the outline. Do they agree? If not, where is the confusion? Is it with your understanding of the law? Or did your professor actually present a different formulation of the law? (Any time there’s a discrepancy between what you think your professor said and what a commercial supplement says, pay careful attention! You’ll want to double-check this with the professor.)

What if the commercial outline really is in conflict with how your professor or casebook presented the law? What do you follow? You follow what your professor presented in class. No question about it. Your professor always gets the final say.

Old Student OutlinesCreating a good outline is a long process and a huge investment of time and effort. So you might think you can help yourself out by getting a ready-made one.

Old student outlines can be helpful in the outlining process, but only if they are (a) of good quality, (b) from the professor whose class you’re taking. And it is important to use them wisely.

Myth: Just because someone got an A in a class, their outline rocks…or — more importantly — their outline will work for you.

You can use an old student outline to validate your outline, or as a framework to get you started:

  • How do they organize the law?
  • Do they include any information that is missing from your notes?

Old outlines can help you zoom in on what your professor covered, but don’t think you can grab an old outline, read it a few times, and ace the final. Not likely to happen.

A True Story from Lee:

Many moons ago in law school I took employment law. I was sitting in the Law Review office and realized that my officemate had gotten the academic award for Employment Law the semester before. Score! I quickly spun around in my chair. “Um, Bob, could you send me the outline you used for Employment Law?” “Sure,” he said. “Phew,” I said to myself. “My work is done.” But…when I got the outline and opened it up, I could barely follow the notes regarding the law. It was written in a very personal style that I couldn’t follow at all. To find a given issue I had to use the “find” functionality on my computer.

The outline was not going to help me much. Does that mean it wasn’t a good outline for my friend? No, it was a great outline for him—he got an A+ in the class. But I could have never studied off of it. Thankfully I realized this early enough that I could build my own outline and still get an A in the class!

Lesson learned: You must look at every outline with a critical eye and don’t assume that because someone got a good (or even great) grade in the class, that their outline is the outline for you!

Other Resources to Help with OutliningIf books and old outlines aren’t cutting it, it’s time to get some real-life help on your outlines. Here are some options:

Professors

Professors can be intimidating in class, but are often very helpful in office hours. If you’re struggling with a section of your outline, go to office hours and discuss it with your professor. (Just be sure you’ve done the work ahead of time, and don’t expect them to teach you a topic from scratch. You need to go with questions that make it clear you’ve struggled with the material and have hit a roadblock.)

Study Groups

Study groups can be helpful, especially if you each make an outline and compare your work. But be careful! It’s tempting to split up the work and have each person make a different section (or to trade outlines for different classes). If the point of constructing your outline is to personally learn the material, it’s not going to do much good to have your classmate (who you’ll be competing with for a grade) do the work for you. This is essentially the same thing as using an old outline or a commercial supplement. Sure, you have the added bonus that someone can explain the section to you, but you’re not going to receive the benefit of having really struggled with the material yourself.

Teaching Assistants and Academic Support Programs

Does your school have an academic support program? Teaching assistants? Peer tutors? If so, use these resources. Typically teaching assistants took the same class (with the same professor) as you are taking and can give great advice. Don’t hesitate to ask for help if you need it.

Tutors

If you’re really overwhelmed, and none of the options above help, it’s worth considering a private tutor. (Yup, that is what we do at the Law School Toolbox!) Yes, it can be an investment, but it’s a bargain compared to law school tuition. And don’t be afraid to try just a few sessions, which might be all you need to get back on track. A tutor can help you streamline your outlines and can also provide feedback on practice exams, so you’ll have the writing skills you need for exam success.

Handling Specific Outline ChallengesNow let’s look at some specific strategies for common outlining challenges:

When You Can’t Figure Out How Cases Fit TogetherSometimes it’s hard to see how individual cases build on each other to create a coherent body of law.

Solution: Try creating a timeline of cases to see how the law has evolved. Alternatively, create a table that compares and contrasts the key cases, focusing on factual differences and how they affected outcomes.

When You’re Overwhelmed by Case DetailsIt’s easy to get bogged down in the minutiae of cases and lose sight of the legal principles they establish.

Solution: Focus on extracting the rule from each case rather than memorizing all the facts. Ask yourself: “What legal principle does this case establish or modify?” Include only the facts necessary to understand why the court ruled as it did.

When You Can’t Tell What’s ImportantWhen everything seems equally important, it’s hard to create a useful hierarchy in your outline.

Solution: Pay attention to repeated themes in class. Topics your professor returns to frequently are likely important. Also look at how much time the syllabus allocates to different topics—this can be a clue about what your professor values.

When Your Outline Is Getting Too LongIt’s easy to create an outline that’s so long and detailed it becomes unwieldy.

Solution: Create multiple versions of your outline. Start with a comprehensive version that includes everything, then create a condensed version focusing on the most important rules and concepts. For the final exam, you might create an even more streamlined “attack plan” or checklist for each major topic.

Testing Your OutlineHow do you know if your outline is actually going to help you on the exam? Test it!

  1. Try to explain a concept to someone else using only your outline as a reference. If you struggle, your outline might be missing important information or not organized intuitively. (You can even teach your pet about the law – students tend to love this!)
  2. Work through practice problems using your outline. If you find yourself repeatedly unable to find relevant information quickly, reconsider your organization.
  3. Compare your outline to old exams. Does your outline cover all the issues that came up on past exams? If not, you might need to adjust your emphasis.

Troubleshooting TimelineOutlining problems often emerge at different points in the semester. Here’s when to expect them and how to handle them:

Early in the semester:

  • Problem: Difficulty understanding how to organize material
  • Solution: Look at commercial outlines for structural guidance

Mid-semester:

  • Problem: Overwhelm due to volume of material
  • Solution: Break outlining into smaller chunks; focus on one topic at a time

Late in the semester:

  • Problem: Uncertainty about whether outline is complete/effective
  • Solution: Test outline against practice problems; seek feedback from TAs or professors

Remember, outlining is an iterative process. It’s normal to revise and refine your outline multiple times throughout the semester. Don’t expect perfection right away.

The Bottom LineIf you’re struggling with your outline, you’re not alone. Every law student faces these challenges at some point. The key is to identify specifically what’s giving you trouble and then use the appropriate resources to address that particular issue.

Remember that the goal of outlining isn’t to create a perfect document—it’s to help you learn and organize the material in a way that will be useful on the exam. Sometimes the most valuable part of outlining is the process itself, not the final product.

So when you get stuck, don’t despair. Take a step back, identify the problem, and use the resources available to you to get back on track. With persistence and the right approach, you’ll create an outline that serves you well when it really counts—on exam day.

The post Troubleshooting Your Outline: What to Do When You’re Stuck appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re speaking with Nikhil Agarwal from Juno about how law students can make smarter choices about student loans. We focus on the benefits of group negotiation for better interest rates and the differences between federal and private loans.

Thanks to Juno for their support in sponsoring this episode!

In this episode we discuss:

  • An introduction to our guest, and the origin of Juno group loan negotiation
  • Understanding student loan options
  • The power of a lower interest rate
  • How Juno’s team guides students to make the best decisions for themselves

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources:* JoinJuno.com * Podcast Episode 96: How to Rapidly Pay Off Law School Debt (with Guest Financial Panther) * Podcast Episode 383: Talking About Money with Jesse Mecham, Founder of You Need A Budget * The Reality of Law School Debt and Planning for It * 5 Strategies to Save Money in Law School

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 521: Smarter Borrowing: How Juno Helps Lower Student Loans appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Creating the “perfect” law school outline feels like chasing a mythical creature—everyone talks about it, but no one seems to have actually seen one. As you sit surrounded by class notes, case briefs, and supplement pages, a nagging question emerges: Is my outline too detailed? Not detailed enough?

This is one of the most common dilemmas law students face. Let’s tackle it head-on and develop some practical guidelines to help you find that elusive sweet spot.

The Goldilocks Principle: Finding “Just Right”Like Goldilocks searching for the perfect porridge, you’re looking for an outline that’s neither too long nor too short—one that’s “just right” for you. But what does “just right” actually mean?

Signs Your Outline Is Too DetailedLet’s start by identifying red flags that suggest your outline might be overly detailed:

  1. It’s exceeding 30-40 pages for a single semester course. While there’s no universal page limit, most effective 1L outlines fall in the 20-30 page range. If you’re significantly beyond that, you may be including too much information.
  2. You’re transcribing entire case facts and procedural histories. Remember, the point of an outline is to distill information, not reproduce it. Case names and key holdings are useful; detailed procedural histories rarely are.
  3. You can’t memorize or effectively navigate it. When considering how long your outline should be, ask yourself this: Can I memorize and learn all of this material? If you can’t, your outline is too long.
  4. You’re including verbatim class notes. Your outline shouldn’t be a transcript of class but a synthesis of the most important principles.
  5. You’re experiencing “outlining paralysis.” If you find yourself stuck on a single topic for hours, obsessing over how to word every rule perfectly, you’re probably going too deep.

Signs Your Outline Isn’t Detailed EnoughOn the flip side, here are indicators that your outline might be too thin:

  1. It consists mainly of broad topic headers with minimal explanation. While conciseness is virtuous, mere headers without substance won’t help you analyze complex fact patterns.
  2. You’ve omitted application notes and examples. Understanding how rules apply in different factual scenarios is critical for exam success. Without application notes, you’ll struggle to transfer knowledge to new situations.
  3. You’ve left out important exceptions or limitations to rules. The law is full of exceptions, and professors love to test these on exams.
  4. You’ve oversimplified complex concepts. Some areas of law are inherently nuanced. Oversimplifying them may lead to fundamental misunderstandings.
  5. You frequently need to consult other materials when practicing exam questions. If you constantly need to refer back to your textbook or class notes when working through practice problems, your outline might be missing key information.

The Functional Approach: What Makes an Outline Useful?Instead of focusing solely on length or detail level, consider approaching the question from a functional perspective. A good outline serves specific purposes:

  1. It Helps You Learn the Material

Your outline should facilitate your understanding of the course material. It should organize information in a way that makes sense to YOU, not anyone else.

This means:

  • Breaking down complex topics into manageable parts
  • Creating connections between related concepts
  • Highlighting distinctions between similar rules or doctrines
  • Emphasizing patterns and frameworks for analysis
  • It Serves as a Reference During Exam Preparation

Your outline should be a useful reference as you study for exams. This means:

  • Important rules should be easy to find
  • The organization should be logical and intuitive
  • Key cases should be readily identifiable
  • Areas of ambiguity or professor preferences should be clearly marked
  • It Guides Your Analysis During the Exam (If Open Book)

If your exam is open book, your outline should help you quickly locate relevant rules and frameworks during the exam. This means:

  • Using clear headings and subheadings
  • Including a detailed table of contents
  • Incorporating “attack plans” for common question types
  • Highlighting key elements that must be addressed in your analysis

Finding Your Personal BalanceThe ideal level of detail isn’t universal—it depends on your personal learning style, the specific course, and your professor’s approach. Here are some strategies for finding your own perfect balance:

Adapt to the Course MaterialDifferent subjects may require different approaches:

  • Rule-heavy courses (like Civil Procedure or Evidence) often benefit from more detailed outlines that precisely capture complex rules and exceptions.
  • Conceptual courses (like Constitutional Law) might work better with outlines that emphasize frameworks and relationships between concepts rather than extensive details.

Consider Your Professor’s StyleTailor your outline to reflect your professor’s emphases:

  • Does your professor focus on policy considerations or practical applications?
  • Do they test on minute details or broad principles?
  • Have they emphasized certain topics or cases repeatedly in class?

Review old exams from your professor to get insights into what level of detail you’ll need to succeed.

Account for Your Learning StyleBe honest about how you learn best:

  • Visual learners might benefit from more flowcharts and diagrams with less text.
  • Detail-oriented learners might need more comprehensive outlines.
  • Conceptual thinkers might prefer outlines organized around big ideas with details filling in the framework.

Practical Tips for Finding the Right BalanceNow that we’ve explored the theory, let’s look at some practical approaches:

  1. Start Broad, Then Add Detail

Begin with a skeletal outline of major topics and subtopics. Then gradually add detail as you process the material. This approach ensures your outline maintains a coherent structure while allowing you to add appropriate detail where needed.

  1. Create Multiple Versions

Consider creating outlines at different levels of detail:

  • A comprehensive “master outline” for learning the material
  • A condensed “exam outline” with just the elements, key cases, and attack plans
  • A one-page “cheat sheet” with only the most critical information

This multi-tiered approach serves different purposes and helps you progressively distill information.

  1. Test Your Outline with Practice Questions

The ultimate test of an outline’s effectiveness is whether it helps you answer practice questions. If you find yourself struggling to apply the material, your outline might need adjustment—either more detail in some areas or better organization.

After completing a practice exam:

  • Note any topics you struggled with
  • Identify information you wished you had included
  • Adjust your outline accordingly
  • Get Feedback from Others

Share your outline with classmates or a tutor (like one of our Law School Toolbox tutors!). Sometimes an outside perspective can help identify gaps or excesses you might miss.

  1. Focus on Attack Plans and Frameworks

Rather than drowning in details, emphasize analytical frameworks—the “how to” of analyzing problems. These provide structure for your knowledge and directly translate to exam performance.

For example, instead of just listing the elements of negligence, include a step-by-step approach for analyzing negligence questions:

  1. Identify the potential duty
  2. Determine the applicable standard of care
  3. Analyze whether the conduct breached that standard
  4. Assess factual causation
  5. Evaluate proximate cause
  6. Identify the harm
  7. Consider possible defenses

A Word on Commercial OutlinesCommercial outlines can help you gauge the appropriate level of detail. While you shouldn’t rely exclusively on them, they can provide a useful benchmark for comparison. If your outline is significantly longer or shorter than a commercial outline on the same subject, consider whether you’re including too much or too little detail.

However, remember that commercial outlines aren’t tailored to your specific professor or class emphasis. Your outline should reflect what YOUR professor has focused on, not what a generic outline considers important.

The Bottom Line: It’s About Utility, Not PerfectionThe perfect outline isn’t defined by its length or level of detail but by its utility. Ask yourself:

  • Does this outline help me understand the material?
  • Can I use it effectively to prepare for and take the exam?
  • Does it reflect what my professor emphasizes?

If the answer to these questions is “yes,” then your outline has the right level of detail—for you.

Remember, outlining is a skill that improves with practice. Each outline you create will be better than the last as you develop a better sense of what works for your learning style and exam approach.

And finally, don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good. It’s better to have a “good enough” outline that gives you time to practice with it than a “perfect” outline that you finish the night before the exam. The best outline in the world won’t help much if you haven’t had time to internalize it and practice applying the material to new fact patterns.

For most first-year classes, a good target is 25-30 pages. Each class will be different, of course, but be wary if you move much past 30 pages. That’s a sign you need to iterate and condense your outline down into a more efficient study tool.

Happy outlining!

The post How Do I Know If My Outline Is Too Detailed or Not Detailed Enough? appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! This episode features a discussion with Dan Smith from Themis Bar Review about the upcoming NextGen Bar Exam, highlighting its new computer-based format and integrated question sets, as well as the importance of memorization and practical skills. The conversation also covers how Themis is adapting its prep materials for the new exam format.

Note: This episode is sponsored by Themis Bar Review – the gold standard in bar exam preparation. Save $1,200 on any 2026 Themis Bar Review course by using the code LAWSCHOOLTB1200 at checkout. (This offer is valid until October 15, 2025.)

In this episode we discuss:

  • Changes to the bar exam with the NextGen format
  • How Themis materials support bar studiers
  • Bar prep timeline for NextGen
  • In-school bar preparation programs
  • Choosing your jurisdiction for the exam

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources:* Themis Bar Review * NextGen UBE Content Scope Outlines * The California Bar Experiment/Fiasco * Podcast Episode 372: The NextGen Bar Exam (w/Doretta McGinnis) * Podcast Episode 413: Preparing for the Bar Exam with Themis and UWorld

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 520: Preparing for the NextGen Bar Exam with Themis appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

When you’re starting your first outline, you’ll run into a pretty obvious question: What materials do you need? Having the right resources at your fingertips can make the difference between an efficient outlining process and a frustrating one. Let’s explore the essential materials you should gather before you begin outlining for your law school classes.

Essential Materials for OutliningFor each class, collect the following:

  1. Your Course Syllabus

The syllabus is your roadmap for the course. It tells you what topics you’ll cover, in what order, and often provides insights into what your professor considers most important. Use your syllabus to create the basic structure of your outline, dividing it into major topic areas that align with the course progression.

Pro Tip: Pay special attention to any reading lists or topic breakdowns in the syllabus. These can serve as ready-made headers for your outline.

  1. All of Your Class Notes

Your class notes are perhaps your most valuable resource for outlining. You might want to print these out if they’re digital, so they’re easier to mark up and organize.

Pro Tip: If your notes are scattered across multiple documents or notebooks, consider consolidating them before you begin outlining. This small step can save you significant time and frustration.

  1. Any Notes You Took While Reading (Case Briefs, etc.)

Your case briefs and reading notes contain detailed information about the law that you’ll need to incorporate into your outline. These notes often include the facts of cases, the court’s reasoning, and the legal rules that emerged.

Pro Tip: If you’ve been keeping a reading journal or creating separate case briefs, now’s the time to integrate that information with your class notes.

  1. Your Casebook

Even if you book briefed (highlighting and making notes directly in your casebook rather than creating separate case briefs), you’ll want to have your casebook on hand. It’s useful for double-checking facts, reviewing case language, and ensuring you haven’t missed any important points.

Pro Tip: Use sticky tabs to mark important cases or sections in your casebook for quick reference during the outlining process.

  1. One Good Commercial Outline or Hornbook

A well-chosen commercial outline or hornbook can provide valuable context and help clarify difficult concepts. It can also help you verify that you’ve correctly understood the material and haven’t missed any major points.

Pro Tip: Don’t try to read multiple commercial outlines or hornbooks—this leads to information overload. Pick one good resource that aligns well with your professor’s approach to the subject.

  1. At Least One Good Prior Student Outline

Prior student outlines can give you insights into how others have organized the material for your specific professor. They’re especially valuable if they’re from someone who did well in the class.

Pro Tip: It might be helpful to have more than one student outline, but don’t go overboard. Three is plenty—any more becomes overwhelming and potentially confusing.

  1. As Many Old Exams and Answers as You Can Find

Old exams and sample answers are gold for outlining because they show you exactly what you’re preparing for. They reveal how your professor expects you to apply the law and what types of issues they tend to test.

Pro Tip: Pay special attention to recurring themes or issues in old exams. These are likely areas your professor considers especially important and should be emphasized in your outline.

What If You Can’t Get Some of This Information?If it’s early in the semester, keep looking! (This is another reason to start outlining early.) Ask your professor for old exams, ask around for old outlines, etc.

If it’s last minute, you’ll have to work with what you have. The one exception is if you don’t have any sample exams/answers. Ask your professor to provide these for you. It’s quite unfair not to, and it’s generally expected that you’ll be given at least one old exam with an answer.

If your professor absolutely refuses to give you an old exam, try to find one from another professor, but be warned that this is far from ideal. Knowing how your professor writes a test is really critical, as is knowing what kind of answer he or she likes. If your school has an academic support program, they often distribute sample exams and answers. Be sure to contact them as well for these materials.

Bottom line: Do whatever you can to get those old exams! Unless your professor is brand new or this is their first time teaching the course, they’ll likely give you something to look at.

Technology and Tools for OutliningBeyond the content materials, you’ll also need some practical tools for creating your outline:

Word Processing SoftwareMost students create their outlines using word processing software like Microsoft Word or Google Docs. These programs offer useful features for outlining, including:

  • Automatic numbering and bullet points
  • Heading styles for easy navigation
  • Table of contents generation
  • Search functionality to quickly find information
  • Cloud backup to prevent losing your work

Pro Tip: Learn the keyboard shortcuts for creating and promoting/demoting outline levels in your chosen software. This small time-saver adds up when you’re creating a lengthy document.

Note-Taking and Organization AppsSome students prefer specialized apps for organizing their materials before or during outlining:

  • OneNote or Evernote for collecting and organizing notes
  • Mind-mapping software like MindMeister for visualizing connections
  • Trello for organizing materials by topic
  • Citation managers like Zotero if you’re including detailed case references

Pro Tip: Whatever software you choose, make sure it allows for easy exporting or printing, as you’ll need physical copies of your outline for many exams.

Physical SuppliesEven in our digital age, some physical supplies can be invaluable:

  • Highlighters in multiple colors for coding information
  • Sticky notes for marking important pages
  • Tabs or dividers for organizing printed materials
  • Index cards for creating portable mini-outlines or attack plans
  • A good notebook for jotting down ideas and connections

Pro Tip: Color coding can be extremely helpful—consider using consistent colors across all your materials (notes, highlighting, outline sections) to visually link related concepts.

My Professor Says Not to Use Supplements!Few topics cause as much consternation among law professors as commercial supplements and old outlines. Almost every professor will tell you commercial outlines are unnecessary and harmful and that you shouldn’t use them. This position is ridiculous.

Refusing to look at a commercial outline (or an old class outline) is like trying to build a skyscraper without using blueprints. Could you do it? Maybe, but it’s going to take a lot longer and probably be badly done in the end!

Go ahead and get one commercial outline or hornbook per subject, so you can consult it as needed. Similarly, try to find a good prior outline from each class (for the same professor), so you can see how this class was structured. If the professor is teaching this class for the first time, you won’t have this option, of course.

Just remember, while these resources are valuable tools, they’re not substitutes for creating your own outline. The real learning happens when you actively engage with the material, organize it in a way that makes sense to you, and put it in your own words.

Organizing Your MaterialsBefore you start the actual outlining process, take some time to organize all your materials:

  1. Group by topic: Arrange your notes, cases, and other materials according to the major topics in your course.
  2. Chronological order: Within each topic, organize materials chronologically to follow the development of the law.
  3. Identify gaps: Look for areas where your notes or understanding seem incomplete, and flag these for further research.
  4. Create a working space: Whether physical or digital, set up a space where you can spread out your materials and work comfortably.
  5. Set up a backup system: Make sure you have a reliable way to back up your outline as you work on it. Nothing is more devastating than losing hours of work to a computer crash or lost notebook.

Ready, Set, Outline!With all your materials gathered and organized, you’re ready to begin the outlining process. Remember that outlining is not a one-time event but an iterative process. You’ll likely revisit and refine your outline multiple times before the exam.

The effort you put into collecting and organizing your materials will pay off in a more efficient outlining process and, ultimately, a more useful study tool. By gathering these essential resources before you begin, you’re laying the groundwork for a successful outline and, by extension, a successful exam experience.

Remember, the goal isn’t to create the perfect outline—it’s to create a tool that helps you learn the material thoroughly and apply it effectively on your exams. With the right materials in hand, you’re well on your way to achieving that goal.

The post Materials You’ll Need for Effective Outlining appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re excited to have Anne Ditmeyer – the author of Override! What If There Was Another Way? – joining us to talk about creativity, goal setting, personal growth, and following your own path in life.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Anne’s journey to becoming an author and creative coach
  • How the book Override! What If There Was Another Way? was inspired
  • A surprising creative exercise for reflection and personal growth
  • Building useful habits to help you be more organized and productive
  • Making new connections! You never know which one will lead to an interesting opportunity or turn into a close friend

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources: Anne Stark Ditmeyer * Instagram: pretavoyager * Override! What If There Was Another Way?*, by Anne Ditmeyer * Podcast Episode 381: Find Your Unicorn Space: Reclaim Your Creative Life in a Too-Busy World (w/Eve Rodsky) * Podcast Episode 427: A Discussion with Author Jessica Elefante on the Power of Influence in the Digital Age * Podcast Episode 432: Creating New Habits and Optimizing Time Management * Podcast Episode 458: The Lost Art of Connecting (w/Susan McPherson)

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 472: Creativity, Goal Setting, and Personal Growth (w/Anne Ditmeyer) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re speaking with Jim Brosnahan – a longtime Morrison Foerster trial lawyer and author of Justice at Trial – about life as a trial lawyer and the skills you’ll need to succeed in this profession.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Introduction to our guest, Jim Brosnahan, and his latest book, Justice at Trial
  • Challenges and rewards of life as a trial lawyer
  • With trials being so limited these days, is this a viable career path for newer lawyers?
  • The process of developing public speaking skills
  • BigLaw interview tips for aspiring lawyers

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources: JimJBrosnahan.com * LinkedIn: Jim Brosnahan * Justice at Trial: Courtroom Battles and Groundbreaking Cases*, by James J. Brosnahan * Podcast Episode 13: What Do Lawyers Argue About? * Podcast Episode 53: Acing Oral Arguments in Law School * Podcast Episode 103: Setting Yourself Up to Be a Mock Trial Rockstar (with Sara O’Connor) * Debate and the Law: 3 Lessons from Competing in and Judging Debate * Learning Your Courthouse * Surviving Your First Oral Argument * Why You Should Attend a Court Hearing * How to “Drop the Mic” on Your First Moot Court Argument

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 471: Life as a Trial Lawyer (w/Jim Brosnahan) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

None

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! We have two special guests today, talking about how neurodivergent students can reach their full potential in law school. We’re speaking with Heather Varanini, Director of Academic Achievement and Adjunct Professor at Golden Gate University School of Law in San Francisco, and Rebecca Petrilli, Director of Marketing Content Strategy at Themis Bar Review.

Note: This episode is sponsored by Themis Bar Review – the gold standard in bar exam preparation. Right now, Themis has a special offer for Law School Toolbox podcast listeners. Any Themis course, whether you’re sitting for the bar in 2025, 2026, or 2027, is at the cost of $1,695 with the promo code LAWSCHOOLTB1200. (This offer is valid until November 15th, 2024.)

In this episode we discuss:

  • An introduction to our guests and why the topic of neurodiversity is important to them
  • Common challenges for neurodivergent students in law school
  • How to stay focused during long lectures
  • Handling the stress of being cold called in class
  • The debate on laptop bans in the classroom
  • Resources and support for neurodivergent law students

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources: Themis Bar Review * The Anxious Generation, by Jonathan Haidt * Examples & Explanations* series * Podcast Episode 112: Managing Distractions in Law School * Podcast Episode 427: A Discussion with Author Jessica Elefante on the Power of Influence in the Digital Age * Podcast Episode 437: Quick Tips – Succeeding in Law School with ADHD * Podcast Episode 439: Keys to Law School Success with Themis (w/Michele Cooley) * Podcast Episode 445: Best Practices for Getting Accommodations in Law School

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 470: Tips for Neurodivergent Law Students (w/Heather Varanini and Rebecca Petrilli) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we have fashion experts Alison Bruhn and Delia Folk – creators of The Style That Binds Us – here with us to talk about professional style for law students and lawyers.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Professional style tips for new lawyers
  • What looks to avoid if you’re younger-looking or a more mature student
  • Knowing your body type and the colors that work for you
  • Building a versatile wardrobe on a budget
  • Can’t find anything to wear in your closet? How to solve this problem by doing a “closet edit”

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources:* The Style That Binds Us * How to Find Your Style, Dress for Your Body Type and Transform Your Look * Podcast Episode 457: Essential Wardrobe Tips for Law Students and Lawyers (w/Jenny Eversole of Style Space) * Fashionably Lawyered: How to Dress the Part as a New Attorney * Fashion Inspiration for Lawyers and Law Students * Ahead of the Curve: What to Wear to Law School and How to Dress to Impress

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 469: The Power of Professional Style: A Conversation with Alison Bruhn and Delia Folk appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re joined by Pam Sherman, who is a leadership consultant, actor, author, and recovering lawyer, to talk about playing the role of YOU in your career and in life.

In this episode we discuss:

  • An introduction to our guest, Pam Sherman
  • The surprising parallels between lawyers and actors
  • To what degree is every professional playing a role?
  • Bridging the “believability gap” between ourselves and our audience
  • How lawyers could benefit from acting classes
  • The value of legal education beyond law

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources:* ThePamSherman.com * LinkedIn: Pam Sherman * Facebook: Pam Sherman * Instagram: Pam Sherman

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 468: Playing the Role of You (w/Pam Sherman) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In this episode, we’re excited to have lawyer, anthropologist, and author Petra Molnar with us to talk about her new book, The Walls Have Eyes: Surviving Migration in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Petra’s background, work, and the idea behind her book, The Walls Have Eyes
  • An overview of how the asylum process works
  • What is “crimmigration”?
  • The technology incorporated at immigration detention camps and around borders
  • How AI is being used to make immigration decisions
  • Human stories and ethical considerations when it comes to migration
  • How did COVID impact the process of migration and border control?

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources: PetraMolnar.com * Migration and Technology Monitor * X: Petra Molnar * The Walls Have Eyes: Surviving Migration in the Age of Artificial Intelligence*, by Petra Molnar * Podcast Episode 83: Lawyers in Action – The Airport Immigration Crisis

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 467: Surviving Migration in the Age of Technology (w/Petra Molnar) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to another school year! It’s hard to believe it’s September already. As my garden overflows with tomatoes and the days grow shorter, we’re gearing up for an exciting month of content focused on “Becoming a Professional.”

As law students, it’s easy to get caught up in books and exams, sometimes forgetting that you’re training to become lawyers. I remember standing in front of my closet before my 1L summer internship wondering how to dress myself for work after a year of being a student. (And, I had even been a professional before law school!). We often don’t picture ourselves in the workplace until we are getting ready to walk in the door.

This month, we’ll explore what that really means, featuring special guests who’ll share insights on beginning your professional life.

Here’s what we have in store:

1. Dressing for Success — We’re welcoming Alison Bruhn and Delia Folk, creators of “The Style that Binds Us,” to discuss finding your professional style on a budget. They’ll help you navigate appropriate attire that feels comfortable and authentically you.

2. Professional Perspectives — We have a lineup of fascinating professionals discussing their expertise and recent publications:

  • Petra Molnar on her book “The Walls Have Eyes: Surviving Migration in the Age of Artificial Intelligence”
  • Jim Brosnahan sharing insights from “Justice at Trial” on becoming an effective trial lawyer
  • Anne Ditmeyer, discussing her book “Override” about finding happiness and satisfaction in work and life (including intriguing exercises like “Banana Mapping”!)

These discussions will help you think beyond academics and consider what kind of professional you want to be in the world.

We hope this month’s content inspires you to reflect on your future as legal professionals. Here’s to a great start to the academic year!

What am I reading? With summer winding down, I’ve had less time for reading, and I false started a book I didn’t enjoy. However, I’m planning a social media break to dive back into books. I’m currently finishing

  • “Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow” by Gabrielle Zevin, which I’ve thoroughly enjoyed.

The post Becoming a Professional appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow: A novel

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, as part of our “Listen and Learn” series, we’re talking about concurrent ownership of property. For a discussion on the related topic of present and future estates, you can check out episodes 250 and 251 of the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Concurrent estates versus present and future estates
  • The three major forms of concurrent ownership:
    • Tenancy in Common
    • Joint Tenancy
    • Tenancy by the Entirety
  • Sample questions illustrating the above concepts

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources:* “Listen and Learn” series * California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, July 2011 * California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, October 2020 * Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 250: Listen and Learn – Present and Future Estates (Part 1) * Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 251: Listen and Learn – Present and Future Estates (Part 2)

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 466: Listen and Learn — Concurrent Estates (Property) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In this episode, together with Luiz Arroyo – one of our law school and bar exam tutors – we highlight the critical role of legal writing in a lawyer’s career and provide tips for improving your legal writing skills.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Luiz’s background and experience in legal writing
  • What constitutes “good legal writing”?
  • How to approach the two different types of legal writing
  • Practical tips for pre-writing (planning and organizing), as well as post-writing (effective proofreading)
  • How to address problematic facts or case law

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources:* Legal Writing in Law School * Podcast Episode 11: Legal Writing 101 * Podcast Episode 84: Using Rules Effectively in Legal Writing (w/Guest Jason Jones) * Podcast Episode 428: Legal Research and Writing in the Workplace (Part 1) * Podcast Episode 429: Legal Research and Writing in the Workplace (Part 2) * Three Cs of Legal Writing…And One T

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 465: Improving Your Legal Writing Skills (w/Luiz Arroyo) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In this episode from our “Listen and Learn” series, we cover the formation and characteristics of three types of partnerships – general partnership, limited partnership, and limited liability partnership. To illustrate these concepts, we also analyze two questions from previous California bar exams.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Formation and characteristics of:
    • General partnerships
    • Limited partnerships
    • Limited liability partnerships
  • Examining partnership liability through hypos

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources:* “Listen and Learn” series * California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, February 2022 * California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, February 2013

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 464: Listen and Learn — Partnership Formation appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re discussing the importance and challenges of first-year Legal Research and Writing projects in law school. We share tips on how to break down LRW projects into manageable subparts, revise drafts, and proofread to ensure successful completion of the assignment.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Time-management schedule for your LRW assignment
  • Starting with understanding the instructions
  • Tips for researching, writing, and editing your assignment
  • Asking your professor for feedback
  • Final proofreading and citations

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources:* Tutoring for Law School Success * Westlaw * LexisNexis * Podcast Episode 68: Top 10 Legal Research and Writing Disasters to Avoid * Podcast Episode 409: Start Law School Right – Legal Research and Writing * First-Hand Guide to 1L Courses – Legal Research & Writing * Writing a Legal Memo – Things to Keep in Mind

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 463: Quick Tips — Organizing Your LRW Assignments appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

This month, we’re talking all about legal writing in law school. As a first-year law student, you’ll almost certainly be required to take legal research and writing classes, and many students opt to take more in their 2L and 3L years. We’ll have a podcast episode on organizing your LRW projects, and we’ll talk with Luiz Arroyo, a career law clerk and Law School Toolbox tutor, about the basics of improving your legal writing skills.

Who else can help you get better at legal writing? Well, maybe an AI. I asked Claude (my favorite generative AI tool) how he could ethically help students improve their legal writing. Here’s what he had to say:

As technology evolves, law students can use generative AI tools to supplement their learning and enhance their legal research and writing skills. Here are some ethical ways to incorporate AI into your studies:

  1. Use AI for BrainstormingEmploy AI chatbots to generate initial ideas or outlines for your legal arguments. This can help overcome writer’s block and provide new perspectives. Remember to critically evaluate and expand upon these suggestions.

  2. Enhance Your Legal ResearchUse AI-powered tools to quickly summarize lengthy cases or statutes. This can help you grasp key concepts more efficiently, but always verify the information by reading the original sources.

  3. Improve Your Writing StyleSubmit your drafts to AI writing assistants for suggestions on grammar, style, and clarity. Use this feedback to refine your writing, but maintain your unique voice and ensure the final product is your own work.

  4. Practice Legal AnalysisUse AI to generate sample legal scenarios. Try analyzing these hypotheticals yourself, then compare your analysis with AI-generated responses to identify areas for improvement.

  5. Expand Your Legal VocabularyEngage with AI language models to learn and practice using legal terminology correctly. Ask for explanations of complex legal concepts to deepen your understanding.

  6. Ethical ConsiderationsAlways be transparent about your use of AI tools and follow your institution’s guidelines. Use AI as a learning aid, not a shortcut. The goal is to enhance your skills, not replace your own critical thinking and analysis.

Remember: While AI can be a powerful tool for learning and skill development, it’s crucial to use it ethically and in compliance with your school’s policies. AI should supplement, not substitute, your own work and learning process.

What do you think? On the whole, these mostly seem useful to me! I’d be careful with point number 3, and be sure to clarify in advance with your professor what type of assistance is okay. And, obviously, you shouldn’t break any rules your professors have set on using an AI for brainstorming, summarizing cases, etc. But if you’re feeling stuck, or confused about specific legal doctrines or phrases, give it a shot!

Want more help with legal writing? Check out these earlier posts and podcasts:

  • Bluebook 101
  • Podcast Episode 379: Quick Tips – Bluebooking Like a Pro
  • Five Secrets of Effective Legal Writing
  • Podcast Episode 68: Tops 10 Legal Research and Writing Disasters to Avoid
  • Podcast Episode 84: Using Rules Effectively in Legal Writing (w/Jason Jones)

We’re excited about legal writing month, and we hope you are, too!

Reach out with any questions, and good luck on those memos and briefs.

The post Legal Writing in Law School appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re excited to have lawyer, strategist, and entrepreneur Candice Cook Simmons with us to talk about the evolving legal industry and how to position yourself for success in an increasingly dynamic environment.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Candice’s background and work in the legal field
  • Changes happening in the legal industry at the moment
  • The impact of AI on law firm work and hiring
  • Being competitive in a dynamic job environment
  • Networking and building community

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources:* Candice Cook Simmons * LinkedIn: Candice Cook Simmons * Instagram: Candice Cook Simmons * Podcast Episode 425: Exploring the Legal Tech Ecosystem (w/Colin Levy) * Podcast Episode 430: The Paxton AI Founders Talk About Their AI Legal Assistant * Podcast Episode 441: Exploring the Impact of AI on the Legal Professions (w/Gabe Teninbaum) * Podcast Episode 449: Implications of AI for the Legal Professions (w/Kevin Surace)

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 462: Navigating the Evolution of the Legal Industry (w/Candice Cook Simmons) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re joined by Markus Funk – partner at Perkins Coie, professor, and author – to talk about being an adjunct law professor.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Markus Funk’s background and teaching experience
  • The role of adjunct professors in law schools, as well as the opportunity cost and challenges associated with it
  • Institutional hierarchy in law schools
  • Proposals for improving adjuncts’ experience
  • The benefits of taking classes with adjunct professors

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources: Perkins Coie: T. Markus Funk * LinkedIn: T. Markus Funk * The Hidden Life of Law School Adjuncts: Teaching Temps, Indispensable Instructors, Underappreciated Cash Cows, or Something Else?*, by T. Markus Funk, Andrew S. Boutros, and Eugene Volokh

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 461: Unveiling the Adjunct Experience: An Interview with Markus Funk appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we have attorney and podcaster Ingrid Busson-Hall joining us to talk about networking, building community, and navigating legal workplaces.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Ingrid’s background and career journey
  • The power of connection and community
  • Taking an approach to networking that will make it more bearable
  • Dress codes in corporate environments
  • Balancing personal and professional commitments

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources:* Pierrepont Solutions * This Is My Silver Lining podcast * LinkedIn: Ingrid Busson-Hall * Instagram: Ingrid Busson-Hall * Podcast Episode 25: How to Behave Like a Professional in the Legal Workplace * Podcast Episode 458: The Lost Art of Connecting (w/Susan McPherson) * Running a Student Org: Four Ideas to Expand Your Org and Strengthen Community * Fashion Inspiration for Lawyers and Law Students

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 460: Building Community and Navigating the Legal Workplace (w/Ingrid Busson-Hall) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, together with Sadie Jones, we’re discussing some of the big questions that law students need to be thinking about to figure out what they want to do in their future career.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Key career-related questions for law students
  • Different career options in the legal field
  • Researching the day-to-day activities of your planned job
  • Optimizing job-related activities and classes at your law school

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources:* CareerDicta * Law School Toolbox Podcast: Careers

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 459: Figuring Out Your Career Preferences (w/Sadie Jones) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we’re excited to have social impact expert and serial connector Susan McPherson with us to talk about the lost art of connecting and how to build meaningful professional relationships.

In this episode we discuss: Susan McPherson’s background and experience in business connections * Key concepts in Susan’s book, The Lost Art of Connecting* * Creating meaningful professional relationships * Common networking concerns for law students

Thanks for listening!

Listen Now:To listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources: McPherson Strategies * The Lost Art of Connecting*, by Susan McPherson * Podcast Episode 114: Law School Networking 101 * Podcast Episode 207: Navigating Networking Events as a Law Student * Strategies to Tackle a Law Firm Speed Networking Event * How to Follow-up After Networking * Easy Networking Tips for Those of Us Who Hate It * Unconventional Networking Methods for Law Students * Why You Should Maintain Your Law School Connections

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 458: The Lost Art of Connecting (w/Susan McPherson) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Law students who hate networking tend to think of it as aggressively schmoozing to land a job or make connections that will be immediately (and directly) beneficial professionally. But what if we flipped the script? The most memorable and impactful “networking” actually happens when you lead with being genuinely helpful to others, which anyone can do! This month, we’re talking with master connector Susan McPherson (author of The Lost Art of Connecting) and Ingrid Busson-Hall (attorney and crisis-management specialist) about how to shift the narrative, so “networking” isn’t an icky thing you dread doing! In the meantime, here are some creative ideas for making connections by being a helper.

The Connector
You know those friends who seem to know everyone? Become one of those indispensable nodes in the law school social web. Introduce people who you think could benefit from knowing each other — a 1L wanting to get involved in a certain club with a board member friend, an aspiring corporate lawyer with a buddy at a startup, etc. Offer to make email/LinkedIn intros or bring everyone along to grab lunch. You never know what might develop!

The Skill-Sharer
Law school fosters competition, but some of the most fortifying connections come from sharing complementary skills. If you’re a wiz at outlining, offer a workshop for new 1Ls. If you used to edit your college newspaper, start an essay review group with a few classmates. If you have a knack for calming anxiety, offer to organize group meditations or teach a yoga class. Sharing your gifts freely builds goodwill, which can pay off later, when you have a bad week and need to borrow some class notes to get back up and running.

The Self-Care Starter
Let’s face it — law students can be an unhealthy, stressed out bunch. But having a robust self-care community is vital to avoiding burnout. Start a low-key walking/running club or weekly pickup soccer game to get those endorphins flowing. Organize trips to a paint-your-own pottery studio, some fun volunteer outings, or a recurring board game night. You’ll help others prioritize work-life balance while making quality connections. And probably keep yourself healthier and happier, too!

The Open-Source Oracle
Think you found some amazing study resources, life hacks, or discount codes? Spread the wealth! Create a public Google drive, Slack channel, or online portal where people can easily access and share useful info. You’ll quickly become a trusted node for students seeking insight.

The Skilled Listener
Often the most powerful way to help others is just to lend an ear without judgment. Deep, supportive listening is an underrated superpower that fortifies community. And it’s also something that can supercharge your legal career! So, start being that person people can talk with openly, knowing that you’ll never share their secrets.

The bottom line: a spirit of generosity, authenticity, and looking out for others will organically nurture your network in law school and beyond. Don’t just prioritize what you can extract from relationships. Focus on how you can contribute value to the lives of those around you, and you’ll find that you never have to do any icky “networking,” because you already have the connections you need to move forward, and the people you know are happy to help you meet others if you need to.

The post Level Up Your Networking Game: Be a Helper appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

The Lost Art of Connecting: The Gather, Ask, Do Method for Building Meaningful Business Relationships

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we’re excited to have style expert and founder of Style Space Jenny Eversole with us to talk about what to wear as a law student and lawyer.

In this episode we discuss:* Jenny Eversole’s background and work at Style Space * The distinction between fashion and style * Finding your personal style and dressing for your body type * How to dress in conservative legal workplaces * Building a capsule wardrobe * Resources for professional clothing

Thanks for listening!

Listen Now:To listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources:* Style Space * Podcast Episode 158: What to Wear (And Not to Wear) * Podcast Episode 201: Fashion Law & Men’s Fashion (w/Douglas Hand) * Fashionably Lawyered: How to Dress as a Law Student While Not Breaking the Bank * Fashionably Lawyered: How to Dress the Part as a New Attorney * Fashion Inspiration for Lawyers and Law Students

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 457: Essential Wardrobe Tips for Law Students and Lawyers (w/Jenny Eversole of Style Space) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we share 10 things to consider in preparation for your final year of law school and taking the bar exam.

In this episode we discuss:* Preparing for the bar exam and the MPRE * Evaluating your academic performance and graduation requirements * Networking and professional development * Updating your job application materials and exploring career options * Creating a law school bucket list * And more!

Thanks for listening!

Listen Now:To listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources:* Tutoring for Law School Success * NCBE: National Conference of Bar Examiners * Podcast Episode 9: How to Raise Your Grades as a 2L or 3L * Podcast Episode 322: Keeping Motivation Strong Throughout Your 3L Year * Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 259: How to Minimize Borrowing for the Bar Exam (w/Jesse Mecham from YNAB) * How to Choose Courses for 2L and 3L Year * My Busiest Summer Yet – A Rising 3L Perspective * How to Develop a 3L Job Search Strategy * Seven Ways to Make the Most of Your 3L Year

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 456: Top 10 Tips for Getting Ready for Your 3L Year appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re discussing how to spend the summer before starting the demanding second year of law school.

In this episode we discuss:

  • How to make the most of your summer job experience
  • Developing your personal brand online
  • Taking stock of your finances
  • Making time for life tasks and having some fun
  • Refining your interview skills and job application materials for next summer
  • And more!

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources: Tutoring for Law School Success * The Anxious Generation*, by Jonathan Haidt * Claude.ai * Podcast Episode 61: Making the Most of Your 2L and 3L Years of Law School * Podcast Episode 111: Resumes and Cover Letters (with an ex-BigLaw Recruiter) * Podcast Episode 149: Saving Money in Law School * Podcast Episode 185: Thinking About the 2L Job Search as a 1L (w/ex-BigLaw Recruiter Sadie Jones) * Podcast Episode 255: The Dos and Don’ts of Writing Samples (w/Sadie Jones) * Podcast Episode 442: Quick Tips – How to Get the Most Out of Your Summer Legal Job * How to Conduct Great Informational Interviews * How to Set Yourself Up for a Successful 2L Year * A Rising 3L Perspective on Going Into 2L Year * The 2L Slip – Balancing On-Campus Interviews and Extra Curricular Activities

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 455: Top 10 Tips for Getting Ready for Your 2L Year appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In today’s episode, we’re discussing our top 10 things to consider when getting ready for your first year of law school.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Organizing your schedule and study routine
  • What to read the summer before law school?
  • Thinking ahead to exam time
  • Managing your finances effectively
  • Planning time with friends and family during your first year of law school
  • Preparing the technology you’ll need for studying
  • And more!

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources:* Start Law School Right! * Podcast Episode 88: Self-Care Tips for Keeping Your Mojo in Law School * Podcast Episode 158: What to Wear (And Not to Wear) * Podcast Episode 193: Books to Read Before Law School * Podcast Episode 208: Using Technology Effectively in Law School * Podcast Episode 383: Talking About Money with Jesse Mecham, Founder of You Need A Budget * Podcast Episode 436: Improving Executive Functioning Skills as a Law Student * Podcast Episode 445: Best Practices for Getting Accommodations in Law School * reMarkable * It’s Time to Have That Talk with Your Family * How to Set a Law School Study Schedule * Different Types of Law School Exams

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 454: Top 10 Tips for Getting Ready for Your 1L Year appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Can you believe that the fall semester is just around the corner?

As you prepare for the upcoming academic year, there are some important things to keep in mind depending on where you are in your law school journey. This month, we are going to focus on specific recommendations for law students at each stage of your law school career.

If you are getting ready for your 1L year:

  1. Get organized and get your life together! We are going to share tips for how to streamline your life and make sure you have a good foundation to go on.
  2. Do some hard things! Read something hard, learn a new hobby – get used to pushing yourself and using a growth mindset.
  3. Take Care of Yourself! You need a healthy body and mind to do well in law school.

If you are getting ready for your 2L year:

  1. Start researching internship/job opportunities and prepare your resume, cover letters, and interview skills.
  2. Consider joining a law journal, moot court, or clinic to gain practical legal experience. If you didn’t get on the law review, remember there are many other opportunities you can check out.
  3. Think about networking!

If you are getting ready for your 3L year:

  1. Finalize and execute your post-graduation job search strategy. Polish your resume and cover letters.
  2. Start thinking about your bar exam plan for the following summer and make sure you know when you are going to sit for the MPRE.
  3. Enjoy your final year and continue building connections for future referrals and opportunities while making sure you take care of all the things to graduate!

It may seem a little silly to start thinking about these items in June, but the summer goes by incredibly fast, so always wise to plan ahead. However, do take some time to rest, travel, read a book, watch some movies and rejuvenate yourself for the year to come.

Wonder what I am reading this month?

  • The Anxious Generation – Jonathan Haidt. This book is really thought provoking for anyone raised in the time of the phone-based childhood or currently raising kids (or planning to have kids). I highly recommend it!

The post Getting Ready for Fall appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we’re excited to have the founder of Write Track Admissions, Hamada Zahawi, with us to talk about law school applications.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Hamada’s background and work in the law school applications space
  • The importance of your LSAT score on your application
  • How to figure out what story you want to tell the law schools, and how to make it credible
  • The nitty-gritty of the different application pieces
  • What skills are law schools looking for in prospective students?
  • Finding references for your letters of recommendation
  • Are admission interviews becoming more common?
  • Tips for optimizing the law school experience once you’re admitted

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources:* Start Law School Right! * Write Track Admissions * Law School Admissions Mastery Course * YouTube: Write Track Admissions * Instagram: Write Track Admissions * Podcast Episode 119: Navigating the Law School Application Process (with Admission Logic) * Podcast Episode 256: Tips for Applying to Law School (w/Anna Ivey) * The First Question You Must Answer: Why This? * The Second Question You Must Answer: Why Here? * The Final Question You Must Answer: Why Now? * How to Get Strong Law School Recommendations * How to Work on Your Personal Statement When Applying to Law School * The Law School Admissions Process

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 453: Law School Applications (w/Hamada Zahawi of Write Track Admissions) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In this episode, we’re speaking with David Klieger, Manager of Testing and Psychometrics at Aspen Publishing, about equity in standardized testing.

In this episode we discuss:

  • David’s background and work at Aspen Publishing, including on JD-Next
  • Why is standardized testing an equity issue?
  • How the JD-Next course prepares and assesses prospective law students and helps close the score gap in standardized tests which has traditionally been observed
  • Indicators that a test is a valid and reliable assessment of particular skills
  • What are law school admissions tests trying to measure?
  • How is standardized testing in the law school space evolving?

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources:* Start Law School Right! * JD-Next at Aspen Publishing * LinkedIn: David Klieger * Podcast Episode 46: 4 Myths About the LSAT from Expert Nathan Fox * Podcast Episode 246: Influence of the LSAT on the Law School Admission Process (with Shirag Shemmassian) * Podcast Episode 376: Changes to the Law School Admission Process (w/Steve Schwartz) * Understanding the GRE Phenomenon in Law School Admissions * How to Effectively Self-Study for the LSAT * Top LSAT Mistakes to Avoid

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 452: Standardized Testing Equity (w/David Klieger from Aspen Publishing) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we have admissions consultant Anna Ivey back with us to talk about the law school admissions timeline.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Anna’s background and work in the law school admissions space
  • What is the ideal timeline for applying to law school?
  • What are the advantages of starting the application process early, and why do people apply late in a lot of cases?
  • Preparing for taking the LSAT
  • Lining up recommendations, including if you’ve been out of school for a while
  • What to do if you have to re-apply to a law school?

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources:* Start Law School Right! * Anna Ivey Consulting * LinkedIn: Anna Ivey * YouTube: Anna Ivey * Law School Admission Council * Podcast Episode 256: Tips for Applying to Law School (w/Anna Ivey) * Podcast Episode 335: Things to Consider If You’re on a Law School Waitlist (w/Anna Ivey) * Podcast Episode 338: Talking About Law School Admissions (w/Sydney Montgomery) * Podcast Episode 376: Changes to the Law School Admission Process (w/Steve Schwartz) * The Law School Admissions Process

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 451: From Application to Acceptance: The Law School Admissions Timeline (w/Anna Ivey) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we have ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones with us to talk about law firms starting to open their direct hiring process early, often before students have finished their first year.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Why are law firms hiring outside the standard OCI process?
  • How can you find out about these positions and apply?
  • The timeframe for considering offers
  • Weighing your options through direct interviewing and OCI
  • Pros and cons of the early hiring process for law students

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources:* CareerDicta * Law School Toolbox Podcast: Careers * Big Law Skips Ahead of On-Campus Recruiting in Talent Race * NALP: National Association for Law Placement * Podcast Episode 348: Getting Ready for On-Campus Interviewing (w/Sadie Jones) * Podcast Episode 399: Brining Your A-Game to OCI (w/Sadie Jones) * Comparing Summer Associate Offers – What to Consider, Who to Talk to and What to Ask * Three Things They Don’t Tell You About OCI

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 450: Pre-OCI Hiring (w/Sadie Jones) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we have tech innovator and entrepreneur Kevin Surace with us to talk about how the legal profession is evolving in the age of AI.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Kevin’s background and work in the AI space
  • Some of the most interesting legal questions and problems that AI technologies present
  • Is AI going to take over some of the jobs traditionally done by lawyers?
  • The biggest pros and cons of AI technologies moving forward
  • Tips for people who are interested in really exploring these emerging technologies

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources:* CareerDicta * KevinSurace.com * Podcast Episode 425: Exploring the Legal Tech Ecosystem (w/Colin Levy) * Podcast Episode 430: The Paxton AI Founders Talk About Their AI Legal Assistant * Podcast Episode 441: Exploring the Impact of AI on the Legal Profession (w/Gabe Teninbaum)

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 449: Implications of AI for the Legal Profession (w/Kevin Surace) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In today’s episode, together with Steve Schwartz from LSAT Unplugged, we’re sharing our list of top 10 things to consider when you are applying to law school.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Steve’s background and work in the law school admissions space
  • How early should you start preparing for taking the LSAT?
  • The current structure of the LSAT and what changes are coming up
  • The pros and cons of different prep options
  • Researching law schools and scholarships
  • Writing your personal statement
  • Asking for letters of recommendation
  • Balancing studying with your other priorities

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources:* LSAT Unplugged * YouTube: LSAT Unplugged & Law School Admissions Podcast * Law School Admission Council * LawHub * Law School Transparency * YNAB: You Need A Budget * Podcast Episode 46: 4 Myths About the LSAT from Expert Nathan Fox * Podcast Episode 119: Navigating the Law School Application Process (with Admission Logic) * Podcast Episode 246: Influence of the LSAT on the Law School Admission Process (with Shirag Shemmassian) * Podcast Episode 376: Changes to the Law School Admission Process (w/Steve Schwartz) * How Spaced Repetition Can Help You as a Law Student – Part 1 * How Spaced Repetition Can Help You as a Law Student – Part 2 * Using Blind Review to Effectively Review Your LSAT Practice Test Results * Tips for Self-Studying for the LSAT

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 448: 10 Things to Consider When Applying to Law School (w/Steve Schwartz) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Thinking back on my law school application process, it’s shocking to me now how many things I just didn’t have any idea about. I decided to apply at lunch one day, after a terrible staff meeting at the place I was working (they were about to cut salaries and probably start laying people off, and it was clear that we needed to figure out next steps, fast). Everyone at that lunch made a life-changing decision on the spot. Mine was that I wanted to move to NYC. Someone asked what I was going to do there, and I said, “Well, maybe I’ll apply to law school!” A co-worker looked at me like I was crazy (I was a programmer at the time), and said, “You can’t just apply to law school.” “Why not?” I replied. I went home, looked up the next LSAT date, and the rest is history.

Things I definitely did not know:

  • That you shouldn’t show up to the LSAT without taking at least a few full practice exams
  • How hierarchical the legal profession is, and that school rank really matters
  • That it might be a good idea to tailor my essays to different schools

There were a few things I did right, at least:

  • I understood I needed to tell a compelling story, particularly given my unusual academic/work background (sociology, architecture, tech)
  • I had strong recommenders, including an undergraduate thesis advisor, who knew me well
  • I realized I could negotiate for more money, using other offers
  • I was able to take the LSAT quickly, and apply early in the cycle

In the end, it worked out! But, looking back, I’m slightly shocked that it did.

Admissions have become ever more competitive over time (the average incoming LSAT score at Harvard Law is currently a 174), and law school has only gotten more expensive. If you’re thinking of applying, it’s worth it to give yourself the best shot at a great school at a reasonable price. That means studying the application process and giving yourself enough time to execute, to get the best options you can.

This month, we’re talking with two law school admissions experts and an LSAT expert, to help you understand the admissions timeline and what’s required for a strong application.

If you think law school might be in your future, tune in! And if you’re starting soon, don’t forget about our Start Law School Right course, which will help you show up ready to succeed!

The post The Law School Admissions Process appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we have ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones with us to talk about managing your schedule as a summer associate, intern, or extern.

In this episode we discuss:

  • What should be your goal as to the amount of work you take on at your summer job?
  • How to figure out how long a task should/will take
  • Structuring your work day to ensure you’re working efficiently
  • Under what circumstances should you just say “no,” and how can that be done gracefully?
  • Some common roadblocks to working efficiently for interns and young lawyers

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources:* CareerDicta * Law School Toolbox Podcast: Careers * Podcast Episode 85: Surviving as a Summer Associate and New Firm Lawyer (with Grover Cleveland) * Podcast Episode 94: How to Succeed at Your Summer Legal Job (with Sara O’Connor) * Podcast Episode 342: Real World Summer Job Situations (w/Sadie Jones) * 5 Things You Should Do Throughout Your Summer Job or Internship

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 447: Managing the Workload in a Summer Law Job (w/Sadie Jones) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we’re discussing why doing the assigned reading for your law school classes is important, and we address some common questions we receive from students regarding reading cases for class.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Why it’s important to spend the time to read cases, even when they seem difficult
  • Fundamental skills developed through reading cases that will benefit you during the rest of law school
  • How reading for class will positively impact your future legal career
  • Tips for gradually cutting down reading time and making the work more manageable

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources:* Tutoring for Law School Success * Quimbee * Westlaw * LexisNexis * Podcast Episode 102: How to Read Cases and Prepare for Class in Law School * Podcast Episode 309: Tips for Reading a Case * Podcast Episode 396: Start Law School Right – Class Prep 101 * Preparing for Class as a 1L * Ahead of the Curve: Reading Cases: From Syllabus to Exam – Prepare the Case for Class

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 446: Quick Tips — Doing the Reading for Your Law School Classes appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we’re excited to welcome Haley Miller and Laura Derbonne, who are the co-presidents of the National Disabled Law Students Association, to talk about accommodations and advocating for yourself.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Our guests’ law school journey and how they got involved with the National Disabled Law Students Association
  • The mission of NDLSA
  • Different types of accommodations and how to go about getting them in law school
  • How to internalize needing classroom or exam accommodations
  • Common mistakes that law students make when it comes to applying for accommodations

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources:* NDLSA: National Disabled Law Students Association * Podcast Episode 72: Seeking Accommodations in Law School and on the Bar Exam (with Dr. Jared Maloff) * Podcast Episode 220: More on Accommodations in Law School (w/Elizabeth Knox) * Why It’s Important to Ask for Disability Accommodations Early * Leveling the Playing Field: Using Resources and Seeking Accommodations in Law School

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 445: Best Practices for Getting Accommodations in Law School appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, in an episode from our “Listen and Learn” series, we’re discussing property intentional torts and their specific defenses.

In this episode we discuss:

  • A brief review of intentional torts
  • When is a defendant liable for trespass to land?
  • The differences between trespass to chattels and conversion
  • The necessity defense for property intentional torts
  • The case Vincent v. Lake Erie Transportation Co.
  • Two hypos from previous California bar exams involving property intentional torts

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources: “Listen and Learn” series * California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, February 2016 * California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, February 2022 * Vincent v. Lake Erie Transportation Co.* * First-Hand Guide to 1L Courses – Property

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 444: Listen and Learn – Property-Based Intentional Torts appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re discussing some bar exam basics to help ensure you pass on the first try.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Structure of the current bar exam and how it’s going to change
  • Important things to keep in mind for your bar prep
  • What are some problem areas we see with people who don’t pass the first time?
  • How you can set yourself up for success on the exam
  • Tools and resources to use for bar prep

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources: Bar Exam Toolbox podcast * Writing of the Week (WOW) Bar Essay Workshop * NCBE: National Conference of Bar Examiners * AdaptiBar * UWorld * SmartBarPrep * Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things*, by Adam Grant * Podcast Episode 26: Thinking Ahead to Get Ready for the Bar Exam * Podcast Episode 369: Using Spaced Repetition for Your Law School and Bar Exam Studies (w/Gabriel Teninbaum) * Podcast Episode 372: The NextGen Bar Exam (w/Doretta McGinnis) * Podcast Episode 413: Preparing for the Bar Exam with Themis and UWorld * Tips for Selecting Core Course Requirements That May Improve Bar Exam Results

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 443: Bar Exam Basics for Law Students appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

As a law student, you’re constantly juggling a million things – reading, classes, outlining, exams, clinics, externships, the job hunt, and more. With so many balls in the air, it can be tough to step back and think strategically about how to approach this wild ride of legal education.

That’s where “best practices” come in. But what exactly are best practices? They’re the tips, strategies, and habits that have been tested and proven by those who have successfully navigated law school before you. Best practices are the secret sauce, the road maps that can guide you toward maximum efficiency and effectiveness.

You might be thinking, “But I’m a unique individual! One-size-fits-all advice won’t work for me.” And you’re absolutely right – there is no singular path or checklist that will be a perfect fit. That’s why exploring different best practices allows you to mix-and-match and develop systems and routines optimized for your personal strengths, weaknesses, and tendencies.

Life as a law student is challenging enough. Why go it alone and make things harder than they need to be?

This month, we’re talking about best practices across the law school spectrum. We’ve got tips on how (and why) to actually do your reading, thoughts from an expert around accommodations, and advice on starting to think about (and plan for) the bar exam.

In the end, implementing best practices is about working smarter, not harder. You’re investing your time, energy, and money in a legal career. Use the lessons and shortcuts from those who have walked this road before you as a force multiplier, to make you the best law student, and lawyer, you can be!

What are we reading this month?* Alison is looking forward to the new book from Tommy Orange, Wandering Stars. Loved, loved There, There. * Lee is reading Fight Right by the amazing couples therapists, Drs. John and Julie Gottman.

Thanks for tuning in!

The post The Power of Best Practices in Law School appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

None
There There: A novel

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we’re talking about how to get the most out of your summer job. In particular, we are going to cover tips for success in three key aspects of your summer work experience: professionalism, substantive work, and networking.

In this episode we discuss:

  • How to be the co-worker that people want on their team
  • Tips for getting the most out of the substantive work you do at your summer job
  • Networking at your work place
  • Legal documents you might be asked to draft during your summer job, and how they relate to your writing sample

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources:* CareerDicta * Law School Toolbox Podcast: Careers * Podcast Episode 255: The Dos and Don’ts of Writing Samples (w/Sadie Jones) * Podcast Episode 287: Learning From a Non-Ideal Summer Job Experience (w/Sadie Jones) * Podcast Episode 291: People You Should Get to Know at Any Legal Job (w/Sadie Jones) * Podcast Episode 320: Goals for Your 1L Summer Job (w/Sadie Jones) * Podcast Episode 342: Real World Summer Job Situations * 5 Things You Should Do Throughout Your Summer Job or Internship * Professionalism in the Legal Workplace

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 442: Quick Tips — How to Get the Most Out of Your Summer Legal Job appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re talking with Gabe Teninbaum — law professor and creator of spacedrepetition.com — about how the rapidly developing AI technology may impact the legal profession.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Gabe’s background and how he got interested in technology for the legal industry
  • How generative AI has been developing in recent years
  • What are some ways that AI may create, or destroy, legal jobs?
  • How can AI help people access legal assistance or information in a low-cost way?
  • What are the biggest concerns and opportunities for the legal profession as AI technology develops?
  • What to do if you’re a law student interested in developing technologies

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources: CareerDicta * spacedrepetition.com * lawtomatic.com * Suffolk University: Gabe Teninbaum * LinkedIn: Gabe Teninbaum * LawNext podcast * Casetext * Claude * JustFix: Technology for Housing Justice * LegalZoom * American Bar Association * The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich, by Timothy Ferriss * Productizing Legal Work: Providing Legal Expertise at Scale*, by Gabriel H. Teninbaum * Podcast Episode 425: Exploring the Legal Tech Ecosystem (w/Colin Levy) * Podcast Episode 430: The PaxtonAI Founders Talk About Their AI Legal Assistant

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 441: Exploring the Impact of AI on the Legal Profession (w/Gabe Teninbaum) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

Productizing Legal Work: Providing Legal Expertise at Scale (Aspen Casebook Series)
The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re talking with ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones about making good decisions in law school to prepare for your legal career.

In this episode we discuss:

  • What’s the most important thing you have to do in law school to set yourself up for legal career success?
  • What options do you have if you don’t get the exact job you wanted for the 1L/2L summer?
  • Exploring academic activities in different areas of interest
  • How to frame prior job experiences in interviews
  • Finding networking opportunities in your job placements

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources:* CareerDicta * Law School Toolbox Podcast: Careers

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 440: Making Good Career Decisions in Law School (w/Sadie Jones) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re excited to have Michele Cooley from Themis Bar Review joining us to talk about their Law School Essentials courses.

Note: This episode is brought to you by Themis Bar Review – the gold standard in bar exam preparation. Right now, Themis has a special offer for Law School Toolbox podcast listeners. If you sign up for their July 2024 bar review course, you can get a $500 discount using the promo code LAWSCHOOLTB500. (This offer is valid until midnight Central Standard Time on May 20th, 2024.)

In this episode we discuss:

  • Michele’s professional background and her work at Themis Bar Review
  • Common struggles for first-year law students
  • Content of the Law School Essentials courses offered by Themis
  • Implementing practice questions in a study group
  • Using the resources available at your law school

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources: Themis Bar Review * Law School Essentials courses * Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things*, by Adam Grant * Podcast Episode 213: Why Practice Is So Important in Law School * Podcast Episode 413: Preparing for the Bar Exam with Themis and UWorld * Flashcards or Flowcharts: What’s Best? * MPRE Study – Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute!

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 439: Keys to Law School Success with Themis (w/Michele Cooley) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

None

View Details

Let’s be realistic – most people go to law school to find a job. Sure, it’s interesting to learn about the law and impress your friends at parties with your deep understanding of obscure Torts cases (as if!), but – fundamentally – this is a professional school designed to produce lawyers.

When I started law school, I’m not sure I fully realized how quickly you have to start making career decisions. Sure, we all had a good story ready for Orientation about wanting to be appellate litigators or human rights lawyers, but most of us didn’t really know what being an actual lawyer was all about. (I remember once telling a BigLaw partner in an interview that Contracts was my least favorite 1L class and also that I was thinking about doing international arbitration, since I was an RA for that professor and liked his class. He looked at me for a minute and said, “Well, you realize that’s all just contract disputes.” Um, no. I had not. Oops.)

Luckily, law school is a great opportunity to learn about the actual practice of law! This month, we’re talking about making good career choices as a law student, especially as the practice of law is changing rapidly with the introduction of AI into legal research and writing tools.

Sometimes students think they have to make the one “right” choice and get the perfect first job, or all is lost. This is definitely not the case! You can, and should, explore and figure out what you like. It’s also fine to reposition if you try something and don’t like it, or if you don’t get the job you thought you wanted immediately. There are lots of options, and very little is set in stone!

Stay tuned this month for new podcast episodes with Sadie Jones, our former BigLaw recruiter, on making good career choices in law school and a guest interview with Professor Gabe Teninbaum on AI and legal practice.

And, of course, if you’d like some one-on-one help, you can always visit CareerDicta.com and work directly with us to find a great job option!

Looking for some inspiration as we start the month? Check out some of our other favorite career ideas:

  • Podcast Episode 173: Frequently Asked Questions about Resumes and Cover Letters
  • Podcast Episode 351: Getting a Law Job in a Niche Area
  • Podcast Episode 385: Career Planning Resources for Law Students
  • Podcast Episode 420: Being Realistic in Your Job Search
  • Podcast Episode 433: Career Tips from a BigLaw Partner

The post Career Planning as a Law Student appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

So you’re going to be on a journal next year—congratulations!! Being on a law school journal is a great way to hone your research, writing, and editing skills, while having the opportunity to be involved in helping legal scholars—and potentially yourself—get published! That’s right—many journals select student notes that are published along with articles from […]

The post How to Increase Your Chances of Getting Published on Law Review (or Journal of Choice) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, as part of our “Listen and Learn” series, we’re focusing on Criminal Procedure. Specifically, we’re talking about the “stop and frisk” exception to the warrant requirement. In this episode we discuss: The general attack plan for a Criminal Procedure question When the “stop and frisk” exception […]

The post Podcast Episode 414: Listen and Learn — Criminal Procedure: Stop and Frisk appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Depending on your circumstances, the 1L summer job hunt may be a breeze, or it may be grueling. The main tip is managing expectations: 1L summer jobs are ridiculously difficult to figure out, and you should expect it to potentially be a tough process.

Why even bother?Early on, many classmates wondered what the point of a summer job even was. Why work when you can take summer classes and have a lighter course load later? I’m glad I asked the question because the answer was enlightening. In the midst of learning about things like what the Supreme Court said about the Commerce Clause in the 1940s, it can be easy to lose sight of why you went to law school in the first place, and a summer job helps refocus you on that goal.

The other big reason is it helps solidify your interests. You may be full-on energy litigation when you go into the summer, find out you hate litigation, and decide real estate transactions is the place for you. That’s something you probably want to figure out before 2L OCI, and this is a great way to do exactly that. Oh, and you might make money. Money is always nice.

Fall SemesterShort version: this is the warm-up to the race – you should start stretching now. The first thing you should do during the fall is figure out what your circumstances will likely be in the summer: are you moving home with family? Staying where your school is? Are you able to work for free? Do you have any other considerations, like kids or other family members you’re responsible for that you’ll have to plan for care of? Answering those questions helps narrow down the overwhelming array of options you’ll be seeing in the coming months. Also get your resume and cover letter cleaned up and ready early so you aren’t scrambling. Meet with your career office to discuss general goals, plans, ideas, and what kind of support they provide during the summer search. If there are any events put on by employers you’re potentially interested in, go to them and network! It’s a great way to set yourself apart from the stack of other faceless applicants later on. Also find out when applications open and apply EARLY. Yes, before grades and in some cases even before finals. More options are available to you that way. But on that topic, also focus on your grades because if you get an offer pre-finals, it’ll likely be conditioned on you getting certain grades. You don’t want to be in a situation where you get an offer rescinded because your grades weren’t quite high enough. Grades will be also be most important during 2L OCI so you’ll want to set yourself up for future success as well.

Winter BreakThis is where it all starts to happen in earnest. Most employers tend to open applications during this timeframe, so you’ll want to get a jump on that. Apply to as many jobs as you can, even before grades come out, because you never know what may stick. Many firms host winter receptions for 1Ls so if you’re remotely interested in them, you should consider attending. It may not help with 1L summer, but it could make a difference for 2L OCI. If you’re traveling for the break, bring an interview outfit in case you get invited for a virtual interview (or in person if you’re traveling to where you want to work) so you don’t have to find something, especially with holiday shopping. Malls are chaos in December, it’s generally best to avoid them whenever possible. And, speaking of avoiding, I recommend avoiding LinkedIn except for the specific purpose of looking for jobs. People tend to be excited about their summer opportunity and will post about it there, which can be discouraging when you’re still looking. Also, look everywhere: your school’s job board, LinkedIn, indeed, cold email alumni and local firms, be as expansive with your search as possible.

Spring SemesterMost people will probably still be looking for a job throughout the semester. Some will have something set up for the summer, most won’t, and you should resist the urge to compare yourself to others, as difficult as it is (and believe me, I KNOW how hard it is). Despite what LinkedIn seems to indicate, you almost certainly are not the only one without a summer job, so again, probably keep avoiding it except to specifically look for jobs and keep looking multiple places because jobs are not always cross-posted. Keep looking, don’t give up on it because something will come up. Continue meeting with your career office, they are a great resource for getting a summer job that will give you at least a fair amount of the things you’re looking for – because jobs that give you every single thing you want, while they exist, they’re rare, kind of like a unicorn. And don’t stop networking, because 1L summer is just one step, you still have 2L OCI around the corner, so you want to build your network, get your name out there, and of course keep focusing on your grades.

