Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! This is the second episode in a two-part series on getting ready for exams. Last time , we talked about outlining, creating study materials, and applying those study materials to a fact pattern. Today, we're focusing on how to actually write an exam answer. In this episode we discuss: What professors look for in your exam answers, and what to make sure to avoid doing A sample Criminal Law hypo Planning and outlining before you start writing The ele...
Nov 13, 2023•26 min•Ep 423•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! This is the first episode in a two-part series on getting ready for exams. Today, we're talking about what professors look for on law school exams, as well as strategies to make effective outlines and study aids. Next time, we'll focus on practicing exam-taking skills and creating a plan for exam prep. In this episode we discuss: Why are law school exams generally so difficult? What professors are looking for on exams Analyzing a sample Criminal La...
Nov 06, 2023•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, in an episode from our "Quick Tips" series, we're talking about a seemingly radical approach to note-taking: drawing your notes. This technique may especially appeal to you if you are a visual learner or like to draw or sketch concepts. In this episode we discuss: How drawing helps with memorization Developing a "visual toolkit" for law school classes Summarizing the facts of a case with a series of images Specific shorthand symbols and draw...
Oct 30, 2023•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking about being realistic about which jobs you'd be a good candidate for and choosing the right option, while neither selling yourself short nor aiming too high. In this episode we discuss: Determining where you would be a realistic candidate How to cast a wider net if you need to How the economy affects the legal landscape Taking a job you may not entirely want versus holding out for something better Getting other people to help w...
Oct 23, 2023•31 min•Ep 420•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking about how to start putting together the material you've covered so far, and making sense of it, so you can apply it on an exam. In this episode we discuss: The four fundamental steps in the law school learning process What to do if you have no idea how to start your mid-term prep How to build useful outlines and other study aids Why using somebody else's outlines is not the best idea Tips for utilizing AI to help you study Reso...
Oct 16, 2023•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In this episode from our "Listen and Learn" series, we go through an attack plan for how you might approach a Miranda issue on an exam question, and look at specific rules you'll want to address in your answer. In this episode we discuss: An attack plan for approaching questions involving Miranda issues The constitutional basis for Miranda warnings The definition of "custodial interrogation" How a suspect can invoke or waive their rights Analyzing ...
Oct 09, 2023•20 min•Ep 418•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, as part of our "Listen and Learn" series, we're discussing the rules around authentication of evidence, which comes into play when you're dealing with physical or documentary evidence. In this episode we discuss: Physical vs. testimonial evidence How the different types of physical/documentary evidence are authenticated Items that are considered self-authenticating Analyzing four hypos from previous California bar exams Resources: “Listen an...
Oct 02, 2023•12 min•Ep 417•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, as part of our "Listen and Learn" series, we're talking about service of process – a subject that sometimes sneaks into Civil Procedure exam questions. We'll discuss the general service of process rules under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, as well as the California-specific rules. In this episode we discuss: Serving a summons and complaint to individuals in the United States and in foreign countries under the Federal Rules of Civil Pr...
Sep 25, 2023•20 min•Ep 416•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking to ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones about job hunting practices that are typically not great ideas and aren't going to help you secure a job. In this episode we discuss: What is the perfect length for a resume? How to cut down your writing sample for the purposes of job searching Should you include an addendum with your application documents to explain a bad grade? Deciding which of your previous jobs to include on your resume A...
Sep 18, 2023•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, as part of our "Listen and Learn" series, we're focusing on Criminal Procedure. Specifically, we're talking about the "stop and frisk" exception to the warrant requirement. In this episode we discuss: The general attack plan for a Criminal Procedure question When the "stop and frisk" exception to the warrant requirement applies The exclusionary rule and the "fruit of the poisonous tree" doctrine Applying the attack plan to two hypos Resource...
Sep 11, 2023•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! This episode is sponsored by Themis Bar Review , the gold standard in bar exam preparation. We're excited to have two guests on the podcast -- Jeff Allcorn from UWorld and Rebecca Petrilli from Themis Bar Prep -- discussing their programs and how they can help law school graduates find bar exam success. In this episode we discuss: Jeff and Rebecca's background and work in the bar prep field Details on the activities, study schedules, and timelines ...
Aug 28, 2023•51 min•Ep 413•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we discuss the procedure for filing a motion for summary judgment, which is how many cases are resolved in court. We illustrate this important topic with several sample questions and answers. In this episode we discuss: What is a motion for summary judgment? When a court may grant a motion for summary judgment How the non-moving party can defeat the motion Analyzing several hypos involving motions for summary judgment Resources: “Listen and L...
Aug 21, 2023•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're joined by Emily Witt -- a legal recruiter who worked at Wachtell for many years -- to talk about about BigLaw recruiting, summer programs, going in-house, and more. In this episode we discuss: Emily's background and path to the legal recruiting field Tips for approaching the OCI process Post-law firm options in litigation and corporate law How to leverage a clerkship in the job market What types of skills do people need to be successfu...
Aug 14, 2023•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, in our "Listen and Learn" series, we're discussing Relevance -- specifically, multiple uses for the same evidence, conditional relevance, and stipulations. In this episode we discuss: When is evidence logically relevant? Multiple uses for the same piece of evidence What is conditional relevance? How do stipulations impact the relevance of a piece of evidence? Analyzing two hypos illustrating the above concepts Resources: Podcast Episode 259:...
Aug 07, 2023•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome to the Law School Toolbox podcast for our special series on starting off on the right foot in law school! In today's episode, we're exploring the unique aspects of Legal Research and Writing, a critical first-year law school class. In this episode we discuss: The key differences between Legal Research and Writing and your other 1L classes Tips for doing well in Legal Research and Writing class The types of assignments you'll see in a typical LRW class Sources of law that you'll be using ...
Aug 02, 2023•28 min•Ep 409•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we have Sarah Covington, one of the authors of Digitally Remastered: Modern Law School , with us to talk about the book and the online law school experience. In this episode we discuss: Sarah's background and her path to law school What the book Digitally Remastered: Modern Law School is about How does an accredited online law school program work? Do you have to be in a study group to be successful? Extracurricular activities in the context ...
Jul 31, 2023•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome to the Law School Toolbox podcast for our special series on starting off on the right foot in law school! In this episode, we're discussing the ins and outs of law school exams. We share tips for writing a successful exam answer, and we go through a sample answer written following the IRAC structure. In this episode we discuss: What makes a law school exam answer a successful one? Reading a tort law fact pattern How to tie the facts to the law in your analysis Writing an exam answer usin...
Jul 26, 2023•21 min•Ep 407•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're looking at a few specific defenses in Criminal Law, which - if used successfully - may exonerate a defendant or reduce their punishment. In this episode we discuss: Factual and affirmative defenses Perfect and imperfect affirmative defenses The defense of duress Defenses having to do with the defendant's mental state Self-defense and defense of others Analyzing two essay questions from previous California bar exams Resources: “Listen a...
Jul 24, 2023•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome to the Law School Toolbox podcast for our special series on starting off on the right foot in law school! In this episode, we're discussing building confidence for your exams by working through practice problems early and consistently. In this episode we discuss: Writing out answers to classroom hypos Working through old exams Coming up with your own practice questions and answers Additional resources for practice questions Using outlines on open book and closed book exams How can you av...
Jul 19, 2023•13 min•Ep 405•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're excited to talk to ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones about developing your plan for the job hunt process and sticking to it, without focusing on the things you can't control. In this episode we discuss: Some of the things that job seekers worry about when they shouldn't What should you be focusing on (rather than obsessing over what other people are doing)? Thinking about what you really want job-wise and how to go about achieving it Why...
