

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

Aug 29, 2022 • 25min
356: Listen and Learn -- Criminal Law: Warrant Requirements
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 Eight exceptions to the warrant requirement Analyzing two hypos, from the July 2009 and February 2006 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 2009 (https://nwculaw.edu/pdf/bar/July%202009%20Essays%20and%20Sample%20Answers.pdf) California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, February 2006 (https://nwculaw.edu/pdf/bar/February%202006%20Essays%20and%20Sample%20Answers.pdf) Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 141: Listen and Learn – The Fourth Amendment (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-141-listen-and-learn-the-fourth-amendment/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-356-listen-and-learn-criminal-law-warrant-requirements/) 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

Aug 22, 2022 • 17min
355: Listen and Learn -- Parol Evidence (Contracts)
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 partially integrated writing and a fully integrated writing 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) Examples & Explanations for Contracts, by Brian A. Blum (https://www.amazon.com/Examples-Explanations-Contracts-Brian-Blum-dp-1543807631/dp/1543807631/ref=dp_ob_title_bk) California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, February 2010 (https://juraxbar.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/February-2010-CBX.pdf) California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, February 2020 (https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/admissions/Examinations/February-2020-Essay-Selected-Answers.pdf) 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-355-listen-and-learn-parol-evidence-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

Aug 15, 2022 • 19min
354: Listen and Learn -- Expectation and Consequential Damages (Contracts)
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 damages Different loss-mitigation scenarios 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) Hadley v. Baxendale (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadley_v_Baxendale) Examples & Explanations for Contracts, by Brian A. Blum (https://www.amazon.com/Examples-Explanations-Contracts-Brian-Blum-dp-1543807631/dp/1543807631/ref=dp_ob_title_bk) Podcast Episode 341: Listen and Learn – Contract Defenses (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-341-listen-and-learn-contract-defenses/) Podcast Episode 344: Listen and Learn – Contract Formation (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-344-listen-and-learn-contract-formation/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-354-listen-and-learn-expectation-and-consequential-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

Aug 8, 2022 • 40min
353: Tips for a Successful Callback Interview (w/Sadie Jones)
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 different from the initial screening interviews How much do you need to know about the people you're interviewing with? Pitfalls to avoid if you're invited to a lunch type of interview How to handle a situation in which you're really not connecting with a specific interviewer What to say if you're asked a question you don't like or don't know how to answer Resources: CareerDicta (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/careerdicta/) Podcast Episode 4: Callback Tips for BigLaw Summer Associate Positions (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-4-callback-tips-biglaw-summer-associate-positions/) Podcast Episode 155: Top Callback Mistakes to Avoid (w/ Sadie Jones) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-155-top-callback-mistakes-to-avoid-w-sadie-jones/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-353-tips-for-a-successful-callback-interview-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

Aug 1, 2022 • 16min
352: Listen and Learn -- Best Evidence Rule
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 exam The Best Evidence Rule and its related exceptions Analyzing several hypos from previous California bar exams Structuring an answer to an Evidence question 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 2005 (https://nwculaw.edu/pdf/bar/July%202005%20Essays%20and%20Sample%20Answers.pdf) California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, February 2012 (https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/admissions/CBXFeb2012_SelectedAnswers_R.pdf) Podcast Episode 259: Listen and Learn – Relevance in Evidence (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-259-listen-and-learn-relevance-in-evidence/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-352-listen-and-learn-best-evidence-rule/) 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

Jul 25, 2022 • 32min
351: Getting a Law Job in a Niche Area (w/Sadie Jones)
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 "non-niche" areas of law? The keys to finding a niche job out of law school How can you work your way into a specialty area over time? What if you later change your mind and want to do something else? Working on your resume and your own personal story Resources: CareerDicta (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/careerdicta/) 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/) How to Develop a Career in Technology Law and Policy (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/how-to-develop-a-career-in-technology-law-and-policy/) 5 International Law Careers for the Globally-Inclined (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/5-international-or-international-law-careers-for-the-globally-inclined/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-351-getting-a-law-job-in-a-niche-area-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

