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

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, as well as outside help if needed Understanding the law school grading curve Lowering your expectations around holidays, especially those near exams Special advice for parents who are lawyers themselves Understanding that some degree of struggle is to be expected for both parents and students Resources: Tutoring for Law School Success (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/tutoring-for-law-school-success/) Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, by Carol S. Dweck (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0345472322/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0345472322&linkCode=as2&tag=lawschtoo-20&linkId=WWLQ67H3M3IHO4NT) Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, by Angela Duckworth (https://www.amazon.com/Grit-Passion-Perseverance-Angela-Duckworth/dp/1501111116/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=) Advice for Parents of New Law Students (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/advice-for-parents-of-new-law-students/) For Parents: Helping Your Law Student Get Off to the Right Start (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/for-parents-helping-your-law-student-get-off-to-the-right-start/) Download the Transcript  (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-366-how-can-parents-help-their-kids-in-law-school/) 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

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 evaluate your Thanksgiving plans Preparing for exams as a marathon, not a sprint! Resources: Tutoring for Law School Success (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/tutoring-for-law-school-success/) Podcast Episode 65: How to Make a Useful Law School Outline (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-65-make-a-useful-law-school-outline/) Podcast Episode 167: Do You Have to Join a Study Group in Law School? (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-167-do-you-have-to-join-a-study-group-in-law-school/) Podcast Episode 213: Why Practice Is So Important in Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-213-why-practice-is-so-important-in-law-school/) Tips for Studying for a Closed Book Law School Exam (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/tips-for-studying-for-a-closed-book-exam/) Tips for Studying for an Open Book Law School Exam (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/tips-for-studying-for-an-open-book-exam/) Download the Transcript  (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-365-top-10-tips-for-studying-for-final-exams/) 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

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 – or when a party can sue a state 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 2016 (https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/admissions/gbx/July2016_CBXSelectedAnswers_EssayQuestions1-6_R.pdf) Download the Transcript  (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-364-listen-and-learn-state-sovereign-immunity-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

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 really trigger you to deal with your estate plan How to start the conversation around estate planning with parents/grandparents Pros and cons of the estate practice area When you can try to do estate planning on your own, and when to seek help Resources: Modlin Legal (https://modlinlegal.com/) CEB Trusts & Estates Solutions (https://www.ceb.com/solutions/trusts-and-estates/) Trusts 101 (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/trusts-101/) Download the Transcript  (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-363-real-life-estate-planning-w-marina-modlin/) 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

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 Congress is permitted to lay or collect taxes Restrictions Congress may impose on state spending The division of power between state and federal government Analyzing 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, July 2008 (https://nwculaw.edu/pdf/bar/July%202008%20Essays%20and%20Sample%20Answers.pdf) California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, July 2009 (https://nwculaw.edu/pdf/bar/July%202009%20Essays%20and%20Sample%20Answers.pdf) Examples & Explanations for Constitutional Law (https://www.amazon.com/Examples-Explanations-Constitutional-Law-Federalism-dp-1543850871/dp/1543850871/ref=dp_ob_title_bk) Download the Transcript  (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-362-listen-and-learn-the-taxing-and-spending-clause-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

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 payments restarting? The big news regarding loan forgiveness What happens if your loans are sold to a different servicer? Budgeting advice for law students Resources: AccessLex Institute (https://www.accesslex.org/) AccessConnex by AccessLex (https://www.accesslex.org/accessconnex) Ask EDNA! Education Network at AccessLex (https://www.accesslex.org/ask-edna) Federal Student Aid (https://studentaid.gov/) Annual Credit Report (https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action) Podcast Episode 38: Can You Really Afford Law School? (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-38-can-you-really-afford-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 184: Handling Law School Finances (w/Lyssa Thaden of AccessLex) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-184-handling-law-school-finances-w-lyssa-thaden-of-accesslex/) Podcast Episode 294: Money Talk (w/Carrie Friedberg) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-294-money-talk-w-carrie-friedberg/) The Reality of Law School Debt and Planning for It (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/the-reality-of-law-school-debt-and-planning-for-it/) Download the Transcript  (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-361-student-loan-repayment-w-derek-brainard-of-accesslex-institute/) 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

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 What fuels BigLaw work? For students interested in BigLaw, how concerned should they be right now? What can students do to position themselves for a summer associate position/job offer, in any economy? How to analyze in more depth which firms to apply to and where to accept an offer Learning to be flexible on desired practice areas If a BigLaw job doesn't pan out now, is all lost? Resources: CareerDicta (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/careerdicta/) Above the Law (https://abovethelaw.com/) How to Search for a Law Job in an Uncertain Economy (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/how-to-search-for-a-law-job-in-an-uncertain-economy/) Tips to Finding Post-Graduate Jobs During a Recession (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/tips-to-finding-post-graduate-jobs-during-a-recession/) Download the Transcript  (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-360-legal-jobs-in-a-slowing-economy-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

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 their application Analyzing two essay questions, from the February 2009 and July 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 2009 (https://juraxbar.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/February-2009-CBX.pdf) California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, July 2021 (https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/admissions/Examinations/July-2021-CBX-Essay-Qs-and-Selected-Answers.pdf) Podcast Episode 263: Listen and Learn – Subject Matter Jurisdiction (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-263-listen-and-learn-subject-matter-jurisdiction/) Podcast Episode 343: Listen and Learn – Personal Jurisdiction (Civ Pro) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-343-listen-and-learn-personal-jurisdiction-civ-pro/) Download the Transcript  (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-359-listen-and-learn-venue-federal-civil-procedure/) 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

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. In this episode we discuss: Alexis Yee-Garcia's professional background What does "diversity and inclusion" mean in the legal employment context? How can you tell if a firm is really serious about diversity and inclusion? Participating in minority career fairs or summer programs How to leverage a diverse background throughout your legal career Suggestions for people who want to get into the field of diversity and inclusion themselves Resources: CareerDicta (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/careerdicta/) Law360 Diversity Snapshot (https://www.law360.com/pulse/articles/1513061/the-2022-diversity-snapshot) The American Lawyer (https://www.law.com/americanlawyer/) 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/) Download the Transcript  (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-358-diversity-and-inclusion-in-the-legal-profession-w-alexis-yee-garcia/) 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

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 case A review of the substantive law defining murder Rebuttable and irrebuttable presumptions in jury instructions How do we know whether the prosecution has met its burden? When can the defendant move for a judgment of acquittal? 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, February 2008 (https://nwculaw.edu/pdf/bar/February%202008%20Essays%20and%20Sample%20Answers.pdf) California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, July 2010 (https://juraxbar.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/July-2010-CBX.pdf) Podcast Episode 248: Listen and Learn – Introduction to Homicide (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-248-listen-and-learn-introduction-to-homicide/) 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/) Download the Transcript  (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-357-listen-and-learn-prosecution-of-a-criminal-trial/) 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