Legally Ponzaneli

Constitutional Chisme is your weekly mini-episode where your host Stephanie and co-host Harleigh break down the cases you’re most likely to see in law school! This week, we are covering Palsgraf v. Long Island R.R. Co. is a landmark torts case that established the "zone of danger" test. It limits a defendant's liability for negligence to only those plaintiffs whom the defendant could reasonably fo...

In this episode, Ana Cristina Archilla shares her journey from being born and raised in Puerto Rico to pursuing her legal education in Puerto Rico. She opens up about her experiences with machismo, gender expectations, and accessibility in the legal profession, discussing the challenges women continue to face in the field. She also shares the importance of flexibility, prioritizing mental health,...

Constitutional Chisme is your weekly mini-episode where your host Stephanie and co-host Harleigh break down the cases you’re most likely to see in law school! This week, we are covering Pierson v. Post. This is a foundational case in American property law that establishes the rule of capture for wild animals. You can't claim a wild animal is yours just by chasing it. To make it legally yours, you...

In this episode, Ana shares her journey from being born and raised in Puerto Rico to pursuing her undergraduate education at Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia. She opens up about studying English Literature, Creative Writing, and French, with a minor in Political Science, and how her educational experiences shaped her path. She also shares what led her to return to Puerto Rico for law school...

In this episode, Fernanda Souza shares her journey in marketing, how she found her way to Kaplan, and what it’s really like working behind the scenes in test preparation. She opens up about building a career in marketing, working remotely, networking, and finding confidence in communication. She also gives us an inside look at affiliate marketing, social media, content creation, and working with i...

In this episode, she opens up about her journey from Venezuela to law school in Boston, how she used multiple law school acceptances to negotiate a better scholarship, and what her bar exam experience was really like. She also shares how her job gave her paid leave to study for the bar and covered her bar prep and exam expenses, plus what it takes to transfer a UBE score to Florida. And this conve...

Constitutional Chisme is your weekly mini-episode where your host Stephanie and co-host Harleigh break down the cases you’re most likely to see in law school! This week, we are covering Hertz Corp. v. Friend. Hertz sought to remove the case to federal court based on diversity jurisdiction, arguing its principal place of business was its New Jersey headquarters. The lower courts applied a "business...

In this episode Alejandra shares her journey from working and saving for two years before law school to becoming an immigration attorney in Washington State .  As the child of immigrants, she opens up about starting her entire 1L year over Zoom during the pandemic and earning her JD and a master’s degree at the same time. Whether you’re considering law school, navigating law school during an unexp...

Constitutional Chisme is your weekly mini-episode where your host Stephanie and co-host Harleigh break down the cases you’re most likely to see in law school! This week, we are covering Strawbridge v. Curtiss (1806), strawbridge and other Massachusetts citizens sued Curtiss and a group of defendants who were mostly from Vermont. However, because at least one defendant was also from Massachusetts,...

In this episode, Abby shares her journey from studying paralegal studies to becoming a law school graduate at the University of Toledo College of Law. Abby opens up about taking the LSAT three times, being rejected from law school, and refusing to let that rejection stop her from pursuing her goal. Abby also shares the importance of perseverance, community, and learning to make the most of the res...

In this episode, Ki’ev gives us an inside look at what the Next Gen Bar Exam is like! She walks us through the program, shows us how it works, and gives us a look at what future test takers can expect. Whether you're a law student, preparing to take the Next Gen Bar Exam, or just curious about what the new bar exam prep looks like, this episode gives you a behind-the-scenes look at what to expect!...

Constitutional Chisme is your weekly mini-episode where your host Stephanie and co-host Harleigh break down the cases you’re most likely to see in law school! This week, we are covering World-Wide Volkswagen Corp. v. Woodson. Can Oklahoma exercise personal jurisdiction over an out-of-state car retailer and distributor when the only connection to Oklahoma is that a car they sold in New York was inv...

In this episode, I’m sharing what I changed for the July 2026 Bar Exam, from my MBE strategy and visual outlines to PMBR, MPTs, MEEs, and taking better care of myself during bar prep. If you’re a retaker, I hope this helps you figure out what worked for me and what might work for you. You’ve got this! PLUS, a special announcement: we’re doing ANOTHER Kaplan Bar Prep giveaway! Use code: LEGALLYPONZ...