The 1L summer job search is, like most things law school, a marathon that feels like a sprint. Don’t sprint it, run it at your pace, and know that something will land. It may take a while – I didn’t get my summer even partly figured out until late March – but it will work out as long as you keep putting in the work. You’ve got this, and if you feel like you need some extra support, the amazing CareerDicta team is here ready to help you get where you’re going!

The post 1L Summer Job Search appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Before I started law school, I got a lot of great advice. (Read about the best nuggets of wisdom I received here!) While these conversations definitely helped me avoid a lot of potential 1L pitfalls and assuage many of my worries, it’s hard to know what law school will be like, and particularly what it […]

The post Four Things I Wish I Could Tell My Pre-1L Self appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! This episode is sponsored by Themis Bar Review, the gold standard in bar exam preparation. We’re excited to have two guests on the podcast — Jeff Allcorn from UWorld and Rebecca Petrilli from Themis Bar Prep — discussing their programs and how they can help law school graduates […]

The post Podcast Episode 413: Preparing for the Bar Exam with Themis and UWorld appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Not too long ago, I wrote a post for the Bar Exam Toolbox about rubber duck bar study. In it, I revealed that the idea came from my husband telling me that Duckie Debugging has nothing to do with the Pretty in Pink character. I have decided to dispute his claim, and simultaneously offer up Duckie […]

The post Whimsy for the Win: Using Ducks to Improve Law Study appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we discuss the procedure for filing a motion for summary judgment, which is how many cases are resolved in court. We illustrate this important topic with several sample questions and answers. In this episode we discuss: What is a motion for summary judgment? When a court […]

The post Podcast Episode 412: Listen and Learn — Motions for Summary Judgment appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Have you ever seen the stand-up show Dress to Kill by Eddie Izzard? (If not, it’s hilarious, and a great distraction for a couple of hours if you need a break.) She has a bit where she’s talking to a career adviser, and tells them about these big dreams for her life. And the career […]

The post Need to Boost Your Grades? Set Realistic Goals! appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re joined by Emily Witt — a legal recruiter who worked at Wachtell for many years — to talk about about BigLaw recruiting, summer programs, going in-house, and more. In this episode we discuss: Emily’s background and path to the legal recruiting field Tips for approaching […]

The post Podcast Episode 411: A Conversation with Legal Recruiter Emily Witt appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

If you are entering 1L, 2L or 3L, the new semester is an opportunity to set yourself up for success. One of the best things you can do is create an environment that brings the best law student out of you. When you step into your space, you want to feel ready to work no matter […]

The post Creating Your Best Study Environment appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, in our “Listen and Learn” series, we’re discussing Relevance — specifically, multiple uses for the same evidence, conditional relevance, and stipulations. In this episode we discuss: When is evidence logically relevant? Multiple uses for the same piece of evidence What is conditional relevance? How do stipulations […]

The post Podcast Episode 410: Listen and Learn — Relevance Issues (Evidence) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome to the Law School Toolbox podcast for our special series on starting off on the right foot in law school! In today’s episode, we’re exploring the unique aspects of Legal Research and Writing, a critical first-year law school class. In this episode we discuss: The key differences between Legal Research and Writing and your […]

The post Podcast Episode 409: Start Law School Right — Legal Research and Writing appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Law school is shrouded in myths and misconceptions that can create unrealistic expectations, both positive and negative, for aspiring lawyers. With all the information swirling around, it can be hard to separate fact from fiction. Let’s discuss some of the most common misconceptions surrounding law school and why they aren’t completely accurate. It’s time for […]

The post Debunking Common Misconceptions About Law School appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we have Sarah Covington, one of the authors of Digitally Remastered: Modern Law School, with us to talk about the book and the online law school experience. In this episode we discuss: Sarah’s background and her path to law school What the book Digitally Remastered: Modern […]

The post Podcast Episode 408: Inside the Online Law School Experience (w/Sarah Covington) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome to the Law School Toolbox podcast for our special series on starting off on the right foot in law school! In this episode, we’re discussing the ins and outs of law school exams. We share tips for writing a successful exam answer, and we go through a sample answer written following the IRAC structure. […]

The post Podcast Episode 407: Start Law School Right — Exam Writing 101 appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

You will read plenty of U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) opinions throughout law school, but this exposure only lights a fire for some students and lawyers. If you are intrigued by the highest Court in the land, there are amazing resources out there to dive in deep and become a true SCOTUS expert. Here are six […]

The post 6 Ways to Become a SCOTUS Savant appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re looking at a few specific defenses in Criminal Law, which – if used successfully – may exonerate a defendant or reduce their punishment. In this episode we discuss: Factual and affirmative defenses Perfect and imperfect affirmative defenses The defense of duress Defenses having to do […]

The post Podcast Episode 406: Listen and Learn — Defenses to a Crime appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome to the Law School Toolbox podcast for our special series on starting off on the right foot in law school! In this episode, we’re discussing building confidence for your exams by working through practice problems early and consistently. In this episode we discuss: Writing out answers to classroom hypos Working through old exams Coming […]

The post Podcast Episode 405: Start Law School Right — Practicing 101 appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Are you on the board of a student organization at your law school? While it can be a considerable time commitment, being involved in student orgs is an amazing way to contribute to your law school community and give back to the next class of 1Ls by putting on events that helped you when you […]

The post Running a Student Org: Four Ideas to Expand Your Org and Strengthen Community appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re excited to talk to ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones about developing your plan for the job hunt process and sticking to it, without focusing on the things you can’t control. In this episode we discuss: Some of the things that job seekers worry about when they […]

The post Podcast Episode 404: Staying in Your Lane in the Job Hunt (w/Sadie Jones) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome to the Law School Toolbox podcast for our special series on starting off on the right foot in law school! In today’s episode, we’re discussing outlining as part of your studying and exam prep. In this episode we discuss: The two purposes of outlining in law school When should you start outlining? What materials […]

The post Podcast Episode 403: Start Law School Right — Outlining 101 appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

When you start law school, not only do you have to learn the language of the law itself—which is its own challenge—but new law-school-specific jargon. People around you might suddenly be talking about briefing cases for class, who’s the section gunner, or how they’ll fare against the curve. From IRAC to issue spotters, Bluebook to […]

The post Common Law School Lingo Defined appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, in an episode from our “Quick Tips” series, we break down how to prepare for the Multistate Professional Responsibility exam, which is a crucial element of bar admission. In this episode we discuss: The structure of the MPRE When you should plan to schedule sitting for […]

The post Podcast Episode 402: Quick Tips — The MPRE appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome to the Law School Toolbox podcast for our special series on starting off on the right foot in law school! In today’s episode, we’re focusing on a very important question: What exactly are you supposed to pay attention to in class in order to make the most of your class time? In this episode […]

The post Podcast Episode 401: Start Law School Right — Getting the Most Out of Class appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

When you think of a successful corporate lawyer, who do you picture? For many law students, images of people with strong analytical skills, an affinity for numbers, and a deep understanding of finance might come to mind. While it’s true that these qualities can be advantageous in corporate law, the idea that a background in […]

The post Can you Become a Successful Corporate Lawyer Without a Background in Finance or Numbers? (Spoiler Alert: Yes!) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re happy to share the 400th episode of the podcast with you! We’ll celebrate this milestone with a look back at some of our personal favorite episodes we’ve recorded over the past eight years. In this episode we discuss: Tips for pre-law and new law students […]

The post Podcast Episode 400: Milestone Episode! Some of Our Favorite Episodes So Far appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Are all law schools the same? No. The American Bar Association (ABA) provides the premier law school accreditation and not all law schools make the grade—and some are not even trying to attain such a status. Some non-accredited law schools boast online options, flexible schedules, or affordability, but such attributes come with risks. No matter […]

The post Non-Accredited Law Schools: A Risky Road appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re excited to talk to ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones about how to bring your A-game to the OCI process. In this episode we discuss: Basics of the OCI process Preparing your application materials Bidding, interview, and callback strategies What are some of the pitfalls of the […]

The post Podcast Episode 399: Bringing Your A-Game to OCI (w/Sadie Jones) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome to the Law School Toolbox podcast for our special series on starting off on the right foot in law school! In today’s episode, we’ll demystify the dreaded Socratic method for teaching in law school, and provide some survival tips for being called on in class. In this episode we discuss: Alison’s and Lee’s own […]

The post Podcast Episode 398: Start Law School Right — The Socratic Method appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Courthouses are unique and fascinating places. They have an ecosystem all their own. As an intern or new attorney, learning your courthouse will be a first step to success and sanity. Even seasoned attorneys can be disoriented by a new courthouse—and that could be just one county removed from where they typically practice. If your […]

The post Learning Your Courthouse appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re excited to have John Passmore – a practicing attorney and one of our Law School Toolbox writers – with us to talk about some ways that law students can get involved in the legal profession. In this episode we discuss: A quick overview of John’s […]

The post Podcast Episode 397: How to Get Involved in the Legal Profession While Still in Law School appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome to the Law School Toolbox podcast for our special series on starting off on the right foot in law school! Today, in the second episode of the series, we’re discussing reading law school cases and preparing for class. In this episode we discuss: Why it’s important to spend time reading cases Things to pay […]

The post Podcast Episode 396: Start Law School Right — Class Prep 101 appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

With OCI coming up this summer, here are 3 things I learned going through the process that I hope will be helpful to you! 1. First Impression Matters This sounds obvious, and I’m sure you won’t make this mistake, but make sure you have decent WiFi for virtual interviews, and don’t plan your vacation during […]

The post Three Things They Don’t Tell You About OCI appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, as part of our “Listen and Learn” series, we’re discussing Evidence, specifically some special forms of privileged communication. In this episode we discuss: Privileged communication vs. confidentiality The two types of marital (or spousal) privilege Requirements for communication between a doctor and a patient for it […]

The post Podcast Episode 395: Listen and Learn — Evidence: Special Privileges appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome to the Law School Toolbox podcast for our special series on starting off on the right foot in law school! In this episode, we’re discussing what the law school process is, what lawyers argue about, and where “the law” comes from. In this episode we discuss: The four distinct steps in the law school […]

The post Podcast Episode 394: Start Law School Right — Getting Started 101 appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Planning your 2L year can feel overwhelming, especially after 1L year where all your classes were arranged for you. You may have been told that you should do a journal, clinics, student orgs — and maybe you want to try all these things, but at the same time you also want to enjoy 2L year […]

The post Planning 2L Year To Maximize Your Law School Experience And Avoid Burnout appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we have ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones on the podcast to discuss how to interpret news and headlines you see around law firms and the current economy in general.

In this episode we discuss:

  • What is happening in relation to law firms in the current economy?
  • If you are given a deferred start date, what’s the best way to handle this as a law student?
  • What should students going into 2L recruiting be thinking about?
  • How does the current economy landscape compare to 2008?
  • How to put yourself in the best position, knowing that things are probably tightening

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources:* CareerDicta * Building Your Legal Career * Podcast Episode 360: Legal Jobs in a Slowing Economy (w/Sadie Jones) * How to Search for a Law Job in an Uncertain Economy * Tips to Finding Post-Graduate Jobs During a Recession

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 393: The Legal Hiring Landscape in the Current Economy (w/Sadie Jones) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

I can hardly believe it, but my first year of law school is coming to a close. With the end of 1L, I’ve been reflecting on both how far I’ve come and what experiences I want to have or things I’d like to accomplish during my remaining two years. During my senior year of college, I made a bucket list of things I wanted to do before graduation, so I thought, why not a law school bucket list? Though my list this time around is definitely more oriented towards building my career, I also tried to add a few things just for fun or for my own enrichment or curiosity.

I want to set goals for the future but also make sure to celebrate my past accomplishments, so I’m including a few items I’ve already gotten through.

What I’ve Crossed Off:Successfully make it through a cold callBefore starting law school, one of the things I was most stressed about was the dreaded cold call. When I had my first one, I was definitely nervous, but I felt confident in my understanding of the case and was able to answer the professor’s questions. And in one of my cold calls this past semester, the professor even told me after class I had done a good job! After that, I realized that it doesn’t really matter if you have the perfect answer to every question, and you aren’t expected to really. Professors just want to see that you did the reading, and that you’re engaging with the material.

Live on my ownThis past summer, I faced the choice of whether to live alone or with roommates. While I had some trepidation about living on my own for the first time, I decided in the end that the pros outweighed the cons for me. I really enjoy having a quiet place to come home to, and to be able to cook or watch TV or sleep whenever I want without negotiating around other people.

Participate in a school traditionSomething I loved about my college was how many traditions we had, from the solemn to the silly. I always had a lot of fun participating in them, and feeling like I was part of a long line of students who had done the same before me. So when I had the chance to partake in such a tradition my first semester at law school (Erie Day, for all those who celebrate), I decided to go for it. It was a great opportunity for some silliness amidst the seriousness of law school, and I made some memories I’m sure will last far beyond law school.

For the Future:Participate in a clinicMy law school is known for its robust clinic and externship program, so I definitely want to make sure to take advantage of it before I graduate. Clinics provide an opportunity to get out of the library and acquire the kind of real-world experience and skills that you can’t get from a book. Plus, it can be a great way to explore a potential practice area of interest. However, they are a significant time commitment, so I want to make sure to choose carefully both what kind of clinic I want to participate in and at what point in my law school career.

Join a journalJournals are another hallmark aspect of law school I don’t want to miss out on. Yes, they provide a resume boost, but they also offer a host of other appealing benefits: the chance to work on cutting-edge legal scholarship, hone your editing and citation skills, write your own student note, and get to know other classmates. Luckily, my school has lots of great journals, from the more general to ones focusing on specific areas of the law, from intellectual property to international law.

Take a class on a niche topic of interestAlthough I likely won’t have as much space in my law school schedule for exploration as I did in college (got to love a liberal arts education), I’m hoping to squeeze in a few classes on niche topics of interest. While there are some practical courses that I know will be useful in my career or for the bar exam, like Evidence and Corporations, plus required classes, I also want to indulge my curiosity with some courses on niche topics like art law or public health law.

Study abroad (?)I didn’t get the chance to study abroad during college, so I was excited to see that my law school offers study abroad programs. While I’m not sure what my plans are yet, and whether study abroad would interfere with other commitments, it would certainly be fun to dust off my high school French and spend my last semester of law school in Paris…

Whether you’re starting law school next fall or still have a year or two left to go, I hope you got some inspiration to start your own law school bucket list, and ideas for some items you might consider adding.

The post What’s on My Law School Bucket List appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, as part of our “Listen and Learn” series, we’re talking about the purpose of recording statutes, and the recording system more generally.

In this episode we discuss:

  • The first-in-time rule for valid title
  • What is a bona fide purchaser?
  • What does it mean to take property without notice?
  • The three types of recording statutes
  • How transfers of real property are recorded
  • What is a “wild” deed?
  • Analyzing sample questions involving recording statutes

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources:* “Listen and Learn” series

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 392: Listen and Learn — Recording Statutes (Real Property) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Once you land a great internship, your job is not done. You have to be a great intern. Being an intern is hard, but simple things can make you a standout to your supervisor and your temporary office. Here are seven things you can do to become the good kind of intern and avoid being the bad kind of intern.

  1. Be On TimeBeing an intern means you are often just trying to keep your head above water. You are trying to learn, be polite, ask the right questions, and perform your assigned tasks as best you can. On all of these counts, you may win some and you may lose some. But at bare minimum, show up on time and be engaged. There is no quicker way to be cut out of experiences and opportunities than by failing to clear the first hurdle of showing up and being ready to participate. If you are not there or if you are always on your phone, your supervisor will quickly decide it is not worth the effort and your internship will quickly go down a bad path. Even if you feel like you are contributing little to the office, at least prove yourself to be dependable enough to be there and ready.

  2. Know When to Be QuietSense the tone. Offices have a general atmosphere, but pay attention to changes in pace and the events of the day. On a slow day, when all is well, your supervisor may enjoy bringing you into her office for coffee and a chat about your project. But on days when everything is going poorly and your supervisor is clearly focusing on tackling an emergency, just stand by ready to assist—and do so quietly. It may just be a day when your supervisor does not have the time to even engage in the most basic of pleasantries. You may never hear about it, but your supervisor will appreciate your attentiveness and understanding.

  3. Know When to ContributeThe flip side of the previous tip is to sense when you are able to contribute and do so. You did earn the internship opportunity for a reason. Either now or in the future, the office or organization thought you could add value. Be ready for that one moment when your supervisor turns to you for an answer or an idea. You do not want to give the impression that you are just there to kill time. Be engaged in the work of your office and find ways to make your mark while you are there.

  4. Respect Attorneys and StaffIt should go without saying, but show appropriate respect for the attorneys you are working with. No supervisor will want to work with a haughty law student who thinks they are destined for bigger things than this office. Be humble and appreciate the careers of the attorneys you are working with (even if you do have ambitions to do something else with your career). Likewise, appreciate the staff in your office. Your supervisor will see how you treat the staff—from the lead paralegal to the janitor. Show respect and you will earn the respect of your entire office.

  5. Make Your Supervisor ProudPut yourself in the shoes of your supervisor. Reaching a point in your career that allows you to take on an intern is an achievement. If you get the sense that your supervisor is showing you off to colleagues or people around the courthouse, he or she may well be. Make your supervisor proud to call you his or her intern. Handle yourself professionally when you have the opportunity to leave the office. Remember that, in addition to representing your firm or organization, your actions reflect on your supervisor as well.

  6. Lean into the Office CultureEvery office has a culture, and as the intern, try to learn and participate in that culture. If everyone goes to lunch together, try to go when invited. If no one goes out for lunch, bring your lunch too. Similarly, try to match the unspoken dress code of the office whether it is formal or casual. When you study abroad, they always say to try to hang out with the locals rather than only with those students from your home country. As an intern, you have entered another culture, so try to embrace that culture. Integrating into the office will help you develop your professionalism and organically build your professional network by really getting to know the individuals in your office.

  7. Don’t DisappearWhen your internship comes to an end, fortify the relationships you have built instead of disappearing. It can be tempting to turn in your temporary badge, add the entry to your resume, and never look back. This approach forfeits one of the most important benefits of interning— building relationships, building a professional network. Further, those attorneys that took a chance on you and invested time and attention on you will be frustrated to be treated like a stepping stone. Instead of building a reputation, if you leave poorly, you may well be souring the professional circle you hope to join in short order. Rather, send a thank you note to your supervisor and ask your supervisor out to lunch or coffee a few weeks after you leave.

Internships are overwhelming by their nature, but if you remember these seven tips, you will be on your way to a productive and enriching internship experience!

The post 7 Ways to Be a Great Intern appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we have ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones on the podcast to talk about the expectations that law firms have of their summer associates, in terms of work hours, work load, and communication.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Why some people don’t take a summer associate position as seriously as they should
  • Managing a hybrid or virtual work schedule
  • Taking a vacation during your summer job
  • Attending in-person and virtual work events
  • What should you do if you aren’t clear on expectations?
  • What if you really don’t have much to do, and is this a sign you’re not going to get an offer?

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources:* CareerDicta * Podcast Episode 94: How to Succeed at Your Summer Legal Job (with Sara O’Connor) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-94-succeed-summer-legal-job-sara-oconnor/) * Podcast Episode 147: Top Summer Associate Mistakes and How to Fix Them (w/Sadie Jones) * Podcast Episode 342: Real World Summer Job Situations (w/Sadie Jones) * 5 Things You Should Do Throughout Your Summer Job or Internship * 5 Tips for Rescuing Your Law School Summer Job from Disaster

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 391: How to Show Up as a Summer Associate (w/Sadie Jones) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

If you’re someone like me who cringes at the thought of public speaking and debating, doing an oral argument for your legal writing class or moot court trials can be intimidating. But that doesn’t mean you can’t be a strong oral advocate! It helps to be skilled at debating and thinking on your feet, but I have found that it’s primarily about thorough preparation and knowing the best arguments for both your side and the opposing side. With good preparation and practice, you can do well in your oral arguments too!

Here are 10 tips I found helpful when preparing for my oral argument:

  1. Memorize your introductionThe introduction is the one part of the oral argument that you can control, and even if the judge cuts you off partway through, you at least start off on a good note. In the beginning, you might also feel nervous, and having your introduction down by heart will help you ease into the argument.

  2. Know the cases inside and outI did my oral argument on Zoom and had all the key points of the relevant cases in front of me but did not have time to use them in real time. So don’t rely on your notes to carry you through!

  3. Make an outline of your arguments — the key facts, cases, and counterargumentsHaving an outline in front of you that you can quickly glance at can help you stay on track and find your place again when things go out of order.

  4. Practice your arguments in different ordersGenerally, you want to bring up your strongest arguments first, but you never know when a judge might throw a curveball, or another argument will come up, and you have to find your way back. I’ve found that it can throw you off if you only rehearse your arguments in a certain order and then find yourself having to transition between arguments.

  5. Be prepared to both answer questions and keep talkingThe best way to prepare for oral arguments is to be prepared for anything — you might get asked questions the whole time, or the judge might stay silent, in which case you need to keep making your case. Most likely you will get a combination of both, but you always want to be prepared for judges at both ends of the spectrum!

  6. Figure out the opposing side’s strongest arguments and have answers ready for themIn contrast to what you might imagine, the judge is probably not looking to embarrass you or make a fool of you in court; rather, the judge is trying to make the most impartial, law-supported decision on a controversial issue. You can expect judges to ask tough questions in oral argument because they are ultimately trying to get at the truth and make the best decision. Thus, when preparing to make your case, having answers ready for your weakest points is one of the best ways to convince the judge that your strong points outweigh your weak points.

  7. Imagine you are advocating for your client — what is most persuasive to a judge?Since you are likely not advocating for real clients in your legal writing assignment, it can be hard to put yourself in that situation, but imagining that you are advocating for your client can put you in the right mindset to be the best advocate. Treat the process not with the mindset of, oh no, the judge is looking to find holes and break down my argument, but rather, I am here advocating for my client and I want to make sure that the client’s arguments are adequately represented and conveyed.

  8. If the judge throws you a curveball question you weren’t expecting, it’s okay to pause for a few moments before answeringWhen you’re in a more stressful situation under the spotlight, time can seem to pass by much more quickly. For example, when I performed the piano during college, I would tend to rush because time seemed to stand still when I held a note, when in reality it was only a couple of seconds. I also used to think that pausing means you’re struggling to form a good response, which can make you seem less persuasive. However, some people need more time to gather their thoughts and come up with a strong answer, and it’s always better to take a couple more seconds and respond with a more thorough and thoughtful answer than to rush into a less compelling answer.

  9. Practice with othersPractice doesn’t make perfect, but it certainly makes you better and much more confident to tackle anything the judge might send your way! Before my oral argument I practiced mock arguments with my legal writing fellow and friends, which was helpful in identifying areas where I needed to work on crafting a stronger response. Even just talking about the issues with a classmate can get you in the mood to be ready to discuss them, which allows you to better recognize and respond to weaknesses in your argument.

  10. Keep the conclusion short and sweetYou would usually conclude around when time is up, so you don’t want to go overtime. Recapping your key points or responding to a key concern the judges had is a good way to come back full circle and remind the judges why it would be the best decision for them to agree with your side.

Probably the most important quality you can exude in oral arguments is confidence — you’ve done the preparation, now is the time to shine and tell the judges why your argument makes the most sense and why they should go with your client’s perspective. Happy advocating!

For more advice and words of encouragement:

  • Surviving Your First Oral Argument
  • Podcast #53: Acing Oral Arguments in Law School
  • Public Speaking Tips

The post Ten Tips to Prepare for Success in Your Oral Argument Assignment appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re discussing the circumstances under which a principal is vicariously liable for the unlawful actions of their employees and independent contractors.

In this episode we discuss:

  • The general rule for vicarious liability
  • Distinguishing between an employee and an independent contractor
  • When is an employee considered to act within the scope of employment?
  • When is a principal liable for torts committed by an independent contractor?

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources:* “Listen and Learn” series * California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, July 2014 * California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, July 2006

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 390: Listen and Learn — Vicarious Liability (Torts) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

If you’re a law student, you’ve probably heard about BigLaw – large law firms that offer high salaries and prestige (along with some other not-so-great things we’ll talk more about). While you may have heard about BigLaw, before jumping on the OCI bandwagon, it’s best to consider if BigLaw really is right for you.

First, let’s talk a little bit about what BigLaw is. BigLaw firms are often headquartered in major cities and handle complex legal matters for large corporations and financial institutions. As a BigLaw associate, you will work long hours and be expected to bill a certain number of hours each year (usually about 2,000).

BigLaw is not for everyone. Like most jobs, there are highs and lows. It really is a unique job that some people thrive in and others burnout from. So, how do you know if BigLaw is the right fit for you? Here are five factors to consider:

  1. Your personalityDo you thrive in high-pressure situations? Do you enjoy working on complex, intellectually challenging tasks? BigLaw can be a good fit for you if you are driven, detail-oriented, and able to handle stress.

However, if you prefer a more laid-back work environment or tend to get overwhelmed easily, you might find BigLaw to be too demanding. You know yourself best, so consider your own working style and personality.

  1. Your work styleDo you prefer working independently or collaborating with others? In BigLaw, you usually work on teams, receiving assignments from multiple partners and senior associates and working with paralegals and support staff. It’s definitely not the environment for those who prefer to work alone or with their door always shut.

Something else to consider is whether you are comfortable speaking up in meetings and presenting your ideas to clients. Even as a junior associate, you’ll need to communicate complex legal concepts to clients. I remember the first time I received a call from a banking client as a new first-year associate and couldn’t believe he was asking me a legal question! Make sure you understand the responsibility that comes with being a BigLaw associate before you decide if it’s something you’re up for.

  1. Your career goalsIt’s super important to consider your long-term career goals before signing up for a BigLaw job. BigLaw can be a great stepping stone for lawyers who want to gain experience working on high-profile cases and build a strong network. Spending a few years in BigLaw is a great addition to your resume no matter what legal job you decide to pursue next.

However, if you already know that your ultimate goal is to work in pro bono or a totally different area of law, BigLaw may not be the best fit for you. While you don’t have to know your career path just yet, it does help to think about what type of career you’re interested in and what types of experiences and skills will be valuable for that path. Will BigLaw give you that?

  1. Your lifestyle preferencesHow important is work-life balance to you? Do you have other commitments, such as family or hobbies, that you want to prioritize? BigLaw can be demanding and will require you to work long hours, including on weekends and holidays (sometimes).

While some firms are more flexible than others and may offer alternative work arrangements, such as fully remote work or reduced hours, it’s a demanding career no matter which firm you choose. That’s why it’s important to consider your priorities and make sure they align with the demands of BigLaw. Be wary of BigLaw firms that market themselves as a “lifestyle” firm, because this is unlikely to be true, and is probably more of a marketing term.

  1. Your financial goalsBigLaw is known for offering high salaries to associates, but there are some trade-offs. It can be difficult to pass up the salary, especially when faced with high student loan debt. The prospect of paying off that debt in a few years as opposed to a lifetime can be very tempting.

Before deciding if BigLaw is right for you, make sure you have a clear understanding of your financial goals to determine if it’s worth it, and for how long. Most former BigLaw attorneys make less money at their next jobs, and need to budget carefully when they may be starting at a salary that is more than what they will ever make again.

You Won’t really know if BIGLAW IS right for you until you give it a tryYou can read a hundred posts about BigLaw and still not know if it’s right for you. That’s because you won’t know what it truly feels like to work as an associate until you try it. While you can definitely get a sense of what working in BigLaw is like ahead of time (especially if you spend the summer as a summer associate), it’s one of those things you have to do to really understand if it’s right for you.

If you’re intrigued by BigLaw, I say go for it – give it a try. The worst that can happen is you leave shortly after you arrive and move on to something that’s a better fit.

So, Is BigLaw right for you?Only you can answer that! Consider your personality, work style, career goals, lifestyle preferences, and financial goals. Weigh these factors to come up with your decision. Ultimately, the key to a successful career in law is finding a job that allows you to thrive and achieve your goals – whether that’s in BigLaw or not, it’s up to you.

The post How to Know if BigLaw is Right for You appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we’re happy to have a special guest, Givelle Lamano, with us to talk about starting and running a criminal defense law firm.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Givelle’s background and career path
  • The challenges and rewards of doing criminal defense work
  • Working in non-profit and community organizations
  • Building a network in law school that will help your future career
  • Advice for law students who think they may want to start their own solo practice

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources: Linktree – Lamano Law * Criminal Defense Attorney in Oakland – Lamano Law Office * Oakland DUI Attorneys * Gallup StrengthsFinder (CliftonStrengths) assessment * DiSC assessment * Outliers: The Story of Success*, by Malcolm Gladwell * Podcast Episode 86: Resources for Aspiring Entrepreneurs * Podcast Episode 109: Life as a Woman Entrepreneur with Meg Keene of A Practical Wedding * Podcast Episode 154: Building a Better Law Practice (w/Jeremy Richter) * Podcast Episode 233: Starting a Small Law Firm (w/Guest Stephanie Everett of Lawyerist) * Podcast Episode 333: Building an Authentic Law Practice (w/Hillary Vaillancourt)

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 389: Running a Criminal Defense Law Firm (w/Givelle Lamano) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

Outliers: The Story of Success

View Details

Whether you’re in your first year of law school or your last, it’s never too late to upgrade your semester or year with some useful supplies that will help ease the stresses of law school life. Beyond the basics of pens, notebooks, and highlighters, it can be hard to know what’s worth spending on and what you will actually use.

Looking back on my first semester, I noticed that most of the things I used day-to-day were not expensive tech gadgets or fancy organizational products, but a few relatively inexpensive items. These items might seem minor, but in the trenches of law school they become true necessities in preserving your physical and mental health. I wouldn’t have even thought of many of these back in August when I was stocking up on law school supplies, but now, I don’t know what I would do without them. So whether you’re a law student looking for ways to improve your day-to-day or shopping for a gift for a law school loved one, consider adding these items to your cart.

  1. Utilitarian backpackThroughout high school and college, I tended towards fashion over function, choosing backpacks that, although super cute, weren’t the most functional. But with all the stuff I knew I’d be carrying around in law school, I resigned myself to sacrificing aesthetics, and I’m glad I did! I chose a simple black backpack with padded straps and a padded laptop compartment, side pockets for a water bottle or thermos, three large compartments, and tons of little pockets for pens and highlighters or earbuds, and even a key attachment. Not only is my stuff better organized and accessible (those cute backpacks often don’t have many pockets), but my back is also more supported when carrying those heavy casebooks.

  2. Insulated thermos or mugWhether you’re a coffee or tea drinker, we all need a little caffeine to get us through long days of classes, readings, and meetings. I often don’t have the time to sit down and savor a cup of coffee in the morning, so being able to pour my daily brew into a portable mug to bring to school has been a lifesaver (especially when I had an 8:50am class every day). Plus, bringing my own beverage saves me daily trips to the coffee shop, which can add up quickly. I take my mug everywhere with me—class, the library, the lounge—and don’t have to worry about the liquid spilling or getting cold when I’m on the go. Also, if your school offers free coffee like mine, an insulated mug is easy to refill and more eco-friendly than disposable paper cups.

  3. Book standLaw school is already hard enough on your body, so why spend hours hunched over a casebook? Book stands prop up those heavy books so they’re at eye level—no neck-craning necessary. There are lots of book stands out there to choose from. They range from sturdy wooden ones to lighter plastic or wire ones. Many are adjustable, so you can choose your desired height. In fact, I love my bookstand so much that I bought a second one! I have a sturdier, heavier one for home use and a light plastic one that I keep in my locker to do readings before class. This small investment will pay dividends in reducing neck and back pain and maintaining posture.

  4. Blue light glassesYour eyes also work overtime in law school. Especially if you have digital textbooks or take notes on a laptop, your eyes can quickly get tired and strained throughout the day. Even though I have physical casebooks and handwrite my notes, I still spend a lot of time working my laptop between email, legal research and writing assignments, and the job search. I already wear reading glasses so I added a blue light filter when I bought mine, but you can also get a pair of blue light glasses to wear whenever you’re working on a computer to reduce eyestrain. They really do help!

  5. Foam RollerI think everyone should have a foam roller at home, but particularly law students, who sit for long periods of time. Foam rollers are incredibly versatile and very effective in releasing muscle tension, improving flexibility, and even promoting relaxation. I especially love using mine to roll out my back and neck muscles when I get home from a long day of school, but they’re also great for releasing other muscles like hips, glutes, and hamstrings. There are lots of varieties to choose from, depending on what you’re looking for, including short versions that are easy to store if you’re tight on space. Plus, if you have an exercise routine, foam rolling is a great way to improve mobility for your workouts and reduce soreness afterward.

I hope you try out some of these affordable items and see how the little things sometimes make all the difference!

The post Top 5 Items Under $40 I Couldn’t Survive Law School Without appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In today’s episode from our “Listen and Learn” series, we’re talking about evidence that the court may exclude for various public policy reasons under the Federal Rules of Evidence.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Evidence of subsequent remedial measures
  • Statements and offers made during settlement negotiations
  • Pleas and plea negotiations
  • Offers to pay medical expenses
  • Liability insurance
  • Analyzing two hypos, from the February 2017 and February 2021 California bar exam

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources:* “Listen and Learn” series * California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, February 2017 * California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, February 2021 * Podcast Episode 261: Listen and Learn – The Basics of Hearsay

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 388: Listen and Learn – Policy Exclusions (Evidence) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

If you spend any time on web forums, you’ve probably read stories about a certain type of person (I think there’s a special haircut involved?) demanding a manager. Of course, the most viral of these stories involve some sort of comeuppance. Like finding out that they were actually speaking to the manager. Or that the person they spoke to was literally the only person in the organization who could help, even though they technically weren’t a “manager.”

What does this have to do with law and bar study? Well, I work for the Law School Toolbox and Bar Exam Toolbox. Among other things, we offer law school tutoring and bar exam tutoring. I do a lot of the tutor assignments, and every so often I get an email from a student asking to switch tutors because the tutor isn’t offering a certain type of support. Unless the requested support is unreasonable (for example, a breach of the honor code), my first step is always to check in with the tutor and find out why they aren’t offering that support. Nearly always, the answer is “I didn’t know the student wanted that.”

To be very very clear, I am not saying the student should have suffered in silence. NO! Your law study and bar study should work for you, and if it isn’t working, you should find a way to adjust. If you’re working with a tutor, that also means adjusting the tutoring sessions. But how?

Step 1: Figure out what you wantWhat’s working and what’s not about the tutor’s approach? Sometimes this is as simple as a student wanting a fixed weekly tutoring session, and the tutor defaulted to an ad hoc scheduling process. Or maybe the tutor is advocating for a practice-focused approach (something I support), when the student wanted to focus on reviewing specific rules. So, make two lists. First, what do you like about what the tutor is doing? This is for your own benefit, so try to get in a good mindset and find something that you like. Second, what don’t you like about the tutor’s approach?

Once you have your “dislike” list, try to reframe it into a list of “wants” instead. This is one of those times when parenting advice also works for adults. Telling my children to stop screaming like banshees next to my desk rarely works as well as asking them to take their banshee voices to the basement, or use a quieter voice near me (yes, I use time, place, and manner restrictions with my kids).

Step 2: Turn your wants into a requestThis gets tricky for a lot of people. There’s anxiety in telling someone that you don’t like how they’re doing their job. But if you chose a reputable tutor/tutoring company, they should be open to feedback on how their approach is working. Depending on the scope of the change and your personality, you may choose to do this during a tutoring session. But especially for major requests, I would suggest an email. That way you can think through exactly what you want to say, edit it, and then give your tutor the opportunity to consider their response.

Start with one of those “likes” you wrote down in the list. For example: “I really appreciate the work we’ve done together, and your written feedback has been excellent.” Or even “I enjoy our conversations.” Then shift to your request(s). “I think I need some more direct support with figuring out how to actually learn the law. Is that something you can help me with?” This framing will allow your tutor to understand more about what you are looking for from the tutoring relationship. They’ll probably appreciate the chance to be more effective!

Step 3: Wait for your tutor’s response and proceed accordinglyIf you’ve asked for something that they can’t offer, they may loop in their supervisor and/or tell you their reason for declining. If it’s an honor code violation, or if they genuinely think it will be counterproductive, a professional tutor is going to explain that directly. If you think their answer was unprofessional or unresponsive (or if they don’t answer at all after a few days), that’s when you should go over their head and see if someone else in the company can assist.

Law school and bar study are super stressful. A tutor can help with that! But no matter how experienced they are, tutors can’t read minds. They are going to offer you the support they think will be effective, and probably won’t shift gears unless you tell them directly (but kindly!) that you need something different. Going straight over their heads might be satisfying in the moment, but isn’t likely to get you the support you need.

The post Ask for What You Need – From the Person Who Can Give It to You appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we’re excited to have Jason Parker, Managing Producer at Canamac Productions with us to talk about their unique approach to creating engaging and interactive programming around diversity for schools, businesses, and civic organizations.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Jason’s personal career path and background
  • The unique ways in which the plays The Defamation Experience and Just Cause: The Experience deal with issues of race, class, religion, and gender
  • The pushback against diversity and inclusion happening in the U.S. lately, and its impact on diversity training
  • The goals of Canamac Productions’ interactive diversity programming for schools, businesses, and civic organizations
  • The meaningful conversations sparked by Canamac’s interactive plays
  • How law school students in particular can benefit from Canamac’s programs

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources: Canamac Productions * The Defamation Experience * Just Cause: The Experience* * Podcast Episode 258: Law Clerks for Diversity (w/Guest Danielle Barondess) * Podcast Episode 358: Diversity and Inclusion in the Legal Profession (w/Alexis Yee-Garcia)

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 387: Breaking Diversity Barriers (w/Jason Parker from Canamac Productions) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Successful exam prep demands focus. Law school, as a whole, should not be just about making the grades, but exam preparation requires a narrowing of your attention. You do not want to be the student constantly raising your hand throughout the semester to ask the professor “is this going to be on the exam?” However, for exam prep, adopt the focus of the is-this-going-to-be-on-the-exam person. As the semester draws to a close, the outline you have been compiling is likely a combination of class notes, case summaries, copy-and-paste chunks of black letter law, and more. As you develop your exam prep outline, how do you know what should be included? Think about what a top-flight exam answer looks like, then practice some reverse engineering to arrive at an exam prep outline that will lead to success. Let’s look at the aspects of a great answer and how your outline can prepare you to perform on exam day.

Aces the Black Letter LawThe foundation of a great answer is a clear understanding of the law at play. Your professor will be looking for at least some recitation of the law before you start discussing the facts. This is where your undergrad memorization strategies still apply. If you have your statements of law memorized, you can waste no time getting the law down to claim the points. While basic, don’t overlook this piece.

Your outline should include clean (and accurate) articulations of the black letter law or the “rules.” Preparation can pay huge dividends on this aspect of your answer. Memorize the rules in your outline and you will be that much closer to the answer you want to produce. After a quick glance at the prompt, you should be able to know what you will need to get on the page before you even start thinking hard. If your outline provides those rules, just visualize your outline and bank those points.

Applies the Facts to the LawThe best answers apply the facts effectively. This is where you apply your critical thinking and shrewd legal analysis. “Think like a lawyer,” as professors are fond of saying. Your analysis will show your work as you move toward your ultimate answer. And a remarkable answer will not forget the case law. Whether cited by name or not, the cases read throughout the semester should be a guide to good analysis.

Applying facts to law means you are in the realm of case law. Some professors will require case law references; some professors will not require case law references. Regardless, knowing your case law is essential as it will inform your analysis. It also allows you to take shortcuts because by citing case law authority, you are conveying to the professor your knowledge without having to write down the full analysis that case represents. Case law in your outline is a controversial subject. Some are pro-case law because tethering rules and applications to a particular case can help you remember both while also allowing you to cite particular case names to enhance the quality of your answer. However, Aleena Ijaz, highlights in her post, The Dos and Don’ts of Law Student Outlines, that over emphasizing case briefs is the most common mistake in outlining. Knowing every fact of every case and being able to summarize them in the abstract will not be worth many points and can derail your preparation efforts.

Tailored to the CourseExam answers for different courses will take different forms. For example, code-based courses like commercial transactions will require a different type of answer than a constitutional law answer. If your professor provides access to old exams, this can be a great way to get a sense of what shape your answer needs to take.

Don’t be stubborn. Even if you have an outlining format you typically use, do not try to shoehorn every course into that format. Part of preparing for the exam is thinking through how to create an outline that will be effective for that exam. If summaries of case law were helpful in preparing for class, but will not help on the exam, do not be afraid to drop them off of your exam prep outline. Keep what you need to succeed on that particular exam in your outline—nothing more, nothing less.

Speaks to the AudienceThe “A” answer is going to be tailored to the professor to some extent. The grader of your exam is your only audience on exam day. Whether in matters of style, e.g., how you organize your answer or substance, e.g., a particular interpretation of a certain legal concept, focus on delivering the answer your professor wants and put it in a format he or she expects.

Your exam prep outline should include the “house rules” of the course whether those are explicitly laid out in the syllabus or implicitly imparted throughout the semester. If your professor harps a particular interpretation of certain cases or concepts throughout the semester—note that in your outline. If your professor requires you cite case law (or not)—note that in your outline. If your professor has a favorite exam topic that pops up on every past exam—note that in your outline. Commit those to memory and let them inform how the rest of your outline is structured and what it includes.

An effective exam prep outline has to be goal focused. Put in the effort to consider what your ideal exam answers would look like and then put in the effort to intentionally and carefully craft an outline that will help you achieve exam success! Good luck!

The post Exam Prep Outline: A Practice in Reverse Engineering appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we’re talking about three different topics in Constitutional Law that are sometimes tested together: executive authority, federal preemption, and commandeering. These topics logically go together because they all involve a power struggle between government entities.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Presidential and Congressional powers
  • The three levels of Presidential authority
  • Express and implied preemption
  • Can Congress commandeer the states to regulate on its behalf?
  • Analyzing a hypo from the July 2008 California bar exam

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources:* “Listen and Learn” series * California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, July 2008

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 386: Listen and Learn — Federal and State Powers (Con Law) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Joining the “legal profession” can seem daunting. You may think you need to wait until you are a 3L or until you graduate or until you pass the bar to start your journey in the legal profession. Representing clients or taking a case before a judge may have to wait, but you do not need to wait to start getting involved in professional organizations. No matter what kind of law you hope to practice, there will be professional organizations that serve that area of the law. If you are eager to jump into the scene and jumpstart your career, joining a professional organization is a great way to get out there. On the other hand, if you dread networking, joining a professional organization may help calm your career search anxiety. Either way, you should try to get involved early! Here are some options for consideration.

ABA Law Student DivisionThe American Bar Association, or ABA, is a national organization with a well developed law student division. It offers a wide variety of resources targeted directly to students in your position. You can access training, education, and career content. You can participate in competitions and writing opportunities. Plus, the law student division membership makes you eligible for an array of perks and discounts you might like to take advantage of. The best part is that basic membership is free and premium division membership is only $25.00 annually. Beyond current resources and benefits, you will be plugged in and ready to graduate into the larger Association after law school.

State and Local Bar OrganizationsCheck your state bar for its student offerings. As with the ABA, state bar law student divisions can offer great benefits for a low-cost to no-cost annual membership. Gaining access to bar journals, career resources, and networking opportunities, will allow you to learn how your state bar operates and where you might find a place in the organization. For example, the New York State Bar Association offers a basic membership for students for free and a premium membership package for $45.00 annually. Especially if you are going to law school outside the jurisdiction you plan to practice in, try to get involved in your target jurisdiction to make that transition easier upon graduation.

If you know exactly where you intend to practice, look even more local. County bar associations tend to be more affordable even for attorneys, meaning they are often entirely free for law students. The more local you get, the more likely you will be to gain a real perspective on the look and feel of practice in that particular jurisdiction.

Undergraduate Alumni Lawyer GroupsContact your undergraduate alumni association to see what opportunities there are to connect with alumni that have gone on to become lawyers. Some universities may have formal bar associations, e.g., Texas A&M University has the Texas Aggie Bar Association, while other university alumni associations may at least be able to help you connect to individual alumni lawyers. Particularly if you feel like your network is too small and networking is not your favorite, looking back to your old alma mater can be a great way to look forward to your new legal career.

Practice-type OrganizationsThe legal profession has an association for most things. If you have a specific target area of the law, odds are that a quick internet search will find you an association. For example, maybe the International Trade Commission Trial Lawyers Association is for you—regular membership is available at a discounted rate for students. Or perhaps, if you aspire to be a public defender in Houston, the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association is the perfect fit—law student membership is discounted to $25.00 annually. These relatively niche organizations could lead to early relationships with the very attorneys you will be seeking interviews from down the road.

Cause-based Professional GroupsSeeking a cause-based professional group could be a path toward early professional development as well. If you have a passion for a particular issue, keep that focus in mind. For example, if you aspire to help survivors of family violence in California, joining the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence might be of interest—students can join the partnership at a reduced rate.

Hopefully this post demonstrates that a professional association or group for you exists. And also that as a law student, you need not wait—go join. It will boost your knowledge, your confidence, and your contact list. If you are light on legal experience, you can also add a nice line to your law school resume that clearly demonstrates your interests and aspirations to future employers. There will be plenty of time to pay the full membership prices, so enjoy those complimentary or discounted membership costs while you can. As soon as possible, get signed up and get beyond the walls of your law school. Your place in the legal profession awaits!

The post Join Now! Getting Involved in the Legal Profession appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we have ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones on the podcast to talk with us about resources you can use in your job search and career planning in the legal field.

In this episode we discuss:

  • The number one place that law students should be considering for career resources
  • Figuring out if you need to talk to a career coach about your goals
  • Practical resources to use once you have a career path in mind
  • Where to search for public interest/government roles
  • Some useful general career resources targeted at law schools
  • Honing your networking skills

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources:* CareerDicta * Westlaw * Martindale-Hubbell * NALP – National Association for Law Placement * NALP Career Services * NALP Law Students/Graduates * PSJD * ABA Career Center * ABA Career Resources for Law Students * The American Lawyer * Chambers USA Guide * Symplicity * Arizona Handbooks * Marquette University Law School – Online Research Resources * University of Kentucky – Career Resource Books for Law Students * Stanford Law School – Career Planning * UCLA – Career Planning, Job Search and More for Law Students * Podcast Episode 105: OCI Basics with an ex-BigLaw Recruiter * Podcast Episode 224: Taking Ownership of Your Career (w/Sadie Jones) * Podcast Episode 262: Researching Law Firms (w/Sadie Jones) * Legal Networking 101: How Do You Know What to Talk About While Networking?

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 385: Career Planning Resources for Law Students (w/Sadie Jones) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

One of the most frequently heard words as a 1L, especially as finals draw ever closer, is “outline” or some variation of it. I’m here to demystify as much about outlines as I can, because it is just SO much easier to tackle what feels like an overwhelming task when you at least know what it is you’re doing, (kind of) how to do it, and some other important lessons learned.

What is an outline?You can’t make one without knowing what it is, so here you go: An outline is a course summary, synthesizing what you read with what you learned in class as a study tool to learn the material. That’s basically it. Things like rules, exceptions, policy consideration, cause of action elements, defenses, mnemonics, whatever helps you study and learn the material, that’s what goes in there.

How do I make one?Step one is make your own. More on that below, but seriously, make your own. I like digital outlines and have used various word processing software that work about equally as well for me. I’ll usually start with making a pretty cover page (it makes it more enjoyable for me), making sure it autosaves because tech does NOT always play nice. Then, I’ll build a table of contents and start working. I use my class notes, textbook, and any reading notes like case briefs to figure out what information is most important, then type it up. I typically focus on things my professor emphasized as well as small nuances I picked up on either in class or readings. The important thing is to not include everything, because then it’s just regurgitating everything instead of engaging with the material to figure out what actually matters (hint: it isn’t everything!).

How do I use it?The main way you use an outline to study is making it because it’s a forced review. It also highlights any knowledge gaps that you have, allowing you to get answers to fill those gaps early instead of panicking at the end of the semester. From there, what I like to do is take a random subtopic or two and attempt to rewrite it from memory, which shows me how well I know the nuances of the particular topic.

Lessons LearnedMake your own.It’s so important that this bears repeating. You learn and retain the information so much better this way. Outlines from third parties, whether former students or commercial outlines, should be used to supplement. Yes, it takes a lot of time and feels like you’re not being as productive, but I promise you it’s so worth it. The time you invest is time studying, and it pays dividends in the long run, especially if you start early.

Use headings and a table of contents. Also page numbers.This is especially true for open-note exams, where you can look at the table of contents to figure out what page that random, semi-obscure concept is on. Word and Google Docs both have functions where if you use their built-in headings, a table of contents can be automatically generated with a click of a button.

Start early, update often and regularly.It’s a lot easier to review a concept right after you finish learning it than weeks or months later when it’s nothing but a vague memory. Since so much in law school builds on each other, it’s important to nail down those fundamental concepts early, and review often to make sure you’re learning the material. My class schedule is such that I don’t have class on Fridays, so instead I’m up early working on updating all of my outlines with what was covered over the past week, every week. You don’t want to get to the end of the semester and have one outline mostly caught up, one about two-thirds of the way there, and the other two not even halfway there. Stay ahead of the game, and be consistent.

You may have to redo your outline. Multiple times.Last semester I had multiple versions of all my outlines, partly because I was still learning how to make let alone, use, one. The big thing I learned from that experience was as soon as you realize your current outline may not be working for you, start over. I realized in early November that the second version of my civil procedure outline was still not quite right for me, but for some reason I decided it would be a great idea to wait until Thanksgiving to start it over again. Don’t be like me. It was not a fun time.

An outline is a tool to help you succeed. It isn’t a magic spell that will suddenly make you an expert, but, done right, it will help you learn what you need to learn to do well. Hopefully this helps you understand what an outline is, how to make and use one effectively, and some lessons you should know up-front. There are tons of great resources here to help you, I highly recommend you take advantage of them!

The post Outlining Basics appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re discussing a couple of topics that go hand in hand in Corporations essays – the duty of care and the business judgment rule.

In this episode we discuss:

  • A review of the duty of care
  • What is the business judgment rule?
  • How the business judgment rule can be rebutted
  • Analyzing two hypos from previous California bar exams

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources:* “Listen and Learn” series * California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, July 2015 * California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, October 2020 * Examples & Explanations: Corporations, by Alan R. Palmiter * Podcast Episode 282: Listen and Learn – Duty of Loyalty (Corporations)

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 384: Listen and Learn — The Business Judgment Rule (Corporations) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

Corporations (Examples & Explanations)

View Details

The first time I heard of a case brief, I sincerely thought someone had swapped the two words in briefcase. Turns out, I had heard correctly. So my next question was, of course, what on earth is a case brief, and how does it connect to law school? Read on to find out!

What is a case brief? And what is the point of one?A case brief is a summary of the key points of a case you read for class. It typically includes the following to help with retention and understanding: the case’s name, its procedural history, the case’s facts, the holding and the court’s reasoning for it, and the general rule from the case that could be applied to other fact patterns.

Some people also like to include the arguments of each side and any concurrences and/or dissents to the decision. These work together to help highlight the key elements of a case. Why might you want to highlight the key elements of a case? Because when you read 19 cases for your three doctrinal courses, even if they’re as different as a criminal case on murder and a contracts case on consideration, that’s a lot to remember. They also act as a security blanket against the panic of cold calls. They also help engage with the reading which tends to help with retention. This helps with preparing for exams in the long run. It’s much easier to remember the details of a case you read early in the semester when you have something that goes over the details.

How do I make a case brief?There are typically two approaches to briefing: “traditional” briefing and book briefing. Some people prefer one over the other for different classes and may do both.

Case BriefingA case brief is just a document summarizing the key elements mentioned earlier. Most people will type them; a few people do handwrite them though. Whatever works best for you, go with that. I started with handwritten on my tablet, but then switched to typed. I just keep them all in a running document that I can reference throughout the semester as I outline. I have a template table in my document with the main elements that I just copy and paste for each case and fill in accordingly. The main elements are the same for all my classes, and some of my professors also ask about other things, like the arguments made or the elements of the statute involved, so my template is modified accordingly. I still may freeze up for a split second when called on, but I know my brief is there to help me out.

Book BriefingLook around a law school classroom, and you’ll see casebooks that range from barely touched to looking like a rainbow. The rainbow books typically belong to those who book brief, and each color coordinates to facts, rule/takeaway, issue, etc. It’s basically a case brief within the case itself and if you know that blue is facts, orange is rule/takeaway, yellow is procedural history, and so on, you’ll be golden. I don’t book brief because the rainbow is more distracting to me than it is helpful, but several of my classmates and other law students swear by it so it clearly works for some. Another method is just using one color to highlight all the particular elements and then notate in the margins what each thing is.

So what are the pros of each?Written briefsIt’s easier to refer to them all at once when you have them in one place. If you have an open book/note exam, you can print them out and refer to them that way in a document that’s probably less than 100 pages, which is way shorter than any case book is going to be. I also find that it forces me to engage with the material more deliberately.

Book briefsAssuming you know what your color coding system is or have great margin notes, you just have to go right to the page to answer a question and quote directly from the case. They’re typically faster too. And if you do have an open book/note exam, your notes are right there in the book. Plus you can just add class notes right there in the margins and keep everything in one place.

What about cons?Written briefsThey take longer, and time is precious in law school. Whether you type or handwrite, the reality is typing notes just takes longer than highlighting a few lines and moving on. Unless you’re notating what page something is on, you’ll have to flip through pages to figure that out too in class. If your computer or tablet runs out of battery, unless you have them printed out, you’re not able to access them. Many law schools have desks with outlets, but there’s no guarantee they’d be available and functional so you can’t always rely on that.

Book briefsYour engagement with the material is typically going to be on a more shallow level because you’re highlighting lines rather than paraphrasing into your own words. Also when it comes time to outline, instead of scrolling through 10 pages on a word doc, you’re flipping through 142 pages in your case book. If you lose or misplace your book (or forget it), you’re potentially in deep trouble, which scares me way too much to rely on book briefing.

What works best for you will depend on your personality, how you best learn, and what helps you stay organized. It will likely be trial and error, and may change as your law school career develops. The point of a case brief is to be a learning tool to help you succeed. You don’t have to case brief, but many find this to be one of the best ways to prepare for class and, long-term, understand the material for exams.

The post A Brief on Case Briefing appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we’re excited to have the founder of You Need A Budget, Jesse Mecham, on the podcast to talk about all things money.

In this episode we discuss:

  • How Jesse got into the field of budgeting and personal finance
  • The YNAB “four-rule method” for managing money
  • How to minimize the amount of debt you have
  • Should you have shared finances if you’re in a relationship?
  • The one expense that can make a huge difference for most people
  • Budgeting your finances with the future in mind

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources: YNAB.com * You Need A Budget podcast * You Need A Budget – TikTok * You Need A Budget – YouTube * You Need A Budget – Instagram * You Need a Budget*, by Jesse Mecham * Podcast Episode 96: How to Rapidly Pay Off Law School Debt (with Guest Financial Panther) * Podcast Episode 149: Saving Money in Law School * Podcast Episode 177: Real Talk About Student Loan Debt (w/Financial Expert Travis Hornsby) * Podcast Episode 294: Money Talk (w/Carrie Friedberg) * Podcast Episode 361: Student Loan Repayment (w/Derek Brainard of AccessLex Institute) * The Reality of Law School Debt and Planning for It * 5 Strategies to Save Money in Law School * 5 Money Saving Apps for Law Students * Why Adding Budgeting Skills to Your Toolbox Is Important

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 383: Talking about Money with Jesse Mecham, Founder of You Need A Budget appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Given how busy law school can get, you may be hesitant to add yet another thing to your plate, especially if it involves yet more reading. But if you have the space in your schedule and your school offers reading groups, check out the listings and see if anything catches your eye. Reading groups tend to be low commitment and low stress, while providing a lot of benefits, especially for 1L students.

What is a reading group?Many law schools offer reading groups, often during the first year, as an optional supplement to your academic studies. They’re typically ungraded, and some schools even offer class credit for participating. You meet in a small group with other students and a professor a few times a semester to discuss assigned readings on a particular topic, legal or otherwise. It’s basically like a book club for law school!

For example, I’m in a reading group this semester focusing on Cal Newport’s book Deep Work, discussing Newport’s theories about focused, undistracted work and how it can apply to our lives as law students and, eventually, lawyers. I’ve really enjoyed the chance to step back for a moment from the craziness of law school and reflect on how I’m spending my time.

Learn in a more relaxed, less pressured environmentLaw school classes can certainly be interesting and engaging, but given that you’ll be tested and graded on your understanding of the material at the end of the semester, there’s always some element of pressure. Sometimes it can be easy to lose sight of learning for the sake of learning and feel motivated by anxiety rather than curiosity. So if you’re starting to feel that way in your courses, a reading group might be just what you need to get that intellectual spark back. With no threat of a looming final exam, worries about getting a good grade, or preoccupations with impressing your professor, you can learn about a new topic or delve more deeply into a subject of interest in a more relaxed environment.

Explore an interestIf you’re a first-year student, you’re probably enrolled in a series of required doctrinal classes, like Contracts and Torts. Joining a reading group introduces an element of choice into your schedule, allowing you to explore a topic of interest to you, not just a topic that you’re required to learn. Taking the time to explore beyond the first-year curriculum can also be helpful as you look toward choosing classes for next year and beyond, or just be a fun break from your traditional doctrinal courses.

Complement your law school studiesReading groups often cover more niche or non-legal topics, so they can be a great way to complement your coursework. For example, this year my school is offering reading groups about everything from reading legal news to Mozart’s operas to corporate fraud to artificial intelligence. Reading groups provide a great opportunity to think and talk about something either not directly law-related or outside the typical curriculum. Who knows, you might find a connection with the law you wouldn’t expect!

Get to know a professorJoining a reading group can not only give you a chance to explore a new topic, but also to get to know a professor. Especially in the first year, when you’re typically in larger, lecture-style classes, direct interactions with professors can be rare and tend to be more formalized. Reading groups can provide an opportunity you otherwise wouldn’t get to spend time with a professor in a small, informal setting. Professors choose to lead groups on topics of particular interest to them, so you can get to see their more personal side. And if you like their style, you can always take a traditional class with them later on in school.

Meet classmates with similar interests1Ls typically take courses with a section of other first year students, meaning all your classes are with the same group of people. Reading groups provide a rare chance to spend time with classmates outside of your section. Plus, the specialized nature of reading groups means that there’s a good chance you’ll have common interests with the other students in the group, and the regular meetings give you a chance to build new relationships.

Reading groups provide a unique law school experience, giving you a chance to slow down, explore, and get to know new people in an informal, low-pressure space. Whatever your interests and whatever you’re hoping to get out of the experience, there’s probably a reading group out there for you!

For more advice on outside-of-school activities, check these out:

  • How to Get the Most Out of Law School with Extracurricular Activities
  • How to Decide About Law School Extracurriculars
  • The Do’s and Don’ts of Getting Involved Around Campus

The post Why You Should Consider Joining a Reading Group in Law School appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re discussing Proximate Cause – a subtopic of Negligence in Tort Law.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Reviewing the elements of negligence
  • The two hurdles a plaintiff must overcome when it comes to causation
  • The rule for proximate cause
  • Intervening causes and intervening criminal acts
  • Analyzing two hypos from previous California bar exams

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources:* “Listen and Learn” series * California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, July 2010 * California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, July 2014 * Podcast Episode 244: Listen and Learn – Negligence Per Se * Podcast Episode 257: Listen and Learn – The “Reasonable Person” Standard

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 382: Listen and Learn — Negligence: Proximate Cause appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Spring is an exciting time for law school applicants. Admissions results have been trickling in over the winter and, by now you have probably heard back from most of the schools on your list: either acceptance, rejection, or waitlist. For the schools who admitted you, the tables have turned: they are now trying to impress you and convince you to choose them over other schools. As part of this, during March and April most law schools open their doors to accepted students, providing the chance to meet professors and current students, attend classes, and tour the campus.

While you’re probably exhausted from the application process, you still have a big decision to make, so don’t skip out on this final leg! Admitted student days are not only a lot of fun and a great way to celebrate your accomplishments, but they also allow you gather more information and add more data points in order to make your final decision. It’s important to keep in mind that schools are going to be putting their best foot forward, but you can still learn a lot about a school’s values, its social and academic culture, and its location. Admitted student days are often packed chock-full with events from morning to night, so it’s a good idea to make a plan coming in about how to make the most of this opportunity.

Sit in on a classIf the school you’re visiting gives you the chance to sit in on a class, definitely take it (and try to pick a class you’re actually interested in)! Seeing how courses are taught and how students behave in class can tell you a lot. Are students collegial with each other, or more combative? Are students engaged in class? How does the professor interact with the students? Do you feel you could learn well in this environment? It’s true that a class is only one data point, and your experience will be somewhat dependent on the specific course and professor. But you’ll be spending the majority of your time in law school sitting in class, so getting an inside peek at what that looks like at different schools is a good idea.

Go to more informal, student-planned eventsThe official programming sessions, like speeches, panels, and campus tours, can definitely be helpful. But note these will also be heavily skewed toward the positive, and the current students who choose to participate are likely self-selecting as those who have had a good experience. Some of the events where I felt I got the most honest answers and inside information were the less official events, like those hosted by student organizations. Unlike the admissions office, these students really have no stake in which school you choose, so they tend to be more candid and provide a more well-rounded perspective on a school’s positives and negatives, including the nitty-gritty aspects that official events often gloss over. A student at one of these events, after hearing about my specific situation, actually recommended I choose one of my other options! These students can also provide insight into what made them pick the school they’re at, and whether they feel like those reasons still hold true. Another option to get a more honest perspective is to see if any friends or family know a current student you can meet up during your visit who can give you an unvarnished view of what life at the school is like.

Walk around campus and the surrounding areaThe place you choose is going to be your home for at least the next three years, so it’s also important that you like a school’s location and can see yourself having a life there. Be sure to take some time to wander around campus and the surrounding area. Admitted student days are fun and fast-paced, but wherever you end up, you’ll also be doing mundane things like walking to class and going to the grocery store. So try to break off from the pack for a bit to explore on your own, both on campus and off. Grab a cup of coffee at the campus café, walk in the park nearby—try to get a sense of the place as a whole, and see if you can picture yourself living there.

Take breaks!Admitted student days can be information overload – meeting fellow admitted students and current students, getting whisked around campus, listening to faculty tell you how great the school is and all the reasons you should come. Even if it means skipping out on an event or two, make sure to build time into your schedule to take breaks! Breaks are a time to take a breath and look inward. Not only will taking breaks keep you from burning out after day one, but it’s also during those quiet moments that you will have time to process the massive influx of information you’ve experienced, and reflect on how you feel.

Ultimately, admitted students days are a tool you can and should use to make an informed decision about where to attend law school. While no school is perfect, finding a good fit for your personality, goals, and values will help you thrive and do your best.

The post How to Take Advantage of Admitted Student Days appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we have attorney and author Eve Rodsky back with us to discuss, amongst other things, her latest book, Find Your Unicorn Space.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Eve’s work and research that led to writing her books
  • The Fair Play book and documentary
  • What is a unicorn space and how do we find it?
  • Pursuing creative activities through curiosity, connection, and completion
  • Should we strive to be happy all the time?
  • How to make time for hobbies, especially if you’re working or have children
  • How to protect your unicorn space during times of crisis or challenges

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources: everodsky.com * Fair Play: A Game-Changing Solution for When You Have Too Much to Do (and More Life to Live), by Eve Rodsky * Find Your Unicorn Space: Reclaim Your Creative Life in a Too-Busy World, by Eve Rodsky * Fair Play Documentary * Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence*, by Anna Lembke * Podcast Episode 277: Fair Play: A Game-Changing Solution for When You Have Too Much to Do (w/Eve Rodsky)

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 381: Find Your Unicorn Space: Reclaim Your Creative Life in a Too-Busy World (w/Eve Rodsky) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

Fair Play: Win-Win solution for Women with Too Much to Do (and More Life to Live)
Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence

View Details

I started law school thinking that the bar exam was a post-law school problem, only to find that one exam can be taken as soon as post 1L year — the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam, or MPRE! The MPRE is a two-hour, 60-question multiple choice exam that tests your ability to apply legal ethics or professional conduct standards to hypothetical legal practice scenarios. (Here is a great overview of the exam.)

While I didn’t want to think about the bar exam so soon, I quickly found that it would be advantageous to take the MPRE sooner rather than later. In fact, I would recommend taking it soon after you take Legal Ethics at your law school — I took it during my 1L summer, but also have several classmates who took it during their 2L year. It’ll be one less thing on your plate when the bar exam rolls around. The MPRE is offered three times a year: for 2023, it will be offered in March, August and November.

Here are 3 steps you can take to prepare for success on the MPRE!

  1. Pay attention in your legal ethics classWhile your ethics class may not be directly structured to passing the MPRE, it will most likely cover the bulk of the material that will be tested on the MPRE. I went into the class thinking I could get away with doing less work compared to my other law school classes, but that turned out not at all to be the case — legal ethics isn’t as intuitive as one might think, and there are a lot of complex rules to know (my professor was also known for giving tough exams). Therefore, study for your ethics class like you would your other law school classes, and it will also save you a headache from having to relearn material when you begin to review in preparation for the exam.

That said, don’t expect your ethics class to be sufficient in preparing for the MPRE! The questions can be tricky, so additional preparation is crucial. You’re investing time and money to take this exam, so don’t wait until the last minute, especially if it’s been a couple months since you took ethics.

  1. Set aside time and make a study schedule (and then follow through on it)!Consider dedicating around 20 hours to studying for the exam. Depending on your schedule leading up to the exam, it might be more feasible to do a couple hours each week for several weeks, or have several full days to study the week or two before the exam.

There are plenty of free study materials — bar review companies like Kaplan, Barbri, and Themis have free MPRE courses that you can take! Your school may offer free resources as well. I used the Barbri prep book and found it helpful — I like that it prioritized the most commonly tested topics and included practice questions for each topic as well as online videos, which I watched for concepts I was less clear on or wanted to solidify my understanding on. If you’re pressed for time, focus on the key topics that will likely appear most often, such as the attorney-client relationship, client confidentiality, and conflicts of interest. But I would try to at least review the other topics too — aim to have a broad and deep focus!

  1. Treat practice tests like the real dealAfter reviewing all the material, practice questions are the best way to prepare for the exam. I found it helpful to keep a running list of notes and concepts to remember. Certain concepts and types of scenarios would come up over and over again, so when I got a question wrong and learned a “rule” from the question that might apply to future questions, I would jot it down in a notebook and review it from time to time. In addition, here is a step-by-step approach to tackling the multiple choice questions, as well as suggested tips on taking practice exams and reviewing your answers in a systematic and thorough way.

Make sure to time yourself on the practice tests. Consider giving yourself a little less than two hours on the practice tests, so that you have some buffer time during the exam and ensure that you have plenty of time for the harder questions.

It may have been awhile since you last took a standardized test in a physical classroom location, so don’t forget to do all the essentials on test day! Give yourself plenty of time to get to the testing center, taking into account traffic and finding the right room. Bring whatever you need, like an ID and water. The MPRE is not an exam to overly stress about, and it’s certainly not the end of the world (or your law career) if you have to retake it (another reason to take it early). But now that you’ve done the preparation, you can go into the exam confident and ready to ace it!

The post 3 Steps to Prepare for the MPRE appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re chatting with our career consultant Sadie Jones about why a career in BigLaw might not be for everyone.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Which firms are considered “BigLaw”?
  • The work you might expect to be doing in a BigLaw firm
  • What personality types fit into BigLaw firms better?
  • What’s specific about the BigLaw work environment?
  • Summer associate positions at BigLaw vs. other firms

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources:* CareerDicta * Podcast Episode 132: What’s BigLaw Really Like? (w/Sadie Jones) * Podcast Episode 143: Understanding Work Assignments (w/Sadie Jones) * Podcast Episode 159: The Secret Life of Law Firms (w/Sadie Jones) * Podcast Episode 262: Researching Law Firms (w/Sadie Jones) * Podcast Episode 329: Approaching Difficult Conversations at Work (w/Sadie Jones) * Why I Left BigLaw

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 380: Why BigLaw Isn’t for Everyone (w/Sadie Jones) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

There are many ways to network, and no one way to do it correctly. At the end of the day, networking is about connecting with people – it’s something we do naturally, not an entirely new skill that needs to be learned. But if you need a quick cheat sheet or place to start, I have found these specific action steps to be fruitful:

  1. Attend an event or panel. Many law firms will host panels with different focus areas (for example, a specific practice area, or a panel focusing on women/first-generation/diversity lawyers), and organizations will host information sessions on what their attorneys do and how you can make your application stand out. Student organizations at your law school will provide many opportunities and bring lawyers right to you, so take advantage of the events they put on for you!
  2. Find an attorney whose career path you admire or who is doing the type of work you might want to do. Introduce yourself and ask a couple of questions. You might want to do some research beforehand, depending on the type of event.
  3. Send the attorney a follow-up email after the event asking for 20-30 minutes of their time to chat more about their career path and work. This is especially useful if you attended a virtual panel where you didn’t have the chance to interact one-on-one with the attorneys.
  4. Set up a phone or video call and ask about their work, career path, advice they might have for someone in your shoes, and anything else you’re genuinely curious about. Some questions I like to ask:
    • When/how did you decide to go into [practice area]?
    • [If attorney worked at multiple places] How were your experiences different?
    • Is your work transactional, litigation, or regulatory? How did your experiences inform whether you wanted to do transactional, litigation, or regulatory work?
    • What does your day-to-day look like? What type of work are you doing most of the time? Who do you typically interact with?
    • What is most challenging and most rewarding about your work? Do you feel like you’re making a positive impact?
    • Do you have any advice for a law student looking to pursue your practice area? Is there anything you wish you had known about [practice area], or anything you wish you knew as a law student?
  5. Follow up within 24 hours after the call with a thank you note, highlighting a couple things they said that stood out to you. Provide an update periodically (e.g. your summer internship, or something in the news that is relevant). If you’re applying to their organization, definitely let them know – they might offer to look over your resume or cover letter (or you can ask if they would be willing to do so – they’ll likely say yes, unless they’re on the hiring committee), or even refer you to the hiring manager (but don’t ask them to do this if they haven’t offered!).

Here are some additional tips to expand your network:

  • Reach out to 2Ls and 3Ls at your school, especially those who worked for the organizations you’re interested in. They were in your shoes not too long ago and usually are more than willing to share their experiences, insights, and words of encouragement with you!
  • Attend conferences. I attended an environmental law conference last year and ran into an attorney who I had met over email before law school by attending a virtual panel. We had been in touch sporadically over email since then, but at the conference we finally met in person, and soon after that I got an interview with her organization which led to an internship offer!
  • Don’t underestimate the cold email! I have found cold emailing can work quite well. If there was an attorney whose career path and practice area particularly interested me, I would reach out to them directly, even if they had no affiliation with my school or anyone I knew, and I often got a response. Lawyers like to talk about themselves and are willing to help out when they can!
  • Know that there is an abundance of resources available to help you. Use your alumni network. LinkedIn and your Career Services Office are great resources to connect with the alumni who are most relevant to your career interests. Take advantage of your Career Services Office — it’s their job to help you find jobs! Don’t hesitate to reach out for feedback on your resume and cover letter, or ask for advice on finding a summer position that’s right for you – they can connect you with the right people and direct you to the right opportunities.

Networking isn’t rocket science! Not every connection will lead to an interview or a job offer, but you never know when it will. Even if doesn’t, many connections will lead to other connections, and open doors somewhere down the road. There’s no such thing as a wasted connection or wasted time connecting with someone.

