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! In today's episode, we are welcoming back ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones to discuss how much responsibility you should take for your future career -- starting as a law student -- and what resources are available to help. In this episode we discuss: Why you need to take ownership of your career goals as a law student Resources to help if you're not sure yet what you want Looking outside of the standard channels for work opportunities How does your mindset factor into your job search? The importance of asking for help rather than trying to do everything yourself Evaluating each job for clues about what job is right for you long term Why BigLaw didn't work for Alison's personality Resources: CareerDicta (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/careerdicta/) The Washington Post – Andrew Yang article (https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/10/28/andrew-yang-was-groomed-high-paying-job-an-elite-law-firm-he-lasted-five-months/) The Muse – 21 Books That’ll Get You Ahead at Work, According to Top Career Coaches (https://www.themuse.com/advice/21-books-thatll-get-you-ahead-at-work-according-to-top-career-coaches) The Start-Up of You, by Reid Hoffman and Ben Casnocha (https://www.thestartupofyou.com/) Brené Brown (https://brenebrown.com/) Seth Godin (https://www.sethgodin.com/) Without Fail podcast (https://gimletmedia.com/shows/without-fail) Podcast Episode 1: Mindset – The Key to Success in Law School? (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-1-mindset-key-success-law-school/) Podcast Episode 114: Law School Networking 101 (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-114-law-school-networking-101/) Podcast Episode 207: Navigating Networking Events as a Law Student (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-207-navigating-networking-events-as-a-law-student/) 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 219: Mastering People Skills for Success as an Attorney (w/Stephanie Hanna) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-219-mastering-people-skills-for-success-as-an-attorney-w-stephanie-hanna/) Download the Transcript  (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-224-taking-ownership-of-your-career-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 welcoming guest Carla Luna -- currently a 2L at Harvard -- to discuss adjusting to law school as a 1L, and the different activities and programs available to Harvard Law students. In this episode we discuss: Carla's background and path to law school The types of activities law students can get involved in at Harvard Do you have to join a formal study group? Job hunting during 1L year Harvard's grading system What is more or less challenging about 2L year compared to 1L year The Leadership Council on Legal Diversity program Resources: Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (https://www.lcldnet.org/) Examples & Explanations (E&E) series (https://www.wklegaledu.com/study-aids/examples-explanations) Tutoring for Law School Success (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/tutoring-for-law-school-success/) Podcast Episode 151: Our Top 10 Podcast Episodes for Incoming 1Ls (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-151-our-top-10-podcast-episodes-for-incoming-1ls/) Law School Toolbox blog: Things I Wish I Had Known Before Starting Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/things-i-wish-i-had-known-before-starting-law-school/) Download the Transcript  (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-223-1l-year-at-harvard-law-w-guest-carla-luna/) 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 welcoming back ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones to talk about how to use winter break productively to move your career forward, make new connections, take care of personal chores, and of course, get some rest. In this episode we discuss: How can attending holiday events help in advancing your career? Where else could you make new connections, besides holiday parties? Getting your elevator pitch ready Preparing everything you need for your summer job search Spending some time on writing a note for a law journal Making sure you have enough time to rest and recharge Resources: CareerDicta (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/careerdicta/) Podcast Episode 76: Making the Most of Your Law School Winter Break (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-76-making-law-school-winter-break/) Podcast Episode 162: Professional Development Strategies for Young Lawyers (w/Sadie Jones) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-162-professional-development-strategies-for-young-lawyers-w-sadie-jones/) Podcast Episode 165: What Is an Elevator Pitch and Do You Need One? (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-165-what-is-an-elevator-pitch-and-do-you-need-one/) Podcast Episode 197: Career Advice from Lawyer & Author Rachel Gezerseh (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-197-career-advice-from-lawyer-author-rachel-gezerseh/) NALP Directory of Legal Employers (https://www.nalpdirectory.com/) Bumble (https://bumble.com/) Download the Transcript  (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-222-using-winter-break-to-advance-your-career/) 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 5 last-minute exam tips that will help you see the big picture and fill in some of the details of law school exam prep. In this episode we discuss: The importance of practicing as much as you can Putting together the study materials for yourself Seeking additional help from your professors, classmates, a study group, or a tutor Getting a realistic understanding of how well you're doing Knowing the law in detail, not in broad strokes Having a big-picture plan and keeping yourself well enough to take the exam Do not give up if you feel you're behind, because a lot can be done even in a few days! Resources: Tutoring for Law School Success (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/tutoring-for-law-school-success/) Examples & Explanations (E&E) series (https://www.wklegaledu.com/study-aids/examples-explanations) Podcast Episode 41: Avoiding Law School Exam Disasters (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-41-avoiding-law-school-exam-disasters/) 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/) 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 65: How to Make a Useful Law School Outline (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-65-make-a-useful-law-school-outline/) Law School Toolbox blog: Wondering What an Attack Plan Is? (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/wondering-what-an-attack-plan-is/) The Girl's Guide to Law School: Need to Get More Done in Law School? Try The Circles. (https://thegirlsguidetolawschool.com/08/tips-time-management-awesomeness-with-the-circles/) Law School Toolbox blog: What Should You Bring with Your to a Law School Exam? (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/what-should-you-bring-with-you-to-a-law-school-exam/) Download the Transcript  (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-221-our-top-5-last-minute-exam-tips/) 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 welcoming back disability consultant Elizabeth Knox to discuss the process of applying for accommodations in law school to level the playing field in cases of disability, pregnancy, anxiety, and other conditions. In this episode we discuss: The different categories that fall into the accommodations realm How much harder is it to get accommodations if you don't have a history of accommodations? How to advocate for yourself if you're not comfortable with the traditional mode of teaching in law school What if the accommodations request is not approved before exam time? What to do if medical issues come up suddenly during the semester Accommodations for the bar exam Navigating the job search process for people with special needs Remember that people don't even notice that somebody got accommodations for the exam! Resources: Elizabeth Knox, Access the Dream (http://www.accessthedream.com/) Law School Toolbox blog: You Forgot to Request Exam Accommodations. Time to Panic? (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/you-forgot-to-request-exam-accommodations-time-to-panic/) Law School Toolbox blog: To Ask or Not to Ask: Summer Job Accommodations (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/to-ask-or-not-to-ask-summer-job-accommodations/) Law School Toolbox blog: Why It's Important to Ask for Disability Accommodations Early (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/why-its-important-to-ask-for-disability-accommodations-early/) Law School Toolbox blog: Leveling the Playing Field: Using Resources and Seeking Accommodations in Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/leveling-playing-field-using-resource-seeking-accommodations-law-school/) Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 60: Applying for Accommodations on the Bar Exam (w/Elizabeth Knox) (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-60-applying-for-accommodations-on-the-bar-exam-w-elizabeth-knox/) Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 72: Seeking Accommodations in Law School and on the Bar Exam (with Dr. Jared Maloff) (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-72-seeking-accommodations-law-school-bar-exam-dr-jared-maloff/) Download the Transcript  (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-220-more-on-accommodations-in-law-school-w-elizabeth-knox/) 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 with special guest Stephanie Hanna -- Founder of The Other 85 -- about mastering the non-substantive skills that make up 85% of career success for lawyers. In this episode we discuss: Stephanie's background and her work creating The Other 85 Should you be a giver or a taker? Developing a positive networking attitude Tips for reaching out, asking for a favor, and following up with people Are first-generation law students at a disadvantage when it comes to creating business contacts? How to build your network at holiday parties Resources: The Other 85 (https://theother85.net/) Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives our Success, by Adam Grant (https://www.amazon.com/Give-Take-Helping-Others-Success/dp/0143124986) Trello (https://trello.com/en) Postable (https://www.postable.com/) Capture Your Confidence (https://www.whitneyabraham.com/capture-your-confidence) How to Conduct Great Informational Interviews (https://thegirlsguidetolawschool.com/how-to-conduct-great-informational-interviews/) Five Ways to Take the Awkward Out of Holiday Parties (https://www.attorneyatwork.com/take-the-awkward-out-of-holiday-parties/) Stephanie Hanna – Instagram account (https://www.instagram.com/stephanietheother85/) Stephanie Hanna – LinkedIn account (https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniehanna/) Podcast Episode 114: Law School Networking 101 (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-114-law-school-networking-101/) Podcast Episode 207: Navigating Networking Events as a Law Student (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-207-navigating-networking-events-as-a-law-student/) Download the Transcript  (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-219-mastering-people-skills-for-success-as-an-attorney-w-stephanie-hanna/) 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! This is the second episode in our "Listen and Learn" series, where we review legal concepts and apply them to fact patterns. Today, we're talking about civil procedure -- in particular, supplemental jurisdiction. In this episode we discuss: What is supplemental jurisdiction? The rules of supplemental jurisdiction and some related examples Going through an essay question from the July 2012 California Bar Exam Identifying the original basis of jurisdiction How to apply the rules of supplemental jurisdiction to diversity of citizenship and federal cases Resources: Start Law School Right course (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/start-law-school-right/) California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, July 2012 (https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/admissions/Examinations/CBXJuly2012_Selected_Answers_Essays_R.pdf) United Mine Workers of America v. Gibbs, 383 U.S. 715 (1966) (https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/383/715/) Podcast Episode 215: Listen and Learn – The Commerce Clause (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-215-listen-and-learn-the-commerce-clause/) Law School Toolbox blog: 1L Tip Sheets – Civil Procedure Terms (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/civil-procedure-terms/) Law School Toolbox blog: First-Hand Guide to 1L Courses – Civil Procedure (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/first-hand-guide-to-1l-courses-civil-procedure/) Download the Transcript  (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-218-listen-and-learn-supplemental-jurisdiction-civ-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

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking with Dr. Shirag Shemmassian -- a law school admissions expert who has been featured on The Washington Post, U.S. News & World Report, and NBC -- about the process of deciding which law schools to apply to, and choosing the one to attend. In this episode we discuss: Dr. Shemmassian's background and his work in admissions counseling Factors to consider when choosing which schools to apply to How many schools should be on the average applicant's list? Going straight through to law school versus taking some time off What to think about when deciding which school to choose if you've gotten into a few places Presenting your story in terms of what's going to make you a great alumnus Financial aid and the importance of scholarships Resources: Shemmassian Academic Consulting (https://www.shemmassianconsulting.com/) Law School Personal Statement: The Ultimate Guide (https://www.shemmassianconsulting.com/blog/law-school-personal-statement) The Ultimate Guide to Law School Admissions (https://www.shemmassianconsulting.com/blog/law-school-admissions) How to Write an Amazing Law School Diversity Statement (https://www.shemmassianconsulting.com/blog/diversity-statement-law-school) Podcast Episode 119: Navigating the Law School Application Process (with Admission Logic) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-119-navigating-law-school-application-process-admission-logic/) Law School Toolbox blog: Choosing the Best Location for Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/choosing-the-best-location-for-law-school/) Law School Toolbox blog: Using ABA Employment Stats to Help You Choose a Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/using-aba-employment-stats-to-help-you-choose-a-law-school/) Law School Toolbox blog: 6 Factors for Choosing the Right Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/factors-for-choosing-the-right-law-school/) Download the Transcript  (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-217-choosing-a-law-school-with-dr-shirag-shemmassian/) 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 discussing some warning signs suggesting you might need extra help in law school, and talk about why seeking help is a sign of strength and not a weakness. In this episode we discuss: Why sometimes even good students start to struggle in law school "Good confusion" versus "bad confusion" Tracking your hours and allocating time to deep work Why midterms are a blessing, not a curse The importance of testing yourself in the same format as your final exam Signs that you are probably doing fine Red flags indicating you might need extra help Getting special accommodations due to any learning differences  Why reaching out for help is a great idea Resources: Law School Toolbox: Tutoring for Law School Success (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/tutoring-for-law-school-success/) Quimbee (https://www.quimbee.com/) Podcast Episode 15: The October Freakout (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-15-october-freakout/) Podcast Episode 67: Mid-Semester Law School To-Do List (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-67-mid-semester-to-do-draft/) 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/) 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/) Law School Toolbox blog: Common Mid-Semester Struggles and What to Do About Them (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/common-mid-semester-struggles-and-what-to-do-about-them/) Download the Transcript  (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-216-how-do-you-know-when-you-need-extra-help-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 introducing a new series of podcast episodes called "Listen and Learn," where we're going to review substantive areas of the law and apply some of that law to facts. In this episode, we're talking about the Commerce Clause. In this episode we discuss: The basic structure of first-year Constitution Law classes How the Commerce Clause is typically taught in class Building a case-based rule for the Commerce Clause A fact pattern involving a fictional product called Lickable Wallpaper Creating an analytical framework and applying it to the fact pattern Resources: Start Law School Right course (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/start-law-school-right/) Podcast Episode 102: How to Read Cases and Prepare for Class in Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/16176-2/) Law School Toolbox blog: First-Hand Guide to 1L Courses – Constitutional Law (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/first-hand-guide-to-1l-courses-constitutional-law/) Law School Toolbox blog: Favorite Con Law Supplement: Chemerinsky’s Constitution Law: Principles and Policies (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/favorite-con-law-supplement-chemerinskys-constitutional-law-principles-and-policies/) Download the Transcript  (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-215-listen-and-learn-the-commerce-clause/) 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