Constitutional Chisme is your weekly mini-episode where your host Stephanie and co-host Harleigh break down the cases you’re most likely to see in law school! This week, we are covering Peña-Rodriguez v. Colorado: What happens when a juror’s racial bias influences the decision to convict? We’re breaking down the no-impeachment rule, and why the Supreme Court created a constitutional exception for...

In this episode, Alfonso shares his journey from serving in the Marines and working full-time to pursuing his dream of becoming an attorney. When his kids were starting college, he told them, “Let’s see who finishes first,” and eventually enrolled at the University of La Verne College of Law. We talk about going to law school later in life, balancing work and family, his social media, dealing with...

Taking the LSAT? Before you register, make sure you understand  LSAT accommodations, documentation requirements, fees, fee waivers, and the appeal process. In this episode of Legally Ponzanelli, Stephanie breaks down what prospective law students need to know about requesting accommodations, avoiding common documentation mistakes, reducing LSAT costs, and preparing for registration and test day....

Constitutional Chisme is your weekly mini-episode where your host Stephanie and co-host Harleigh break down the cases you’re most likely to see in law school! This week, we are covering Tanner v. United States (1987): What happens when jurors are drinking, using drugs, and literally falling asleep during trial? We’re breaking down FRE 606(b), the “outside influence” exception, and why the Supreme...

Thinking about taking the LSAT or applying to law school? Start here! ⚖️📚 In Episode 1 of our LSAT series, we’re breaking down  what the LSAT is, what is tested on the exam, and what you should know before you start studying. We’re also talking about  LSAT prep resources and discount codes  that can help you save money while preparing for the exam! Whether you’re just starting to think about law...

We welcome back Sylvia! She’s back to share her journey as a bar exam retaker, how she’s feeling this time around, what’s different, and how she’s staying confident as she prepares to (hopefully!) sit the Washington State Bar Exam this September. Unfortunately, Sylvia was one of the hundreds of future attorneys affected by the unexpected delay of the NextGen Bar Exam that was scheduled to be admin...

In this episode, Attorney Paulette shares her journey from being a first-generation law student at Suffolk University Law School to opening her own criminal defense law firm. We discuss moving to Boston without knowing anyone, working throughout law school to make ends meet, the importance of networking, and how failing the bar exam ultimately led her to the career she was meant to have. Paulette...

In this episode, Annie Ho shares her journey from practicing law for five years to co-founding Texas Law Gals, a women-owned personal injury law firm in Houston, Texas, with her law school best friend. We discuss the importance of branding, how they came up with the firm's name, and what it's like owning your own law firm! Annie also breaks down how personal injury law works, including why clients...

In this bonus episode, Ki'Ev, a graduate of Howard University School of Law, joins me to share what it was like (attempting to take) taking the July 2026 Washington Bar Exam and the chaos that unfolded when everything went wrong. We also discuss the emotional toll this experience has had on applicants whose futures were suddenly thrown into uncertainty, what happens next for the hundreds of examin...

In this episode, the tables are turned as Harleigh interviews Stephanie just 48 hours before she retakes the Arkansas Bar Exam. Stephanie opens up about what it feels like to prepare for the bar exam a second time, how this experience has been different from her first attempt, and the changes she's made in her study routine, mindset, and approach. She also shares the emotions, doubts, and determin...

Constitutional Chisme is your weekly mini-episode where your host Stephanie and co-host Harleigh break down the cases you’re most likely to see in law school! This week, we are covering the landmark case Terry v. Ohio. The case raised important questions about whether the Fourth Amendment allows a police officer to stop and briefly frisk a person for weapons without probable cause to arrest if the...

Constitutional Chisme is your weekly mini-episode where your host Stephanie and co-host Harleigh break down the cases you’re most likely to see in law school! This week, we are covering the landmark case Berkemer v. McCarty. The case raised important questions about the constitutional rights of individuals during police encounters and whether statements made during a routine traffic stop are admis...