Jul 18, 2022 • 16min
350: Listen and Learn -- Privileges and Immunities Clause (Con Law)
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 What steps to take to identify whether the Privileges and Immunities Clause applies The Dormant Commerce Clause The two requirements that must be met for a state to pass a law violating the Privileges and Immunities Clause Analyzing two hypos, from the February 2005 and July 2018 California bar exams Resources: “Listen and Learn” series (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/law-school-toolbox-podcast-substantive-law-topics/#listen-learn) Tutoring for Law School Success (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/tutoring-for-law-school-success/) California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, February 2005 (https://nwculaw.edu/pdf/bar/February%202005%20Essays%20and%20Sample%20Answers.pdf) California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, July 2018 (https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/admissions/Examinations/July2018_CBX.pdf) Podcast Episode 298: Listen and Learn – The Dormant Commerce Clause (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-298-listen-and-learn-the-dormant-commerce-clause/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-350-listen-and-learn-privileges-and-immunities-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

Jul 11, 2022 • 34min
349: Common Questions from Incoming Law Students
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 you have learning differences Fitting into law school and finding the confidence to keep going What aspects of law schools can be intimidating? How difficult is it to succeed academically? Setting yourself up if you want to transfer schools What if you signed up for law school, but you're not sure you want to be a lawyer? Resources: Start Law School Right (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/start-law-school-right/) Law School Toolbox Podcast: Pre-Law Episodes (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/law-school-toolbox-podcast-archive/pre-law-episodes/) Podcast Episode 110: Revisiting Mindset (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-110-revisiting-mindset/) Podcast Episode 220: More on Accommodations in Law School (w/Elizabeth Knox) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-220-more-on-accommodations-in-law-school-w-elizabeth-knox/) Podcast Episode 227: Thriving as a First-Generating Law Student (w/Hafsa Mansoor of FirstGenJD) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-227-thriving-as-a-first-generation-law-student-w-hafsa-mansoor-of-firstgenjd/) Podcast Episode 273: Transferring Law Schools (w/Tiffany Lo) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-273-transferring-law-schools-w-tiffany-lo/) Podcast Episode 294: Money Talk (w/Carrie Friedberg) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-294-money-talk-w-carrie-friedberg/) Law School Myth #1: Lawyers Make a Lot of Money (https://thegirlsguidetolawschool.com/09/law-school-myth-1-lawyers-make-a-lot-of-money/) Why the World Still Needs Lawyers Like You (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/why-the-world-still-needs-lawyers-like-you/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-349-common-questions-from-incoming-law-students/) 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

Jun 27, 2022 • 39min
348: Getting Ready for On-Campus Interviewing (w/Sadie Jones)
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 to ask in an interview Looking for jobs outside of OCI Tips for a virtual OCI interview Resources: CareerDicta (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/careerdicta/) Podcast Episode 3: Mastering the On-Campus Interviewing (OCI) Process (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-3-mastering-campus-interviewing-oci-process/) Podcast Episode 55: An Overview of BigLaw On-Campus Interviewing (OCI) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-55-overview-biglaw-campus-interviewing-oci/) Podcast Episode 105: OCI Basics with an ex-BigLaw Recruiter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-105-oci-basics-ex-biglaw-recruiter/) Podcast Episode 140: OCI Strategy (w/Sadie Jones) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-140-oci-strategy-w-sadie-jones/) Podcast Episode 152: Top OCI Mistakes to Avoid (w/Sadie Jones) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-152-top-oci-mistakes-to-avoid-w-sadie-jones/) Podcast Episode 214: Handling an Extensive Job Search Outside of OCI (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-214-handling-an-extensive-job-search-outside-of-oci/) Podcast Episode 266: Preparing for Virtual OCI (w/Sadie Jones) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-266-preparing-for-virtual-oci-w-sadie-jones/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-348-getting-ready-for-on-campus-interviewing-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

Jun 20, 2022 • 19min
347: Listen and Learn -- Assumption of Risk (Torts)
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 assumption of risk The Professional Rescuer Rule How a small change in the facts can alter the outcome of the question Why your analysis on a law school essay is ultimately more important than your conclusion 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 2011 (https://juraxbar.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/February-2011-CBX.pdf) First-Hand Guide to 1L Courses – Torts (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/first-hand-guide-to-1l-courses-torts/) Examples & Explanations for the Law of Torts, by Joseph W. Glannon (https://www.amazon.com/Examples-Explanations-Torts-Joseph-Glannon/dp/1543807690) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-347-listen-and-learn-assumption-of-risk-torts/) 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