Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In today's episode, together with Steve Schwartz from LSAT Unplugged, we're sharing our list of top 10 things to consider when you are applying to law school.  In this episode we discuss: Steve's background and work in the law school admissions space How early should you start preparing for taking the LSAT? The current structure of the LSAT and what changes are coming up The pros and cons of different prep options Researching law schools and...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we have ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones with us to talk about managing your schedule as a summer associate, intern, or extern. In this episode we discuss: What should be your goal as to the amount of work you take on at your summer job? How to figure out how long a task should/will take Structuring your work day to ensure you're working efficiently Under what circumstances should you just say "no," and how can that be done gracefully?...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we're discussing why doing the assigned reading for your law school classes is important, and we address some common questions we receive from students regarding reading cases for class. In this episode we discuss: Why it's important to spend the time to read cases, even when they seem difficult Fundamental skills developed through reading cases that will benefit you during the rest of law school How reading for class will positively...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we're excited to welcome Haley Miller and Laura Derbonne, who are the co-presidents of the National Disabled Law Students Association, to talk about accommodations and advocating for yourself.  In this episode we discuss: Our guests' law school journey and how they got involved with the National Disabled Law Students Association The mission of NDLSA Different types of accommodations and how to go about getting them in law school How to...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, in an episode from our "Listen and Learn" series, we're discussing property intentional torts and their specific defenses. In this episode we discuss: A brief review of intentional torts When is a defendant liable for trespass to land? The differences between trespass to chattels and conversion The necessity defense for property intentional torts The case Vincent v. Lake Erie Transportation Co. Two hypos from previous California bar...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're discussing some bar exam basics to help ensure you pass on the first try. In this episode we discuss: Structure of the current bar exam and how it's going to change Important things to keep in mind for your bar prep What are some problem areas we see with people who don't pass the first time? How you can set yourself up for success on the exam Tools and resources to use for bar prep Resources: Bar Exam Toolbox podcast...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we're talking about how to get the most out of your summer job. In particular, we are going to cover tips for success in three key aspects of your summer work experience: professionalism, substantive work, and networking. In this episode we discuss: How to be the co-worker that people want on their team Tips for getting the most out of the substantive work you do at your summer job Networking at your work place Legal documents you might...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking with Gabe Teninbaum -- law professor and creator of spacedrepetition.com -- about how the rapidly developing AI technology may impact the legal profession. In this episode we discuss: Gabe's background and how he got interested in technology for the legal industry How generative AI has been developing in recent years What are some ways that AI may create, or destroy, legal jobs? How can AI help people access legal...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking with ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones about making good decisions in law school to prepare for your legal career. In this episode we discuss: What's the most important thing you have to do in law school to set yourself up for legal career success? What options do you have if you don't get the exact job you wanted for the 1L/2L summer? Exploring academic activities in different areas of interest  How to frame prior job...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're excited to have Michele Cooley from Themis Bar Review joining us to talk about their Law School Essentials courses.  Note: This episode is brought to you by Themis Bar Review – the gold standard in bar exam preparation. Right now, Themis has a special offer for Law School Toolbox podcast listeners. If you sign up for their July 2024 bar review course, you can get a $500 discount using the promo code LAWSCHOOLTB500. (This offer is...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're joined by ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones to talk about some less common documents that employers might request from you when you apply for a legal job.  In this episode we discuss: Types of less common documents that might be requested during the application process Why do employers ask for this extra step for certain positions? How to craft your application documents to present yourself in the best way, and what common mistakes...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we're sharing specific tips for students coping with ADHD, in relation to managing the law school workload, studying, and preparing for exams.  In this episode we discuss: Maintaining mental health in law school Applying for accommodations on exams Organization strategies to help you manage your workload How to track time effectively Streamlining your study resources Motivation and other issues to address if you're struggling to get...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today's episode is on the topic of executive functioning skills for law students and new lawyers, in relation to staying organized, managing time effectively, and also studying and working smart.  In this episode we discuss: What are executive functioning skills? Where do law students struggle when it comes to executive functioning? How to improve overall memory Managing distractions and staying focused when you need to Creating an effective...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, in our "Listen and Learn" series, we're discussing the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure – more specifically Rule 15, which deals with the instances in which a party can amend their pleading. In this episode we discuss: A quick refresh on the statute of limitations The three major circumstances under which a party is likely to seek to amend their complaint Amending a party's pleading before the statute of limitations has run out How a...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we have ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones with us to discuss how to make sure you're showing an "appropriate" level of interest in a job position. In this episode we discuss: What are employers and interviewers generally looking for in terms of an applicant's interest? Should you spend time researching the interviewer (if you've been given a name), or focus more on the company/firm? Tips for showing an appropriate level of interest in...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're excited to be talking with Bryan Nese – a partner at Mayer Brown – about career tips for law students, from identifying your ideal employer and successfully making networking connections, to excelling at your job. In this episode we discuss: Bryan's background and his path to BigLaw The one-sentence version of what good legal writing is What two questions to ask yourself before you start the job search How can you identify and...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In today's episode we're talking about starting the new year with a focus on better time management. We discuss how working on small, attainable goals can produce some big changes in the long run.  In this episode we discuss: Is it really difficult to create a new habit? Taking a serious look at how you're spending your time The truth about multitasking Limiting common time-wasters Creating a schedule of practical things and fun things you...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking about bouncing back and resetting your law school trajectory after a disappointing semester. We discuss how to diagnose when and where things went off course last semester, and we suggest strategies for avoiding making the same mistakes again. We also talk briefly about how to take advantage of academic support resources at your law school and when to reach out for additional help.  In this episode we discuss: Steps for...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we're excited to be talking with Mike Ulin and Tanguy Chau -- creators of PaxtonAI -- about the AI legal assistant they've developed. In this episode we discuss: Our guests' backgrounds and why they became interested in the legal AI space Some of the best use cases for legal AI tools How Paxton is different than other AI platforms The main advantages that AI has over classic legal research tools What concerns attorneys have about...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we are going to continue the conversation from our last episode with a discussion about persuasive writing in the workplace and some thoughts on the future of legal writing in the age of AI. In this episode we discuss: Differences between objective and persuasive legal writing Common legal writing assignments for summer associates and new lawyers Tips for effective persuasive writing in the workplace How AI is influencing legal writing ...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we have the first episode in a two-part series on legal writing in the workplace. This episode is going to focus on objective legal writing and some best practices for office communications. Next time we will be discussing persuasive legal writing.  In this episode we discuss: How legal writing is different in the work context than in law school classes Common legal writing assignments for summer associates and new lawyers Objective and...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're excited to have Jessica Elefante – the author of Raising Hell, Living Well – on the podcast with us to discuss influence, choices, and managing our digital lives. In this episode we discuss: Jessica's background and how the idea for her book came about What is influencing our decisions in today's world? The drawbacks of everyday technologies and how to try limiting their use Avoiding information overload Going back to making...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we have ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones with us to talk about dealing with overwhelm in the job search process. In this episode we discuss: Where do people get stuck in the job search process? What can you do if you're not sure where to start? Tools to help you track your job search progress Prioritizing which activities to focus on How to deal with feeling overwhelmed and hopeless Tips for creating accountability When do you need to...

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In today's episode, we're talking with Colin Levy -- author of the book The Legal Tech Ecosystem -- about what's new and exciting in the field of legal technology, and how AI might change the future of law practice. In this episode we discuss: Colin's background and path in the legal tech space What does "the legal tech ecosystem" encompass and how has it developed over the last 20 years or so? How can legal tech help lawyers "do more with...