The post How to Actually Network appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, in another episode from our “Quick Tips” series, we’re sharing some advice to help you master using the Bluebook for your Legal Writing class or a law journal.

In this episode we discuss:

  • What is bluebooking and why is it important?
  • Applications of the Bluebook in law school
  • How the Bluebook is set up
  • Five tips that will help you bluebook like a pro

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources:* The Bluebook Online * ALWD Guide to Legal Citation * Podcast Episode 11: Legal Writing 101 * Podcast Episode 170: Let’s Talk About the Bluebook! * Podcast Episode 304: Introduction to the Bluebook * Podcast Episode 374: How To Be a Great Law Journal Member * Bluebook 101 – Tips on Efficiently Navigating the Bluebook * Buying the Bluebook: Spiral-Bound or Online? * How to Get Answers from the Bluebook * Bluebook Oddities: 10 Unlikely Citations

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 379: Quick Tips — Bluebooking Like a Pro appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

If you’re a law student and were lucky, you started law school after the worst of the pandemic had passed and were able for the most part to avoid Zoom school. But of course the pandemic still impacts how we do things in law school – all classes must be recorded; some professors still teach their classes live on Zoom or hold virtual office hours. Depending on how strictly in-person attendance is enforced, some students may still prefer to attend class on Zoom rather than come to class. It can be tempting to attend class sitting at home in your PJs! It can also be tempting to just attend class, then go home and lock yourself up in your room. But a big part of law school (and your tuition dollars) is about community and making connections — you are going to class and learning with other future attorneys who you will probably see again in the workplace. Now that we have the opportunity to be in class together again, here are four ways to make the most of your in-person law school experience.

  1. Go to class – don’t let Zoom become the norm!I get it – sometimes I’d rather stay in my room and not leave the house, and sometimes I’d rather just watch the recording of a lecture and be able to pause it or listen to it at 2x speed. But if you’re anything like me, I find that I’m much more easily distracted in my room (especially when there’s no one next to me or behind me who would make me feel guilty if I started going on my phone or checking social media)! Class has become one of the few blocks of time where I can go 2 hours without looking at my phone. Take advantage of being in the same physical space with your professors and classmates. Ask a question in class if you’re confused about something. Discuss the lecture with your classmates right after, while the material and questions are still fresh in your mind. Go up to the professor after class or during break to get any lingering questions answered immediately, saving you time later on when you revisit your notes and realize that you’re still confused about something. Law school is not meant to be done in bed, and the quality of the education you’re getting will be much better in person!

  2. Embrace the hallway conversationsThe best connections often happen in the between moments and the “chance” encounters. Talk to the people in your class, the person sitting next to you if you don’t know them. Ask people, including people in other class years, to grab lunch or coffee. In my experience, law school can sometimes feel less community-oriented than college did — in law school, many people have family obligations and don’t tend to linger on campus, most people don’t live on campus, and there are fewer opportunities for people to coalesce and naturally interact. I’ve found that I’ve needed to be really intentional about spending time with classmates and friends.

  3. Utilize the school’s resourcesI like studying in my room, but sometimes this is not the most effective way for me to study, as I can often get distracted. I’ve tried spending more time in the library and have found that treating law school as a 9-5 job can be effective. When I’m in the library, I have a stronger urgency to make the most of my time there and do what I came there to do. Plus, you can take advantage of your school’s resources, including quiet study spaces, standing desks, even electricity (included in your tuition!).

  4. Get involved with student org, networking, and social events at your schoolStudent organizations are a great way to meet students, especially in other class years, who have similar interests and identities as you. Not only do board members spend a lot of time planning events for the benefit of the student body, but they are also often useful ways to learn about a career path you might be interested in. And if that’s not enough incentive, you often get free food (another perk of being in-person)! Sometimes orgs will hold social events, which are opportunities to get to know other students in a casual, low-stakes setting. If an org is hosting a networking dinner with a firm, sign up! These are simple ways to get connected with attorneys and learn about their work and get advice. Don’t underestimate social events either, such as bar review, tailgates, and happy hours. Contrary to what law school culture seems to say, you don’t have to drink to have a good time! During my 1L year, I met several of my classmates at bar review without going crazy. You can be selective about the ones you go to, as they can be draining, but it can also be fun, memorable, and an important part of your law school experience!

There may be parts of Zoom school that you miss. But when I spoke with law students who had to do their 1L year on Zoom, the biggest regret they had was the missed connections and experiences from not being in person with their new classmates and professors. So if we make a conscious effort to not take in-person school for granted, we can make the most of our in-person law school experience!

The post How to Take Advantage of the In-Person Law School Experience appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we have ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones with us to talk about the timeline of the 2L job hunt.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Should you be concerned if you’re a 2L without a summer job by mid-February?
  • Should you start looking for a 2L job in your 1L year?
  • The typical timeline for different types of jobs – BigLaw, public interest, small firms, etc.
  • What you can start doing to get a jump-start on looking for a job
  • The importance of grades when it comes to job searching
  • Is it worth doing OCI if it’s a long-shot option?

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources:* CareerDicta * Podcast Episode 4: Callback Tips for BigLaw Summer Associate Positions * Podcast Episode 55: An Overview of BigLaw On Campus Interviewing (OCI) * Podcast Episode 114: Law School Networking 101 * Podcast Episode 152: Top OCI Mistakes to Avoid (w/Sadie Jones) * Podcast Episode 155: Top Callback Mistakes to Avoid (w/Sadie Jones) * Podcast Episode 164: No Offer After OCI? Here’s What To Do (w/Sadie Jones) * Podcast Episode 185: Thinking About the 2L Job Search as a 1L (w/ex-BigLaw Recruiter Sadie Jones) * Podcast Episode 353: Tips for a Successful Callback Interview (w/Sadie Jones) * Oh Where Oh Where Do 2Ls Go When All the Jobs Appear to be Taken? * Spring Semester Sprint: SOS Suggestions for Snagging a 2L Summer Job

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 378: When to Start the 2L Job Hunt (w/Sadie Jones) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Before law school, I didn’t know that most cases settle before they go to trial – today, less than two percent of all civil cases filed in federal court are resolved by trial. I also didn’t know that mediation plays a key role in resolving many of these disputes before trial. As part of the Mediation Clinic at my law school, I became interested in this fast-growing area of law and the important role mediation plays in conflict resolution.

What is Mediation?Mediation is a method of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) available to parties (the other main one is arbitration). In the Mediation Clinic, we mediate cases in small claims courts around Los Angeles County, which deal with a range of issues from landlord/tenant to consumer/merchant to contractual/business disputes. Mediation is an informal, confidential, and voluntary process. Unlike arbitrators and judges, mediators do not decide the case. Mediators do not represent either side and are not biased towards either party; rather, they are neutral third parties who facilitate discussion and help the parties mutually reach a resolution.

During mediation, the mediator facilitates the negotiation and resolution of the parties’ dispute. The mediator helps the parties find common ground and can offer creative solutions. The mediator plays an important role in defining the key issues, communicating information between the parties, and encouraging parties to better understand the other side’s position, ultimately helping the parties craft a settlement agreement that best meets the interests of both parties.

Mediating cases not only helps lighten the judge’s docket, but also allows parties to avoid the time, expense, unpredictability, and emotional tension of trial. It allows both parties to avoid the risk of a negative outcome (statistically, half of the litigants will lose their case!). It’s a less adversarial, win-win situation that allows more room for compromise. While the judge is limited in the types of remedies they can give, mediation allows for more than just monetary damages; the sky’s the limit when it comes to the solutions you can create! In crafting their own deal, parties are also more likely to abide by a settlement agreement than a judgment.

Mediation SkillsMediation requires skills that are relevant to the legal practice:

  • People skills. Parties often bring a lot of emotions into court, and a mediator must be able to show empathy and build rapport with both sides. The mediator must then identify the key issues, set the agenda, and sometimes uncover hidden interests in order to ultimately reach a settlement. This includes being able to read a room and think on your feet. During my first co-mediation, the parties initially seemed cordial with each other, but the defendant gradually became more frustrated with the plaintiff’s behavior and ended up storming out of the room. If we had read the room a little better, we would have caught the emotional cues suggesting that the defendant was starting to become agitated, and split up the parties before it was too late.
  • Despite acting as a neutral party, the mediator has her own agenda of persuading two adversarial parties to come together. A key aspect of being a good mediator is the ability to look at a situation from different perspectives and help each party better understand the other’s perspective. This often requires creativity. For example, in looking for non-monetary solutions, as most parties come in demanding a monetary payment but may have other interests and concerns that are not revealed initially. One of my classmates in the Mediation Clinic conducted a mediation where a contractor did a poor job setting up and decorating a venue for a daughter’s quinceañera, and the frustrated mother and daughter were demanding a refund. After digging more into the situation, my classmate found that the contractor also felt terrible about underperforming on a day that was so significant for the daughter, and realized that money might not be what the mother and daughter most wanted. The mediation ended with an enforceable settlement agreement where the contractor would pay a small amount but prepare another party for the daughter, with the specific terms laid out. Persuasion requires active listening: listening to what the parties have to say before pushing on solutions, being present, and focusing on each party’s needs and interests, with the goal of helping the parties obtain what’s most important to them.
  • Optimism and problem solving. Each case presents a new problem to solve. Optimism can go a long way in helping parties reach a resolution, especially when parties seem to be stuck at an impasse. I observed a couple of mediations where the case seemed mediatable, but the mediator gave up early. Not every case is mediatable, but my clinic professor had plenty of stories involving seemingly impossible cases where parties were so far apart that there seemed to be no hope of a compromise, but eventually came together and reached a resolution. That’s what mediators are for – good mediators will not give up and will chip away at a dispute until they can guide parties to a resolution.

Whether or not you choose a career path in mediation, the experiential skills gained through mediation are invaluable to the practice of law, whether you’re settling a case in litigation, negotiating a contract agreement, or developing a creative solution in an emotionally charged situation. Just like the practice of law, mediation requires patience, persistence, and the ability to work with different kinds of people.

If you’re interested in learning more about mediation, consider taking a class on ADR, finding out whether your law school has a mediation clinic, or looking into mediation training workshops or opportunities your city may offer to become a volunteer mediator!

The post What Mediation is and Why It’s Relevant, No Matter What Type of Law You Pursue appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In this episode, we’re going to focus on the definition of the rule against perpetuities, and work through some hypotheticals to break down the elements of the rule.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Definition of the rule against perpetuities
  • Present and future interests
  • Types of executory interests
  • When a class gift becomes vested
  • Examples of questions involving perpetuities and how to work through them

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources:* “Listen and Learn” series

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 377: Listen and Learn — The Rule Against Perpetuities (Property Law) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Here at the Law School Toolbox, we’re strong proponents of handwriting your law school notes. Sticking to pen and paper when you have the option to use a laptop might seem old-fashioned, but going old-school with your note-taking has a host of benefits, including increased retention and comprehension. Though taking notes on a laptop might seem more efficient, it has its costs in higher potential for distraction and lower comprehension.

If you’re used to typing your notes, handwriting might feel strange at first. But I urge you give it a try. I was inspired to handwrite all my notes first semester, and I discovered that I really liked it, despite the overwhelming majority of my peers using laptops. If you decide to give it a go, use these tips to help you reap the benefits of handwritten notes while keeping your records organized, efficient, and legible.

Tip #1: Don’t try to write everything down!A common misconception about handwriting is that it puts you at a disadvantage compared to typing because you can’t keep up with what the professor says. But this slower speed is actually one of handwriting’s many benefits. Rather than mindlessly transcribing, handwriting forces you to synthesize during class, sifting through the information and determining what is important. This actually saves time in the long run – while those with typed notes will be sorting through hundreds of pages come outlining and final exams, trying to figure out what is and isn’t relevant, you’ll be ahead of the game with your more streamlined notes. So instead of trying to write down everything, think about the bigger picture of what you’re learning that day. If you’re unsure what you should be writing down, check out this article on things to include in law school class notes.

Tip #2: Use colors and highlighters to make your notes legibleAnother potential pitfall of handwritten notes is that they easily turn into an illegible sea of scribbling. Remember that this is going to be your main source material when it comes to outlining and preparing for final exams, so they should be visually easy to follow. Be sure to organize your notes as you write, using headers and bullet points. Also consider using ink color and highlighters to make your notes more visually comprehensible. For example, you could use blue pen for reading notes or case briefs and black pen for in-class notes, so when you’re looking back, you can easily see what’s what. Another tip is to highlight case names so you can easily find what was discussed about each case. If you’re like me and own a rainbow of highlighters, trying choosing a different color highlighter for each larger unit so you can see where one topic ends and another begins.

Tip #3: Find pens you like, ideally ballpointIf you commit to handwriting all your law school notes, you’re going to be writing a lot. I must have gone through at least half a dozen pens my first semester. While you don’t need expensive pens, a super basic one probably won’t cut it here – you’ll at least want some kind of grip so the pen won’t hurt your fingers, and something that writes smoothly. I would also recommend ballpoint rather than gel, as gel will bleed through notebook paper and prevent you from using both sides of the page. Finally, remember to keep backup pens in your backpack, as the ink can run out faster than you expect!

Tip #4: Draw diagrams and picturesOne advantage handwriting definitely has over typing is the ability to easily draw diagrams and pictures. I found it useful to be able to diagram in-class hypos with a bunch of claims by and against various parties during civil procedure, or a UCC 2-207 flow-chart in contracts. Including diagrams and pictures in your notes is also a great way to visually break up a bunch of writing. They also provide a different way of comprehending the material, which can be especially helpful if you’re a visual learner.

Tip #5: Don’t be afraid to doodle!My final tip is to embrace doodling. I’ve always been a doodler, and it’s something I missed doing when I typed my notes. Science says it can actually improve recall and relieve stress. Also, it’s a better brain break for when you’re bored in class than surfing the internet, which is a strong temptation when you’re on a laptop. You can even try drawing little pictures related to each case to help jog your memory later!

I hope reading these tips for handwriting your law school notes has emboldened you to give pen-and-paper a go. You’ll never know if you don’t try!

Want to learn more about note-taking in law school? Check these out:

  • How to Effectively Take and Review Class Notes
  • Note-Taking Tips for 1Ls
  • A Student’s Perspective on Good Note-Taking in Law School
  • 7 Tips to Improve Your Law School Notes

The post Tips for Handwriting Your Law School Notes appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we have Steve Schwartz back on the podcast to discuss the latest news in law school admissions. Steve is the founder of the LSAT prep course LSAT Unplugged.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Steve’s background and work with LSAT Unplugged
  • Repercussions of removing the requirement for law schools to use any standardized test for admission
  • Why many top law schools recently pulled out of the U.S. News rankings
  • What spurred the LSAC to consider changes to the Logic Games section of the LSAT?
  • What should you think about if you’re planning to apply to law school in the next few years?
  • Weighing scholarships versus school rankings

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources: Start Law School Right * LSAT Unplugged * LSAT Unplugged YouTube channel * LSAT Unplugged podcast * Mastering the LSAT: The Student‘s Guide to Success*, by Steve Schwartz * U.S. News 2023 Best Law Schools * Law School Admission Council * American Bar Association * Podcast Episode 96: How to Rapidly Pay Off Law School Debt (with Guest Financial Panther) * Podcast Episode 256: Tips for Applying to Law School (w/Anna Ivey) * Podcast Episode 303: What’s New with the LSAT? (w/Steve Schwartz) * Podcast Episode 338: Talking About Law School Admissions (w/Sydney Montgomery) * Everything You Need to Know About Law School Scholarships * How to Effectively Self-Study for the LSAT * Using Blind Review to Effectively Review Your LSAT Practice Test Results

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 376: Changes to the Law School Admission Process (w/Steve Schwartz) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

None

View Details

Law school can be draining. Whether you are a stressed out 1L or a worn out 3L, you may have forgotten that part of you that hungered for the challenge of law school and your genuine fascination with the law. As you start your new year and new semester, carve out some time to enjoy stretching your legal mind in some new ways just for the fun of it. Try out one or two of these six ways to challenge yourself in 2023.

  1. Listen to Oral ArgumentsNot many of us will argue before the United States Supreme Court or in your state’s high court, but we can all enjoy the impressive display of legal jousting from the sidelines. Listening to smart jurists pepper first-class advocates is interesting no matter how esoteric the topic. You can choose an oral argument behind a Supreme Court case that you recognize from the headlines, or—my preference—you can pick one at random. If you choose randomly, you can avoid carrying baggage into the exercise and just try to catch up to the arguments on a distinct legal issue you know little about. The Justices or other appellate judges are great at forcing your mind open by asking the hard questions to both sides. After both sides are done and the case is submitted, see if you have made up your mind!

  2. Read Local Bar Journal/NewsletterTry regularly reading through your local bar journal or newsletter. You can read interesting legal analysis across a variety of practice areas, track rule changes or proposed changes, and learn more about the programs and benefits offered by your jurisdiction’s bar association. Bar journals typically provide local and practical material that is relevant to the practicing lawyer. Reading such articles as a law student is a great way to challenge you to think about the actual practice of law and the real issues facing lawyers rather than the high-minded legal theories that you face in class.

  3. Follow a Popular TrialAt any given time a particular trial usually has captured the attention of the country. Whether it is a high-profile prosecution or a case that in some way involves a movie star, challenge yourself to go beyond the general news coverage. Particularly if it is in your local jurisdiction, dive in deep and apply those legal analysis skills. Go find the actual filings if possible or watch the live stream of the trial itself. You’ll be amazed by the corners the media may cut in the general coverage or the intricacies of the legal proceeding that may be glossed over. Try to pick one case and follow it from pretrial, to trial, and through appeal. It will challenge you to apply your new skills, and you can be the legal expert on this popular case that your friends and family will expect you to be!

  4. Develop a Legal Podcast HabitFind a legal podcast to listen to when commuting, doing laundry, or putting kids to sleep. Podcasts are a great option for the multitasker trying to challenge their legal mind while taking care of the business of life. If you need help selecting your new podcast to challenge you this year, check out Justine Huang’s Podcasts to Keep Up With News and Careers in the Law. And, of course, tune into the Law School Toolbox Podcast for great, timely talk on law school, the bar exam, legal careers, and life.

  5. Sign Up for a ConferenceWith the full year ahead of you, find a law conference in 2023 that interests you and sign up. You may think that is only for the professionals, but you will be an attorney soon and most conferences are glad to have law students attend. Many even have great discounts for law students. If not, ask about the availability scholarships. Whether it is a practice area you want to enter or an area of the law that you have a new interest in, attending a professional conference is a great way to expand your comprehension on a topic and rub shoulders with the practitioners themselves.

  6. Pick a Challenging ReadBeing a law student means you are already reading a good deal of dense material. But challenge yourself this year to pick one book or even a law review article you will focus on outside of any class or assigned research project. Legal philosophy? Judicial interpretation? Issue-focused academic text? Talk to a favorite professor or law librarian and pick something that will challenge you to think beyond your typical class reading assignment. (Preparing for your 1L year? Read Jennifer Warren’s What You Should Be Reading to Prepare for Your 1L Year.) If it seems like a daunting read, break it up into pieces and set specific deadlines to keep yourself moving through it. There may be no professor pushing you, but challenge yourself to conquer it before the calendar reads 2024.

Law school is a time to stretch your comprehension and develop your legal mind. Embrace that this year. Pick one or even two of the above and get to challenging your legal mind in 2023 – comment below on which challenge you choose!

The post 6 Ways to Challenge your Legal Mind in 2023 appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, in an episode from our “Quick Tips” series, we’re talking about how to give yourself the best shot at a leadership position on a Law Review or any other journal.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Why you might want a leadership position on Law Review
  • Tips for becoming a great law journal editor
  • Getting to know your peers and those currently in leadership positions
  • Thinking about your vision for the journal
  • What to keep in mind if you have to give a speech

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources:* Podcast Episode 374: How to Be a Great Law Journal Member * Benefits of Journal Membership from a Law Review Editor-in-Chief * What Do You Actually Do on Law Review? An Overview of Opportunities * Should You Join Law Review?

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 375: Quick Tips — Getting on the Law Review Board appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

As the 1L summer job search gets into full swing, it’s time to make sure your resume is up to date and ready to send out to employers. If you’ve only recently transitioned from college into law school, you might be wondering if you can just take your old resume from college, stick on the name of your law school and some extracurriculars you’ve joined, and call it a day. Unfortunately, that probably won’t work. Law school, unlike most colleges, is a professional school, so your resume should reflect the profession you’ll soon be entering.

There are a variety of key differences between law school and college resumes, from content to formatting, so it’s worth spending a little extra time to make your resume law school-appropriate before sending out those summer job applications. Read on to find out five important ways a law school resume differs from a college resume.

  1. Law school resumes prioritize quality over quantityWhile your college resume might have had most of your work experiences listed, you may want to pare things down for law school. (Definitely nix anything from high school!) It’s better to have fewer positions listed, with more detail on what you did in each one, than a laundry list of everything you’ve ever done, whether or not it’s relevant. Think about experiences that allowed you to develop skills you’ll use in the legal industry (more on that below). Also consider the narrative you want to tell and what each listing contributes. And remember that you should have something substantive to say about each item on your resume if you are asked about it in an interview.

  2. Law school resumes emphasize transferable legal skillsLaw school is essentially a trade school, so it’s vital to show that you’ve developed the basic skills of the trade. Employers don’t necessarily expect that you’ll have had experiences specifically in the legal field, so if you don’t have any prior legal experience to date, that’s totally fine! Just make sure to strategically present what you have done in a light that emphasizes essential legal skills like writing, research, communication, and attention to detail that are transferable to a job in the legal field. Try to think outside of the box on this one—an experience that seems completely unconnected to the legal field, like working in a restaurant or on a farm, may have helped you develop these skills in unexpected ways.

  3. Attention to detail is paramount on law school resumesYou can talk all day about how meticulous and detail-oriented you are, but the proof is in the pudding—or, in the case, the resume. Employers won’t just be paying attention to what you write but also how you write it. While you should avoid typos in your resume when applying to a job in any industry, details are even more important for a field in which an incorrectly formatted document or flubbed citation can have negative consequences. Employers will likely be paying close attention to the small things, so make sure to carefully comb through your resume with an eye out for any typos, formatting issues such as alignment, or inconsistencies (for example, if you choose to abbreviate months, be consistent and abbreviate them everywhere).

  4. Law school resumes should be clean and simpleIn college, especially if you were applying to work in an artsier industry, it might have been a positive for your resume to be graphic and eye-catching. For a law school resume, though, you should keep it simple and streamlined. The legal field is relatively conservative, so your resume should follow suit. No unique fonts, bright colors, fun graphics, or scented paper here (although it may have worked for Elle Woods). Pick a simple, unadorned, and easy-to-read font (Times New Roman will never let you down), and use simple headers. If you think it looks boring, you’re probably doing it right! Simplicity will allow the important part—your accomplishments—to shine through.

  5. Law school resumes may have specific formatting requirementsThis varies school-by-school, but many law schools have particular, somewhat idiosyncratic formatting requirements they recommend that you follow when creating your resume. For example, my school wanted us to use sentences rather than bullet points for job listing descriptions, which I had in my previous resume from college, and small caps for employer names. Check in with your career office to find out if your school has similar requirements, and try to get a sample resume you can use as a guide. It’s also a good idea to send your resume in for review by a career counselor, who can make tweaks and catch small issues that you might have missed.

For more career help and resources, including resume review services, check out CareerDicta.

The post 5 Ways a Law School Resume is Different from a College Resume appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re talking about how to be a great law journal member, whether you’re on Law Review or a different journal. And we would like to thank Pro-Boards (home of the legal-specific LegalBoard and LegalPad) for sponsoring this episode!

In this episode we discuss:

  • Why being on a journal can be important for your career
  • What makes a great journal member
  • Tips for using the Bluebook
  • Developing an efficient process for cite checking
  • Knowing when to ask questions and how to make suggestions for improvements
  • The LegalBoard and LegalPad (keyboards and keypads designed especially for lawyers and law students)

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources:* Pro-Boards * @legalkeyboard at Twitter * LegalBoard at Facebook * @proboardsllc at Instagram * Podcast Episode 42: Acing the Law Review Write-on Competition * Podcast Episode 304: Introduction to the Bluebook * Buying the Bluebook: Spiral-Bound or Online? * Bluebook 101 – Tips on Efficiently Navigating the Bluebook * How to Get Answers from the Bluebook * Benefits of Journal Membership from a Law Review Editor-in-Chief * What Do You Actually Do on Law Review? An Overview of Opportunities * Should You Join Law Review?

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 374: How to Be a Great Law Journal Member appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

There are podcasts and blog posts alike on the many nuances of The Bluebook. But first, what even is The Bluebook? Calling all 1Ls—this is your bare bones introduction to navigating The Bluebook. So grab your Bluebook and follow along!

If you haven’t even purchased The Bluebook yet, your first task is to ensure that you get the most updated edition. Every so often, a new Bluebook is released, and it usually isn’t a complete overhaul of the rules, but some rules do change. So, staying up to date on the current edition will guarantee that you’re applying the current rules.

Bluepages vs. WhitepagesIf you look at the fore-edge of your Bluebook, you’ll notice lovely shades of blue and white. Are the editors of The Bluebook budding creatives? Well, maybe—but the color-coded pages are not just for the aesthetic. The light blue pages, simply referred to as the Bluepages, are a guide for practitioners citing authorities in non-academic legal documents. So, unless instructed otherwise, practitioners, law clerks, and any other legal professionals outside of academia—you likely want to be in the Bluepages. Then we have the Whitepages. The Whitepages are the bulk of The Bluebook, as they serve as a comprehensive guide to the rules of citation and style—whereas the Bluepages are intended more as quick guidance for everyday use by practitioners. The Whitepages consist of twenty-one rules that provide instructions on when and how to cite authorities. And finally, we have the dark blue pages—those are the tables. Certain rules throughout The Bluebook will direct you to a table for more information, and this is where you’ll find them.

The Bluebook OnlineNow that you know the different parts of The Bluebook, let’s talk about the online version of The Bluebook. The print version is great for reasons I’ll discuss, but the online version brings a host of benefits as well—the most exciting of which is that it is searchable. No more are the days of searching your Bluebook for an hour, looking for an obscure rule that you just know is in there. You can simply type it into the search bar and take back your remaining fifty-nine minutes. Another great thing about the online version is how easily you can navigate between sections of The Bluebook. Even if you know exactly where a rule is, it still might take you a minute to flip there. The online version has a sidebar that allows you to quickly toggle between rules.

TabsAlthough the rules in your hard copy of The Bluebook aren’t one click away, there is a way to make searching a bit easier—tabs! You’ve probably heard this tip before, but here’s something that’ll change your life: durable tabs. You are going to be using The Bluebook for a long time. It’s going to be tossed around in your backpack or in the back of your car. And those perfect paper tabs are going to end up looking like this:

They are going to rip and fade until you have to tab your Bluebook all over again. If you use durable tabs the first time, you won’t have to do it again until the next edition of The Bluebook is released.

At a minimum, I recommend tabbing each rule. If you’re feeling ambitious, go ahead and tab any page you think you’ll be navigating to frequently—perhaps your state’s page in table T1.3.

Style GuidesNow here’s why I love the hard copy of The Bluebook—some law journals have style guides to accompany The Bluebook. They have their own way of doing things that either changes or adds on to a Bluebook rule. In order to remember which rules are modified by the style guide, I place index cards in front of each rule mentioned in the style guide like so:

As you’ll see, I write a quick note about what’s addressed in the style guide, as well as the style guide page numbers, so when I flip to a rule, I am notified immediately that I also have to consult the style guide and where to find the changes.

ExamplesAs you become more familiar with The Bluebook, you’ll notice that it does not cover every possible question that will arise during your citation journey. But the examples will get you pretty far. Under each rule in The Bluebook, there are lists of examples of the correct and incorrect citation form. Sometimes those examples answer a question that the explanation may not, whether it’s how to abbreviate a specific reporter or how to cite the Taft-Hartley Act. So before you go to your TA, professor, or journal editor about the shortcomings of The Bluebook, check the examples!

Quick ReferenceFinally, if you’re still following along in your Bluebook, I want you to open up the front cover. These are quick examples of commonly used citation forms in academic footnotes that will come in handy whether you just need a refresher or you’re in a bind for time. Now open up to the back cover of your Bluebook—there you’ll find quick examples of commonly used citation forms in court documents and legal memoranda. Both are great tools for a brief overview of citations.

Now that you know what The Bluebook is, you can begin your mastery in time for your 1L legal writing class or the impending journal write-on competition waiting for you at the end of your first year. Happy Bluebooking!

The post Bluebook 101 – Tips on Efficiently Navigating The Bluebook appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re excited to have one of our tutors, Nicola Rossi, joining us to talk about how to improve your academic performance in the second semester if you’re disappointed with your first semester grades.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Nicola’s background and career path
  • The law school grading curve
  • What to look at if you’re not happy with your academic performance
  • How to have a productive talk with your professors about your exams
  • How to get “life stuff” in better order so you can free up more focused study time
  • Resources to consider if you need help

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources:* Tutoring for Law School Success * The Girl’s Guide to Law School: Need to Get More Done in Law School? Try The Circles. * Podcast Episode 28: Dealing with Bad Law School Grades * Podcast Episode 79: Making the Most of Your Second Semester in Law School * Podcast Episode 128: Regrouping and Dealing with Grades Second Semester

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 373: Not Happy with Your First Semester Law School Grades? How to Do Better in the Second Semester (w/Nicola Rossi) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

There are certain maxims of how to do law school that seem to have been passed down from generations of students through the ages. It can be scary to break what seem like ironclad conventions: why forge your own path if you can follow the well-trodden one?

I’m here to tell you that I did not follow many of these conventions of law school during my first semester, and I came out the other side. That’s not to say I broke them just for the sake of breaking them. Instead, I evaluated whether or not I thought they made sense for me, even tried out some of them, and then chose another way. If you’re considering breaking the mold, take a look at these five law school “rules” I broke and some alternatives to consider.

  1. Studying at nightThe archetypal law student stays up until late at night poring over her casebook. But, as a morning person, I knew doing the bulk of my reading at night would not work for me. Cases are not light bedtime reading; they demand your full attention. If I had readings for the next day I needed to finish, I preferred waking up early and getting them done in the morning before classes. I would brew a nice cup of coffee and sit down to read while my brain was at its freshest. Unsurprisingly, I was a lot more efficient at reading cases in the morning than at night when I was dragging and exhausted from a full day of classes. So if you’re not a night owl, don’t feel like you’re doing law school wrong if you’re in bed while everyone else is still in the law library.

  2. Study groupsStudy groups are a vital part of the law school experience, right? Without one, you’ll be facing an uphill battle while all your classmates pool their knowledge to ace the final exam. While it’s true that they can be helpful in many ways, study groups aren’t for everyone! I knew coming into law school that I learned best by wrestling with the material on my own. When I tried to study with others in college, it was either unproductive or ended up more social than scholastic. But being a lone studier doesn’t mean you’re destined for failure, if that’s how you learn best. Plus, there are ways to get the benefits of the study group without actually joining one: going to office hours, asking your TAs for help, or calling a classmate to talk through something when you’re stuck.

  3. Starting outlines right after HalloweenAt my school the conventional wisdom from upperclassmen was the time to start outlining was post-Halloween. While I didn’t want to wait until reading period to start, I felt that if I started reviewing at the beginning of November, I would forget everything by the time exams rolled around. Plus, I still wanted to make sure I kept up with my readings. Instead, I held off until just before Thanksgiving, when we had only a few weeks of classes left, and I was glad I did. I finished my outlines over a couple weekends, then added in the final bits of content once the semester ended.

Some people prefer to start early and slowly build an outline throughout the semester, but for me, outlining was a way to synthesize and condense everything toward the end of the classes, so it made more sense for me to start later. And it worked out fine!

  1. Taking notes on your laptopFor at least the past decade, law school lectures have been a sea of students typing away on their laptops. I mostly took notes on my laptop during college, but after reading Law School Toolbox’s articles on all the benefits of handwriting your notes in law school, I decided to give it a try. I got so many comments on my handwritten notes from fellow students (and even from a random upperclassman in the library!) that I started to feel insecure. Didn’t the fact that everyone else was typing their notes mean it was the better way? But I decided I would stick out the semester with handwriting and then reevaluate. Spoiler alert: by the end of the semester, I decided I was in it for the long haul. I found the process of combing through my handwritten notes when reviewing and creating my outline really helpful. Plus, I found that I was forced to synthesize what was important from what the professor was saying, rather than just transcribing word-for-word, so I ended up with better notes and less irrelevant information to wade through come finals.

  2. Briefing every caseDuring orientation, we had a professor give a session on how to brief a case, and she mentioned that she briefed every case throughout law school. For the first couple weeks of classes, I religiously handwrote briefs for every case. I quickly realized that briefing was doubling the time it took to do my readings, but I was terrified of cold calls, and worried that if I stopped briefing I would bomb. Eventually, about halfway through the semester, I was so tired and burnt out that I decided to stop and try book briefing instead.

I think everyone should brief a few cases at the beginning of law school, just for the exercise and learning the anatomy of an opinion. But if you feel you’re starting to get diminishing returns on briefing, don’t be afraid to stop and try book-briefing (especially if you’re a visual learner like me).

I hope reading about my rule-breaking has emboldened you to question these conventions and deviate from the beaten path when necessary. If you do these five things, and they work for you, great! But if not, or you’re not sure they’re serving you, don’t be afraid to try something new, and start your own traditions.

The post Five Law School “Rules” I Broke My First Semester appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we have one of our law school and bar exam tutors, Doretta McGinnis, joining us on the podcast to talk about the upcoming NextGen Bar Exam.

In this episode we discuss:

  • The current components of the Uniform Bar Exam
  • What changes to the bar exam format are in the works?
  • The topics and skills the new bar exam will be testing
  • The timeframe for the transition to the NextGen Bar Exam
  • What will law students really need to learn in law school to pass?
  • Generally, is the new exam going to be harder or easier for students to prep for?

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources:* NextGen Bar Exam * NCBE – National Conference of Bar Examiners * Doretta McGinnis

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 372: The NextGen Bar Exam (w/Doretta McGinnis) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

There is so much ambition and energy going into a new year. It is a clean slate to do things differently and for the better.

By now, you are seasoned! You have at least a semester under your belt, and you have undoubtedly learned a lot about yourself. The benefit of experience is that you can use that information to make improvements to your new year!

Some questions you can begin to ask yourself may be:

  • What am I most proud of?
  • Do I have areas I want to improve?
  • What am I afraid of trying but want to try? What tools and resources can I draw on to help me get there?
  • What are stressors that affect me and what can I do to make changes?
  • Outside of law school, what are activities that make me feel good? How can I integrate this into my life?
  • What is something I can do daily that my future self will thank me for?

Take Control of Your Well-beingYour health is not just another checkbox on your mounting to-do list. It is a critical foundation for success now and in the future. The best way we can set ourselves up for success in our school, career and in the long-term is to take steps today to ensure that your most basic and essential health needs are being met.

Establish and Prioritize a Healthy RoutineHere are some ways you can implement health and self-care into your routine:

  • Sufficient sleep
  • Exercise at least 3 times a week
  • Take breaks to rest and recharge
  • Eat nourishing meals
  • Practice self-compassion
  • Improve your environment with organization
  • Minimize screen time and get outdoors more
  • Use breathing techniques
  • Set boundaries to protect your time and energy

The benefits are improved mood, happiness, focus, memory, problem-solving, productivity, better mind and body connection, and increased energy levels. Being a successful lawyer has much to do with your mindset, health, and overall wellbeing. Establishing and prioritizing healthy habits will help you to avoid the common health pitfalls in the legal profession such as substance abuse and diminishing mental health.

Try MindfulnessAre you fully present during your study sessions, meetings, and lectures? How about outside of school when you are having a meal with others or talking with family and friends?

Approaching your day with an awareness in all you do is what it means to be fully present. Easier said than done when you have deadlines and outlines looming over your head. Perhaps you are replaying an awful cold call scenario, or imagining the work pile up and zoning out of whatever is in front of you.

Mindfulness is worth putting the effort into because it can reduce stress, depression, anxiety, overwhelm and improve attention and focus.

One way you can simply begin is by adding a mindfulness app or podcast or playlist on your phone. This can be easily accessible whenever you need it. For example, on the way to a stressful class, or a presentation, meeting, or exam—just press play and take a breath!

Don’t be a Stranger!In the new year, vow to utilize the resources at your fingertips such as the Academic Success Office and Career Services Office. Maybe you haven’t thought you’ve needed them or simply don’t think you have the time.

Get to know the career center staff! They are committed to helping you and making life a little easier in some of the following ways:

  • Improve your résumé
  • Tailor your cover letter to specific opportunities
  • Address transcript issues
  • Perfect your writing sample
  • Practice interviewing
  • Ask about opportunities as they actually come up randomly!

With respect to the last point, my school’s office would often get last minute openings due to students that could not take the opportunity. Sometimes just dropping by or saying hi in the hallway can lead to a position! And, if that doesn’t feel like enough, you can even seek outside resources to help you get a head start on your job search.

The Academic Success Office can help you get a head start with bar prep options, tips, and lessons learned from students that have utilized their assistance. You will also receive a wonderful support system of people rooting for you to succeed.

Some things you can do:

  • Stop by and say hi
  • Make an appointment
  • Ask about opportunities such as review courses or presentations
  • Bring copies of items you need help with, such as a job description, application, and your materials even if they are in rough draft form
  • Questions and concerns no matter how silly they may seem

I will never forget visiting these offices for the first time and hearing from the staff that generally students do not utilize them until it is too late. Keep in mind that you don’t need a reason to develop a relationship and support system. When an opportunity arises, you will have people to call on that know you!

Success MindsetA confidence mindset for the new year can help you to go after the opportunities you didn’t think you were ready for. Come out of your shell if you struggle with that. Put yourself and your health first if you haven’t been able to do it as well before. This is your moment and chance to shine and be the best version of yourself!

The post Upgrading Your Next Semester and New Year appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Now that you are familiar with the judicial externship process, how can you put your best foot forward in the application process? Whether you apply directly to a judge’s chambers or through a program such asthe Judicial Intern Opportunity Program (JIOP) or Just The Beginning — A Pipeline Organization (JTB-APO)’s Summer Judicial Internship Diversity (SJID) Project, you will most likely send a cover letter and interview with the law clerks or judge (or both). Here I share some tips on creating a stellar cover letter and excelling in your interviews.

The Cover LetterThe cover letter is similar to one you would write for other job opportunities. When describing your qualifications for the position, focus on your research and writing experiences, as that is the bulk of what you will be doing as a judicial extern! Before law school I worked as a research analyst, and while I didn’t do any legal work, I made the connection that my research, writing, and analytical skills would translate into my legal writing abilities and bring value to the judge’s work.

Since you are likely applying to multiple judges’ chambers, it’s okay to have them be more generic (judges understand that applicants are applying to multiple judges at once!). You can mention specific areas of the law you’re interested in, but I wouldn’t focus too much on that since judges usually deal with a variety of cases and hence often prefer externs who are flexible and open to working on cases in multiple areas. However, it might help to add a personal touch for judges that you are most interested in working for. Some suggestions:

  • Emphasizing ties to the city the judge is located in: In my cover letter to judges located in NYC, I said something like, “Having spent 6 years on the east coast, I believe New York is a relevant and exciting place to start my career.”
  • Judges who are alumni of your college and/or law school: “As a fellow [school] alum, I am particularly interested in your chambers because…”
  • Judges that students in your law school externed or clerked for. Reach out to those students and mention them in your cover letter: “I connected with your former extern/law clerk [Name] who spoke highly of how you are an incredible mentor…”

Obtain a cover letter sample from another student or your Career Services Office. A template can save some time with formatting, as a cover letter for a judge can have slightly different formalities (for example, beginning the judge’s name with “The Honorable” in the address line).

The InterviewOnce you’ve secured an interview, how should you prepare?

  1. Reach out to people who have externed or clerked for that judge. You’ll get firsthand insight into what working in the judge’s chambers is like, and what the judge might be looking for.
  2. Do your research on the judge. Try to get a sense of the types of cases they work on or perhaps a recent case they authored that you found interesting. But don’t stress if you can’t find much information — you could also ask about the types of cases currently in their docket or what they might anticipate to get over the summer during your interview.
  3. Have answers ready for questions you’ll likely be asked:
    1. Why you want to extern for a judge and that judge/court specifically.
      1. Note: You may want to steer clear of saying that you want to clerk for that judge in the future, as some judges don’t take prior externs as law clerks. Instead, you might say that you are interested in clerking more broadly, and that this would be a good opportunity to experience what that might be like and hone your legal research and writing skills.
    2. Your writing sample: Be prepared to discuss both your substantive argument and your process for researching and drafting your memo.
    3. Your research and writing skills and experiences. You might also get a hypothetical question, for example: How would you approach a legal memo for an issue where the law is unclear?
    4. Other questions about your resume (be ready to talk about everything on your resume!)
    5. Other questions you might be asked: Why law school, favorite law school class, goals for the summer and your career, areas of the law you’re interested in.

It can be intimidating to interview with the judge, but treat it like a conversation! The judges I interviewed with were incredibly friendly and down to earth; in fact, the interviews with law clerks could be more intimidating since they tended to focus on asking more of the typical, prepared questions (but they were just as friendly and most likely in your shoes not too long ago, so treat it like a conversation too)! For more interview tips, see these tips on interviewing remotely and more general advice.

Do I Have to Accept an Offer?The etiquette is that if a judge gives you an offer, you accept it — it’s a one-way street. Therefore, for every interview you accept, you should go in prepared to accept an offer on the spot, if given (which can happen sometimes!). The judge I externed for did not require me to accept the offer, but I would not expect all judges to do this.

If you take away one thing, I cannot recommend enough reaching out to professors, students, and your Career Services or Clerkships Office for resources and advice on applying to judicial externships, including mock interviews! Working for a judge is one of the most valuable experiences you can have as a law student, but the application process can be mystifying. Hopefully, having a better idea of what to expect in the interview process can help you approach it with increased confidence and enthusiasm.

Good luck!!

The post Guide to Securing a Judicial Externship – Part Two: What is the Interview Process Like and How Can I Stand Out? appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

As law students, it’s never too early to start preparing for your legal career. You’ve probably already researched the best firms to work for and the kind of law you’d like to practice.

But have you thought about what you can do to keep yourself as healthy as possible once you start working? More specifically, have you thought about how to prevent burnout so that your legal career can last as long as you’d like it to?

Burnout probably isn’t a new concept to you as a law student, because law school can be stressful! But law school is also over in three years, and has built-in times for recovery, like school breaks.

When you begin working as a lawyer, there is not very much structured time off. Your career as an attorney might last decades, and you want to be as healthy and burnout-free as possible during that time.

Burnout is one thing that can put a wrench in your long-term career plans. And that’s why we’re talking about how to prevent it here.

Burnout In The Legal IndustryWhat is job burnout? It’s work-related stress that goes beyond a “normal” level of stress. When you’re burned out, you can become so physically and/or mentally exhausted that it’s difficult to focus or even find satisfaction in your job.

Burnout is a real problem across the legal industry. The combination of an (often) intense law firm environment and a work/life imbalance can cause lawyers to burn out quicker than other professionals.

Burnout is treatable, but an even better way to approach your legal career is to aim to prevent it. Below are five ways new lawyers can prevent burnout before it even starts. If you begin your career with these in mind, you’ll be best equipped for a long career, free of burnout!

  1. Take Care Of Your BodyOne thing many new lawyers neglect is their physical health. Just like in law school, it’s essential to take care of your body as a new lawyer. The concept might be basic, but it never hurts to be reminded of the importance of treating your body well.

Even when you are pressed for time, try not to neglect your health. Getting the right amount of sleep, a diet that makes you feel good, and movement are all essential if you want to perform your best as a new lawyer.

Don’t be tempted to skip out on these things for the sake of a few more billable hours. You might burn yourself out before you even truly get going.

  1. Keep Up At Least One HobbyWhen you begin working as a lawyer, it can be tempting to focus solely on work. While work will undoubtedly take up a lot of your time, it should not take up all of your time!

Don’t make the mistake of quitting everything that makes you “you.” Do you love your weekly art class? Intramural sports team? Whatever it is, don’t stop doing the things outside of work that interest you.

By keeping outside interests, you’ll force yourself to do things that light you up, and you’ll be less likely to burnout from work.

  1. Don’t Overcommit In The BeginningIf you can avoid it, it’s best not to schedule any big commitments during your first couple of months of work. Of course, there are things you can’t avoid (like a sibling’s wedding), but try not to overcommit yourself.

Scheduling your own wedding at the start of a new job might not be the best idea. Likewise, trying to attend every event you’re invited to could add unwanted stress to your life. We’re not saying you can’t attend anything (on the contrary, you definitely should not focus solely on work!), but be judicious in how you spend your time.

Starting out as a new lawyer can be an adjustment, so be kind to yourself and give yourself plenty of time to relax and unwind, without having too many commitments on your calendar.

  1. Have A Support System In PlaceDo you have a go-to support team? A key to preventing burnout is having the right people around you. Don’t neglect your personal relationships as you begin your new job. You want to have people you can turn to during stressful times at work.

Now, not everyone will have a stressful start to work, so don’t get nervous! But, it’s always better to have a support system in place just in case, so you don’t have to scramble to find someone to talk to when you’re in the midst of a difficult situation.

  1. Take A Break Before You Start Any New JobLastly, it’s great to take a break before you start your first legal job (bar trips are there for a reason!). If you can’t take a break before you begin work, don’t worry about it. Just remember to build in real breaks once you begin working. You might not feel like you “need” to take time off after just a few months of working, but it’s a good time to do so.

Whether it’s a day or two or a longer vacation, remember to schedule periodic time away. One vacation can never cure true burnout, but it can certainly help you recover from a stressful period and help prevent burnout from setting in.

Burnout is a problem, but it’s preventable (and treatable)!For many people, burnout is preventable with the right tools in place. But if you are starting to feel the symptoms of burnout, don’t hesitate to ask for help. That might mean talking to a therapist or taking extended time off from work. Whatever it is, it’s always better to protect your mental health than suffer through something.

Healthy lawyers make the best lawyers, and your mental health is no exception to that. Hopefully, these tips will help you take care of yourself as you embark on your exciting new legal career!

The post 5 Ways New Lawyers Can Prevent Burnout Before It Starts appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we have ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones with us to talk about using winter break to get ready for the 1L job hunt.

In this episode we discuss:

  • If you only had time for one job-related activity during winter break, what should it be?
  • Figuring out where you want to apply
  • How to use the resources your law school provides
  • Timeline for the 1L job search
  • Looking for opportunities to network

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources:* CareerDicta * Podcast Episode 222: Using Winter Break to Advance Your Career * Podcast Episode 270: Looking for Legal Jobs Over Winter Break (w/Sadie Jones) * Did You Work on Your Resume During Law School Winter Break? * Getting the Most Out of Your Winter Break * 5 Ways to Make Your Winter Break Productive

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 371: Starting the 1L Job Hunt During Winter Break appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

A judicial externship is an incredibly valuable way to spend your 1L summer. So now that you want to extern for a judge, how do you go about getting one?

The Traditional Application ProcessThe system for applying to extern for a judge, at least before the COVID-19 pandemic, was old-fashioned, reflecting the incredibly high amount of respect that judges are afforded in our legal system. Applications — typically a cover letter, resume, and writing sample— were mailed to judges’ chambers. The cover letter and resume had to be on thick fancy resume paper. Since the unspoken but well-known deadline for federal court applications is December 1, I found myself in Office Depot over Thanksgiving buying resume paper, 10” x 13” mailing envelopes, and 2” x 4” mailing labels.

It felt a little silly in this day and age to be mailing out my neatly stacked materials on fancy paper for a 1L summer job as if I were doing a school project, but rules are rules and customs are customs! The December 1 deadline also felt unnecessary since several chambers wanted to see fall semester grades, which required sending follow-up emails in January.

However, times have changed since the pandemic, and one silver lining is that many judges have begun to accept email applications. A few judges still prefer mail though, and chambers’ websites rarely tell you which they prefer (the application process is quite decentralized). So for a few judges I was particularly interested in, I called each chamber— usually a law clerk would pick up — and asked how to apply. I defaulted to mail for the rest where their website didn’t provide any information. My rationale was that it doesn’t hurt to go the old-fashioned way, but given that almost all of the ten judges I called said that email was fine, my sense is that the tide is turning towards email over mail, and that it’s probably fine to default to email unless the judge’s chambers says otherwise. But I would also ask your career counselor or other law clerks for their take on this – different people may have different opinions.

Choosing Judges To Apply ToThere are about 1770 federal judges in the U.S., and that doesn’t include state judges! On average, students apply to 25-50 judges. It can be overwhelming to narrow down the list of judges, but it’s worthwhile to be strategic about the ones you apply to.

  • Location is an easy way to begin creating your list. If you want to be in San Francisco, it makes sense to apply to all the judges in the Bay Area (court websites or Wikipedia are great places to find this information). Being open-minded about location can be advantageous, as working for a judge in NYC will be much more competitive than a judge in Ohio.
  • Federal vs. State: Working for any judge will be a highly valuable experience. However, to maximize your precious, limited time as a 1L, I recommend applying for federal judges in the first round (December 1) and state judges in the spring if the first round doesn’t pan out, as state judges tend to have later deadlines.
  • District vs. Appellate vs. Magistrate: Each type of court has its pros and cons. District courts can be more hectic and unpredictable than appellate courts but also more exciting with trials going on. Appellate courts tend to be quieter, as you’re solely focused on thinking about and applying the law. (See this article for more on the benefits of working in district vs. appellate courts). Magistrate judges may have less exciting work as they tend to handle more tedious parts, but they do important work, nevertheless. If you’re not sure what fits you best, apply widely!
  • Any other factors that matter to you. If the judge’s political leaning is important to you, or you prefer judges who are of a certain demographic or lean towards the younger side, you could use that to narrow your list. But I would caution against being too picky, as you don’t want to restrict your options too soon!

An Alternative: Apply to a judicial externship matching program!The traditional method of applying for judicial externships that I’ve described thus far can be hit-or-miss — it can feel like sending applications out into the void. In fact, I got zero interviews this way (so much for all that resume paper!). If this happens to you, know that externing for a judge is extremely competitive, especially since each judge only takes a couple externs at most, and not hearing back does not in any way reflect on your ability to be a successful judicial extern.

The good news is that there are other ways to secure a judicial externship! I was able to extern for a federal judge in Honolulu thanks to Just The Beginning — A Pipeline Organization (JTB-APO)’s Summer Judicial Internship Diversity (SJID) Project. The SJID Project aims to provide judicial internships to diverse law students from communities underrepresented in the legal community. The interview process is much more streamlined: you send in just one application and complete a screening interview. If you pass this round, they send your application to the participating judges in the cities that you selected, and the judges reach out to you to schedule an interview. I can tell you from personal experience that you have a better chance of your application landing somewhere this way! Additionally, the program provides training workshops, so I went into my summer feeling a little more prepared. Even better, you receive a stipend (judicial externships are usually unpaid)! The Judicial Intern Opportunity Program (JIOP) is a similar program (applications for the Summer 2023 Program open November 1, 2022!). It is really a win-win situation, and I cannot recommend applying through these programs enough.

So whether you apply the traditional way or through a program or both, how should you prepare and what can you expect in interviews? See part two for some tips on creating a stellar cover letter and excelling in your interviews!

The post Guide to Securing a Judicial Externship – Part One: How Do I Apply? appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re discussing the First Amendment, a big topic in Constitutional Law. Specifically, we’re looking at how far press freedom extends.

In this episode we discuss:

  • When the First Amendment does not protect the press from liability
  • Disclosure of private facts in the press
  • Defamation of private citizens and public figures
  • Analyzing a hypo illustrating the above concepts

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources: “Listen and Learn” series * Examples & Explanations for Constitutional Law * Cohen v. Cowles Media Co., 501 U.S. 663 (1991) * Gertz v. Robert Welch, Inc., 418 U.S. 323 (1974)* * Podcast Episode 285: Listen and Learn – First Amendment (Content-Neutral Restrictions) * Podcast Episode 306: Listen and Learn – Intentional Torts: Defamation

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 370: Listen and Learn — Freedom of the Press (Con Law) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

None

View Details

Reasonable minds can differ on various things, but something the majority will all agree on is that getting sick is not fun. When it happens in law school, it can feel like the end of the world – worse than the fact that no matter what you do, you simply cannot breathe through your nose. Amidst your oaths to never take breathing freely for granted ever again, you might find yourself worrying about school. So, what do you do when you get sick in law school?

Prevention, if possible, is keyWhether you take a multivitamin at 8:03 AM sharp every morning or whenever you happen to remember, the most helpful thing you can do is take steps to prevent getting sick. That includes eating well, drinking plenty of water (no, coffee does not count, as much as I would like it to), sleeping enough, exercising at least a little bit, basically all the healthy habits we get told to build from an early age. That way if you do get sick, you’ll hopefully have an easier time of it and recover faster. Obviously not all illness can be prevented – you can’t know that the food truck on campus is going to make you seriously reconsider your dietary choices, for example. But for situations where it can be prevented, one really helpful thing you can do now for you in the future is to do anything you can to prevent it from happening in the first place.

If you do get sick, most importantly, take care of yourself!If you do come down with something, the most important thing you can do is to take care of you. School is important, and during the semester you might think it’s the only thing that matters. But school can be caught up on, your health can’t be replaced. So, do what you need to do to take care of yourself if you do get sick. Whether that’s taking medicine, getting extra sleep, living off nothing but soup for a week, slathering on Vicks, drinking your bodyweight in tea, whatever your thing is, do it. Even if it means not quite finishing that unbelievably long reading or doing that extra writing assignment. Give yourself some grace, neither you nor your health can be replaced, and you won’t do yourself any favors by pushing too hard.

If you have to miss class, two things that will help you keep up or catch up if you fall behind.Ask your professors if they’ll let you attend class via ZoomThese days, professors are more willing to allow this because they’re more familiar with the platform and they’re more acutely aware of the importance of sick students staying home. So ask, it can’t hurt. If you’re not comfortable with contacting them directly, contact your school’s student services office. You most likely won’t be the first student dealing with this that they’ve worked with, especially in recent years, nor will you be the last.

Ask multiple classmates for notesWorst case, your professor gives a hard no to Zoom. Best case, they agree and wish you a speedy recovery. Either way, ask multiple classmates for copies of their notes. This might seem excessive, but there are a few reasons for this. The first is if you miss a few minutes of lecture for any reason, you won’t be able to get that information without asking your peers. Plus, your classmates all think different things are important and what one classmate thinks matters may not make it into another classmate’s notes. Besides, one person you ask may get totally sidetracked with one of the other five million things going on and completely forget to send them. Backup plans are a great thing – just ask anyone who’s lost everything they had on their computer or phone because it wasn’t backed up.

Practice good hygieneI don’t mean showering or brushing your teeth, though those are important too and things everyone around you will appreciate. No, I mean do the things we were told throughout the pandemic. Masking, distancing, washing hands, all of that. If you’re sick or think you might be, you don’t want to be that person who exposes an immunocompromised person or someone who has a household member at greater risk. Be considerate of the people around you. Your professors and classmates will thank you.

Recognize that it isn’t the end of the worldSometimes when you’re sick, the symptoms make you think it is the end of the world. But seriously, it isn’t the end of the world. Plenty of law students before you have gotten sick, maybe even sicker than you, and they recovered physically and academically. It’s doable. But if you stress yourself out by doom-spiraling, you’re going to have a harder time recovering in both senses. So take a deep breath (figuratively if you’re congested!), and put your health first.

Getting sick is never fun, and that is more true in law school. But with prevention, planning, and giving yourself grace, you can get through it. If you’re sick and reading this worried about your illness, hopefully this helps you and, more importantly, hopefully you feel better soon! If you’re not sick but you’re worried because the hallways sound like a competition of who can cough the loudest, take care of yourself and do everything in your power to avoid the sick. But if you can’t, this advice will still be right here waiting for you!

The post What To Do When Sickness Hits appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re excited to have Gabriel Teninbaum — law professor and founder of Spaced Repetition Systems — joining the podcast to speak about how the spaced repetition learning technique can help with your law school and bar exam studies.

Note: If you’re interested in checking out spacedrepetition.com for yourself, you can use the coupon code TOOLBOX15 for 15% off any product on the website.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Some background on our guest Gabe Teninbaum, and why he’s passionate about spaced repetition
  • The theory behind spaced repetition and how it works in practice
  • Using spaced repetition to memorize material as a law student
  • How early in your study should you start using the spaced repetition technique?
  • Does learning with spaced repetition as a law student help lay the foundation for bar study?
  • How you can use the spacedrepetition.com website for your law school and bar exam studies

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources: Spaced Repetition Systems, LLC * NCBE – National Conference of Bar Examiners * Emanuel Law in a Flash * The Pimsleur Method * How Spaced Repetition Can Help You as a Law Student – Part 1 * How Spaced Repetition Can Help You as a Law Student – Part 2 * The Complete Guide to Memorization in Law School * Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity, by David Allen * One L: The Turbulent True Story of a First Year at Harvard Law School*, by Scott Turow * Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 191: Quick Tips – Using Spaced Repetition to Memorize

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 369: Using Spaced Repetition for Your Law School and Bar Exam Studies (w/Gabriel Teninbaum) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

One L: The Turbulent True Story of a First Year at Harvard Law School
Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity

View Details

In law school, the shadow of final exams starts looming around early November. A general feeling of tenseness enters the atmosphere, and the law library begins filling up with people hunched over laptops and casebooks, wielding multicolored highlighters like weapons. People start talking about outlining, whether making their own from scratch or using other students’ from outline banks as a guide. Your classmates may start meeting for hours in study groups, bragging about the pristinely-formatted 100-page CivPro outline they just finished or the ten practice exams they’ve already taken.

It’s hard not to buy into the exam stress culture when it is so pervasive—with your grade dependent on one test, the exam becomes the be-all-and-end-all in everyone’s minds, so it makes sense that exam prep becomes a huge topic of conversation. But these discussions not only tend to be circular and unproductive, but also, even with those you consider friends, may be heightening your stress level. So what to do when you want to spend time with your classmates, but don’t want the accompanying anxiety spike from discussing exams? Setting boundaries is vital for your personal wellbeing not only in law school, but also in life, so it’s a great skill to practice now.

Set mental boundariesThe first step is to set mental boundaries. As long as you have a study plan that you’re confident in and that aligns with your own learning style and goals, if someone makes a comment that isn’t relevant to you or stresses you out, consider it just that: not relevant. Essentially, keep your eyes on your own paper! You can listen to what other people have to say, but that does not mean you have to internalize it or take it as a judgment on yourself. You can hear a comment about that 100-page outline and think, that’s great if that works for that person, but I’m doing what works for me. If someone says something you find helpful, great! But if not, don’t let it get in your head.

Be candidThis strategy works best one-on-one. If you don’t want to talk about exams, say so! It is perfectly understandable, when you already spend a lot of time thinking about and preparing for exams, to want to discuss something else for a change. If someone won’t stop bugging you about how long your outline is or how many practice exams you’ve taken, especially if they’re a friend, they probably aren’t purposely trying to be stressful. Rather, it’s more likely they’re feeling insecure and anxious. If you point out to them that your conversations are making you more stressed out, they’ll probably respect your boundaries (and if not, it might be best to just try to avoid them during exam season). Try saying something like, “I know exams are on all of our minds right now, but it would be great to get a break from that and just talk about something else” or “I get stressed out when we talk about exams—I’d really appreciate it if we could not do that when we’re together.”

Change the subjectA more subtle tactic when you sense the conversation veering into finals territory is to try to change the subject. This might not work if someone is intent on talking about exams, but often if you change the subject, the conversation will just move on. It might not even be that the person wants to talk about exams, but just that they’re trying to make conversation! Try giving a short response and then steering the conversation into less anxiety-inducing territory, like your professor’s weird habit of clearing his throat every other sentence.

Walk awayAnother great option, especially if you’re in a larger group, is simply to walk away. If you can sense the people around you entering a group stress sesh, it’s often best to just remove yourself from the situation. You don’t have to be all dramatic and proclaim to everyone that you don’t want to talk about exams; you can just opt out of the conversation. In law school, there are a million excuses for why you might have to step away, from going to the library to picking up a book from your locker to grabbing a coffee. Don’t feel the need to stick around if a conversation starts becoming unproductive and stressful!

As exams approach, I hope you find some of these strategies helpful in setting boundaries with your classmates. Law school is already stressful, so why make it more than it needs to be? And remember: though final exams might loom large right now, you are not your grades, and you cannot always control your grades. Your value as a person and a lawyer is not determined by how you perform on one day on one somewhat arbitrary test.

The post How to Survive Exam Stress: Setting Boundaries with Classmates appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re excited to have ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones with us to talk about what to do when you really just need to find a job – any job.

In this episode we discuss:

  • How to tell you’re in the position where you might have to settle for any job
  • Typically, how extensive is the job search process for law students?
  • What changes to make to your job searching approach late in the game
  • Getting outside help with finding a job
  • When should you take a job offer that is not exactly what you want?

Thanks for listening!

Listen NowTo listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources:* CareerDicta

Prefer to read?Download the Transcript

Did You Like It?If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 368: Finding a Summer Job Late in the Game appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

As the first semester of law school winds down, there are usually three things on everyone’s minds: getting that memo done, making it to and through finals, and summer jobs. Once recruiting season opens, you’re going to find yourself bombarded with invitations to panels and networking events. Navigating the end of the semester is tough […]

The post Networking Tips for 1Ls appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

You are bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, ready to start law school! You are excited about the journey you are undertaking, ready to face the challenges ahead and excited about the growth you will undergo. This is an exhilarating and challenging time for you! Law school is a very rewarding adventure. However, law school is different from […]

The post Law School Top 10 – 10 Things They Don’t Tell You About Law School appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re excited to talk about some tech tools that will help you streamline your life, both in law school and beyond. And thanks to Pro-Boards (home of the legal-specific LegalBoard and LegalPad) for sponsoring this episode! In this episode we discuss: Using a calendar for organizing […]

The post Podcast Episode 367: Tech Tools You Can Use to Streamline Your Life appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

You only have two summers to build your legal resume before you graduate law school, so each one counts. You can use the summer after your first year of law school to hone your legal research and writing skills, try out a practice area you’re interested in, get a chance to do public interest work […]

The post How to Prepare for the 1L Summer Job Search appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we’re sharing our suggestions for ways parents can help their kids in law school, keeping the balance of being supportive without being overbearing. In this episode we discuss: Talking with your child about what they would find helpful from you Using the resources of the school, […]

The post Podcast Episode 366: How Can Parents Help Their Kids in Law School? appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Before starting law school, I didn’t know what a judicial externship was. I can attribute my decision to apply to my professor and legal writing fellow, who were very passionate about working for a judge and constantly encouraged students to consider a judicial externship or clerkship. It was truly an amazing experience that I would […]

The post Four Reasons to Consider Externing for a Judge appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we’re sharing our top 10 things to consider when preparing for your law school final exams. In this episode we discuss: Making an exam calendar Outlining, practicing, and getting feedback Finding a balance between studying and class work Being smart about study groups Spending time to […]

The post Podcast Episode 365: Top 10 Tips for Studying for Final Exams appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

One of the most exciting aspects of law school is that you get to discover your interests. I remember asking academic advising as soon I could select my own courses apart from the 1L prerequisites. Fortunately, there are more ways than just coursework to explore areas of the law other than the main fundamentals like […]

The post Breaking into a New Area of Law appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we’re talking about state sovereign immunity, pursuant to the Eleventh Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. In this episode we discuss: What does the Eleventh Amendment to the U.S. Constitution establish? Where the state sovereign immunity doctrine does and does not apply Exceptions to state sovereign immunity […]

The post Podcast Episode 364: Listen and Learn — State Sovereign Immunity (Con Law) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

One of the toughest things about law school is the lack of feedback until finals. Some professors are shifting away from this and have midterm exams to give students feedback early enough to course-correct if needed. Some are for a grade, others aren’t. I had one in all three of my doctrinal courses, so I […]

The post Mid-Semester Law School Exams appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we have Marina Modlin, founder of Modlin Legal, with us to share some real-life estate planning advice. In this episode we discuss: Marina’s background and current practice What does “estate planning” entail? The “default” system of estate planning versus the “opt-in” system Life events that should […]

The post Podcast Episode 363: Real-Life Estate Planning (w/Marina Modlin) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

With already-steep tuition costs plus the high tide of inflation we’re experiencing right now, going to law school seems more financially treacherous than ever before. Life as a law student can feel like a game of whack-a-mole, with new costs always popping up, from professors assigning $300 casebooks to the lure of Thursday night Bar […]

The post 5 Strategies to Save Money in Law School appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In today’s episode from our “Listen and Learn” series, we’re discussing the Taxing and Spending Clause of the Constitution, which specifies how Congress can collect taxes and allocate spending. In this episode we discuss: Different types of taxes that Congress collects The two general purposes for which […]

The post Podcast Episode 362: Listen and Learn — The Taxing and Spending Clause (Con Law) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Once again, I am digging up the age-old question of whether you should consider law review membership. There is no hiding the fact that law review is an enormous time and energy commitment. But I gained so much. both personally and professionally, from being a law review editor-in-chief, so I am going to emphasize the […]

The post Benefits of Journal Membership from a Law Review Editor-in-Chief appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re excited to have Derek Brainard, National Director of Financial Education at AccessLex Institute, talking with us about everyone’s favorite topic – student loans! In this episode we discuss: Derek’s background and current role Services offered by AccessLex Institute What should students and grads know about […]

The post Podcast Episode 361: Student Loan Repayment (w/Derek Brainard of AccessLex Institute) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

If you’re planning on going to law school, you’ve probably heard a lot about what it’s like. Maybe you’ve been told how hard it is, or how cutthroat people can be, or how scary cold calls are. You might have some stereotypes in mind from TV or movies of what being a law student looks […]

The post Things that Surprised Me the First Week of Law School appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we have ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones with us to talk about looking for legal jobs in the current economy, where law firm hiring is slowing down and some layoffs may even be happening. In this episode we discuss: A look at recent periods of economic challenges […]

The post Podcast Episode 360: Legal Jobs in a Slowing Economy (w/Sadie Jones) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

I love an oversimplified analogy. Law school reminds me of swimming. Some people dive right in. They have to get used to the currents, and they might get tired, but they do just fine. Some people need those little floaty things on their arms. They go into the water knowing they need some help, and […]

The post How to Recognize When You’re Out of Your Depth in Law School appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we are digging into a commonly-tested exam topic in Federal Civil Procedure – determining proper venue in civil actions. In this episode we discuss: What is venue, and how to distinguish between venue and jurisdiction How venue can be properly established and changed Venue statutes and […]

The post Podcast Episode 359: Listen and Learn — Venue (Federal Civil Procedure) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Law school orientation is an overwhelming few days. You’re meeting your new classmates, picking up some basic skills you’ll need in law school, like how to read a case, and figuring out where your classrooms are. With all the information that’s thrown at you, from names to locker combination numbers, orientation week might already be […]

The post My Top Six Takeaways from Law School Orientation appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today on the podcast, we have guest Alexis Yee-Garcia, who manages diversity, equity, and inclusion programs at a BigLaw firm. We talk about how people with diverse profiles – whether racial, ethnic, cultural, religious, gender identity, or sexual orientation – find their place in today’s legal profession. […]

The post Podcast Episode 358: Diversity and Inclusion in the Legal Profession (w/Alexis Yee-Garcia) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Unlike in college admissions, waitlisting is extremely common in law school admissions. It’s likely you’ll get waitlisted by at least one school on your list, if not more. Getting waitlisted can give rise to lots of emotions, from dismay to hope to yet more uncertainty. It can feel like asking someone out on a date […]

The post Waitlisted? Why Should You Write a Letter of Continued Interest and What to Include appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! The topic of today’s “Listen and Learn” episode is Criminal Procedure. Specifically, we’re talking about a few topics related to the prosecution of a criminal trial: burden of proof, presumptions, and sufficiency of the evidence. In this episode we discuss: The burden of proof in a criminal […]

The post Podcast Episode 357: Listen and Learn — Prosecution of a Criminal Trial (Burdens, Presumptions, Sufficiency) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

We work with bar studiers in addition to law students. In the summer of 2022, our bar students were collectively having more trouble than any group of bar studiers we had worked with before. Now, the world has been in chaos (more than usual), and people are still reeling. But we also realized that many […]

The post Study Habits Go Further Than Law School appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, as part of our “Listen and Learn” series, we’re discussing Criminal Procedure, specifically what is needed for a valid search warrant, and the situations in which a warrant is not required. In this episode we discuss: What is a warrant? Requirements for a valid search warrant […]

The post Podcast Episode 356: Listen and Learn — Criminal Law: Warrant Requirements appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

As you go into your first year of law school, you will likely be getting advice left and right from upperclassmen, academic and peer mentors, and professors. You may find the advice helpful, but also overwhelming. At the risk of adding more advice to your plate, I’m here to share some things I wish I […]

The post Tips on Surviving and Thriving 1L Year  appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we’re talking about the parol evidence rule, which governs evidence that parties to a contract dispute can introduce when determining the specific terms of the contract. In this episode we discuss: The definition of parol evidence Exceptions to the parol evidence rule The difference between a […]

The post Podcast Episode 355: Listen and Learn — Parol Evidence (Contracts) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

One of the most important pre-law school life logistics is what your living situation will be for the next three years. If you’re going to be moving for school, in addition to determining the area you want to live and how much you want to spend, you’ll also have to answer the question: to have […]

The post To Have Roommates or Not to Have Roommates in Law School? appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In today’s episode from our “Listen and Learn” series, we talk about the two most heavily-tested types of legal remedies for a breach of contract. In this episode we discuss: Legal remedies and equitable remedies for a breach of contract The rules for expectation damages and consequential […]

The post Podcast Episode 354: Listen and Learn — Expectation and Consequential Damages (Contracts) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Recommendation letters, in addition to your personal statement and resume, are a vital part of the qualitative portion of your law school application. You may have aced the LSAT, scored great grades, and written killer essays, but recommendation letters are required for a reason. Your recommendations give schools a sense of whether you have displayed […]

The post How to Get Strong Law School Recommendations appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we have ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones with us to discuss how to prepare for the second round of interviews for summer associate positions. In this episode we discuss: The basics of a callback interview Are interviews still virtual due to the pandemic? How callback interviews are […]

The post Podcast Episode 353: Tips for a Successful Callback Interview (w/Sadie Jones) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

For many law students, law school is one of the first times that you’re really forced to put a significant amount of effort into your studying. Perhaps one of the most difficult aspects of figuring out how you work best is determining where it is easiest for you to study. If you’re like most law […]

The post Library Etiquette for 1Ls appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re focusing on an important topic in Evidence – the Best Evidence Rule, which requires a witness to produce the document whose contents he or she is testifying about. In this episode we discuss: How Evidence is different from most other topics on a law school […]

The post Podcast Episode 352: Listen and Learn — Best Evidence Rule appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Deciding you want to go to law school, whether you’re still in college, a few years out, or well into your career, is a huge moment. Maybe you’ve always known you wanted to be a lawyer, or maybe you’re just discovering law as a potential career. Either way, once you’ve determined that you’d like to […]

The post So You Want to go to Law School. What Should You Do Next? appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! If you’re interested in working in a specialty area of the law, join us for this episode as we share tips on getting a niche job out of law school or working your way in over time. In this episode we discuss: What are some “niche” and […]

The post Podcast Episode 351: Getting a Law Job in a Niche Area (w/Sadie Jones) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Some law schools have legal writing, legal skills, and other similar courses set up as pass-fail. Even if yours is graded, this might still be worth reading if your school gives it one or two credit hours per semester, compared with four or five for something like Civil Procedure or Constitutional Law. Many of our […]

The post My Legal Writing Course is Pass-Fail: Should I Even Bother? appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re discussing how to identify and work through Privileges and Immunities Clause issues on a law school exam. In this episode we discuss: Distinguishing between the Privileges and Immunities Clause of Article IV of the Constitution and the Privileges or Immunities Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment […]

The post Podcast Episode 350: Listen and Learn — Privileges and Immunities Clause (Con Law) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Starting law school is an exciting milestone in your life, and you should take a moment to celebrate all your achievements thus far. You may have already gotten a wide range of advice on how to spend the summer before law school, from relaxing as much as possible to doing some prep work so you […]

The post How to Have a Productive and Restful Summer Before 1L Year appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re talking about some scenarios that people often ask about if they’re incoming law students. We address concerns related to finding your motivation, fitting into law school, succeeding academically, and more. In this episode we discuss: Being a first-generation law student Leveling the playing field if […]

The post Podcast Episode 349: Common Questions from Incoming Law Students appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Every fall, 1Ls are thrust into the crazy world that is law school, with all its opportunities and challenges. This can be incredibly anxiety-inducing and contribute to imposter syndrome. Naturally, new law students have a lot of questions, from specific logistical questions about school itself, to questions about how to set themselves up for success […]

The post Common 1L Questions, Answered appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

No matter where you are in your law school journey – whether you are an incoming, current, or former law student – podcasts are a simple and effective way to stay up-to-date on current legal trends and the news. If you’re overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of legal podcasts out there, here are some suggestions […]

The post Podcasts to Keep Up with News and Careers in the Law appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re chatting with ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones about how you should be preparing for a successful OCI process. In this episode we discuss: The basics of the OCI process Finalizing your application documents Scheduling time each week for the job search Preparing your story and questions […]

The post Podcast Episode 348: Getting Ready for On-Campus Interviewing (w/Sadie Jones) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

“I. Declare. BANKRUPTCY!” If you are like me, this iconic line from Michael Scott may be one of the first things that comes to mind when you think about bankruptcy. Of course, the joke is that bankruptcy does not really make “all your problems go away,” per Creed Bratton. In fact, bankruptcy is a complex […]

The post Bankruptcy 101 appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, in another “Listen and Learn” episode, we’re focusing on assumption of risk as a defense to negligence in Tort law. In this episode we discuss: A review of the rule for assumption of risk What are some common situations that trigger this defense? Express vs. implied […]

The post Podcast Episode 347: Listen and Learn — Assumption of Risk (Torts) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Every law student knows that producing a legal memorandum is no small feat. It’s the result of a long process of research, writing, and revising. I’ve found immense value in having a checklist or guide to help me stay on track and ensure clarity in my written work. Below, I share some of the key […]

The post Writing A Legal Memo – Things To Keep In Mind appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re talking with guest Aliza Shatzman from The Legal Accountability Project about some of the things that can go wrong with judicial clerkships, and what clerks can do to protect themselves when that happens. In this episode we discuss: Aliza’s story that led to The Legal […]

The post Podcast Episode 346: Judicial Accountability in the Workplace (w/Aliza Shatzman) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Are you dissatisfied with law school class discussions about legal doctrine and policy goals? Are you not sure what practice area is a good fit for you? Are you tired of reading cases and doing legal research? Working during the summer gives law students a more comprehensive understanding of what lawyers do on a day-to-day […]

The post 5 Things You Should Do Throughout Your Summer Job or Internship appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re talking about life logistics as you prepare to start law school. We share tips for organizing yourself during this process so your transition to law school happens as smoothly as possible. In this episode we discuss: Transportation and housing logistics Academic logistics Automating recurring payments […]

The post Podcast Episode 345: Getting Ready for Starting Law School (Life Logistics) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

After a stressful cycle of law school applications, you’ve finally picked your home for the next three years – Congratulations! You may be thinking, so what’s next? You may have heard that the first year of law school, or 1L, is not easy. Whether you are transitioning from working or from your undergraduate studies, law […]

The post Pre-Law School Logistics appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, as part of our “Listen and Learn” series, we’re looking at the conditions that have to be satisfied in order to form a valid contract. We’ll review the concepts and illustrate them with two essay questions from previous bar exams. In this episode we discuss: Determining […]

The post Podcast Episode 344: Listen and Learn — Contract Formation appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Does going to a T14 matter? Like many other aspiring law students, I was determined to go to a T14 law school, and when things didn’t go according to plan, I had to reevaluate how important that actually was to me. Several conversations later, here’s my take on the “T14 or bust” debate. What is […]

The post T14 or Bust: The Debate appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In today’s “Listen and Learn” episode, we look at the various ways of establishing whether a court has jurisdiction over the parties in a lawsuit. In this episode we discuss: Establishing personal jurisdiction through traditional bases The difference between “domicile” and “presence” Long-arm statutes and ties to […]

The post Podcast Episode 343: Listen and Learn — Personal Jurisdiction (Civ Pro) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Throughout law school, I have discovered things that are mysterious and tedious: from taking exams to choosing extracurriculars, from searching for jobs, clerkships, and fellowships to handling the logistics of bar admission. I am now a third year law student, but some things still remain a mystery and I often find myself full of questions. […]

The post Use Upperclass Law Students as Resources: A List of Questions You Can Ask appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re talking with ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones about how to deal with difficult work situations and make the most out of your summer job experience. In this episode we discuss: Taking ownership of your work if you’re given very little direction when you start How to […]

The post Podcast Episode 342: Real World Summer Job Situations (w/Sadie Jones) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

At some point in law school, you’ll be asked to draft a complex legal memo whether for a class, a clinic, a job, or an internship. This involves extensive research, digesting all the information, developing analysis, crafting arguments, and giving your recommendations. At the end, you will package all your work in a succinct but […]

The post How to Outline a Complex Legal Research Memo appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In today’s episode, we’re talking about contract defenses, including mistake, fraudulent misrepresentation, and non-disclosure. For a refresher on the concepts involved in contract formation, take a look at episode 161 of the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast. In this episode we discuss: Determining the governing law of a […]

The post Podcast Episode 341: Listen and Learn — Contract Defenses appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Have you gone to a court hearing before? If not, this is a sign that you should. And if you have, why not renew that experience? You can find hearings and trials in a variety of courts – criminal, civil, family, juvenile, probate, immigration, traffic, and more. Though some matters are conducted in private, most […]

The post Why You Should Attend A Court Hearing appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re talking about what to do – and what not to do – the summer before law school. In this episode we discuss: Specific things you can do to prepare for starting law school What to think about if you’re going to be moving How much […]

The post Podcast Episode 340: Getting in the Right Headspace to Start Law School appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Evidence is a fascinating area of the law. It governs the types of facts and information that can be presented to the decisionmaker in a court of law. If a piece of evidence can be “admitted,” that means it can be put into the record, so that the decisionmaker can use the information to reach […]

The post Evidence 101 appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re excited to have ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones with us to talk about ways to keep your job search and career planning consistent as a law student, without overdoing it. In this episode we discuss: Finding a good balance between academics and career planning for each […]

The post Podcast Episode 339: Fitting in Consistent Career Planning and Job Search Time (w/Sadie Jones) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Life as a graduate student is quite different from being an undergraduate college student. Undergraduates traverse multiple buildings on campus and get to meet students studying other majors through classes and student organizations. On the other hand, graduate students are immersed in a specific school or academic department. They usually only interact with students in […]

The post Why You Should Make An Effort To Meet Other Graduate Students appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re excited to have college and law school admissions consultant Sydney Montgomery with us to talk all about law school admissions. In this episode we discuss: Sydney’s background and her work in admissions consulting What problems do people consistently run into during admissions? What unique challenges […]

The post Podcast Episode 338: Talking About Law School Admissions (w/Sydney Montgomery) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

The first thing I learned in negotiations is that we negotiate every day. We negotiate with our friends, family, colleagues, and strangers. We unknowingly create and miss opportunities for negotiation. Of course, there are the obvious negotiation scenarios – litigants trying to settle before trial, two parties trying to reach a business deal, or countries […]

The post 5 Reasons You Should Take A Negotiations Class appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re talking with ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones about common issues that law students encounter when looking for a job. In this episode we discuss: What to do if you’re a 1L and you still don’t have a summer job by mid-spring How to overcome losing on-campus […]

The post Podcast Episode 337: How to Address Common Job Search Problems (w/Sadie Jones) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Law school exams can be quite different from what students are used to pre-law. Exam questions come in different types, including the most common issue spotters, but also multiple choice and policy questions. As you prepare for exams, you may be asking – am I doing the right thing? Am I doing enough? What are the people around me doing? How do I maximize my time?

There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to exam preparation. I believe that it is important to look within yourself and determine what works best for you. Oftentimes, the study habits and strategies you have developed over time may be best – after all, they’ve brought you to this point in law school! But it certainly does not hurt to switch it up and try other methods.

Below, I suggest some strategies that you may not have considered. Give some a try and see whether they could be a good replacement or supplement!

  1. Create visuals and incorporate colors Law school is a lot of reading and writing words, so consider adding color and visuals! They can serve as great tools to distill the information you have learned and to show how different elements and components interact. You can replace certain words with easy-to-decipher symbols, draw out flowcharts or tables, and use different highlighter colors. If you are artistically inclined, you can even sketch out scenes for cases or hypotheticals. Doing this can help you absorb the material in a different way and make studying more fun!

  2. Write your own problems and hypotheticals One of my professors asked each student to write their own hypotheticals, and then answer the questions posed. By the end of the class, he had collected hundreds of practice questions, made available to the students for studying. I really enjoyed the process both of brainstorming and writing the questions, as well as going through my classmates’ questions and attempting to solve them. Since then, I’ve continued this practice in my other classes. Doing this, I am able to understand the facts and circumstances that may trigger legal issues; I think about how a legal doctrine may apply to a novel situation that has not been tested in court; I also pose questions that have a clear answer just to test my comprehension of the black letter law.

  3. Study with friends Study groups are quite popular in law school, and you may have already joined one with your friends or classmates. But if you are like me and prefer studying alone, it still may be a good idea to study with other people. I have found it useful to talk something out with a classmate when I get stuck. And whenever I review practice exams with other students, our conversations would inevitably surface more issues, more arguments, and more questions about the materials. Though I’m not a fan of the weekly study group, I have definitely studied with a group closer to the finals period, mostly to talk about practice exams, but also to chat about tricky topics or cases. Of course, professors’ office hours and teaching assistants are great resources as well. Law school is a wonderful community, so don’t be afraid to engage with the people around you!

  4. Create rule statements Writing out rule statements without any aid is a great way to test your knowledge on the relevant law. My process is this: Once I feel that I have memorized all the topics in a class, I sit at my computer and type out all the legal rules that I can remember. I then review them to see what I missed or mischaracterized. As this article discusses, you can bring your pre-written rule sections into an exam if it is open book, and even if not, creating these rules beforehand helps you to anticipate issues and memorize the law, so that you can save time and brainpower during the exam to focus on legal analysis.

  5. Set a schedule for review and practice exams Schedules have proven really helpful for me when it comes to law school exams. Always feeling like I have less time than I think, I try to plan ahead and stick to my schedule as best as I can. I first estimate the time I need to review all the class materials and prepare my outline. Then, I count the number of practice exams I plan to complete for each class, and mark on my calendar when I plan to take and review each one. I place this schedule right on my desk so I am reminded every day. I also note my other commitments during the study period, whether for my study group, family, or just personal downtime (remember to eat, exercise, take a break and sleep!). My schedule helps me stay on track, and, if I fall off, helps me readjust quickly.

The post 5 New Exam Strategies To Try appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re talking about how to figure out which law school offer to accept if you’re weighing multiple options.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Should you automatically go to the highest ranked school you get into?
  • How much does location matter?
  • The role of scholarships and student loans
  • The importance of visiting the schools in person
  • Considering bar passage rates
  • Job/career prospects after graduation

Thanks for listening!

Listen Now To listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources: * Start Law School Right * Law School Transparency * Podcast Episode 34: Which Law School Should I Go to? * Podcast Episode 217: Choosing a Law School (with Dr. Shirag Shemmassian) * Podcast Episode 335: Things to Consider If You’re on a Law School Waitlist (w/Anna Ivey)

Prefer to read? Download the Transcript

Did You Like It? If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 336: How to Decide Which Law School Offer to Accept appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Are you a 1L overwhelmed by the job search and how everyone around you seems to have summer positions lined up? Not to worry – everyone finds summer jobs at different points in the semester! After receiving rejection after rejection, I had many moments where I wondered whether perhaps something was wrong with my interview skills. But finally opportunities came through, and here I share four things that I learned through the interview process:

  1. Shoot your shots and keep your options open! The job market is competitive, so you may need to send out a LOT of applications! I applied to about 40 summer positions and an additional 50 judges. I will be externing for a judge this summer, but before law school, I had not even heard of judicial externships! There are so many options to consider, whether it be working for a judge, nonprofit, government agency, law firm, in-house company, professor, or clinic through your school. While it’s helpful to come into law school with an idea of the type of law you want to practice or the type of organization you want to work in, don’t let that limit your horizon of opportunities — you never know what might work for you, and there could be something amazing for you out there that you just aren’t aware of yet!

  2. Tell a story that aligns your interest with the position you’re interviewing for Since employers don’t expect you to have a ton of legal experience as a 1L, a key thing employers look for is your interest in the position and their organization. So make sure to tell a story that aligns with their mission and the work of the specific division you’re applying for. I failed to do this when interviewing with the criminal division of a government agency. I’m interested in environmental law, so in answering the typical opening, “Why this position?” question, I talked about my specific interest in their Environmental Crimes section. I regretted this answer as soon as they responded, “Well, we don’t really do environmental crimes…” If you’re not sure what they primarily do, first peruse their website and press releases; if it’s still not clear to you, reach out to someone who is more familiar with the organization’s work. If you aren’t sure which specific division the interview is for, clarify this prior to or at the start of the interview (another mistake I made).

  3. Aim to have a conversation, not a Q&A session One misconception I had about interviews is that they aren’t all about how good you are at fielding the “tell me a time when…” questions. You can have the most eloquently crafted examples following the STAR method that describe your brilliant leadership, effective communication, and creative problem-solving abilities. But if the interviewers don’t see you as likable, they probably won’t hire you. Preparing to answer the typical questions is important, but ultimately, employers want to know that you’ll be a pleasant colleague who they want to work with! Guiding the interview into a conversation is easier in some situations than others; sometimes the interviewer may jump right into a scripted list of questions, other times there might be more leeway. Even with the scripted questions, I would try to tell a story and insert conversational remarks, not recite something I had rehearsed several times beforehand (even if that was the case). I would also aim to be genuinely curious and ask questions throughout the interview, not just waiting until the end when it’s standard to ask questions. If you connect on a more personal level with your interviewer and have an enjoyable two-way conversation, your interviewer is probably more likely to remember you and feel positively about how the interview went.

  4. Don’t take rejections personally! I had several interviews that I thought went well, but the only feedback I got was that there were too many qualified candidates and not enough spots. While that isn’t the most comforting answer, it’s probably true! I had to become okay with not taking a rejection personally because more likely than not, it’s not personal. There are so many factors that go into a decision that are out of your control. I started to see each opportunity like a wave in the ocean – many may pass by, but there will always be another one. Also, a rejection for a 1L summer internship isn’t a door shut forever — if the organization is right for you, you will have more opportunities later on.

If you are fortunate enough to receive more than one offer, the best advice I received in choosing between opportunities is to choose a position where you’ll be doing something you’re genuinely interested in, something that refreshes you and makes you joyful and reminds you why you came to law school in the first place – because 1L year has a way of making you forget that! It might be an opportunity that allows you to explore new practice areas or dive deeper into one you’re already interested in. And if all else fails, toss a coin – but take notice not of where the coin lands, but rather, what you instinctively wish it will land on as the coin is in the air.

In the end, don’t sweat it! As several law students have told me, it doesn’t really matter in the long run what you do your first summer, as long as it’s something law-related. It’s more about what you learn from it and how it shapes your story going into 2L summer. And, if you’re still struggling with your job search, you can always seek the help of an expert!

For more advice on finding a 1L summer job, check out:

  • Tips from a Law School Career Expert
  • 5 Ways to Prepare for a Job Fair
  • Podcast, Episode 232: Finding a 1L Summer Job in the Spring

The post Finding a 1L Summer Internship – What I Learned From the Interview Process appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we have admissions consultant Anna Ivey back with us to discuss some timely admissions topics, including how to deal with being on a law school waitlist.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Anna’s background and work in admissions consulting
  • Has the law school experience normalized after the two-year pandemic period?
  • What do law school applications look like these days?
  • The timeframe for schools making final decisions on students who are waitlisted
  • What should you do if you’re on a waitlist and want to get off of it?
  • How many updates do you need to send to a school if you’re on their waitlist?
  • At what point does it makes sense to commit to a school and end the waitlist limbo?

Thanks for listening!

Listen Now To listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources: * Anna Ivey Consulting * Podcast Episode 43: Getting Mentally Prepared to Start Law School * Podcast Episode 252: Navigating the Law School Landscape in Light of COVID-19 (w/Anna Ivey) * Podcast Episode 256: Tips for Applying to Law School (w/Anna Ivey) * Podcast Episode 307: Kicking Off Your 1L Year Right (Even in a Pandemic) * Everything You Need to Know About Finding Your Law School

Prefer to read? Download the Transcript

Did You Like It? If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 335: Things to Consider If You’re on a Law School Waitlist (w/Anna Ivey) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

There’s a recurring question from our listeners and readers (and even our students): should I accept a pass/fail option in certain classes?

In case this is a foreign concept to you, let’s dial back for a moment. Some schools will let students convert a limited number of credit hours to pass/fail instead of a letter grade. Now, if your school does this, but lets you see your grade before you make the decision, you probably don’t need any help. Get your grade, decide you hate it, convert the grade so that it doesn’t impact your GPA. Easy, right?

Well, it’s law school. It is almost never that easy. Most of the people we hear from are from schools where they have to decide whether to pass/fail at one of two points in the semester: either before the add/drop period is over, or before finals. A bit tougher, right? So, how do you decide?

You know how in law classes, there are two main types of tests? There are rules with elements that are either satisfied or not, and there are rules with factors that you just have to balance. This is one of those factor-balancing tests, and as usual, I’ll provide a non-exclusive list. Factors include: the importance of the class to your career goals, your current GPA, the quality of the class/professor, and your motivation.

Career Goals If you’re in law school, you probably want to be a lawyer (I know that seems obvious, but it’s actually not true of everyone there). What kind of lawyer do you want to be? Lots of options, right? Well, if you want to be a prosecutor, you might not want to pass/fail your Evidence class. If you want to work in real estate, you probably shouldn’t pass/fail Property. You see where I’m going with this? It’s just not a good look if your potential employer checks your transcript and sees that you don’t have a grade for a key subject related to the job. You also should probably show that you can excel in the areas that you plan to practice in, and a stellar grade shows this. Meanwhile, if you’re hoping to be a prosecutor, but you’ll be taking the bar in a UBE state, you might decide to take Secured Transactions. That…really doesn’t have a ton to do with most prosecutors’ jobs, but it’s a tough subject that is likely to show up on the bar exam. Big check mark in favor of pass/fail!

Current GPA This is something that cuts both ways. If you have a really great GPA and don’t want to risk coming below a certain percentile, you might choose to pass/fail a course that you think could tank your grades. If you have a really bad GPA and you’re at risk of probation or dismissal, you might choose to pass/fail a course that would make things worse. BUT, if you pass/fail a course, it also won’t help your GPA. And this is where you have to do some math with a bit of fortune telling thrown in. For the person with a high (or even middling) GPA, the pass/fail is a missed opportunity to climb higher in the rankings, especially compared to others who might edge past you. For the person with a low GPA, the pass/fail is a missed opportunity to get out of the danger zone. The only person for whom this is really a no-brainer is someone with a 4.0. (Yes, it happens. No, it didn’t happen to me).

Quality of the Class/Professor This is probably the first thing that most people think of. That class is so hard. This professor is incomprehensible. The curve is an absolute nightmare. A hard class obviously tends to weigh in favor of pass/fail. Why would you not take a grade for an easy class? A professor that has a reputation for being awful (either a bad teacher or just plain mean) is probably someone who you don’t want a grade from. But, as always, stop and think. Is this class hard for “everyone” or would it be hard for you? Some people love procedural classes and really get them. Others hate those classes and look at me in horror when I say that I absolutely loved Civ Pro. Some people love all things abstract, and could hold debates about Con Law for hours (please, with someone other than me). Some professors are universally loved for good reason (like my amazing Crim professor), and other professors are just an acquired taste (I’ll…avoid naming names here). So, if you have this option, try not to put too much stock in reputation. Meet the professor if you can, or check out some exams. Talk to TAs or other students who took the class. Learn about the challenges and benefits, including class size and curve type.

Motivation Ooh, this is the hard one. When you think of a pass/fail class, you’re probably thinking about a freebie, right? I take the class, I put in minimal effort, I get a check mark and a few credit hours. Yay! But, that’s not actually how it always works. Some people just can’t motivate themselves without a legit grade. So a class that could have been a B or even higher turns into a fail because they couldn’t be bothered to put in the effort. As usual, this is about self-reflection. Can you treat it like a “real” class even though you won’t be getting a grade? Will you keep up with the readings, participate in class, and do your best on the final? If so, go for it! If not, don’t take the risk.

So, should you pass/fail that class you’re worried about? Honestly, I have no idea about that decision for you personally. Weigh the factors and figure out whether this is more likely to hurt you or help you. Talk to an advisor if you need an outside opinion, and then make the best decision for you. One additional note: many schools switched to pass/fail during the Covid pandemic. This was an across the board change that employers realize happened. If that happened to you, don’t spend time dwelling on what grade you might have gotten or how it might have moved your GPA up. You have no idea what the stress of this pandemic would have lead to grades wise, and you can’t go back in time and know. So, if you had to pass/fail at some point in the last few years, it is what it is.

The post Take the Grade or Pass/Fail? appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re discussing the different standards of review a court will apply when dealing with questions of constitutionality. You may also hear these referred to as “levels of scrutiny.”

In this episode we discuss:

  • The three Constitutional Law levels of scrutiny and how courts apply each of them
  • Fundamental rights under the Constitution
  • Suspect and quasi-suspect classes of individuals
  • The Due Process and Equal Protection clauses
  • Analyzing two hypos involving the standards of review

Thanks for listening!

Listen Now To listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources: * “Listen and Learn” series * Tutoring for Law School Success * California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, July 2013 * Podcast Episode 313: Listen and Learn – The Basics of Justiciability (Con Law) * Podcast Episode 295: Listen and Learn – Due Process and Equal Protection (Con Law)

Prefer to read? Download the Transcript

Did You Like It? If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 334: Listen and Learn — Standards of Review (Con Law) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

In a previous post Debate and the Law: 3 Lessons from Competing in and Judging Debate, I introduced my knowledge of the debate world as a former high school debate student and current judge at debate tournaments.

I really enjoy debate and think it’s a great activity for young people and adults alike. Debate helps develop skills such as presenting clear arguments, supporting them with evidence, responding to rebuttals, demonstrating the stakes, and treating your opponents with respect.

Here are three additional lessons from debate that are useful in legal studies and practice:

Lesson 1: Compare Arguments And Identify Points Of Conflict Certain arguments capture ideas that most people agree on: genocide is bad, innocent children should be protected. Interesting debates arise from areas of dispute, where there are many reasonable interpretations and resolutions. I have seen opponents talk past each other on the same topic, only highlighting the merits of their positions, without directly addressing their adversary’s points. You can imagine how frustrating this is. A thought-provoking conversation takes shape when someone questions the assumptions underlying a counterargument, spells out the unintended consequences of a proposal, discusses how an argument is stronger than another on likelihood or urgency, or shows that both points further the same goal but one is superior in other aspects. Doing these things effectively requires both thorough preparation and creative on-the-spot thinking.

This is part of what lawyers do. Advocates are obligated not only to emphasize the strengths of their case, but also address the bad facts, weak arguments, and unfavorable precedents. Avoiding the negative issues will do more harm than good. That explains why lawyers are meticulous about gathering and reviewing materials, which include conducting diligence, investigating facts, interviewing witnesses, collecting documents and evidence, and making Freedom of Information Act requests. Armed with such knowledge, lawyers are then prepared to engage with the other side and mount strong defenses to any weaknesses in their case, as well as create doubt in the adversary’s position. Debaters build these skills as they encounter difficult types of arguments and gain facility with persuasive evidence and sources.

Lesson 2: Set The Criteria Often debaters suggest, and sometimes argue over, the criteria with which the debate should be judged. This is also called “framework” – the set of standards a judge should use to evaluate the debate and determine the winner. As an example, a judge may be asked to decide based on the idea of utilitarianism—actions are right if they promote happiness for the greatest number of people, or the idea of deontology—people should focus on their duties rather than the consequences of their actions, and do what is right because it is the right thing to do. In another context, a judge may be asked to weigh consequences in the short term versus in the long term, or consider the magnitude or uniqueness of two differing proposals. Then, debaters apply the criteria by explaining how their argument satisfy them, and thus make their position superior to their opponent’s.

In law, something similar happens when attorneys argue about the stakes of the legal outcome. They may appeal to consequences affecting the individual, families, employees, the economy, and society as a whole. They may also advocate for the moral or just thing to do, regardless of the imminent or potential results. The goal is to convince the decisionmaker of the importance of their criteria and show how their stance is correct. Thus, debaters are getting early practice in these skills that become useful around negotiating tables and in courtrooms.

Lesson 3: Be A Good Sport In debate, being civil and well behaved toward everyone is an expectation. A battle over ideas is not about the people and their personal opinions. Debaters are often assigned one side of the topic, which may not correspond with their personal attitudes on the subject. Nevertheless, they come ready with strong arguments and rebuttals. Civility and respect greatly enhance the substance of the debate. I have watched debaters use careful language to criticize the ideas presented, rather than their presenter, which allows everyone to thoughtfully engage with the arguments and their implications. On the other hand, I have seen debaters continuously interrupt each other. That is unpleasant to watch, unfair to the persons being interrupted, and prevents ideas from being clearly heard. As a judge, I compliment debaters who show exemplary respect towards each other, and encourage others to be more mindful of how their actions may prevent or disrupt a productive conversation.

Like debaters, legal advocates may take on matters and legal positions that may turn out to be at odds with their beliefs. There are few opportunities to withdraw from representation, and attorneys are obligated to zealously advocate for their clients. Cases can be contentious and emotions can run high. But attorneys should be cautious about making personal slights and attacks. While credibility arguments and inquiries into character are sometimes inevitable and can feel unsettling, lawyers should generally be mindful of how they interact with others. They should interrogate the assumptions they make, especially when there is imbalanced power dynamics. In many areas of life, but especially in intense settings involving differing opinions, being cordial and respectful will only help the situation.

Debate is a fantastic intellectual activity. I would encourage you to participate in this world in some way. You can have informal debate with people you know on topics that matter to you, observe or judge a debate tournament if the opportunity arises, or simply tune into the next debate between policymakers and politicians. For law students, consider fine tuning your argument skills through joining moot court or mock trial, or taking a small seminar class where you can speak up more often. With more productive and open conversations, we can make our society a better place.

The post Debate and the Law – Part 2: Lessons Learned from Competing in and Judging Debate appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we have guest Hillary Vaillancourt with us to discuss a variety of topics, including her work on Piece of Cake Allergy Consulting and building a small firm practice.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Hillary Vaillancourt’s background and her work as a food allergy lawyer
  • What to expect when starting a law firm
  • Generating business when you’re running your own practice
  • What a virtual law practice looks like
  • Balancing a legal career with raising small children
  • How to handle an unexpected curve ball in terms of your career

Thanks for listening!

Listen Now To listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources: * Piece of Cake Allergy Consulting * Podcast Episode 70: How to Decide What Type of Law to Practice * Podcast Episode 86: Resources for Aspiring Entrepreneurs * Podcast Episode 154: Building a Better Law Practice (w/Jeremy Richter) * Podcast Episode 233: Starting a Small Law Firm (w/Guest Stephanie Everett of Lawyerist)

Prefer to read? Download the Transcript

Did You Like It? If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 333: Building an Authentic Law Practice (w/Hillary Vaillancourt) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

During law school, there are certain conversations you will be confronted with which you may prefer to dodge or are unsure how to handle. When your friends or acquaintances bring up the topic of grades, it can be a tricky position to be in, especially if the conversation leads to specific questions about your grades and performance in previous classes.

It is understandable to want to keep the results of your hard work quiet, no matter how you ended up doing. There is already enough pressure around exams and “the curve” (if your school grades this way). It can be especially distressing when you feel pressured to share the specifics of your grades.

However, it is important to keep a balanced perspective as hiding from the conversation is not always the best solution and sharing your grades on your own terms may be the right choice for you. For example, if you have a genuine friend on the same page as you wanting to help each other to succeed, then being transparent with them may be what you need!

Here are some things to keep in mind:

Resist Pressure You may have experienced the pressure to share your grades with law school friends or acquaintances. It is always empowering to remember that you are under no obligation to reveal information, especially if you are uncomfortable!

Benefits Ask yourself what can be gained from engaging in the conversation. Will it generate negative emotions? Does it serve you and your ultimate law school goals? For example, sharing a grade could lead you to feel insecure, doubtful, etc. On the other hand, you may feel supported and relieved. Always make the best call for you and on your own terms.

Sharing on Your Terms Given the competitive nature of law school, it’s understandable to want to keep your grades private, at least amongst your peers. This doesn’t mean you are all on your own and can’t get the support you need. It is important to build a social support system consisting of trusted friends, family, and mentors. They can be there for your venting sessions and to offer advice and support.

If the conversation about grades makes you uncomfortable, perhaps because you are not amongst trusted friends or simply want to keep them to yourself no matter who is asking, consider opting out of this conversation. Instead, shift your attention to activities that will benefit your grades in the long-run.

For example:

  • Make an appointment to review your exam: professors generally allow you to review your exam, although you likely cannot remove the exam from the location (i.e.,read-only in the professor’s office or secretary’s office). Sometimes there is a sample answer to review alongside your exam. Take mental or actual notes on your observations.
  • Make a follow-up appointment with the professor: Don’t underestimate the insights you can gain from one-on-one time with your professor. As students, we are often taught to try to think the way our professor thinks to best prepare for the exam. Lucky for you, now you have results that are revealing to you where you excelled and/or where you missed the mark by your professor’s standards. Now is your chance to ask your professor questions and ask for recommendations to improve moving forward. You may have this same professor again for another class, and you’ll be relieved you took the time to dig deeper, and/or this professor could become a mentor or reference for you in the near future!
  • Meet with the academic success department or a professional mentor to discuss your overall grades. For example, if you did not perform as well as you had hoped, are there recommended courses you can take during the upcoming breaks to improve your grades? If you are graduating, and the exam is a heavily bar-tested subject, it is a good time to discuss ways you can prioritize this topic and refresh on it early on in your bar prep process.
  • Learn from your successes and failures. If you notice you really enjoy contracts, perhaps there are upper-level courses that you would be enthusiastic to take. Additionally, you may be interested in a law firm where you will get to work on contract review. If there are classes you are struggling with, and you really want to turn this ship around, find community, comradery, and support even outside of law school. One way I sought advice was through my involvement in the American Bar Association student workgroups where I learned the techniques and resources that worked for top law students.
  • Remember that each semester provides you an opportunity to do things differently and implement changes based on lessons learned. Set new goals and go for them!

At the end of the day, you are in the driver’s seat of your grades, and who is privy to the information on your transcript. Stay focused on your academic goals and these conversations about grades will be far easier to maneuver through.

The post Should I Share my Law School Grades? appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today’s topic in our “Listen and Learn” series is from Civil Procedure, specifically removal of a case from state to federal court.

In this episode we discuss:

  • The definition and specifics of removal
  • The reasons why some defendants would want to move their case to federal court
  • What is needed for a defendant to motion to move a case to federal court?
  • Establishing subject matter jurisdiction and diversity jurisdiction
  • Federal abstention doctrines
  • Analyzing three hypos from previous California bar exams

Thanks for listening!

Listen Now To listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources: * “Listen and Learn” series * Tutoring for Law School Success * California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, February 2003 * California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, February 2014 * California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, July 2016 * Podcast Episode 263: Listen and Learn – Subject Matter Jurisdiction

Prefer to read? Download the Transcript

Did You Like It? If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 332: Listen and Learn — Removal (Civ Pro) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Midterms are arguably some of the most difficult weeks in all of law school. They’re even more mentally draining and stressful than finals for a few reasons.

  • You haven’t completed your full courses yet. Thus, you have less comprehensive knowledge of the subject you’re being tested on, which greatly increases the difficulty in studying.
  • Midterms can be extremely spread out over a few weeks, so they last much longer than finals period. The stress, anxiety, and worry don’t disappear over the course of a few days.
  • You don’t get a break after midterms. When you’re done with finals, you’re usually off to winter holiday or summer vacation. That’s not the case with midterms. Your reward for finishing any number of grueling exams is to return to your normal–and probably already overwhelming–class schedule.

All that considered, midterms are a time when it’s easy to get overwhelmed. How can you accomplish everything you need to get done without having a meltdown?

  • First, make a schedule. Know exactly what assignments, events, and midterms you have coming up. Looking at what’s happening that week is not sufficient. You’ll want your entire month mapped out, or at least the length of your midterm period. Write everything down, even the small things that may seem insignificant.
  • Second, with everything laid out in front of you, make a priorities list. Your midterm will obviously take precedence over your reading. Getting a perfect score on your research memo is not nearly as important as finishing your research memo. Going to a networking mixer is going to take a backseat to studying for Torts. Figuring out what absolutely must get done, what may be able to wait, and what is simply not important will help you to determine what to pour your effort into when you get overwhelmed.
  • Do not underestimate the value of basic health when you’re in midterm season. Now more than ever, you should be getting enough sleep, eating to fuel your mind and body, and taking time for yourself. There’s so much pressure already around grades and performing well that no one is going to look out for your well-being except you. Taking a test on 2-3 hours of sleep just so that you have more hours to study will not help you increase your score. You’re better off just getting some rest.
  • Figure out what freebies you have from each of your classes. Some professors give you guaranteed skips or passes for cold calls, excused absences, or extra credit work to make up for assignments you may miss throughout the semester. Take advantage of these. Don’t feel inferior or unintelligent for doing so.
  • Let your loved ones know when you’re stressed out. I promise they’ll appreciate the heads up, and they’ll genuinely want to support you throughout this time. You can give people some ways to help out if you want, but more importantly, make sure that friends and family don’t have the expectation that you’ll continue to be as available as you may usually be during this time. If you’re one of the loved ones attempting to hunt down ways to support your stressed out student during this time, this post on caring for your law student might be the perfect place for you!
  • When you’re actually ready to study, block off specific chunks of time to devote to each task. It is so easy to end up going down a rabbit hole and to never quite feel completely done studying. Better that you study 80% of five subjects than 100% of one. If you need some more specific tips, check out this blog post on strategies for midterm success.
  • If you have a concern or question, don’t be afraid to ask your professor. They write your exams, and they know a thing or two about passing them. Even if it’s close to the test, even if you’re worried that they will judge you or find you annoying, their job is to teach you the material and make sure you understand it. Conversely, try not to put too much stock into what other people are saying about the professor, the test, or your relative ability or inability to succeed. At best, this advice will artificially encourage you, but at worst it could really amp up your anxiety. Don’t do that to yourself.
  • If you’re really down to the wire, and you don’t know how you’re going to get everything done, even with freebies and professor help and organizing as best you can, head to your school’s academic support office. They may be able to help you get an extension, an accommodation, counseling, or some other form of support that will be able to help you out.

