
The Law School Toolbox Podcast: Tools for Law Students from 1L to the Bar Exam, and Beyond
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!
Latest episodes

May 1, 2023 • 15min
388: Listen and Learn – Policy Exclusions (Evidence)
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 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 2017 (https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/admissions/Examinations/CBXFeb2017_Selected_EssayQuestions1-6_R.pdf) California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, February 2021 (https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/admissions/Examinations/February-2021-CBX-Essay-Qs-and-Selected-Answers.pdf) Podcast Episode 261: Listen and Learn – The Basics of Hearsay (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-261-listen-and-learn-the-basics-of-hearsay/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-388-listen-and-learn-policy-exclusions-evidence/) 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

Apr 24, 2023 • 29min
387: Breaking Diversity Barriers (w/Jason Parker from Canamac Productions)
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 Resources: Canamac Productions (https://canamacproductions.com/) The Defamation Experience (https://canamacproductions.com/the-defamation-experience/) Just Cause: The Experience (https://canamacproductions.com/just-cause-the-experience/) Podcast Episode 258: Law Clerks for Diversity (w/Guest Danielle Barondess) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/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) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-358-diversity-and-inclusion-in-the-legal-profession-w-alexis-yee-garcia/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-387-breaking-diversity-barriers-w-jason-parker-from-canamac-productions/) 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

Apr 17, 2023 • 17min
386: Listen and Learn -- Federal and State Powers (Con Law)
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 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, July 2008 (https://juraxbar.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/July-2008-CBX.pdf) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-386-listen-and-learn-federal-and-state-powers-con-law/) 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

Apr 10, 2023 • 31min
385: Career Planning Resources for Law Students (w/Sadie Jones)
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 Resources: CareerDicta (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/careerdicta/) Westlaw (https://legal.thomsonreuters.com/en/westlaw) Martindale-Hubbell (https://www.martindale.com/) NALP – National Association for Law Placement (https://www.nalp.org/) NALP Career Services (https://www.nalp.org/careerservices) NALP Law Students/Graduates (https://www.nalp.org/lawstudentsgraduates) PSJD (https://www.psjd.org/) ABA Career Center (https://www.americanbar.org/careercenter/) ABA Career Resources for Law Students (https://abaforlawstudents.com/start-your-legal-career/) The American Lawyer (https://www.law.com/americanlawyer/?slreturn=20230305082619) Chambers USA Guide (https://chambers.com/legal-guide/usa-5) Symplicity (https://www.symplicity.com/) Arizona Handbooks (https://arizonahandbooks.com/about) Marquette University Law School – Online Research Resources (https://law.marquette.edu/assets/career-planning/pdf/Online-Research-Resources.pdf) University of Kentucky – Career Resource Books for Law Students (https://law.uky.edu/careers/current-students/resources/career-resource-books-law-students) Stanford Law School – Career Planning (https://guides.law.stanford.edu/libraryresources/careers) UCLA – Career Planning, Job Search and More for Law Students (https://libguides.law.ucla.edu/c.php?g=183368&p=1208641) Podcast Episode 105: OCI Basics with an ex-BigLaw Recruiter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-105-oci-basics-ex-biglaw-recruiter/) Podcast Episode 224: Taking Ownership of Your Career (w/Sadie Jones) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-224-taking-ownership-of-your-career-w-sadie-jones/) Podcast Episode 262: Researching Law Firms (w/Sadie Jones) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-262-researching-law-firms-w-sadie-jones/) Legal Networking 101: How Do You Know What to Talk About While Networking? (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/legal-networking-101-how-do-you-know-what-to-talk-about-while-networking/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-385-career-planning-resources-for-law-students-w-sadie-jones/) 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

Apr 3, 2023 • 14min
384: Listen and Learn -- The Business Judgment Rule (Corporations)
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 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, July 2015 (https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/admissions/gbx/July2015_CBXSelectedAnswers_EssayQuestions1-6_R.pdf) 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) Examples & Explanations: Corporations, by Alan R. Palmiter (https://www.amazon.com/Corporations-Examples-Explanations-Alan-Palmiter/dp/1454802472) Podcast Episode 282: Listen and Learn – Duty of Loyalty (Corporations) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-282-listen-and-learn-duty-of-loyalty-corporations/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-384-listen-and-learn-the-business-judgment-rule-corporations/) 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

Mar 27, 2023 • 55min
383: Talking about Money with Jesse Mecham, Founder of You Need A Budget
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 Resources: YNAB.com (https://www.ynab.com/) You Need A Budget podcast (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/you-need-a-budget-ynab/id477248343) You Need A Budget – TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/tag/ynabcommunity?lang=en) You Need A Budget – YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/user/YouNeedABudget?app=desktop) You Need A Budget – Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/youneedabudget/?hl=en) You Need a Budget, by Jesse Mecham (https://www.ynab.com/ynab-the-book/) Podcast Episode 96: How to Rapidly Pay Off Law School Debt (with Guest Financial Panther) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-96-how-to-rapidly-pay-off-law-school-debt-with-guest-financial-panther/) Podcast Episode 149: Saving Money in Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-149-saving-money-in-law-school/) Podcast Episode 177: Real Talk About Student Loan Debt (w/Financial Expert Travis Hornsby) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-177-real-talk-about-student-loan-debt-w-financial-expert-travis-hornsby/) Podcast Episode 294: Money Talk (w/Carrie Friedberg) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-294-money-talk-w-carrie-friedberg/) Podcast Episode 361: Student Loan Repayment (w/Derek Brainard of AccessLex Institute) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-361-student-loan-repayment-w-derek-brainard-of-accesslex-institute/) The Reality of Law School Debt and Planning for It (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/the-reality-of-law-school-debt-and-planning-for-it/) 5 Strategies to Save Money in Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/5-strategies-to-save-money-in-law-school/) 5 Money Saving Apps for Law Students (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/5-money-saving-apps-for-law-students/) Why Adding Budgeting Skills to Your Toolbox Is Important (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/why-adding-budgeting-skills-to-your-toolbox-is-important/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-383-talking-about-money-with-jesse-mecham-founder-of-you-need-a-budget/) 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

Mar 20, 2023 • 15min
382: Listen and Learn -- Negligence: Proximate Cause
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 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, July 2010 (https://juraxbar.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/July-2010-CBX.pdf) California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, July 2014 (https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/admissions/gbx/July2014CBX_SelectedAnswersEssays1-6_R.pdf) Podcast Episode 244: Listen and Learn – Negligence Per Se (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-244-listen-and-learn-negligence-per-se/) Podcast Episode 257: Listen and Learn – The “Reasonable Person” Standard (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-257-listen-and-learn-the-reasonable-person-standard/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-382-listen-and-learn-negligence-proximate-cause/) 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

Mar 13, 2023 • 41min
381: Find Your Unicorn Space: Reclaim Your Creative Life in a Too-Busy World (w/Eve Rodsky)
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 Resources: everodsky.com (https://www.everodsky.com/) Fair Play: A Game-Changing Solution for When You Have Too Much to Do (and More Life to Live), by Eve Rodsky (https://www.amazon.com/Fair-Play-Game-Changing-Solution-When-ebook/dp/B07NTX84PY) Find Your Unicorn Space: Reclaim Your Creative Life in a Too-Busy World, by Eve Rodsky (https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/658397/find-your-unicorn-space-by-eve-rodsky/9780593328019/) Fair Play Documentary (https://www.fairplaylife.com/documentary) Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence, by Anna Lembke (https://www.amazon.com/Dopamine-Nation-Finding-Balance-Indulgence/dp/152474672X) Podcast Episode 277: Fair Play: A Game-Changing Solution for When You Have Too Much to Do (w/Eve Rodsky) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-277-fair-play-a-game-changing-solution-for-when-you-have-too-much-to-do-w-eve-rodsky/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-381-find-your-unicorn-space-reclaim-your-creative-life-in-a-too-busy-world-w-eve-rodsky/) 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

4 snips
Mar 6, 2023 • 38min
380: Why BigLaw Isn't for Everyone (w/Sadie Jones)
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 Resources: CareerDicta (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/careerdicta/) Podcast Episode 132: What's BigLaw Really Like? (w/Sadie Jones) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-132-whats-biglaw-really-like-w-sadie-jones/) Podcast Episode 143: Understanding Work Assignments (w/Sadie Jones) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-143-understanding-work-assignments-w-sadie-jones/) Podcast Episode 159: The Secret Life of Law Firms (w/Sadie Jones) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-159-the-secret-life-of-law-firms-w-sadie-jones/) Podcast Episode 262: Researching Law Firms (w/Sadie Jones) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-262-researching-law-firms-w-sadie-jones/) Podcast Episode 329: Approaching Difficult Conversations at Work (w/Sadie Jones) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-329-approaching-difficult-conversations-at-work-w-sadie-jones/) Why I Left BigLaw (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/why-i-left-biglaw/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-380-why-biglaw-isnt-for-everyone-w-sadie-jones/) 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

Feb 27, 2023 • 11min
379: Quick Tips -- Bluebooking Like a Pro
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 Resources: The Bluebook Online (https://www.legalbluebook.com/) ALWD Guide to Legal Citation (https://www.alwd.org/about-guide) Podcast Episode 11: Legal Writing 101 (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-11-legal-writing-101/) Podcast Episode 170: Let’s Talk About the Bluebook! (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-170-lets-talk-about-the-bluebook/) Podcast Episode 304: Introduction to the Bluebook (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-304-introduction-to-the-bluebook/) Podcast Episode 374: How To Be a Great Law Journal Member (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-374-how-to-be-a-great-law-journal-member/) Bluebook 101 – Tips on Efficiently Navigating the Bluebook (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/bluebook-101-tips-on-efficiently-navigating-the-bluebook/) Buying the Bluebook: Spiral-Bound or Online? (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/buying-the-bluebook-spiral-bound-or-online/) How to Get Answers from the Bluebook (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-answers-bluebook/) Bluebook Oddities: 10 Unlikely Citations (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/bluebook-oddities-10-unlikely-citations/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-379-quick-tips-bluebooking-like-a-pro/) 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