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 your cov...
Jan 29, 2024•32 min•Ep 434•Transcript available on Metacast 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 target y...
Jan 22, 2024•35 min•Ep 433•Transcript available on Metacast 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 want to s...
Jan 15, 2024•31 min•Ep 432•Transcript available on Metacast 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 diagnosi...
Jan 08, 2024•17 min•Ep 431•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we're excited to be talking with Mike Ulin and Tanguy Chau -- creators of Paxton AI -- 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 using AI in...
Jan 01, 2024•29 min•Ep 430•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Resour...
Dec 25, 2023•30 min•Ep 429•Transcript available on Metacast 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 persua...
Dec 18, 2023•36 min•Ep 428•Transcript available on Metacast 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 more offli...
Dec 11, 2023•44 min•Ep 427•Transcript available on Metacast 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 get out...
Dec 04, 2023•31 min•Ep 426•Transcript available on Metacast 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 less"? H...
Nov 27, 2023•31 min•Ep 425•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Preparing effectively for exams is critical to doing well in law school, so you should start early, create your own outlines, and take practice exams before you feel ready. But if - for whatever reason - you find yourself in the reading week nightmare scenario, we're here to help you make the most of the few days left before exams! In this episode we discuss: What's the first thing you should do if you find yourself in reading week and feeling unpr...
Nov 20, 2023•16 min•Ep 424•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Ep 422•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•Ep 421•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•Ep 419•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•Ep 415•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•Ep 414•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•Ep 412•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•Ep 411•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•Ep 410•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•Ep 408•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•Ep 406•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 
