

The Law School Toolbox Podcast: Tools for Law Students from 1L to the Bar Exam, and Beyond
Alison Monahan and Lee Burgess - Law School Toolbox, LLC
The Law School Toolbox podcast is an engaging show for law students about law school, the bar exam, legal careers, and life. Each week, we offer practical tips and advice on academic matters, careers, and more. The Law School Toolbox podcast is hosted by opinionated law school and bar exam experts Alison Monahan and Lee Burgess. You might not always agree with us, but we guarantee you won't be bored listening! Our goal is to impart useful, actionable advice in an entertaining manner. Join us! And, if you have an opinion on the show, please drop by and offer a review. We're here to help, and we'd love to hear from you!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 29, 2025 • 23min
536: Listen and Learn -- UCC Expectation Damages (Contracts)
Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In this episode from our "Listen and Learn" series, we're talking about the expectation damages of sellers and buyers of goods under Article 2 of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC). In this episode we discuss: Sellers' expectation damages Buyers' expectation damages Hypothetical scenarios dealing with remedies for breaches of contract Resources: "Listen and Learn" series (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/law-school-toolbox-podcast-substantive-law-topics/#listen-learn) Podcast Episode 341: Listen and Learn – Contract Defenses (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-341-listen-and-learn-contract-defenses/) Podcast Episode 354: Listen and Learn – Expectation and Consequential Damages (Contracts) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-354-listen-and-learn-expectation-and-consequential-damages-contracts/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-536-listen-and-learn-ucc-expectation-damages-contracts/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) 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 (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Dec 22, 2025 • 19min
535: Listen and Learn -- Public and Private Nuisance
Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we have another episode in our "Listen and Learn" series. This time, we're talking about nuisances (public and private). In this episode we discuss: How does nuisance show up on an exam? The similarities and differences between public and private nuisance Defenses to nuisance claims Analyzing a hypo from the California First-Year Law Students' Examination from June 2014 How to structure your answer to a question involving nuisance A reminder to extract individual facts from the fact pattern and figure out why each one matters Resources: "Listen and Learn" series (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/law-school-toolbox-podcast-substantive-law-topics/#listen-learn) California First-Year Law Students' Examination, June 2014 (http://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/admissions/fyx/FYLSX_June2014_Essay_Questions.pdf) Podcast Episode 257: Listen and Learn – The "Reasonable Person" Standard (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-257-listen-and-learn-the-reasonable-person-standard/) Podcast Episode 265: Listen and Learn – Constructive Eviction (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-265-listen-and-learn-constructive-eviction/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-535-listen-and-learn-public-and-private-nuisance/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) 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 (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Dec 15, 2025 • 32min
534: Handling ADHD in the Legal Workplace (w/Emily Haan)
Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In this episode, we're speaking with ADHD and executive function coach Emily Haan about the unique challenges attorneys with ADHD face in the workplace, such as time management, task switching, and email overload. We share practical coping strategies --including using physical timers, planning ahead, and body doubling -- to help manage these difficulties, and emphasize the importance of self-advocacy and finding supportive mentors. In this episode we discuss: Introduction to our guest Emily Haan and her work as an ADHD and executive function coach Understanding ADHD in professional environments Challenges faced by young lawyers with ADHD Effective time management and coping strategies Seeking support in the workplace Advantages of ADHD and finding the right fit career-wise Resources: EmilyHaan.com (https://www.emilyhaan.com/) Podcast Episode 476: Executive Functioning Skills for Law Students with ADHD (w/Emily Haan) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-476-executive-functioning-skills-for-law-students-with-adhd-w-emily-haan/) Working on Your Executive Functioning Skills (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/working-on-your-executive-functioning-skills/) Creating a Prioritized To-Do List: Law School and ADHD (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/creating-a-prioritized-to-do-list-law-school-and-adhd/) Seeking Accommodations & Support for Neurodiversity: Law School and ADHD (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/seeking-accommodations-support-for-neurodiversity-law-school-and-adhd/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-534-dealing-with-adhd-in-the-legal-workplace-w-emily-haan/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) 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 (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Dec 8, 2025 • 22min
533: Quick Tips -- How to Engage Meaningfully with Your Professors in Office Hours
Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we're talking about using office hours in a productive way – this time, from your professor's perspective. We emphasize preparing specific questions, demonstrating prior effort, and engaging thoughtfully with the feedback your professor gives you. In this episode we discuss: Preparing your materials for office hours Effective communication during office hours Seeking feedback on written work What questions to ask and how to take notes Attitude and professionalism in office hours Resources: Tutoring for Law School Success (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/tutoring-for-law-school-success/) Podcast Episode 106: How to Go to Office Hours and Make It Worth Your Time (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-106-go-office-hours-make-worth-time/) Six Ways to Use Office Hours (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-106-go-office-hours-make-worth-time/) Tips for Making the Most of Your Professor's Office Hours (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/making-most-of-professors-office-hours/) Avoiding Office Hours? Go, and Get Something Out of It (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/avoiding-office-hours-go-and-get-something-out-of-it/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-533-quick-tips-how-to-engage-meaningfully-with-your-professors-in-office-hours/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) 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 (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Dec 1, 2025 • 17min
532: Listen and Learn -- Criminal Procedure: Identifications (Part 2)
Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! This episode continues the discussion on criminal identification procedures, focusing on potential due process violation issues. Through analyzing a hypothetical scenario, we illustrate how courts look at the totality of the circumstances and assess whether identification procedures are unnecessarily suggestive. The episode concludes with a step-by-step approach to tackling identification procedure questions on an exam. In this episode we discuss: A question from the October 2020 California bar exam The various types of identification procedures How to consider the totality of the circumstances when determining potential due process violations An exam strategy for answering identification procedure questions Resources: "Listen and Learn" series (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/law-school-toolbox-podcast-substantive-law-topics/#listen-learn) California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, October 2020 (https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/admissions/Examinations/October-2020-Essay-Selected-Answers.pdf) Podcast Episode 290: Listen and Learn – Privilege Against Self-Incrimination and Miranda Rights (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-290-listen-and-learn-privilege-against-self-incrimination-and-miranda-rights/) Podcast Episode 295: Listen and Learn – Due Process and Equal Protection (Con Law) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-295-listen-and-learn-due-process-and-equal-protection-con-law/) Podcast Episode 330: Listen and Learn – The Sixth Amendment (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-330-listen-and-learn-the-sixth-amendment/) Podcast Episode 530: Listen and Learn – Criminal Procedure: Identifications (Part 1) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-530-listen-and-learn-criminal-procedure-identifications-part-1/) SpacedRepetition.com (https://spacedrepetition.com/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-532-listen-and-learn-criminal-procedure-identifications-part-2/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) 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 (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Nov 24, 2025 • 31min
531: What Law Students Should Know About New Legal Tech (w/Gabe Teninbaum)
Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, Alison and Gabe Teninbaum -- law professor and creator of SpacedRepetition.com -- discuss how technology is rapidly transforming the legal profession, emphasizing the importance for law students and lawyers to develop technological competence and adapt to new tools and roles in the legal profession. In this episode we discuss: Gabe's background and work in legal innovation and technology The evolution and future of legal work Important soft and tech skills for future lawyers Resources for keeping up with legal innovation Resources: SpacedRepetition.com (https://www.spacedrepetition.com/) LinkedIn: Gabriel Teninbaum (https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriel-teninbaum-6a34676/) Suffolk University: Gabriel Teninbaum (https://www.suffolk.edu/academics/faculty/g/t/gteninbaum) Suffolk University Legal Innovation & Technology Lab (https://suffolklitlab.org/) QnA Markup (https://www.qnamarkup.org/) Docassemble (https://docassemble.org/) Gavel (https://www.gavel.io/) CoCounsel (https://www.thomsonreuters.com/en/cocounsel) LinkedIn Learning (https://www.linkedin.com/learning/) LawSites (https://www.lawnext.com/) Artificial Lawyer (https://www.artificiallawyer.com/) Tomorrow's Lawyers: An Introduction to Your Future, by Richard Susskind (https://www.amazon.com/Tomorrows-Lawyers-Introduction-your-Future-dp-0192864726/dp/0192864726/ref=dp_ob_title_bk) Podcast Episode 71: Soft Skills You Need to Develop to Be a Successful Attorney (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-71-soft-skills-you-need-to-develop-to-be-a-successful-attorney/) Podcast Episode 441: Exploring the Impact of AI on the Legal Profession (w/Gabe Teninbaum) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-441-exploring-the-impact-of-ai-on-the-legal-profession-w-gabe-teninbaum/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-531-what-law-students-should-know-about-new-legal-tech-w-gabe-teninbaum/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) 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 (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Nov 17, 2025 • 16min
530: Listen and Learn -- Criminal Procedure: Identifications (Part 1)
Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we're talking about the rules and timing of the different types of criminal identification procedures. This is Part 1 of a two-part episode. In this episode we discuss: Types of criminal identifications procedures Timing of identifications procedures and right to counsel Due process in identifications procedures Analysis of a hypothetical scenario Resources: "Listen and Learn" series (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/law-school-toolbox-podcast-substantive-law-topics/#listen-learn) California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, February 2003 (https://nwculaw.edu/pdf/bar/February%202003%20Essays%20and%20Sample%20Answers.pdf) Podcast Episode 290: Listen and Learn – Privilege Against Self-Incrimination and Miranda Rights (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-290-listen-and-learn-privilege-against-self-incrimination-and-miranda-rights/) Podcast Episode 295: Listen and Learn – Due Process and Equal Protection (Con Law) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-295-listen-and-learn-due-process-and-equal-protection-con-law/) Podcast Episode 330: Listen and Learn – The Sixth Amendment (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-330-listen-and-learn-the-sixth-amendment/) SpacedRepetition.com (https://spacedrepetition.com/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-530-listen-and-learn-criminal-procedure-identifications-part-1/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) 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 (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Nov 10, 2025 • 36min
