

Law School
The Law School of America
The Law School of America podcast is designed for listeners who what to expand and enhance their understanding of the American legal system. It provides you with legal principles in small digestible bites to make learning easy. If you're willing to put in the time, The Law School of America podcasts can take you from novice to knowledgeable in a reasonable amount of time.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 13, 2025 • 49min
Bar Exam Prep Week Four Summary
This conversation provides a comprehensive overview of essential legal concepts for bar exam preparation, focusing on secured transactions, family law, and trusts and estates. It emphasizes the importance of understanding core principles, practical applications, and strategic exam preparation techniques to succeed in the bar exam.TakeawaysThe bar exam requires understanding core principles and practical applications.Secured transactions are heavily tested, especially under UCC Article 9.Attachment and perfection are critical concepts in secured transactions.Family law shapes personal relationships and is influenced by constitutional principles.Marriage requires both substantive and procedural requirements to be valid.Common law marriage still exists in some states with specific requirements.Divorce can be fault-based or no-fault, affecting property division and alimony.Trusts must have a trustee, beneficiary, property, intent, and lawful purpose to be valid.Trustees have fiduciary duties, including prudent administration and loyalty to beneficiaries.Bar exam preparation involves understanding the law and applying it under pressure.bar exam, secured transactions, UCC, family law, trusts, estates, legal education, exam strategies, MEE, MBE

Jul 12, 2025 • 39min
Lecture Twelve (Part 2): Comprehensive Review and Simulated Bar Exam Practice
This conversation provides a comprehensive guide for law students preparing for the bar exam, emphasizing the importance of wellness, strategic scheduling, and effective study techniques. It covers the mental and physical preparation needed, detailed strategies for tackling the MBE and MEE, and the significance of simulated practice to enhance performance under pressure. The discussion highlights the holistic approach necessary for success, integrating knowledge, skills, and self-care.takeawaysThe bar exam is a significant test of knowledge and endurance.Wellness is crucial for optimal cognitive function during bar prep.Starting early with a structured plan helps avoid last-minute panic.Self-care activities can enhance focus and reduce anxiety.Adequate sleep and nutrition are essential for brain performance.Your study plan should adapt based on performance and needs.Mastering the MBE requires strategic reading and analysis.The MEE tests your ability to communicate legal analysis effectively.The MPT assesses practical lawyering skills, not just memorization.Simulated practice exams are vital for building stamina and reducing anxiety.bar exam, law student, exam preparation, wellness, study strategies, MBE, MEE, MPT, simulated practice, legal reasoning

Jul 11, 2025 • 14min
Lecture Twelve: Comprehensive Review and Simulated Exam Practice
This lecture serves as a comprehensive review and preparation for the Bar Exam, focusing on doctrinal knowledge, MBE question simulation, and essay writing strategies. It emphasizes the importance of understanding legal principles, practicing under timed conditions, and employing structured approaches like the IRAC method for essay writing. The session aims to equip candidates with the necessary skills and strategies to excel in the exam.takeawaysThe final lecture consolidates core doctrinal knowledge.Simulated questions enhance substantive recall and analytical precision.Reading the call of the question first is crucial for MBE.Every fact in the MBE scenario serves a purpose.Eliminate clearly wrong answers to improve chances of success.Choose the best rule-based answer for MBE questions.The IRAC method is essential for structuring essays.Balance depth and brevity in essay responses.Practice under timed conditions to build endurance.Legal reasoning under pressure is a skill that can be developed.Bar Exam, MBE, MEE, legal principles, exam strategy, essay writing, law preparation, legal analysis, test-taking skills, UCC

Jul 10, 2025 • 60min
Lecture Eleven (Part 2): Family Law and Trusts & Estates
This conversation delves into the intricate relationship between family law and trusts and estates, emphasizing their significance in legal practice. It covers foundational principles of marriage, the differences between wills and trusts, the complexities of estate planning for blended families, and the evolving challenges in these fields. The discussion highlights the importance of understanding legal rights, responsibilities, and the need for meticulous planning to avoid pitfalls in both family law and estate management.TakeawaysUnderstanding family law and trusts is crucial for legal professionals.Marriage is not just a personal commitment; it has legal implications.Common law marriage still exists in some jurisdictions.Void marriages are invalid from the start, while voidable marriages require court action.Divorce necessitates immediate updates to estate plans.Estate planning for blended families is complex and requires careful consideration.Wills and trusts serve different purposes in estate planning.The right to marry is protected under the Constitution.Legal professionals must stay updated on evolving laws and societal changes.Collaboration between family law and estate planning attorneys is essential.family law, trusts, estates, marriage, divorce, estate planning, blended families, legal rights, alimony, probate

Jul 9, 2025 • 26min
Lecture Eleven: Family Law and Trusts & Estates
This lecture covers essential topics in Family Law and Trusts and Estates, focusing on marriage, divorce, child custody, and property division. It provides a comprehensive overview of legal requirements, implications of common law marriage, and the processes involved in divorce and alimony.TakeawaysFamily Law and Trusts and Estates are frequently tested on the bar exam.Marriage is not just a private contract but a public civil status.Common law marriage is recognized in a minority of states.Divorce can be no-fault or fault-based, affecting property division.Alimony is designed to prevent a decline in living standards post-divorce.Legal separation allows spouses to live apart while remaining married.Property division varies by jurisdiction, either community property or equitable distribution.Factors influencing alimony include the duration of marriage and standard of living.The putative spouse doctrine protects those who believed their marriage was valid.Understanding void versus voidable marriages is crucial for legal analysis.Family Law, Trusts and Estates, Marriage, Divorce, Legal Separation, Alimony, Common Law Marriage, Property Division, Bar Exam, Legal Standards

Jul 8, 2025 • 56min
Lecture Ten (Part 2): Secured Transactions and Priority Rules
This conversation provides a comprehensive overview of Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code, focusing on secured transactions. It covers the essential elements of secured transactions, including attachment, perfection, and priority, as well as the enforcement of security interests in the event of debtor default. The discussion also addresses the implications of bankruptcy on secured transactions and the evolving nature of Article 9 in response to digital assets.TakeawaysUnderstanding Article 9 is critical for law students and bar exam candidates.Secured transactions frequently appear on the MEE and state-specific essays.A secured transaction involves a debtor granting a security interest to a creditor.Attachment is the legal foundation for a security interest to be enforceable.Perfection protects a security interest against third parties.The priority of security interests is determined by the first to file or perfect.Debtors have rights during the enforcement process, including redemption.Bankruptcy can significantly impact the rights of secured creditors.PMSIs have special priority rules that can benefit creditors.Article 9 will need to adapt to new forms of collateral in the digital economy.Article 9, Uniform Commercial Code, Secured Transactions, Law School, Bar Exam, Attachment, Perfection, Priority, Bankruptcy, EnforcementArticle 9, Uniform Commercial Code, Secured Transactions, Law School, Bar Exam, Attachment, Perfection, Priority, Bankruptcy, Enforcement

Jul 7, 2025 • 16min
Lecture Ten: Secured Transactions and Priority Rules
This lecture provides a comprehensive overview of secured transactions under the Uniform Commercial Code, focusing on the nature and creation of security interests, the perfection of those interests, and the rules governing priority among competing claimants. It emphasizes the importance of attachment, perfection, and the rights of debtors in the context of default and enforcement.Key TakeawaysSecured Transactions are heavily tested areas on the bar exam.A secured transaction involves a debtor conveying a security interest to a creditor.Attachment is essential for a security interest to be enforceable.Perfection protects the secured party's rights against third parties.Priority rules determine who prevails in competing claims.A PMSI automatically perfects and has priority over earlier interests.Debtors have rights to redeem their collateral before sale.Self-help repossession must be conducted without breaching the peace.Failure to provide adequate notice can prevent deficiency recovery.Understanding Article 9 is crucial for analyzing priority conflicts.

Jul 6, 2025 • 1h 2min
Bar Prep Masterclass: Week Three Summary
This conversation provides a comprehensive overview of essential topics for the bar exam, focusing on business associations, contracts under the UCC, and civil procedure. The discussion emphasizes critical concepts such as agency law, partnerships, limited liability entities, and the differences between common law and UCC contracts. It also covers the importance of jurisdiction and the procedural aspects of litigation, including discovery and motions. The aim is to equip future legal professionals with the knowledge and strategies needed to excel in their studies and on the bar exam.TakeawaysThe bar exam is a marathon requiring focused study.Understanding agency law is foundational for business associations.Partnerships can arise informally without formal agreements.General partnerships expose partners to unlimited liability.Limited liability entities offer protection for personal assets.The UCC governs transactions involving goods, differing from common law.Contract damages aim to make the non-breaching party whole.Subject matter jurisdiction is non-waivable and fundamental.Personal jurisdiction requires minimum contacts with the forum state.Discovery is crucial for building a case and understanding the opponent's position.bar exam, business associations, contracts, UCC, civil procedure, agency law, partnerships, legal education, law school, exam preparation

Jul 5, 2025 • 1h 22min
Lecture Nine (Part 2): Civil Procedure Fundamentals
This conversation provides a comprehensive overview of civil procedure, focusing on key concepts such as jurisdiction, venue, pleadings, discovery, and various pretrial and post-trial motions. The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding these elements for aspiring legal professionals, particularly in the context of the bar exam and practical legal practice.TakeawaysCivil procedure is essential for understanding the legal system.Jurisdiction is the court's authority to hear a case.Subject matter jurisdiction cannot be waived and is fundamental.Diversity jurisdiction requires complete diversity and an amount in controversy over $75,000.Supplemental jurisdiction allows related state claims to be heard in federal court.Removal is a process for defendants to transfer cases from state to federal court.Personal jurisdiction ensures defendants have sufficient connections to the forum state.Venue determines the most appropriate location for a lawsuit.Pleadings frame the dispute and must meet specific standards.Discovery is a critical phase for gathering evidence and information.civil procedure, jurisdiction, venue, pleadings, discovery, summary judgment, personal jurisdiction, diversity jurisdiction, removal, legal process

Jul 4, 2025 • 17min
Lecture Nine: Civil Procedure Fundamentals
This lecture provides a comprehensive overview of civil procedure, focusing on key concepts such as jurisdiction, personal jurisdiction, venue, pleadings, discovery, and pretrial and post-trial motions. It emphasizes the importance of understanding these elements for effective litigation and bar exam preparation.TakeawaysCivil procedure is foundational for understanding litigation.Subject matter jurisdiction is critical and cannot be waived.Federal question jurisdiction must be clear in the complaint.Diversity jurisdiction requires complete diversity and a monetary threshold.Personal jurisdiction is about the court's power over parties.General jurisdiction allows for any claims against a defendant.Minimum contacts are essential for establishing jurisdiction.Discovery is vital for gathering evidence and information.Summary judgment can resolve cases without a trial if no disputes exist.Pretrial and post-trial motions are key for managing litigation effectively.Civil Procedure, Jurisdiction, Personal Jurisdiction, Venue, Pleadings, Discovery, Pretrial Motions, Bar Exam, Legal Education, Litigation


