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 have college and law school admissions consultant Sydney Montgomery with us to talk all about law school admissions. In this episode we discuss: Sydney's background and her work in admissions consulting What problems do people consistently run into during admissions? What unique challenges do first-generation law students face...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking with ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones about common issues that law students encounter when looking for a job.  In this episode we discuss: What to do if you're a 1L and you still don't have a summer job by mid-spring How to overcome losing on-campus connections if you've been studying remotely What happens if your firm went under...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking about how to figure out which law school offer to accept if you're weighing multiple options. In this episode we discuss: Should you automatically go to the highest ranked school you get into? How much does location matter? The role of scholarships and student loans The importance of visiting the schools in person Considering bar...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we have admissions consultant Anna Ivey back with us to discuss some timely admissions topics, including how to deal with being on a law school waitlist. In this episode we discuss: Anna's background and work in admissions consulting Has the law school experience normalized after the two-year pandemic period? What do law school applications lo...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're discussing the different standards of review a court will apply when dealing with questions of constitutionality. You may also hear these referred to as "levels of scrutiny." In this episode we discuss: The three Constitutional Law levels of scrutiny and how courts apply each of them Fundamental rights under the Constitution Suspect and...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we have guest Hillary Vaillancourt with us to discuss a variety of topics, including her work on Piece of Cake Allergy Consulting and building a small firm practice. In this episode we discuss: Hillary Vaillancourt's background and her work as a food allergy lawyer What to expect when starting a law firm Generating business when you're running...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today's topic in our "Listen and Learn" series is from Civil Procedure, specifically removal of a case from state to federal court.  In this episode we discuss: The definition and specifics of removal The reasons why some defendants would want to move their case to federal court What is needed for a defendant to motion to move a case to federal court...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In today's episode, we're speaking with guest Sara Beller, a member of the District Attorney's office in Riverside County, California, and a tutor with the Law School Toolbox. We're talking about careers in public service, specifically working as a prosecutor. In this episode we discuss: Sara's journey to becoming an Assistant District Attorney Inter...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we're focusing on Criminal Procedure, specifically the Sixth Amendment to the Constitution and the rights and protections it provides to anyone accused of a criminal act. In this episode we discuss: The rights that the Sixth Amendment protects The general rule for competence When a judge may deny a defendant's right to represent himself/herself...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we have ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones back with us to share tips for handling workplace situations that require a difficult conversation. In this episode we discuss: Common workplace situations that require a difficult conversation Tips for approaching hard conversations to make them less awkward Asking for something you need for working more...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, in our "Listen and Learn" series, we're discussing the standards for admitting witness testimony, which are found in the rules of Evidence. In this episode we discuss: Who can be a lay witness? The instances in which lay witnesses can offer opinion testimony When is expert witness testimony permitted at trial? Factors used to determine the rel...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we have ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones back with us to talk about the "dos" and "don'ts" of the job search process, including applying for jobs, interviewing, and following up. In this episode we discuss: The most common mistakes people make during on-campus interviewing Following the job application process outlined by a particular firm Thing...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In today's episode from our "Listen and Learn" series, we go through a step-by-step approach for analyzing questions involving multiple levels of hearsay. In this episode we discuss: The rule for multiple hearsay A review of the general rule for hearsay and how to apply it properly Hearsay exceptions A step-by-step approach for analyzing questions co...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we're focusing on Criminal Procedure, specifically the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution and the limits it imposes on police actions based on tips from anonymous informants. In this episode we discuss: A review of the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution Determining when probable cause arises for an arrest, search, or seizure How is a "...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we're talking with guest Sadie Jones about polishing the appearance of your resume and cover letter so they look as professional as possible, and customizing them for the job you're applying to. In this episode we discuss: Editing resumes and cover letters for content The positioning of education versus experience on your resume Editing for typ...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we're discussing a topic from Criminal Law and Procedure. Join us as we look at the exclusionary rule and Miranda warnings, grounded in the Fourth Amendment.  In this episode we discuss: A brief review of the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendments The exclusionary rule and its related exceptions Statements made after a suspect has been given Miran...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today's episode is based on a listener's question on how to deal with the unique challenges of 3L year, such as finding the motivation to study, balancing different responsibilities, and dealing with anxieties over bar exam prep and student loans. In this episode we discuss: What are some of the challenges and opportunities that show up in the final...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we're focusing more on Joinder, or who can and who must be party to a civil lawsuit. In particular, we look at intervention, impleader (or third-party action), and class actions. We previously covered permissive and required joinder in Bar Exam Toolbox podcast episode 145 . In this episode we discuss: The five types of joinder Intervention as a...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're chatting with ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones about some goals for your 1L summer job. In this episode we discuss: Why a 1L summer position is important, even if it's not your dream job What types of jobs are most realistic for the 1L summer Where and when to look for summer positions Should you be looking to get a writing sample? What t...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In today's episode, we talk about the special duties landowners and land possessors owe to people who enter their land, as well as the duties landlords owe to their tenants. Both are subtopics of Negligence under Tort Law.  In this episode we discuss: A general review of negligence and duty The duty landlords owe to tenants with respect to maintenanc...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In this week's "Listen and Learn" episode, we take a look at the duty of professionals and the duty of children under Negligence, a sub-topic of Tort Law.  In this episode we discuss: Brushing up on the subjects of negligence and duty The standards of care to which children are held What happens if a child is engaged in an adult activity? Duties that...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! This is another installment of our "Listen and Learn" series, where we review legal concepts and apply them to fact patterns. Today, we're going to explore covenants, a type of non-possessory interest in someone's land. In this episode we discuss: The rule statement for covenants Restrictive covenants versus affirmative covenants The different elemen...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In today's episode, we chat with our career expert Sadie Jones about setting realistic goals for your career development, as well as how to map out a longer term path to where you'd want to be in five years or more. In this episode we discuss: The most important things all employers are looking for in an entry-level hire Shaping your 2L year to impro...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In this episode from our "Listen and Learn" series, we cover a category of evidence called "non-hearsay," which is tested often both on Evidence essays and on the MBE. In this episode we discuss: A quick review of what is considered hearsay Categories of statements deemed non-hearsay When to consider hearsay exceptions Analyzing two Evidence essay hy...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In this episode, we talk about how to do your research when you first encounter difficulties at school or at work, and then how to approach your professor/TA/mentor if you are still stuck. While generally no one likes to ask for help, sometimes that's the only resource that will help prevent a poor outcome. In this episode we discuss: Why is it impor...