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! This is another episode in our "Listen and Learn" series, where we review legal concepts and apply them to fact patterns. Today, we're focusing on subject matter jurisdiction from Civil Procedure. In this episode we discuss: Review of the basic concept of jurisdiction Constructing an attack plan for Civil Procedure The two types of actions that feder...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking with ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones about the best resources to turn to for law firm research, and what information to consider when applying for summer associate positions. In this episode we discuss: When should you start to think about summer jobs? Finding firms whose specialties are the best fit for you Considering the diffe...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! This episode is part of our "Listen and Learn" series, where we review legal concepts and apply them to fact patterns. Today, we're covering a commonly tested topic from Evidence, and that is hearsay. In this episode we discuss: What are the rules of hearsay? Non-hearsay and exceptions to hearsay  Analyzing two Evidence questions, from the July 2003...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking with guest Sadie Jones about the implications of the coronavirus on the legal job market. We're looking at several common concerns, such as cancelled jobs, lay-offs, and diminished networking opportunities. In this episode we discuss: How the legal job situation has changed since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic The new timing...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we have another episode in our "Listen and Learn" series. This time we're focusing on relevance -- a very commonly tested Evidence topic. In this episode we discuss: The Federal Rules of Evidence Relevance and admissibility The two basic kinds of relevance Determining the evidence in question, the fact of consequence, probative value and preju...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're excited to be talking with Danielle Barondess -- one of the creators of Law Clerks for Diversity -- about the clerkship application process and working to increase diversity in the federal judiciary. In this episode we discuss: The mission of the Law Clerks for Diversity program An overview of Danielle's own background Challenges that di...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! This is another episode in our "Listen and Learn" series, where we review legal concepts and apply them to fact patterns. Today, we're talking about the "reasonable person" standard in Negligence. In this episode we discuss: The purpose of the reasonable person standard A quick review of the law and policy on this topic The "Learned Hand Formula" Ana...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we have admissions consultant Anna Ivey back with us to talk about the expectations and reality of the law school application process.  In this episode we discuss: Anna's background and work in admissions consulting What to consider when assembling a list of schools to apply to How important is it to know what type of law you want to practice?...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we have ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones with us to talk about preparing a great writing sample, which you might need when applying for a law job, a clerkship, or an internship/externship. In this episode we discuss: When do you need a writing sample? What makes a good writing sample, and mistakes to avoid making Getting writing samples from yo...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're unpacking some of the "standard" topics when it comes to getting ready to start law school, and we'll also look at how the coronavirus is affecting incoming students' plans this year. In this episode we discuss: Do you need to learn any law before classes start? Should you be putting together a study group already? What else can you do t...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're combining two hot topics -- networking and the coronavirus -- and discussing with ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones how to stay on the radar of potential employers over the next several months, until Winter OCI begins. In this episode we discuss: Factors that are currently affecting networking opportunities Looking for relevant information...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In today's episode, we're talking with admissions consultant Anna Ivey about what could change for incoming 1Ls this year because of COVID-19 concerns, and how the pandemic might impact the future of law school admissions.  In this episode we discuss: Anna's background and work in admissions consulting How likely is it that law school classes will be...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we have ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones with us to talk about working from home in a summer legal job, which is a common scenario given the current pandemic.  In this episode we discuss: Creating a functional work space at home The importance of learning the technology required for your job Setting expectations for availability and responsiven...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, for our 250th episode milestone, we have special guest Sadie Jones helping us review our favorite career-related podcasts. In this episode we discuss: How to prepare resumes, cover letters, and other application materials Handling the on-campus interviewing process Simplifying the 1L summer job hunt Preparing for showing up to interviews with...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're chatting with guest Steve Schwartz -- founder of the LSAT Blog -- about changes happening to the LSAT because of COVID-19. In this episode we discuss: The new online LSAT-Flex Has the format of the test changed? What technology you'll need if taking the LSAT at home How testers are attempting to curb cheating on the LSAT-Flex How to choo...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! This is another episode in our "Listen and Learn" series, where we review legal concepts and apply them to fact patterns. Today, we're talking about homicide. In this episode we discuss: The two broad categories of homicide The four elements of malice aforethought What is "statutory interpretation"? Analyzing two criminal law questions, from the Febr...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking with ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones about what behavioral interviews are and how you can prepare to handle them if you encounter one. In this episode we discuss: What exactly is a behavioral interview? Some examples of common behavioral interview questions What the interviewer can learn about you from this type of questioning Em...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we have special guest Dr. Shirag Shemmassian of Shemmassian Academic Consulting back with us to talk about how the LSAT's influence over the admission process has changed recently and why some schools are now accepting the GRE. In this episode we discuss: Do you still have to take the LSAT if you want to go to law school? What if you've alread...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! This is another episode in our "Listen and Learn" series, where we review legal concepts and apply them to fact patterns. Today, we're talking about promissory estoppel. In this episode we discuss: When is a promise breakable, and when is it a contract? What is inadequate consideration? Analyzing a question from the July 2002 California bar exam Brea...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! This is another episode in our "Listen and Learn" series, where we review legal concepts and apply them to fact patterns. Today, we're talking about negligence per se. In this episode we discuss: The four elements of negligence How will you know when negligence per se appears on a Torts exam? What if the facts don't specify the language of the statut...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking with ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones about on-campus interviewing moving to the winter of 2021, rather than being held in the summer, as it typically has been. In this episode we discuss: Balancing your course load in the fall semester The new timeline for OCI Pros and cons of having additional time before interviews start A look...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking about how potential 1Ls can think through whether to start law school in the fall, given the current uncertainty due to COVID-19. In this episode we discuss: Being prepared for the possibility of online learning If classes are virtual, do you even move to the area? Seeking additional financial aid In what cases does it make sense...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking with guest Sadie Jones about best practices when it comes to handling virtual job interviews, which you may be experiencing more frequently for the foreseeable future. In this episode we discuss: What are the advantages and disadvantages of virtual interviews? The technical side of phone and video calls What should you have in fr...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking about how to make a smooth transition to open book and take-home exams, since law schools are likely to use them this semester. In this episode we discuss: Different types of take-home exams The difficulty level of open book take-home exams compared to traditional in-class ones Why it's still important to know the law for take-ho...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're welcoming back Sadie Jones to talk about the impact the coronavirus might have on the legal job market, based on some historical context. In this episode we discuss: The financial crisis of 2008 and its impact on the job market How law firms handled summer associate programs What about people they'd made offers to, but who hadn't started...