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 excited to be talking with Casey Berman, founder of Leave Law Behind, about why some attorneys are unhappy and what they can do to shift to a non-legal career.  In this episode, we discuss: Why unhappy attorneys tend to be unhappy How leaving the law requires shifting out of the typically attorney mindset What type of non-legal careers attorneys are particularly well suited for How attorneys can become entrepreneurs  The typically barriers to leaving the law, and how to overcome them Resources: Leave Law Behind (http://leavelawbehind.com/) Leave Law Behind Course (http://leavelawbehind.com/leave-the-law-program-online-course) How to Conduct Great Informational Interviews (https://thegirlsguidetolawschool.com/how-to-conduct-great-informational-interviews/) Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript  (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Episode-135-Leaving-the-Law-wCasey-Berman.pdf) 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 listening platform of choice). 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/). Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Welcome to the Law School Toolbox Podcast. Today, we're sharing personal productivity tips you can use to organize your life and get everything done. Working effectively isn’t just important for law school, but for life as a whole. In this podcast, we talk about different systems, strategies, and considerations you can explore to create a productivity plan that works for you. In this episode, we discuss: The productivity management tool, Trello – and why we’re so obsessed The importance of recording your to-dos, and recording them all in one place Mise-en-place: What you can learn about productivity from professional chefs Immersive time vs. process time How to create and commit to processes for dealing with your life, instead of winging it as things come up Resources: Find Work-Life Focus: a Trello Insider’s Guide to Personal Productivity (https://blog.trello.com/work-life-focus-trello-insider-guide-personal-productivity) Work Clean: The life-changing power of mise-en-place to organize your life, work, and mind, by Dan Charnas (https://www.amazon.com/Work-Clean-life-changing-mise-en-place-organize/dp/1623365929) Need to Get More Done in Law School? Try the Circles (https://thegirlsguidetolawschool.com/08/tips-time-management-awesomeness-with-the-circles/) Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript  (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Episode-134-Personal-Productivity.pdf) 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 listening platform of choice). 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/). Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Welcome to the Law School Toolbox Podcast! Today, we're talking with legal recruiter Liz Stone, of Stone Legal Search, about ways to proactively manage your career from law school onwards. A former litigator, Liz works primarily with attorneys in the middle of their careers looking to make a switch and brings to the podcast her insights on decisions to make early on to help ensure job satisfaction and how to best position yourself for a mid-career move. In this episode, we discuss: Competitiveness in the mid-level recruiting market Going in-house: Is it really that easy? Steps to take to position yourself for a mid-career move Suggestions for law students who want to set themselves up for success and happiness Resources to help you figure out what you want in your career Common pitfalls that lead to workplace problems or career dissatisfaction for lawyers Why lawyers are typically bad at business development, and what they can do to improve Resources: Liz Stone, “Reframing Failure to Succeed in Business Development,” Law Practice Today, Dec. 14, 2017. (http://www.lawpracticetoday.org/article/reframing-failure-succeed-business-development/) ABA Legal Career Central (http://www.abalcc.org) Stone Legal Search (https://www.stonelegalsearch.com) Leaving Litigation and Leaving BigLaw (https://thegirlsguidetolawschool.com/leaving-litigation-and-leaving-biglaw/) Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript  (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Episode-133-Being-Strategic-About-Your-Career-Choices.pdf) 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 listening platform of choice). 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/). Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Welcome to the Law School Toolbox Podcast. Today, we're talking about what it's actually like to work in BigLaw, with ex-BigLaw recruiter, Sadie Jones. It’s generally accepted that in BigLaw, you’re expected to bill a ton of hours and work long nights in exchange for a hefty paycheck, but is that all there is to it? Learn more of the nuanced ins-and-outs of life working in a large law firm. In this episode, we discuss: The BigLaw hierarchy, and your chances of making partner The type of work and the type of client you can expect to encounter The BigLaw hiring process Typical work assignments for junior associates How many hours are you really expected to bill/work? Bonuses: Show me the money! What does partnership really require? Expectations for business development Some common pitfalls of BigLaw life Resources: Podcast Episode 105: OCI Basics with an ex-BigLaw Recruiter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-105-oci-basics-ex-biglaw-recruiter/) Podcast Episode 130: How to Make Difficult Decisions in Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-130-how-to-make-difficult-decisions-in-law-school/) Podcast Episode 131: Thinking Ahead About the Future (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-131-thinking-ahead-about-the-future/) Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Episode-132-Whats-It-Like-to-Work-in-BigLaw-with-Sadie-Jones.pdf) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) (or your listening platform of choice). 