529: Last-Minute Law School Exam Prep: Triage Tips for Success
Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we're discussing how you can regroup, triage, and get the most out of the final weeks before law school exams. In this episode we discuss: Preparing outlines and other study materials How to use study groups effectively Writing practice exams and getting feedback Optimizing study time and minimizing distractions The importance of sleep and wellbeing How to prepare for exam accommodations Using AI tools for exam prep Resources: Tutoring for Law School Success (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/tutoring-for-law-school-success/) Podcast Episode 112: Managing Distractions in Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-112-managing-distractions-in-law-school/) Podcast Episode 230: Learning Through Making Mistakes in Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-230-learning-through-making-mistakes-in-law-school/) Podcast Episode 480: Ethical Uses of AI in Law School (w/Professor Susan Tanner) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-480-ethical-uses-of-ai-in-law-school-w-professor-susan-tanner/) Podcast Episode 498: Tips for Better Rest with Sleep Expert Lindsay Scola (Part 1) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-498-tips-for-better-rest-with-sleep-expert-lindsay-scola-part-1/) Podcast Episode 499: Tips for Better Rest with Sleep Expert Lindsay Scola (Part 2) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-499-tips-for-better-rest-with-sleep-expert-lindsay-scola-part-2/) Surviving the October Freakout (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/surviving-the-october-freakout/) How to Move from Outline to Exam Answer (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/how-to-move-from-outline-to-exam-answer/) 5 Ways Study Groups Can Be Helpful (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/5-ways-study-groups-can-be-helpful/) Lessons from My 1L Year: You Don't Have to Live in the Law Library (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/lessons-from-my-1l-year-you-dont-have-to-live-in-the-law-library/) Leveling the Playing Field: Using Resources and Seeking Accommodations in Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/leveling-playing-field-using-resource-seeking-accommodations-law-school/) Our Social Media Detox (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLT5txTOjOHmS5cQa7_tvCaTs4xP-FFFAW) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-529-last-minute-law-school-exam-prep-triage-tips-for-success/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) 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 (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Nov 3, 2025 • 46min
528: Optimizing Sleep and Productivity in Law School (w/Lindsay Scola)
Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! This podcast episode explores the critical connection between sleep and productivity, especially for students and professionals. Guest Lindsay Scola shares her personal journey with sleep disorders and emphasizes that sleep is foundational for cognitive performance, memory, and overall well-being. The conversation offers practical tips for improving sleep habits and highlights the importance of being intentional about rest to support both academic and career success. In this episode we discuss: The science of sleep and its relation to productivity Building your sleep blueprint Balancing social life and sleep Managing middle-of-the-night-wakeups The "Snooze" button myth Sleep chronotypes and productivity Top 5 sleep tips for law students, and what you can find in Lindsay's sleep course Resources: Lindsay Scola (https://www.lindsayscola.com/) LinkedIn: Lindsay Scola (https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsay-scola-a75b431/) Sleep Is the Power Move course (https://courses.lindsayscola.com/sleep-is-the-power-move) Podcast Episode 134: Strategies for Maximum Personal Productivity (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-134-strategies-for-maximum-personal-productivity/) Podcast Episode 498: Tips for Better Rest with Sleep Expert Lindsay Scola (Part 1) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-498-tips-for-better-rest-with-sleep-expert-lindsay-scola-part-1/) Podcast Episode 499: Tips for Better Rest with Sleep Expert Lindsay Scola (Part 2) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-499-tips-for-better-rest-with-sleep-expert-lindsay-scola-part-2/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-528-optimizing-sleep-and-productivity-in-law-school-w-lindsay-scola/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) 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 (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Oct 27, 2025 • 17min
527: Listen and Learn -- Excuses for Non-Performance of a Contract
Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In this episode from our "Listen and Learn" series, we're exploring the situations in which a party to a contract is claiming that their contractual obligations should be discharged as a result of supervening events that occurred after the formation of the contract. The three excuses for non-performance of a contract we'll look at are: impossibility, impracticability, and frustration of purpose. In this episode we discuss: The rules for the impossibility, impracticability, and frustration of purpose excuses for non-performance of a contract Two essay questions from previous California bar exams Resources: "Listen and Learn" series (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/law-school-toolbox-podcast-substantive-law-topics/#listen-learn) California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, February 2009 (https://juraxbar.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/February-2009-CBX.pdf) California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, July 2006 (https://nwculaw.edu/pdf/bar/July%202006%20Essays%20and%20Sample%20Answers.pdf) Taylor v. Caldwell (https://www.casebriefs.com/blog/law/commercial-law/commercial-law-keyed-to-lopucki/performance/taylor-v-caldwell-2/) Krell v. Henry (https://www.casebriefs.com/blog/law/commercial-law/commercial-law-keyed-to-lopucki/performance/krell-v-henry-2/) Podcast Episode 341: Listen and Learn – Contract Defenses (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-341-listen-and-learn-contract-defenses/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-527-listen-and-learn-excuses-for-non-performance-of-a-contract/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) 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 (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee


