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 with ex-BigLaw recruiter, Sadie Jones, about how to make people hate you at work, so that, basically, you can avoid doing these things. In this episode we discuss: Things to avoid, such as being late on your first day of work! How to make a good impression at social events (and how to make a bad one) Why there is almost no excuse...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking about thinking on your feet when you're on the spot. In this episode we discuss: How practicing mindfulness when you aren't stressed can help you cope when you're on the spot Why it is not just okay, but important, to take a breath, pause, and think before answering questions The benefits of asking clarifying questions Why paying...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're kicking off a new series: The Law School Toolbox Book Club. This is a chance for us to chat with you about the books we're reading and why you might want to check them out. Today we're talking about Becoming, by Michelle Obama. In this episode we discuss: The new autobiography, Becoming, by Michelle Obama Some key takeaways about gender...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking with ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones, about how to start thinking about your 2L job search when you're still a 1L. In this episode we discuss: What your priority should be at this point in your 1L year How to get organized and set yourself up for success Why you should engage with your Career Services office sooner rather than la...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we're talking with Lyssa Thaden of AccessLex Institute, a non-profit which works to increase accessibility and affordability for law students, about student loans and other financial topics. In this episode we discuss: Student debt, and what you need to consider before you choose law school How to increase your access to scholarship dollars Why...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking with ex-BigLaw recruiter, Sadie Jones, about when and how to change direction in your job search. In this episode we discuss: How you know it's time to change direction in your job hunt How to best use your time, energy, and network Why you need to be realistic and honest with yourself Who to ask for feedback, and what feedback y...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast. Today we're talking to Jennifer Warren about the realities of motherhood, and parenthood in general, in the legal profession. In this episode we discuss: How you know it is the "right" time for children What to consider about your job and career when thinking about having children How to balance your life and job with the physical reality of being pr...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're excited to be talking with ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones about negotiating job offers. In this episode we discuss: The difference between a BigLaw offer and other job offers What you can negotiate – it's not just about the salary! How to figure out what salary to shoot for when negotiating an entry-level position How to balance aiming...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we're talking about setting yourself up to write a great seminar paper or journal note.   In this episode we discuss: Why selecting the right topic is probably the most important step in the writing process How to productively engage with your professors, your mentors, and even your law librarians about your topic selection and your writing Whe...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking with ex-BigLaw recruiter, Sadie Jones, about what to do if you don't have a summer job yet. It's too soon to panic! In this episode we discuss: The difference between the 1L and 2L summer job hunt Why it's not time to panic, but it is time to take action Why networking is key and how to get started How to use your law school's re...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we're talking about resolutions we suggest for the new year and new semester.  In this episode we discuss: Being organized, and why multitasking is a trap Finding the tools to make your life work better The importance of self-care, especially during stressful seasons How to set yourself up for success by learning from your past mistakes Why now...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking with Travis Hornsby, founder and CEO of Student Loan Planner, about everyone's least favorite topic, law school debt. In this episode we discuss: What people should be thinking about regarding debt before starting law school What programs are available to make your debt work for your life The truth about Public Service Loan Forgi...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking with Kelsey Russell, a writer for the Law School Toolbox and a recent federal judicial clerk, about clerkships. In this episode we discuss: The day-to-day experiences of a law clerk Who should clerk? When should you clerk? What will you learn? The intangible benefits of clerking The future of the clerkship hiring plan Tips for cl...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're excited to have ex-BigLaw recruiter, Sadie Jones, with us to discuss the most common questions we get about job interviewing as a law student. In this episode we discuss: The research you must do before any job interview and how to use it What to wear What to bring (and what not to bring) Special considerations for the virtual interview...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking with Nathan Fox, LSAT expert and founder of Fox LSAT, about some changes coming soon to the LSAT. In this episode we discuss: The upcoming changes to the LSAT in July and September of 2019 Why you should basically never cancel your LSAT score The economics of taking the LSAT What the changes mean for students studying for the LSA...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're excited to have ex-recruiter Sadie Jones with us to answer the most common questions we've been getting about resumes and cover letters. In this episode we discuss: Why you should almost always stick to a one-page resume How and why it's important to insert some personality into your resume What work experiences to include and which ones...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we're talking about some typical exam prep scenarios that you might find yourself tackling, so tune in and learn how to handle these common situations. In this episode we discuss: Common scenarios that law students face while preparing for exams What to do if you haven't started preparing for exams (Don't panic! It's never too late!) Where to f...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we're excited to be talking with Vikram Savkar, vice president and general manager of the education and training business for Wolters Kluwer Legal and Regulatory US, one of the largest publishers of legal casebooks, supplements, and other law related materials in the world, about how law school casebooks are changing in the digital era. In this...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking about the Bluebook. You might be wondering, can there actually be an entire episode on this podcast just about the Bluebook? Oh, yes, there can be. In this episode, we discuss: What the Bluebook is and why proper citations matter How to cite a case – we walk through a case citation and talk about all the rules that are triggered...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we're talking about setting your priorities in law school when you're overwhelmed by your to-do list. This is the time in the semester when things get really busy and overwhelming, so tune in to find out how to tame your to-do list and get the most important stuff done. In this episode, we discuss: The two biggest mistakes law students make – p...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking with ex-BigLaw recruiter, Sadie Jones, about ways to handle rejection in a professional manner. While some law students may not have already experienced rejection or failure, it will happen and that's ok - so tune in to learn how to respond professionally. In this episode, we discuss: Why this even matters and when you may face r...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking about law school study groups and how to make the most of them (or if it's okay to skip them entirely). This topic came from a listener question so don't be shy. Send us your questions – they might end up being an episode! In this episode, we discuss: The law school mythology of the study group and why you don't actually have to...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, ex-BigLaw recruiter, Sadie Jones, joins us to talk about how to frame your job search story. You may be thinking that you don't have a story, but we all have a story! So we're exploring how to make sure your story makes sense. In this episode, we discuss: What do we mean by your "job search story"? Tips on how to make sure your materials are t...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we're talking about elevator pitches and whether you need one as a law student. Spoiler alert: Yes, you do! In this episode, we discuss: What exactly is an elevator pitch and when might you need to have one? Whether you must know exactly what you want to do with your legal career to craft an effective elevator pitch Goals of an effective elevat...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking with ex-BigLaw recruiter, Sadie Jones, about what to do if OCI didn't go as planned, and you didn't end up with a summer associate offer for your 2L summer. All is not lost! In this episode, we discuss: Whether you can get a BigLaw summer associate position if you don't get one through OCI Can you ask for feedback from the firm –...