If all else fails, simply take a deep breath and do the best you can. Perhaps one of the few advantages of midterms are that they are simply giving you an idea of what to expect on the final, and they are very rarely (if ever) going to carry the weight of a final exam. Try to think of midterms as a test run for your finals. Even if the only thing you learn from a midterm is how your professor likes to write tests and what material to look for, that’s still a good takeaway.

The post Midterm Overwhelm: What To Do When There’s Too Much To Do appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In today’s episode, we’re speaking with guest Sara Beller, a member of the District Attorney’s office in Riverside County, California, and a tutor with the Law School Toolbox. We’re talking about careers in public service, specifically working as a prosecutor.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Sara’s journey to becoming an Assistant District Attorney
  • Interning at a DA’s office or U.S. Attorney’s office
  • What to highlight on your application for an internship at a DA’s office
  • What skills are important for students planning to work as prosecutors
  • Sara’s three pieces of advice to every law student
  • The life lesson of “you don’t know who’s in the room”

Thanks for listening!

Listen Now To listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources: * Sara Beller, Author at Law School Toolbox * Podcast Episode 71: Soft Skills You Need to Develop to Be a Successful Attorney * Podcast Episode 219: Mastering People Skills for Success as an Attorney (w/Stephanie Hanna) * Why You Should Consider a Summer Internship at the District Attorney’s Office and How to Find One! * The Benefits of Doing Both a Federal District Court and a Circuit Court Clerkship * What’s Your Alternative? Uncovering Alternative Career Paths for the Law Firm Skeptic: How Do I Become a Government Attorney? * What’s Your Alternative? Uncovering Alternative Career Paths for the Law Firm Skeptic: How Do I Become a Public Interest Attorney?

Prefer to read? Download the Transcript

Did You Like It? If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 331: A Conversation with Assistant District Attorney Sara Beller appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Many debaters go on to careers in law (and politics as well), and that makes a lot of sense to me. Having been a debater and judge, I have recognized that the skills you develop through practice and competition become quite handy in legal settings.

There are multiple debate events – parliamentary, public forum, Lincoln-Douglas, congress, and Big Ideas, each with a different focus and format, including varying time limits, cross-examination opportunities, and preparation periods. However, the big idea is similar: each debate involves a resolution, or a position statement, which a student or a team of two either argues for or against. Each speaker has a limited amount of time to present their initial contentions, or arguments, as well as to rebut the opposing team’s points and even cross-examine them directly by asking questions and asking to see their supporting evidence.

I competed in high school parliamentary debate, and have judged all the debate formats but one. Here are my thoughts on how debate can help students gain helpful skills and knowledge for the legal world.

LESSON #1: Working with limits Debaters have a good amount of time to research, write, and prepare (although some forms of debate provide very little prep time), but the debating time is insufficient for presenting all the good arguments. So, debaters assess the strength of the arguments, making sure to highlight the strongest ones first and leaving the weak ones out or possibly for rebuttal. Debaters also think about the best way to present their arguments –what rhetoric and what evidence to use. These are just a few things that debaters do to manage their time well and ensure that the few minutes they have are well spent.

In the legal world, limits are a fact of life, whether you are writing a word-constrained brief, trying to wrap up a high-stakes negotiation, or closing a deal within weeks, getting ready for a seven-hour deposition, or other scenarios. Within organizational hierarchies, you need to meet internal deadlines to allow for review by more senior lawyers or build in buffer time to engage experts or collect information. Thus, being comfortable within constraints is critical to managing your stress levels and work flow. Debate heightens a person’s ability to produce high-quality work under pressure, by teaching organization, time management, and prioritization.

LESSON #2: Providing evidence As a debate judge, I view specific evidence as critical to my decision-making process. I look at the source and substance of any evidence for recency, relevance, general applicability, and credibility. Lawyers, while they certainly can bluff effectively, always need to gather evidence to support their positions when negotiating with counterparties, making recommendations to clients, opposing an adversary’s motion, and arguing for a jury verdict or court opinion. This is why lawyers hire investigators, put on expert witnesses, enter exhibits, and collect due diligence. While debaters do not have the resources and time to do these steps, they similarly ensure that their preparation is thorough. I enjoy hearing about international comparisons, statistics, academic commentary, and very recent articles and developments (sometimes on the day of the tournament).

LESSON #3: Appealing to the decision maker Debaters have access to prospective judges’ “paradigms,” which are statements by judges about their preferences and previous debate experience. Judges may ask debaters to speak slowly, or indicate that they can deal with fast paced talks. They may encourage debaters to be explicit about weighing the arguments as each other, or naming “voter issues” that the judges should decide the debate on. Judges may also share that they formerly competed, work as coaches, or are parent judges.

Lawyers’ version of researching decision makers comes in the form of assessing how jurors in a certain community may feel about a case based on the demographics, previous verdicts, and the circumstances relating to media attention or attitudes towards certain litigation parties. They also research the judges, mediators, or arbitrators’ past decisions and backgrounds. In a less or non-adversarial setting, lawyers still do their diligence on their negotiating counterparties, including both the clients and lawyers.

It is important to know who you are dealing with and how best to appeal to them, so that you can tailor your words to achieve persuasion. Debaters are already honing this skill by understanding their judges beforehand and observing their reactions during the debate round.

Concluding Thoughts Even if you do not have the opportunity and time to compete in debate or judge at tournaments, it is still possible to engage in similar activities. In law school, mock trial, moot court and oral arguments are great chances to debate your opponents on complex points of law. Outside of the law, you could watch videos of courtroom advocacy in the latest hot criminal trial or a Supreme Court oral argument. I would also suggest watching debates by high school and college students. I have been incredibly inspired by these young people who clearly work very hard to research their topics, create synergies with their debate partner, make their arguments succinctly and effectively, and adjust their strategies based on their opponents and the atmosphere. At the highest levels of these debates, the students are indistinguishable from some of most persuasive speakers, lawyers, and politicians.

Debate and law are highly related, whether you will work as a trial lawyer or deal attorney. I encourage you get involved in some way, wherever you are along your path to a legal career!

The post Debate and the Law: 3 Lessons from Competing in and Judging Debate appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we’re focusing on Criminal Procedure, specifically the Sixth Amendment to the Constitution and the rights and protections it provides to anyone accused of a criminal act.

In this episode we discuss:

  • The rights that the Sixth Amendment protects
  • The general rule for competence
  • When a judge may deny a defendant’s right to represent himself/herself
  • A criminal defendant’s right to counsel
  • The relationship between the right to counsel under the Sixth Amendment and Miranda warnings under the Fifth Amendment
  • Analyzing a hypo involving the Sixth Amendment, based on previous California bar exams

Thanks for listening!

Listen Now To listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources: * “Listen and Learn” series * California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, February 2006 * California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, July 2014 * Podcast Episode 290: Listen and Learn – Privilege Against Self-Incrimination and Miranda Rights * Podcast Episode 323: Listen and Learn – The Exclusionary Rule (Criminal Law and Procedure) * Podcast Episode 325: Listen and Learn – The Fourth Amendment: Informer Tips

Prefer to read? Download the Transcript

Did You Like It? If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 330: Listen and Learn — The Sixth Amendment appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Legal writing is probably unlike any type of writing you’ve done before – it follows a prescribed structure and can be tedious. But if you learn the structure and understand the reasoning behind it, you can set yourself up for success in your legal writing class! Here are four actionable tips you can take to ace your next memo assignment.

  1. Be as boring as possible – legal writing is not creative writing! This may be counter-intuitive to everything you have learned about writing up to this point, but, in legal writing, it’s okay, even a good thing, to repeat yourself! Repeat key language terms and resist the temptation to insert synonyms. Use mirroring language to strengthen the effect of your case comparisons: if a precedent case and your client’s situation have similar facts, and you want to argue that your client’s case should have the same result, use similar language and quote terms, if applicable, to highlight the similarities. Using consistent terminology also helps your reader follow your arguments and keep track of multiple cases.

Aim to write in layman’s terms. Clear, direct, and concise is the goal. If something can be said in fewer words, do it! Get rid of unnecessary words (e.g. “actually”) or wordy phrases (e.g. say “because” rather than “as a consequence of”). Use simple verbs instead of nominalizations (e.g. use “negotiate” rather than “negotiation,” and “agreement” rather than “agree”). This may make your writing seem less “lawyerly,” but no one wants to read pages upon pages of complex technical legalese, and it does not make you look smarter! The ultimate goal is to make it as easy as possible for the reader to understand your main points and line of reasoning.

  1. Outline before you start writing Writing a clear, coherent, and concise memo starts with having an organized structure. Before you start writing, it’s a good idea to have your rules, rule explanations, application of the rules, and case citations all laid out. Having a mental roadmap not only helps you to establish a big picture of the structure of your memo (and perhaps realize that you use a case too many times), but it also helps to ensure that your writing is easy to follow for the reader.

Outlining helps to make sure you have all the necessary elements in your memo. Assume the reader doesn’t know anything about the case. Do your thesis statements make clear which rules you are applying? Do the rules flow together, and are they presented in an order that makes sense? Is every fact you mention in the Statement of Facts applied somewhere in the analysis? Check that no new facts are introduced in the application section.

  1. Connect the dots for your reader – don’t shy away from specific facts Distinct facts help to distinguish the cases for your reader. Readers are more likely to remember a case where the victim “suffered a severe head injury and was bleeding from the nose, ears, and mouth,” as opposed to a case where the victim “was injured during the car accident.” Use memorable placeholders. For example “the motorcycle accident victim“ as opposed to “the victim.” Take every opportunity to eliminate ambiguity and be as explicit as possible; for example, state that someone arrived “ten minutes after the accident” as opposed to “shortly after the accident.” Connect the specific facts to your legal conclusions, and check if there is conclusory language in your thesis statements in the application section that needs to be replaced with specific facts. Connect the dots for your readers so that they don’t have to think as hard!

  2. Develop effective proofreading habits Effective proofreading in legal writing is more than just reading over your paper a couple times; it is a skill. Here are a few tips to help you proofread more thoroughly:

  3. Proofread in stages, and focus on one problem area at a time. For example, read solely the thesis statements and make sure they present a cohesive story, then check all the citations, and scan the memo as a whole for formatting inconsistencies such as inconsistently tabbed paragraphs.

  4. Read your memo aloud – Microsoft Word also has a “read aloud” function. Print it out and read it in hard copy form. Read sentences out of order, e.g. start from the last sentence and read backwards. Reading your writing in a different way may help you catch errors or awkward phrases that you might’ve missed before.
  5. Pay attention to detail! The Bluebook is your legal writing bible – check your citations, and double check that you’re referencing the correct page numbers. If the professor says two spaces after each period, turn on the paragraph marks symbol to confirm that there are two spaces after every period!

Legal writing is a skill that you will use no matter what legal career you pursue, and it is a continuous work in progress – we can always become better writers! Being able to write clearly and concisely and explain complex legal issues to a client goes a long way towards becoming a better communicator and a more effective lawyer.

For more tips on effective legal writing in various settings, here are some other helpful resources:

  • 5 tips for a great legal writing assignment
  • Law School Toolbox Podcast: Legal Writing 101
  • Legal writing tips to help you stand out in your summer internship

The post How to Ace Your Objective Legal Writing Memo appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we have ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones back with us to share tips for handling workplace situations that require a difficult conversation.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Common workplace situations that require a difficult conversation
  • Tips for approaching hard conversations to make them less awkward
  • Asking for something you need for working more productively
  • How do you know it’s time to cut your losses and move on?
  • Best practices around quitting a job
  • Handling exit interviews

Thanks for listening!

Listen Now To listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources: * CareerDicta * Law School Toolbox Podcast: Careers * Podcast Episode 137: How to Handle Difficult Workplace Situations * Five Tips for Excelling in a Professional Workplace as a Summer Law Clerk

Prefer to read? Download the Transcript

Did You Like It? If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 329: Approaching Difficult Conversations at Work (w/Sadie Jones) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Summer jobs are a staple of the law school experience. Students need law-related jobs to build an impressive resume that will land them a job after graduation. Summer associate positions, judicial clerkships, and volunteering at legal clinics are common summer gigs for law students. But, if you’re anything like I was in law school, those commonly pursued summer jobs don’t pique your interest.

For context, I’m a prosecutor. Despite growing up in a family of teachers, I always knew I wanted to be a prosecutor. That’s why I went to law school. I didn’t realize it at the time, but my career as a prosecutor actually started in law school during my first internship at the DA’s office.

Students often overlook internships at the DA’s office. It doesn’t have the same level of prestige as BigLaw, and you don’t get paid, even though you’ll be doing the same amount of work (if not more) that you’d be doing at a private firm. My internship at the DA’s office was challenging, difficult, incredible and everything in between.

What makes an internship at the District Attorney’s office so great?

You Get Real World Experience My first day as a summer intern, I felt like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. You’re definitely not in law school anymore. You’ll work with different attorneys in the office and get multiple assignments throughout the summer. The best part? Forget about Dudley and Stephens after the shipwreck… you will be working on actual cases!

Some common assignments a rising 2L might work on are listening to jail calls for homicide or domestic violence cases, drafting motions and appellate briefs, researching specific legal issues, and observing prosecutors litigate in court. You might even help attorneys prepare for trial by prepping witnesses for testimony and drafting motions in limine to either admit or exclude certain evidence during the trial.

The real magic happens when you intern at the DA’s office as a rising 3L. Most states allow law students to appear in court after they’ve taken certain classes, like Evidence and Criminal Procedure. You’ll be supervised by one of the attorneys in the office as you conduct preliminary hearings, jury trials, and other hearings. You not only draft motions in limine, you also argue them to the judge. You don’t just assist with trial prep, you question witnesses on the stand.

Your assignments will vary depending on whether you intern as a rising 2L or 3L (or both!). But they all have one thing in common: you will be doing the same work that I (and all prosecutors) do every single day.

Earn Class Credit Some law schools offer students class credit for internships at the DA’s office. Even summer internships! Ask your school’s counselor if your school offers class credit for unpaid internships. If the answer is “no,” ask if you can earn credit through an independent study.

My counselor told me I could earn 2-3 hours of credit during my internship if I 1. found a professor willing to oversee my independent study and 2. submitted weekly writing assignments to the professor throughout my internship. So, I did! 2-3 hours of credit meant I didn’t have to take an elective during the semester, and what law student doesn’t want one less final?

Now that you’re (hopefully) considering an internship at the District Attorney’s office, let’s talk about how to find one. Here’s the good news – finding internships at nearly any DA’s office is relatively simple and straightforward!

Know Where to Look Keep in mind that every county or judicial district has its own District Attorney. So it probably goes without saying that internship applications will vary with each DA’s office. Don’t worry though, you can find everything you need to know on the DA’s website, which means it’s time to put your Google skills to good use.

Once you find the website for your county’s DA’s office, keep an eye out for the “Career/Employment Opportunities” page. That’s where most DA’s offices post information on internships and how to apply.

Remember when I mentioned that internships at the DA’s office are unpaid? If we’re getting technical, internships are volunteer positions. And some DA’s like to get technical. So if you don’t find application information on the “Career/Employment Opportunities” page, peruse around for a page called “Volunteer Opportunities” and that should take you right to it.

And voila! Everything you need to know about applying for an internship at your DA’s office is just a few clicks away, regardless of what state and county you live in.

Application Process While every DA’s office has its own internal application process, but here are a few handy tips about applying at any office.

  • Have your polished resume and cover letter handy – most offices will ask for them at some point during the application process.
  • Unlike private firms, DA’s offices are considered law enforcement agencies. Prosecutors handle confidential and sensitive information, so you will undergo a background check and get fingerprinted before you start your internship.
  • Interviewing for an internship at the DA’s office might look a little different than other interviews. Why? All prosecutors have one thing in common: this is our calling. We were born to do what we do. If you’re prepared for only one question in your interview, it should be this one:

Why do you want to work at our office? The interviewer wants to know if this is something you want to do, or something you are meant to do. Not sure yet? That’s okay! Every DA’s office has its own mission statement that you can find on their website. Read through it. Does any of it resonate with you? If so, maybe you’ve found exactly where you belong.

If you think you’d like to learn how to litigate, how to research and write like a practicing attorney, or want to see how prosecutors enforce the law and ensure that justice is done, I hope you’ll consider an internship with the DA’s office. Mine was the most rewarding experience and even turned into a job offer. It started my career. In fact, the prosecutors that supervised me when I was an intern are now my colleagues.

Who knows, maybe I’ll see you around the courthouse next summer.

The post Why You Should Consider A Summer Internship At The District Attorney’s Office And How To Find One! appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, in our “Listen and Learn” series, we’re discussing the standards for admitting witness testimony, which are found in the rules of Evidence.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Who can be a lay witness?
  • The instances in which lay witnesses can offer opinion testimony
  • When is expert witness testimony permitted at trial?
  • Factors used to determine the reliability of an expert’s testimony
  • Analyzing two hypos from previous California bar exams

Thanks for listening!

Listen Now To listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources: * “Listen and Learn” series * California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, February 2012 * California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, February 2019

Prefer to read? Download the Transcript

Did You Like It? If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 328: Listen and Learn — Expert vs. Lay Witness Testimony (Evidence) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

I started in speech quite young. I competed in the speech circuit in Hong Kong in events including prose, poetry, and original compositions. In high school, I competed in oral interpretation and the duo interpretation speech events. And now as a law student, I coach speech at a local high school. I volunteer to judge speech tournaments where I observe speeches from students hailing from around the country in a variety of events. Apart from speech extracurriculars, I’ve been active in activities I consider highly related, including choir, musical theater, and debate.

I have always gravitated toward interpretation events, which involved picking and formulating a ten-minute speech based on a preexisting speech, book, play, movie, or TV show episode. But there are other speech formats as well. In spontaneous speech events, students pick a topic from three choices and have a limited amount of time to prepare and give a well-structured and persuasive speech. These events include impromptu, international extemporaneous speaking, and domestic extemporaneous. And in original speech events, students write their own ten-minute speech on a topic of their choice. These events include informative speaking, original oratory, and original spoken word. Each speech event is fun and challenging in its own way.

Lawyers are speakers and communicators. They speak to clients and generate business by networking. They speak, very artfully, to lawyers who are representing transactional counterparties or litigation adversaries. They also can communicate with clients on the other side, though usually indirectly. They advocate in front of experienced judges, or work to persuade non-legally trained jurors. Some lawyers even talk to the press and the public when acting as a spokesperson for their client. Lawyers not only speak verbally, but also with body language, and through the written word. For lawyers who don’t always appear in court, emails abound in their daily work.

With that all said, I would love to share three lessons that I learned from speech that are applicable to the law.

LESSON 1: Speak to your audience and engage them Good public speakers know that while they may be very passionate about the subject, their audience may know little about it or are not that invested. For lawyers, think a judge who has as full docket of matters or a generalist decision maker who does not know the facts intimately or the specific area of law. In response, good speakers write their speech to engage their audience and make them want to care. That is why lawyers research their judge and engage jury experts to observe jurors. While student speech competitors cannot anticipate the identities of their judges in the same way, they use a similar technique by selecting speeches, topics, arguments, evidence, and rhetoric that have broad appeal and that include insights and takeaways that many people would appreciate. They also adjust based on viewing their judges’ reactions live. This is why during zoom tournaments it is critical that the judges keep their cameras on—I strongly feel that competitors feed off their energy and intuitive responses. Developing and honing skills will transfer well to a legal career.

LESSON 2: Organize well Human beings have short attention spans. Excellent public speakers know how to organize their ideas in a way that helps their audience to follow their speech. Students’ speech competitions are not usually lectures conveying important information constantly, but more so aim to deliver big themes or arguments so they don’t want their audience to fall asleep or get bored. And for some speeches, the introductory thoughts build a foundation for information delivered later on in the competition. Organization is a key: roadmaps, signposting, topic sentences, transition phrases and paragraphs, even when done subtly, can go a long way to give a sense of direction. As a judge, I find that these seemingly small charges can really tie the speech together and leave a stronger impact. Unsurprisingly, lawyers also think about this, whether writing emails and legal briefs, or preparing for arguments or negotiations.

LESSON 3: Combining emotional and logical persuasion I teach my students, and give feedback to competitors, that this is often the critical balance to delivering a powerful speech that leaves an impression. The content must first be strong and well-structured (as I discussed above), and also needs to be delivered in a way that is credible. While not every speech topic involves multiple emotions, when there is the ability to demonstrate the range of perspectives and feelings about a topic, this lays the groundwork for an especially rich listening and viewing experience. A more story-like experience will help your audience remember your message, even if it is a more technical one. As you can imagine, lawyers use the facts and circumstances at their disposal to present a story as they argue to a legal conclusion or a proposed resolution. Apart from logic, they must appeal to the human side of everyone involved. Students are getting great practice as they balance these components in their speeches, and recalibrate as needed.

As you can tell, I love speech for many reasons. I can be creative with selection and performance but need to be understanding of the audience. I push myself to be expressive and dramatic but also to be genuine and nuanced, by letting the emotions shine and focusing on character development. I am so grateful to have competed in speech, and to be coaching and judging young people who are passionate about writing, advocating, and speaking now. Speech is a big part of daily life, especially for lawyers. Speech competitors are well on their way to becoming effective and rousing orators.

The post Speech And The Law: 3 Lessons From Competing In, Coaching, And Judging Speech appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we have ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones back with us to talk about the “dos” and “don’ts” of the job search process, including applying for jobs, interviewing, and following up.

In this episode we discuss:

  • The most common mistakes people make during on-campus interviewing
  • Following the job application process outlined by a particular firm
  • Things you should do to stand out and make it easier for the firm to hire you
  • Preparing for the day of the interview
  • How much follow-up is sufficient?
  • Should you send “Thank you” notes?

Thanks for listening!

Listen Now To listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources: * CareerDicta * NALP Directory of Legal Employers * Law School Toolbox Podcast: Careers

Prefer to read? Download the Transcript

Did You Like It? If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 327: Job Search Etiquette (w/Sadie Jones) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

The Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam, or the MPRE, is a rite of passage for law students. This is a 2-hour, 60-question multiple choice exam testing knowledge on the subject of ethics in the legal profession. In other words, test takers demonstrate their facility with the rules that encourage and constrain lawyers’ behavior both within and outside of the legal profession. Are lawyers allowed to reveal information about their work? Can they accept gifts from or enter into contracts with their clients? Can they lie to the judge?

Seems easy enough right? Well, doing the right thing in a situation may not always be easy or apparent. Clients may be in a lot of distress. They may withhold certain information or lie. Lawyers may become overworked and saddled with their personal and familial responsibilities. Conflicts develop between clients and co-workers. Attorney’s fees can become a bitter source of contention. Trust and communication may break down and either party may want to end the relationship. Attorneys are required to advertise and present themselves in certain ways.

Ethics The MPRE tests a range of topics including the umbrella of “ethics.” These include the following:

  • Regulation of the Legal Profession
  • The client-lawyer relationship
  • Client confidentiality
  • Conflicts of interest
  • Competence, legal malpractice, civil liability
  • Litigation and other forms of advocacy
  • Transactions and communications with persons other than clients
  • Different roles of the lawyer
  • Safekeeping funds and other property
  • Communications about legal services
  • Lawyers’ duties to the public and the legal system
  • Judicial conduct and ethics

Model Rules of Professional Conduct The Model Rules of Professional Conduct, published by the American Bar Association, provide clear rules in certain situations, as well as guidance in the gray areas. While every state in the United States adopts their own set of rules, the Model Rules are very influential and are often used verbatim in the states’ codes of professional responsibility. A big part of studying for the MPRE is knowing these model rules well.

Start Early! So, have I convinced you that doing well on the MPRE is not an easy undertaking? You may have heard your share of stories from classmates about their experiences with the MPRE. Some are myths and some are truths, but I think the key is this: Don’t slack on your preparation by leaving it until it’s too late.

It is not realistic to start studying only a few days before the test, even if you have taken Ethics or Professional Responsibility at your school.

I think that you should give yourself at least a couple of weeks, and more time depending on your other responsibilities. The process should first involve familiarizing yourself with the materials, which can be done through free courses online, offered by bar examination preparation companies or MPRE books. Then, try your hand at practice exams and questions to test your understanding. Rinse and repeat as needed. You may find that certain rules and applications come very naturally to you, while others take more thought.

I sat for the MPRE at the beginning of my 3L year, while taking Ethics at school. I took the MPRE toward the end of the class, when I was already studying for my exam and felt comfortable with most of the Model Rules. With this background and after reviewing the MPRE exam materials diligently, I still found some of the practice exam questions very challenging, and answered too many of them incorrectly. Memorization wasn’t enough; it was about applying the rules to uncertain situations. But as I completed more questions and went back to review the relevant materials, I found myself gaining a lot of confidence and accuracy. Practice was truly key, and I could not rush the process.

Key Reminders The takeaway – treat the MPRE as any other law school exam you’ve taken and will take! You need to give your ample time to let the substance sink in so that you can analyze and apply correctly.

Ethics is a part of the law school requirements and tested on the MPRE for a reason – lawyers need to know these rules to avoid putting themselves or their clients in jeopardy, whether it is discipline by the state bar association, sanctions by the judge, displeasure from the jury, civil litigation, or criminal liability. Studying these concepts seriously will be helpful down the line in your everyday practice.

With all that said, if you are studying for the MPRE, or will soon start to do that, I wish you the best of luck! I am confident that with proper preparation, you will easily pass on your first try.

For other simply strategies on the MPRE, check out this blog post.

The post MPRE Study – Don’t Wait Until The Last Minute! appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In today’s episode from our “Listen and Learn” series, we go through a step-by-step approach for analyzing questions involving multiple levels of hearsay.

In this episode we discuss:

  • The rule for multiple hearsay
  • A review of the general rule for hearsay and how to apply it properly
  • Hearsay exceptions
  • A step-by-step approach for analyzing questions containing hearsay within hearsay
  • Analyzing two hypos that illustrate multiple hearsay

Thanks for listening!

Listen Now To listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources: * “Listen and Learn” series * California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, July 2014 * Podcast Episode 261: Listen and Learn – The Basics of Hearsay * Podcast Episode 271: Listen and Learn – Hearsay Exceptions: Present Sense Impression and State of Mind * Podcast Episode 296: Listen and Learn – Hearsay Exceptions: Government and Business Records * Podcast Episode 308: Listen and Learn – More Hearsay Exceptions * Podcast Episode 315: Listen and Learn – Non-Hearsay

Prefer to read? Download the Transcript

Did You Like It? If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 326: Listen and Learn — Multiple Hearsay appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

The other day, I was talking to a friend and law student, one year younger than me, who told me about an upcoming speed networking event at her school. Great I thought, initially. But then I remembered how overwhelming my first speed networking was. I then asked about the format, and learned that students would get ten minutes with each firm, for a grand total of two hours. Yes you read that right: 10 minutes and 12 firms. So understandably, she asked, how do I prepare? What questions do I ask? How do I make the most of it?

After some reflection, here are some of my strategies for tackling such an event:

  1. Research law firms If you know the firms you will be assigned to speak to, do some pre-work! take some time to review their websites, read legal news about recent representations, deals, and litigation, and any notable features of the firm. If you do not have a predetermined list, focus your research on firms you’re interested in, in terms of geographical location, firm size, practice areas, rotation and assignment system, pro bono commitment, or any other factors. As you do your homework, note anything missing from your research (or not easily retrievable) and make a reminder to ask of them during the event.

  2. Let the representative from the firm talk If you didn’t have time to do research, or wasn’t given a list of firms beforehand, you might be at a loss when you arrive at the table. In that case, you can let the representative from the firm, often an attorney or recruitment person, lead the dialogue. They may introduce themselves, and you can pick up on a point to follow up. They may ask you about your legal interests or coursework, and you can ask about whether the firm does specific types of work. They may also bring up a focused conversation topic, like a recent matter in the news or ongoing pro bono and diversity and inclusion efforts. What they say or highlight says a lot about what an employee at the firm views as its strength or priorities, and by digging deeper, you can learn more about an important slice of that firm.

3. Discover the firm’s culture Instead of asking about practice areas or the firm’s substantive work, you can focus the short time you have on learning about “culture.” It is notoriously difficult to compare firm culture: firms often use the same unhelpful; buzzwords– collegial, collaborative, respectful, and so on. To be fair, it is difficult to describe succinctly how people treat each other, work together, and interact on a daily and casual basis. The best way is to observe them, or better yet, interact with them as part of the firm.

Within the parameters of the speed dating event, you can do two things. One, come up with questions that allow you to learn about culture through the attorney’s eyes. For example, ask whether people spend time together outside of work. You might learn that there’s an upcoming departmental barbecue, that the firm organizes an annual gala, that attorneys in the same summer class often grab dinner together or watch movies. These are good indicators of healthy and well-rounded relationships and the potential of the workplace to foster such friendships. Another question: how would you describe the atmosphere at work? This is a bit more elusive, but the answer could shed light on whether the office has a collaborative spirit. A more direct question: how does your firm stand out from others in terms of culture? Attorneys may be able to draw from their friends’ descriptions of other law firms’ cultures and provide useful comparisons between different models or approaches. Two, if there are multiple representatives from one law firm, pay attention to how they interact. Are they interested in each other’s lives outside of the law and make small talk? Do they refer to each other and ask for additions to answers? Do they talk about shared firm events or experiences? Are they friends (especially if they have the opportunity to work together)? This is but a microcosm of relationships at the firm, but could be a useful perspective of how people there work together and treat one another.

  1. Take and retain notes I highly recommend taking notes of answers and observations. Get the names of the people you spoke to (or ask for their business card). If you don’t feel comfortable notetaking in the middle of the conversation, do so during the transition points, or right after the event when your memory is fresh.

Then, retain the notes somewhere safe and organize them in a useful form. I would create an excel spreadsheet and input the information – creating columns for the firm name, people I spoke to, interesting comments, observations about demeanor and personality, culture, etc. Also note any follow up questions you have or things you want to learn more about.

This information will be helpful for many different things. You can better compare firms and know the differentiating factors to look for. As you prepare for OCI interviews or evaluate offers, you can return to these notes and initial impressions for additional data points. You can also use the names and contact information to keep in touch with attorneys and seek their advice on school and work.

In all, there are various strategies you can take, depending on the time, resources, and circumstances. Speed networking is certainly not ideal for learning about a firm in depth, but presents a good opportunity to sample different firms, network with practicing attorneys and legal personnel, better understand the legal landscape, and provide some fodder for further research and conversations. You will also likely be part of a group of law students at each law firm table, so you cannot always control the conversation. Just make the best of it!

The post Strategies to Tackle a Law Firm Speed Networking Event appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we’re focusing on Criminal Procedure, specifically the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution and the limits it imposes on police actions based on tips from anonymous informants.

In this episode we discuss:

  • A review of the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
  • Determining when probable cause arises for an arrest, search, or seizure
  • How is a “totality of the circumstances” analysis performed?
  • Going through two hypos, from the February 2004 and July 2021 California bar exams
  • How to structure an answer to an essay question involving anonymous informant tips

Thanks for listening!

Listen Now To listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources: * “Listen and Learn” series * California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, February 2004 * Podcast Episode 323: Listen and Learn – The Exclusionary Rule (Criminal Law and Procedure) * Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 141: Listen and Learn – The Fourth Amendment

Prefer to read? Download the Transcript

Did You Like It? If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 325: Listen and Learn — The Fourth Amendment: Informer Tips appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

After your first year in law school, there is a wide range of classes from which you can choose. There are the traditional doctrinal courses, small discussion classes, clinics, policy projects, and more. At some schools, you can even choose an elective as early as the second semester or quarter of your first year. Thus, you can very actively shape your law school experience based on your interests and aspirations. At the same time, this may seem very daunting. For students who are not especially drawn to a certain practice area, they may be asking – where do I even start?

Here, I will share some practical considerations for picking your classes during law school.

  1. Graduation requirements It is always a good idea to know what requirements you need to satisfy in order to successfully graduate at the end of your three years. Every law school does things in its own way – for example, some require law students to complete research and writing requirements. Students can do so through seminar classes, directed research, or policy work. So pay close attention to your school’s website and resources, and ask questions early on if anything is unclear.

  2. Classes you need as prerequisites Certain upper-level classes require or encourage law students to have taken prerequisite courses, such as Introduction to Intellectual Property, Corporations, International Law, etc. Building a strong foundation in a subject area, typically through a survey class, will help you delve into a narrower topic and better understand the nuances of the relevant laws and policies.

  3. Summer work or internship You may already know what type of summer work you want to try. If that is the case, pick courses that will help alleviate the learning curve during the summer. You can refine certain legal skills or learn about a specific practice area.

  4. Gaining practical experiences Some have criticized law schools for not adequately preparing students for the real-world practice of law. In response, schools have been increasingly offering practice-oriented curriculum, whether through class, clinic, externship, or policy labs, in which students write client memoranda, draft demand letters, or transactional documents, negotiate settlements and deals, create and present policy proposals, and more. If you are hoping to get a balance between the academic and practical, it is a good idea to learn about and enroll in the more practice-heavy classes at your school.

  5. Reputable professors As you spend more time at your law school, you will learn more about members of the faculty – their teaching styles, personalities, enthusiasm in advocating for students, and academic interests. For any law student, especially those who are underrepresented in the profession, the support and mentorship of a professor can be very helpful, whether in choosing classes, deciding whether to engage in research, or applying for clerkships or fellowships. Students sometimes enjoy a professor so much that they will take multiple or all of their classes. To learn more about a particular faculty member, take advantage of course evaluations or word-of-mouth chatter. And don’t be afraid to use upperclassmen as a resource!

  6. Exam or evaluation formats Because professors have various teaching styles, they expect different things from their students and use a range of methods to evaluate performance. Though the grades for most law school classes remain largely determined by a traditional law school exam—the issue spotter—some professors incorporate other components in grading, such as research papers, peer review, participation, and presentations. You may prefer to stick with the exam format, or you may like the diversity of ways to test your understanding, to demonstrate your proficiency with the material, and to receive feedback from your professor and your peers. In addition, you may not want to be overwhelmed by three or four exams at the end of the term, but prefer a combination of examinations, papers, and presentations.

  7. Teaching or research assistant Alright, this is not technically a class, but serving as a teaching assistant (TA) or research assistant (RA) can also offer an incredibly rich learning experience. As a TA, you get to sit through a course a second time, explore the intricacies and hard questions, and learn from your students’ queries or points of confusion. You can also gain teaching experience from leading weekly sessions and answering individual questions. RAs have the opportunity to work closely with legal academics on cutting-edge issues in the legal world. They create useful content and understand how their contributions will prove useful for legal discourse and judicial decisions. I would highly recommend that you consider taking on these roles.

You have a lot of freedom to make the best of your law school years. I hope that you are able to take your favorite classes from your favorite teachers – best of luck!

The post Practical Considerations For Picking Law School Classes appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.

View Details

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we’re talking with guest Sadie Jones about polishing the appearance of your resume and cover letter so they look as professional as possible, and customizing them for the job you’re applying to.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Editing resumes and cover letters for content
  • The positioning of education versus experience on your resume
  • Editing for typos and appearance
  • Where to find good templates you can use
  • How long is too long for a resume/cover letter?
  • Getting help proofreading your materials
  • What should you do if you notice a problem after something has been submitted?

Thanks for listening!

Listen Now To listen now, just click on the arrow button above.

Resources: * CareerDicta * Podcast Episode 12: Resume and Cover Letter Basics * Podcast Episode 111: Resumes and Cover Letters (with an ex-BigLaw Recruiter) * Podcast Episode 127: Avoid These Resume No-Gos * Podcast Episode 173: Frequently Asked Questions About Resumes and Cover Letters (w/Sadie Jones) * Podcast Episode 237: Handling Resume and Cover Letter Difficulties (w/Sadie Jones) * Six Essential Cover Letter Tips for Law Students * Building a Resume in Law School * Advice from a Law Recruiter, Part One: Top Tips for a Perfect Resume

Prefer to read? Download the Transcript

Did You Like It? If you enjoy the podcast, we’d love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website. If you’re concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox. You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

The post Podcast Episode 324: Editing Your Resume and Cover Letter (w/Sadie Jones) appeared first on Law School Toolbox®.