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 talking about what different law schools are doing about grades in light of the COVID-19 new reality. In this episode we discuss: Adapting to the new (and hopefully temporary) reality created by the coronavirus How different law schools plan to implement the pass/fail system Are any law schools still opting for traditional grades? What c...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're excited to have former BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones back with us to talk about difficulties you might be wondering how to handle on your resume and cover letter. In this episode we discuss: Being prepared to explain gaps on your resume Presenting non-related educational background or work experience as a positive Drawing the interviewer'...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're sharing some ideas for ways to cope with the challenges that COVID-19 poses for law schools and life in general. In this episode we discuss: The most important consideration in this situation - your health Tips for adapting to virtual classes Minimizing distractions when studying at home Preparing for the scenario of take-home and/or ope...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking about the reasons why it's a struggle to stay motivated in the second semester, and things you can do to get your focus back. In this episode we discuss: Why motivation generally drops during the winter and spring time Reconnecting to your "Why" Taking time off to recharge Setting up a serious study schedule Letting yourself be l...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we have ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones here with us to talk about the career aspects of transferring law schools. In this episode we discuss: Will transferring help you get a better job for 2L summer and later on? How the OCI process might work at the new school Formulating your reasons for transferring in preparation for job interviews Do fi...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking with guest Stephanie Everett -- President at Lawyerist and co-author of the recent book The Small Firm Roadmap  -- about the process of starting and growing a law practice. In this episode we discuss: Stephanie's background and her work at Lawyerist Is it realistic to plan to start a firm right out of law school? The types of exp...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we have ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones back with us to talk about the process of finding a 1L summer job in the spring. In this episode we discuss: The timeline of the 1L summer job search What materials you should prepare for applying Can you afford to be picky? How many resumes can you expect to send out? Useful resources for job leads How...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking about something a bit different -- our experiences as poll workers. Yes, Lee and Alison both worked at a polling station in the last election! It's a unique experience, and one you might even be interested in trying out.  In this episode we discuss: Why it's important to get involved in the election process in your community How...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In today's episode, we dive into some intriguing research on how we learn from failures and making mistakes.  In this episode we discuss: Why failure (and even embarrassment) is a big learning opportunity How kids deal with their mistakes The idea of a growth mindset Active versus passive learning Quizzing yourself in order to retain information bett...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we have special guest Steven Arango with us -- a Marine officer and lawyer -- to talk about how he combined his military career with the law, as well as offer some useful tips on getting a clerkship and being published. In this episode we discuss: Steven's diverse background and path to law school How you can find a mentor or be one yourself T...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we are welcoming guest Kate McGuinness -- author of the book Confidence Lost / Confidence Found: How to Reclaim the Unstoppable You  -- to talk about the importance of feeling confident in yourself and your abilities. In this episode we discuss: Kate's background and career path What exactly do we mean by "confidence"? Signs that you should wo...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking with Hafsa Mansoor -- one of the creators of FirstGenJD -- about thriving in law school as a first-generation law student. In this episode we discuss: Hafsa's background and the mission of FirstGenJD Challenges that first-gen law students can face How common is impostor syndrome? Balancing being authentic with the conservative na...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking about formulating a new action plan for the second semester if things didn't go your way in the first semester. In this episode we discuss: Examining your study habits to figure out what worked and what didn't Going through your exams, if possible How to set up trackable SMART goals Tools you can use to hold yourself accountable...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're chatting with special guest Friday Apaliski -- the Sustainability Concierge -- about things you can do that will put you in harmony with the environment, if you are wondering where to start on the road to living "greener."   In this episode we discuss: What does it mean to live in a sustainable way? Friday's background and work as the Su...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In today's episode, we are welcoming back ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones to discuss how much responsibility you should take for your future career -- starting as a law student -- and what resources are available to help. In this episode we discuss: Why you need to take ownership of your career goals as a law student Resources to help if you're not s...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we are welcoming guest Carla Luna -- currently a 2L at Harvard -- to discuss adjusting to law school as a 1L, and the different activities and programs available to Harvard Law students. In this episode we discuss: Carla's background and path to law school The types of activities law students can get involved in at Harvard Do you have to join...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're welcoming back ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones to talk about how to use winter break productively to move your career forward, make new connections, take care of personal chores, and of course, get some rest. In this episode we discuss: How can attending holiday events help in advancing your career? Where else could you make new connecti...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're sharing our top 5 last-minute exam tips that will help you see the big picture and fill in some of the details of law school exam prep. In this episode we discuss: The importance of practicing as much as you can Putting together the study materials for yourself Seeking additional help from your professors, classmates, a study group, or a...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're welcoming back disability consultant Elizabeth Knox to discuss the process of applying for accommodations in law school to level the playing field in cases of disability, pregnancy, anxiety, and other conditions. In this episode we discuss: The different categories that fall into the accommodations realm How much harder is it to get acco...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking with special guest Stephanie Hanna -- Founder of The Other 85 -- about mastering the non-substantive skills that make up 85% of career success for lawyers. In this episode we discuss: Stephanie's background and her work creating The Other 85 Should you be a giver or a taker? Developing a positive networking attitude Tips for reac...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! This is the second episode in our "Listen and Learn" series, where we review legal concepts and apply them to fact patterns. Today, we're talking about civil procedure -- in particular, supplemental jurisdiction. In this episode we discuss: What is supplemental jurisdiction? The rules of supplemental jurisdiction and some related examples Going throu...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking with Dr. Shirag Shemmassian -- a law school admissions expert who has been featured on The Washington Post, U.S. News & World Report, and NBC -- about the process of deciding which law schools to apply to, and choosing the one to attend. In this episode we discuss: Dr. Shemmassian's background and his work in admissions counselin...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're discussing some warning signs suggesting you might need extra help in law school, and talk about why seeking help is a sign of strength and not a weakness. In this episode we discuss: Why sometimes even good students start to struggle in law school "Good confusion" versus "bad confusion" Tracking your hours and allocating time to deep wo...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're introducing a new series of podcast episodes called "Listen and Learn," where we're going to review substantive areas of the law and apply some of that law to facts. In this episode, we're talking about the Commerce Clause. In this episode we discuss: The basic structure of first-year Constitution Law classes How the Commerce Clause is t...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking with ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones about how to find a job if you struck out at OCI, or never tried it to begin with. In this episode we discuss: The job search framework from The Girl's Guide to Law School series by Katie Slater Developing a big-picture view about your skills and strengths Creating a list of all your contacts...