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/). Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Welcome to the Law School Toolbox Podcast! Today, we're talking about thinking about the future and long-term goal setting in law school. Many people in their 30s and 40s look at their lives and wonder how they got there. Though it might seem far off when you’re in your 20s, it’s never too early to start thinking about what you might want your life to look like in the future, and to make the personal and career choices most likely to make that future a reality, or at least a possibility. In this episode, we discuss: Determining the kind of work environment you want to work in What's important to have time for in your personal life? Factors to consider if you have or want to have a family How your debt load can control your options and how to avoid the golden handcuffs Learning from your past employment to make better choices for the future The importance of educating yourself on these matters so you make informed choices Resources: 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/) YouNeedABudget.com (https://www.youneedabudget.com/) Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript  (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Episode-131-Thinking-About-the-Future.pdf) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes  (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) (or your listening platform of choice). 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/). Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Welcome to the Law School Toolbox Podcast! Today, we're talking about how to go about making difficult decisions in law school, because, let's be honest, you'll almost certainly have to make some. Now that the first semester is over, this is the time of year when many law students face a variety of choices about the direction their legal education and career. In this podcast, we talk about some of these dilemmas specifically, and offer suggestions for how to approach your decision-making process. In this episode, we discuss: Should you stay, or should you go? Deciding whether to drop out Which jobs should you apply for? And which should you accept? Choosing a clinic or externship Deciding whether to join a journal, and which one How to spend your time in law school, on a daily or weekly basis, or over a semester Different tools for helping you make thoughtful decisions Dealing with resistance to or disapproval of your choice Trusting your instincts Resources: Martha Beck, Finding Your Own North Star: Claiming the Life You Were Meant to Live (https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Your-Own-North-Star/dp/0812932188) Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript  (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Episode-130-Making-Difficult-Decisions-in-Law-School.pdf) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes  (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) (or your listening platform of choice). 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/). Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Welcome to the Law School Toolbox Podcast! Today, we're talking about something that's incredibly important for everyone who's preparing for the bar exam, which is self-care. Because, let's face it, studying for the bar exam is stressful and, actually, so is legal practice. So, working on self-care during the bar exam study period is one thing that will probably help you pass and also help you in your career later. In this episode, we discuss: Paying attention to your breathing, and using breath work for mental wellness and stress relief Making time to exercise – it’s good for your brain and memory! Laughter therapy – tricking your brain to produce more serotonin Mindfulness: what it is, why it works, and how to incorporate it in your daily routine Simple yoga poses for stress relief Allowing yourself breaks – you’re not a robot Real life ways of getting adequate sleep and nourishing your body with food and water Resources: Yoga Breathing: Alternate Nostril Breathing Video Tutorial (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VwufJrUhic) Breath + Sound: 30 Minute Guided Breathwork Experience (https://eastsidebreathers.bandcamp.com/track/breath-sound-30-minute-guided-breathwork-experience) Harvard Health Blog, “Regular exercise changes the brain to improve memory, thinking skills.” (https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/regular-exercise-changes-brain-improve-memory-thinking-skills-201404097110) Cancer Treatment Centers of America – Laughter Therapy (https://www.cancercenter.com/treatments/laughter-therapy/) Kitten Therapy: The Prescription for Stress (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35T8wtmTbVg) Getting Started with Mindfulness (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35T8wtmTbVg) Being with Stressful Moments Rather Than Avoiding Them (https://www.mindful.org/being-with-stressful-moments/) Insight Timer App (https://insighttimer.com/) Free Guided Meditations: UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center (http://marc.ucla.edu/body.cfm?id=22&fr=true) Living Peace: Connecting Your Spirituality with Your Work for Justice (https://www.amazon.com/Living-Peace-Connecting-Spirituality-Justice/dp/1499798024) com (https://www.yogaglo.com/) Yoga Outlet - How to do Child’s Pose in Yoga (https://www.yogaoutlet.com/guides/how-to-do-child_s-pose-in-yoga/) Yoga Journal - Yoga for Inner Peace (https://www.yogajournal.com/poses/yoga-for-inner-peace-stress-relief-daily-practice-challenge) Get a Good Night’s Sleep by Filtering Your Phone’s Blue Light (https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/get-good-nights-sleep-filtering-phones-blue-light/) Mind Over Bar (http://mindoverbar.com/) Bar Exam Mind (http://mindoverbar.com/) Bar Exam Toolbox’s own Mindfulness archives (http://barexamtoolbox.com/tag/mindfulness/) Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript  (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Episode-129-Self-Care-During-Bar-Prep.pdf) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes  (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) (or your listening platform of choice). 