
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

Sep 2, 2024 • 30min
467: Surviving Migration in the Age of Technology (w/Petra Molnar)
Petra Molnar, a lawyer, anthropologist, and author, shares her insights from her new book on the intersections of migration and technology. She discusses the asylum process and the emerging term 'crimmigration,' unpacking how AI shapes immigration decisions. Petra emphasizes ethical concerns about surveillance technologies at borders and the psychological toll on migrants. The impact of COVID-19 on migration patterns and narratives highlights the complexities of human rights in a technologically driven world.

Aug 26, 2024 • 25min
466: Listen and Learn -- Concurrent Estates (Property)
Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, as part of our "Listen and Learn" series, we're talking about concurrent ownership of property. For a discussion on the related topic of present and future estates, you can check out episodes 250 and 251 of the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast. In this episode we discuss: Concurrent estates versus present and future estates The three major forms of concurrent ownership: Tenancy in Common Joint Tenancy Tenancy by the Entirety Sample questions illustrating the above concepts 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 2011 (https://nwculaw.edu/pdf/bar/July%202011%20Essays%20and%20Sample%20Answers.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) Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 250: Listen and Learn – Present and Future Estates (Part 1) (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-250-listen-and-learn-present-and-future-estates-part-1/) Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 251: Listen and Learn – Present and Future Estates (Part 2) (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-251-listen-and-learn-present-and-future-estates-part-2/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-466-listen-and-learn-concurrent-estates-property/) 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 19, 2024 • 24min
465: Improving Your Legal Writing Skills (w/Luiz Arroyo)
Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In this episode, together with Luiz Arroyo - one of our law school and bar exam tutors - we highlight the critical role of legal writing in a lawyer's career and provide tips for improving your legal writing skills. In this episode we discuss: Luiz's background and experience in legal writing What constitutes "good legal writing"? How to approach the two different types of legal writing Practical tips for pre-writing (planning and organizing), as well as post-writing (effective proofreading) How to address problematic facts or case law Resources: Legal Writing in Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/legal-writing-in-law-school/) Podcast Episode 11: Legal Writing 101 (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-11-legal-writing-101/) Podcast Episode 84: Using Rules Effectively in Legal Writing (w/Guest Jason Jones) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-84-using-rules-effectively-legal-writing-w-guest-jason-jones/) Podcast Episode 428: Legal Research and Writing in the Workplace (Part 1) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-428-legal-research-and-writing-in-the-workplace-part-1/) Podcast Episode 429: Legal Research and Writing in the Workplace (Part 2) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-429-legal-research-and-writing-in-the-workplace-part-2/) Three Cs of Legal Writing…And One T (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/three-cs-of-legal-writingand-one-t/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-465-improving-your-legal-writing-skills-w-luiz-arroyo/) 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 12, 2024 • 19min
464: Listen and Learn -- Partnership Formation
Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In this episode from our "Listen and Learn" series, we cover the formation and characteristics of three types of partnerships – general partnership, limited partnership, and limited liability partnership. To illustrate these concepts, we also analyze two questions from previous California bar exams. In this episode we discuss: Formation and characteristics of: General partnerships Limited partnerships Limited liability partnerships Examining partnership liability through hypos 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 2022 (https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/admissions/Examinations/February-2022-CBX-Essay-Qs-and-Selected-Answers.pdf) California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, February 2013 (https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/admissions/gbx/February-2013-CBX%20Selected%20Answers%20Essays.pdf) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-464-listen-and-learn-partnership-formation/) 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 5, 2024 • 18min
463: Quick Tips -- Organizing Your LRW Assignments
Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're discussing the importance and challenges of first-year Legal Research and Writing projects in law school. We share tips on how to break down LRW projects into manageable subparts, revise drafts, and proofread to ensure successful completion of the assignment. In this episode we discuss: Time-management schedule for your LRW assignment Starting with understanding the instructions Tips for researching, writing, and editing your assignment Asking your professor for feedback Final proofreading and citations Resources: Tutoring for Law School Success (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/tutoring-for-law-school-success/) Westlaw (https://legal.thomsonreuters.com/en/westlaw) LexisNexis (https://www.lexisnexis.com/en-us/home.page) Podcast Episode 68: Top 10 Legal Research and Writing Disasters to Avoid (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-68-legal-writing-disasters/) Podcast Episode 409: Start Law School Right – Legal Research and Writing (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-409-start-law-school-right-legal-research-and-writing/) First-Hand Guide to 1L Courses – Legal Research & Writing (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/first-hand-guide-to-1l-courses-legal-research-writing/) Writing a Legal Memo – Things to Keep in Mind (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/writing-a-legal-memo-things-to-keep-in-mind/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-463-quick-tips-organizing-your-lrw-assignments/) 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 29, 2024 • 47min
462: Navigating the Evolution of the Legal Industry (w/Candice Cook Simmons)
Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're excited to have lawyer, strategist, and entrepreneur Candice Cook Simmons with us to talk about the evolving legal industry and how to position yourself for success in an increasingly dynamic environment. In this episode we discuss: Candice's background and work in the legal field Changes happening in the legal industry at the moment The impact of AI on law firm work and hiring Being competitive in a dynamic job environment Networking and building community Resources: Candice Cook Simmons (https://www.candicecook.com/) LinkedIn: Candice Cook Simmons (https://www.linkedin.com/in/candice-s-cook-7454177/) Instagram: Candice Cook Simmons (https://www.instagram.com/candicesc1of1/?hl=en) Podcast Episode 425: Exploring the Legal Tech Ecosystem (w/Colin Levy) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-425-exploring-the-legal-tech-ecosystem-w-colin-levy/) Podcast Episode 430: The Paxton AI Founders Talk About Their AI Legal Assistant (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-430-the-paxtonai-founders-talk-about-their-ai-legal-assistant/) Podcast Episode 441: Exploring the Impact of AI on the Legal Professions (w/Gabe Teninbaum) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-441-exploring-the-impact-of-ai-on-the-legal-profession-w-gabe-teninbaum/) Podcast Episode 449: Implications of AI for the Legal Professions (w/Kevin Surace) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-449-implications-of-ai-for-the-legal-profession-w-kevin-surace/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-462-navigating-the-evolution-of-the-legal-industry-w-candice-cook-simmons/) 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 22, 2024 • 41min
461: Unveiling the Adjunct Experience: An Interview with Markus Funk
Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're joined by Markus Funk – partner at Perkins Coie, professor, and author - to talk about being an adjunct law professor. In this episode we discuss: Markus Funk's background and teaching experience The role of adjunct professors in law schools, as well as the opportunity cost and challenges associated with it Institutional hierarchy in law schools Proposals for improving adjuncts' experience The benefits of taking classes with adjunct professors Resources: Perkins Coie: T. Markus Funk (https://www.perkinscoie.com/en/professionals/t-markus-funk.html) LinkedIn: T. Markus Funk (https://www.linkedin.com/in/t-markus-funk-ph-d-24709925/) The Hidden Life of Law School Adjuncts: Teaching Temps, Indispensable Instructors, Underappreciated Cash Cows, or Something Else?, by T. Markus Funk, Andrew S. Boutros, and Eugene Volokh (https://texaslawreview.org/the-hidden-life-of-law-school-adjuncts-teaching-temps-indispensable-instructors-underappreciated-cash-cows-or-something-else/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-461-unveiling-the-adjunct-experience-an-interview-with-markus-funk/) 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 15, 2024 • 34min
460: Building Community and Navigating the Legal Workplace (w/Ingrid Busson-Hall)
Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we have attorney and podcaster Ingrid Busson-Hall joining us to talk about networking, building community, and navigating legal workplaces. In this episode we discuss: Ingrid's background and career journey The power of connection and community Taking an approach to networking that will make it more bearable Dress codes in corporate environments Balancing personal and professional commitments Resources: Pierrepont Solutions (https://pierrepontsolutions.com/) This Is My Silver Lining podcast (https://thisismysilverlining.com/) LinkedIn: Ingrid Busson-Hall (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ingrid-bussonhall/) Instagram: Ingrid Busson-Hall (https://www.instagram.com/ingridbusson/) Podcast Episode 25: How to Behave Like a Professional in the Legal Workplace (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-25-behave-like-professional-legal-workplace/) Podcast Episode 458: The Lost Art of Connecting (w/Susan McPherson) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-458-the-lost-art-of-connecting-w-susan-mcpherson/) Running a Student Org: Four Ideas to Expand Your Org and Strengthen Community (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/running-a-student-org-four-ideas-to-expand-your-org-and-strengthen-community/) Fashion Inspiration for Lawyers and Law Students (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/fashion-inspiration-for-lawyers-and-law-students/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-460-building-community-and-navigating-the-legal-workplace-w-ingrid-busson-hall/) 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 8, 2024 • 29min
459: Figuring Out Your Career Preferences (w/Sadie Jones)
Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, together with Sadie Jones, we're discussing some of the big questions that law students need to be thinking about to figure out what they want to do in their future career. In this episode we discuss: Key career-related questions for law students Different career options in the legal field Researching the day-to-day activities of your planned job Optimizing job-related activities and classes at your law school Resources: CareerDicta (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/careerdicta/) Law School Toolbox Podcast: Careers (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/law-school-toolbox-podcast-archive/careers/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-459-figuring-out-your-career-preferences-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 1, 2024 • 27min
458: The Lost Art of Connecting (w/Susan McPherson)
Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we're excited to have social impact expert and serial connector Susan McPherson with us to talk about the lost art of connecting and how to build meaningful professional relationships. In this episode we discuss: Susan McPherson's background and experience in business connections Key concepts in Susan's book, The Lost Art of Connecting Creating meaningful professional relationships Common networking concerns for law students Resources: McPherson Strategies (https://www.mcpstrategies.com/) The Lost Art of Connecting, by Susan McPherson (https://www.mcpstrategies.com/) 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/) Strategies to Tackle a Law Firm Speed Networking Event (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/strategies-to-tackle-a-law-firm-speed-dating-event/) How to Follow-up After Networking (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/how-to-follow-up-after-networking/) Easy Networking Tips for Those of Us Who Hate It (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/easy-networking-tips-for-those-of-us-who-hate-it/) Unconventional Networking Methods for Law Students (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/unconventional-networking-methods-for-law-students/) Why You Should Maintain Your Law School Connections (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/why-you-should-maintain-your-law-school-connections/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-458-the-lost-art-of-connecting-w-susan-mcpherson/) 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