Jul 17, 2023•33 min•Ep 404•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome to the Law School Toolbox podcast for our special series on starting off on the right foot in law school! In today's episode, we're discussing outlining as part of your studying and exam prep. In this episode we discuss: The two purposes of outlining in law school When should you start outlining? What materials do you need in order to get started? A step-by-step process for effective outlining Different formats you can use for making an outline Looking for more personalized help as you g...
Jul 12, 2023•21 min•Ep 403•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, in an episode from our "Quick Tips" series, we break down how to prepare for the Multistate Professional Responsibility exam, which is a crucial element of bar admission. In this episode we discuss: The structure of the MPRE When you should plan to schedule sitting for the exam Tips for studying for the MPRE How long do you need to spend studying? Getting accommodations for the MPRE Resources: NCBE – National Conference of Bar Examiners (htt...
Jul 10, 2023•9 min•Ep 402•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome to the Law School Toolbox podcast for our special series on starting off on the right foot in law school! In today's episode, we're focusing on a very important question: What exactly are you supposed to pay attention to in class in order to make the most of your class time? In this episode we discuss: What law school isn't about The most important things to pay attention to in class Understanding the grey areas of the law and the ambiguities in fact patterns Some of the lessons Lee and ...
Jul 05, 2023•22 min•Ep 401•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're happy to share the 400th episode of the podcast with you! We'll celebrate this milestone with a look back at some of our personal favorite episodes we've recorded over the past eight years . In this episode we discuss: Tips for pre-law and new law students Study strategies for different learning styles A few common questions we get Effective memorization and exam practice Career-related issues Thinking about accommodations for law scho...
Jul 03, 2023•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're excited to talk to ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones about how to bring your A-game to the OCI process. In this episode we discuss: Basics of the OCI process Preparing your application materials Bidding, interview, and callback strategies What are some of the pitfalls of the OCI process? Resources: CareerDicta (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/careerdicta/) Getting a Legal Job (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/law-school-toolbox-podcast-archive/...
Jun 26, 2023•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome to the Law School Toolbox podcast for our special series on starting off on the right foot in law school! In today's episode, we'll demystify the dreaded Socratic method for teaching in law school, and provide some survival tips for being called on in class. In this episode we discuss: Alison's and Lee's own experiences of being called on in a law school class, and not having things go well Why classes are critically important What is the Socratic method of teaching? The good thing about...
Jun 21, 2023•20 min•Ep 398•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're excited to have John Passmore - a practicing attorney and one of our Law School Toolbox writers - with us to talk about some ways that law students can get involved in the legal profession. In this episode we discuss: A quick overview of John's professional background How to make the most of internships and summer legal jobs What are some ways to get involved outside of class, beyond working? What we found most helpful in law school to...
Jun 19, 2023•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome to the Law School Toolbox podcast for our special series on starting off on the right foot in law school! Today, in the second episode of the series, we're discussing reading law school cases and preparing for class. In this episode we discuss: Why it's important to spend time reading cases Things to pay attention to when you're reading a case The components of a typical opinion Holding and dicta in the context of court decisions The case of United States v. Carroll Towing Co. Pros and c...
Jun 14, 2023•25 min•Ep 396•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, as part of our "Listen and Learn" series, we're discussing Evidence, specifically some special forms of privileged communication. In this episode we discuss: Privileged communication vs. confidentiality The two types of marital (or spousal) privilege Requirements for communication between a doctor and a patient for it to be considered privileged Scope of the clergy-penitent privilege Two hypos illustrating how privilege may come up on an exa...
Jun 12, 2023•13 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome to the Law School Toolbox podcast for our special series on starting off on the right foot in law school! In this episode, we're discussing what the law school process is, what lawyers argue about, and where "the law" comes from. In this episode we discuss: The four distinct steps in the law school learning process What do lawyers argue about, and what do law students argue about? The two different types of law in the United States Applying "the law" on an exam Looking for more personali...
Jun 07, 2023•17 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