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/). Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Welcome to the Law School Toolbox Podcast and to a whole new year! Today, we're talking about taking stock, regrouping, and a few resolutions you might want to consider for the new school year. January can be a rough time in law school. The weather is terrible in lots of places, the holiday break is over, and of course, grades are coming in. However, the first few weeks of the spring semester are a great time to evaluate what worked for you – and what didn’t work – last semester. In this episode, we discuss: Grades: How important are they, and what do they mean for the future of your legal career? Action steps for the first few weeks of spring semester How to talk to your professors about your exams Reevaluating your study resources and making changes as necessary – academic support at your school, private tutoring, and study groups Maintaining or regaining life balance: Therapy, exercise, and social life Suggested New Year’s Resolutions for law students! Resources: Second Semester ReBoot Course Podcast Episode 122: How to Transfer Law Schools (with Mihal Ansik) Podcast Episode 120: Preparing for the 1L Job Hunt (with Ex-BigLaw Recruiter Sadie Jones) Podcast Episode 106: How to Go to Office Hours and Make It Worth Your Time Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript  (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Episode-128-Regrouping-in-January.pdf) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes  (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) (or your listening platform of choice). 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/). Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Welcome to the Law School Toolbox Podcast! Today, we have guest Sadie Jones, an ex-BigLaw recruiter, here to talk about some resume no-gos: all those things that you should never do on your resume. Sadie has seen a lot of resumes, for different positions, from a variety of candidates, and at a diverse collection of law firms. She’s got lots of valuable insights on things to avoid in your resume, so before you apply for that job, tune in! In this episode, we discuss: Basic organization and formatting – length and consistency matter! Jobs that should be left off your employment history Managing a break in employment Associations and affiliations you should leave off Being able to talk about anything and everything you include in your resume Making your resume relevant to the position you are applying for Resources: Podcast Episode 111: Resumes and Cover Letters (with an Ex-Biglaw Recruiter) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-111-resumes-cover-letters-ex-biglaw-recruiter/) Podcast Episode 120: Preparing for the 1L Job Hunt (with Ex-Biglaw Recruiter Sadie Jones) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-120-preparing-1l-job-hunt-ex-biglaw-recruiter-sadie-jones/) Podcast Episode 126: How to Get People to Help with Your Job Search (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-126-get-people-help-job-search/) Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript  (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Episode-127-Resume-No-Gos.pdf) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes  (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) (or your listening platform of choice). 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/). Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Welcome to the Law School Toolbox Podcast. Today, we're talking with ex-BigLaw recruiter guest, Sadie Jones, about how to get people to help you with your job search and how to keep them happy when they do help. As the saying goes, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know,” so don’t be afraid to connect with your network for help. We’ll talk about the different people you can reach out to, and how to approach them based on the strength of your relationship. In this episode, we discuss: Different people who might be willing and able to help with your job search The work you need to do before making any contact How to be specific and direct in asking for help What can you realistically expect from someone who offers to help? The value of following up and staying in contact How to approach someone you don’t know personally for help Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript  (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Episode-126-How-to-get-help-with-your-job-search.pdf) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes  (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) (or your listening platform of choice). 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/). Want some personal help on your job search? Check out our career options! (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/careerdicta/career-help/) Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee