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The Law School Toolbox Podcast: Tools for Law Students from 1L to the Bar Exam, and Beyond

The Law School Toolbox Podcast: Tools for Law Students from 1L to the Bar Exam, and Beyond

570 episodes — Page 1 of 12

569: Listen and Learn -- Strict Liability: Animals and Dangerous Activities (Part 2)

Aug 17, 202613 min

568: Listen and Learn -- Strict Liability: Animals and Dangerous Activities (Part 1)

Aug 10, 202616 min

567: Law Every 1L Should Know -- Constitutional Law

Aug 3, 202620 min

566: Law Every 1L Should Know -- Criminal Law

Jul 27, 202621 min

565: Law School Accreditation in 2026: A Conversation with Jennifer Rosato Perea

Jul 20, 202628 min

564: Law Every 1L Should Know -- Evidence

Jul 13, 202621 min

563: Neurodivergence in the Workplace (w/Natalie Diggins)

Jul 6, 202643 min

562: Law Every 1L Should Know -- Personal Jurisdiction (Civil Procedure)

Jun 29, 202621 min

561: Real Talk About the Law School Loan Landscape (w/Teria Thornton from AccessLex)

Jun 22, 202639 min

560: Law Every 1L Should Know -- Real Property

Jun 15, 202623 min

559: Law Every 1L Should Know -- Torts

Jun 8, 202621 min

558: Law Every 1L Should Know -- Contract Formation

Jun 1, 202622 min

557: This is How Your Brain Actually Learns (The Brain Science Behind Our RAMP Tool)

May 25, 202629 min

556: How Much Do Grades Matter for Different Career Paths?

May 18, 202622 min

555: Listen and Learn -- The Breach Element of a Negligence Claim (Torts)

May 11, 202620 min

554: How We're Thinking About NextGen Prep Differently (Plus, Try Our New Tool for Free!)

May 4, 202636 min

553: NextGen Bar Exam: What Law Schools (and Students) Need to Do Differently (w/Quentin Huff)

Apr 27, 202634 min

552: Too Much Reading, Not Enough Time? Tips for Overloaded Weeks in Law School

Apr 20, 202619 min

551: Listen and Learn -- Warranties and Disclaimers Under the UCC (Contracts)

Apr 13, 202625 min

550: Financial Planning for Law Students and Young Lawyers (w/Alexandra Sandberg)

Apr 6, 202637 min

Ep 549549: Acing the Law Review Write-on Competition (w/Professor Dawn Young)

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! This episode features a conversation with Professor Dawn Young from Loyola University Chicago School of Law about legal writing, bluebooking, and law review write-on competitions. Professor Young explains how the write-on competition works and what 1L students need to focus on if they decide to participate. Note: We would like to thank Themis Bar Review for sponsoring this episode. Only until this Friday (April 3rd, 2026), you can save up to $1,100 on your 2027 or 2028 bar review course with just $25 down. Simply visit ThemisBar.com and select "Pay Partially" when opting for a 2027 or 2028 bar review course. The $1,100 discount will automatically apply at checkout. In this episode we discuss: An introduction to our guest and her path from legal practice to academia Why legal writing matters and how it's different from writing in undergrad Tips for preparing for the write-on competition How important is being on a law journal to potential employers? Resources: Tutoring for Law School Success (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/tutoring-for-law-school-success/) Themis Bar Review (https://www.themisbar.com/) ThemisBarSocial.com/lawschooltoolbox (https://www.themisbarsocial.com/lawschooltoolbox) Loyola University: Dawn Young (https://www.luc.edu/law/faculty/facultyandadministrationprofiles/young-dawn.shtml) SSRN: Dawn Young (https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/cf_dev/AbsByAuth.cfm?per_id=6836378) LinkedIn: Dawn Young (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawnkyoung/) Instagram: Dawn Young (https://www.instagram.com/dawnyoung000/) Podcast Episode 42: Acing the Law Review Write-on Competition (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-42-acing-law-review-write-competition/) Podcast Episode 379: Quick Tips – Bluebooking Like a Pro (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-379-quick-tips-bluebooking-like-a-pro/) The Question I've Never Been Asked About the Bar Exam (https://barexamtoolbox.com/question-ive-never-asked-bar-exam/) Use Upperclass Law Students as Resources: A List of Questions You Can Ask (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/use-upperclass-law-students-as-resources-a-list-of-questions-you-can-ask/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-549-acing-the-law-review-write-on-competition-w-professor-dawn-young/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Mar 30, 202642 min

Ep 548548: A Week in the Life of a Successful 1L – What You Actually Do Hour by Hour

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In this episode, we discuss time management strategies for first-year law students, walking through a detailed weekday schedule. We cover how to manage class and reading time with active study techniques, regular breaks, and actual downtime. Thanks to Juno for sponsoring this episode! If you're thinking about student loans for law school, head to JoinJuno.com to explore your options and see how Juno can help you find a better rate. In this episode we discuss: The 1L weekly framework The "Thousand Minute Rule" A 1L student's weekday schedule breakdown What derails study time Tactical tools to help manage your time Focus blocks and Pomodoro method Resources: Tutoring for Law School Success (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/tutoring-for-law-school-success/) JoinJuno.com (https://joinjuno.com/) Podcast Episode 112: Managing Distractions in Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-112-managing-distractions-in-law-school/) Podcast Episode 521: Smarter Borrowing: How Juno Helps Lower Student Loans (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-521-smarter-borrowing-how-juno-helps-lower-student-loans/) Law School Toolbox Experts Share: How Should Law Students Create a Study Schedule? (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/law-school-toolbox-experts-share-how-would-you-advise-law-students-to-create-a-study-schedule/) Making a Study Schedule for 1Ls (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/making-a-study-schedule-for-1ls/) Get Your Day Started Right! 5 Tips to Help You Establish a Good Morning Routine (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-your-day-started-right-5-tips-to-help-you-establish-a-good-morning-routine/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-548-a-week-in-the-life-of-a-successful-1l-what-you-actually-do-hour-by-hour/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Mar 23, 202621 min

Ep 547547: Listen and Learn -- Duties to the Tribunal (Professional Responsibility)

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we're discussing ABA's Model Rule of Professional Conduct 3.3, which governs truth telling to the tribunal (a court, arbitrator, administrative agency, or any other body acting in an adjudicative capacity). We break down all of the rule's nuances and parts, and analyze a few hypothetical scenarios. In this episode we discuss: An overview of ABA's Model Rules of Professional Conduct The elements of Rule 3.3 "Candor Toward the Tribunal" A few hypothetical scenarios that show how this topic appears on an exam Resources: "Listen and Learn" series (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/law-school-toolbox-podcast-substantive-law-topics/#listen-learn) ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct (https://www.americanbar.org/groups/professional_responsibility/publications/model_rules_of_professional_conduct/model_rules_of_professional_conduct_table_of_contents/) California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, February 2024 (https://www.calbar.ca.gov/sites/default/files/portals/0/documents/admissions/Examinations/February2024CBXessayQsandAnswer.pdf) California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, February 2018 (https://www.calbar.ca.gov/sites/default/files/portals/0/documents/admissions/Examinations/Feb2018_CBXSelectedAnswers_EssayQuestions.pdf) Talmage v. Smith (https://www.casebriefs.com/blog/law/torts/torts-keyed-to-prosser/intentional-interference-with-person-or-property/talmage-v-smith/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-547-listen-and-learn-duties-to-the-tribunal-professional-responsibility/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Mar 16, 202619 min

Ep 546546: 5 Tips for Keeping Your Legal Writing Organized (Part 2)

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In a two-part episode, we discuss how organization is what makes legal writing usable and trustworthy -- allowing judges, supervisors, and clients to follow your reasoning and accept your conclusions. Together with Legal Writing professor and Law School Toolbox tutor Mary Fran Richardson, we cover five essential tips for keeping your legal writing clean and well organized. In this episode we discuss: Planning and outlining before you write Avoiding conclusory analysis Utilizing headers as signposts for your reader Organizing your paragraphs logically Writing simple, focused, and purposeful sentences How to write strong topic sentences Resources: Tutoring for Law School Success (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/tutoring-for-law-school-success/) Podcast Episode 489: A Legal Writing Makeover (Part 1 – The Issue Statement) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-489-a-legal-writing-makeover-part-1-the-issue-statement/) Podcast Episode 490: A Legal Writing Makeover (Part 2 – The Rule Statement) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-490-a-legal-writing-makeover-part-2-the-rule-statement/) Podcast Episode 491: A Legal Writing Makeover (Part 3 – The Analysis Section) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-491-a-legal-writing-makeover-part-3-the-analysis-section/) Podcast Episode 493: A Legal Writing Makeover (Part 4 – The Conclusion) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-493-a-legal-writing-makeover-part-4-the-conclusion/) Mastering Legal Writing (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/mastering-legal-writing/) Three Cs of Legal Writing…And One T (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/three-cs-of-legal-writingand-one-t/) Keys to Outlining in Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/keys-to-outlining-in-law-school/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-546-5-tips-for-keeping-your-legal-writing-organized-part-2/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Mar 9, 202633 min

Ep 545545: 5 Tips for Keeping Your Legal Writing Organized (Part 1)

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In a two-part episode, we discuss how organization is what makes legal writing usable and trustworthy -- allowing judges, supervisors, and clients to follow your reasoning and accept your conclusions. Together with Legal Writing professor and Law School Toolbox tutor Mary Fran Richardson, we cover five essential tips for keeping your legal writing clean and well organized. In this episode we discuss: How thinking like a reader helps your writing The starting point: Audience and purpose The characteristics of the most effective legal writing AI and legal writing: Why you still need your own voice Macro and micro organization of legal writing Remember to follow the directions! Resources: Tutoring for Law School Success (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/tutoring-for-law-school-success/) Podcast Episode 489: A Legal Writing Makeover (Part 1 – The Issue Statement) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-489-a-legal-writing-makeover-part-1-the-issue-statement/) Podcast Episode 490: A Legal Writing Makeover (Part 2 – The Rule Statement) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-490-a-legal-writing-makeover-part-2-the-rule-statement/) Podcast Episode 491: A Legal Writing Makeover (Part 3 – The Analysis Section) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-491-a-legal-writing-makeover-part-3-the-analysis-section/) Podcast Episode 493: A Legal Writing Makeover (Part 4 – The Conclusion) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-493-a-legal-writing-makeover-part-4-the-conclusion/) Mastering Legal Writing (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/mastering-legal-writing/) Three Cs of Legal Writing…And One T (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/three-cs-of-legal-writingand-one-t/) Demoralizing Feedback? Look at What You Did Right (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/demoralizing-feedback-look-at-what-you-did-right/) Using IRAC on Law School Exams (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/using-irac-on-law-school-exams/) Legal Writing Tip: Imagine You're Talking to Your Grandma (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/legal-writing-tip-imagine-youre-talking-to-your-grandma/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-545-5-tips-for-keeping-your-legal-writing-organized-part-1/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Mar 2, 202626 min

Ep 544544: Quick Tips -- Rapid-Fire Legal Ethics Scenarios

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we're going through three rapid-fire legal ethics scenarios and asking you, the listener, "What would you do?" We then provide you with the answers based on the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct. In this episode we discuss: Scenario 1: Conflict of interest Scenario 2: Client plans to lie on the stand Scenario 3: Pro bono when you're overworked Resources: Tutoring for Law School Success (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/tutoring-for-law-school-success/) ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct (https://www.americanbar.org/groups/professional_responsibility/publications/model_rules_of_professional_conduct/model_rules_of_professional_conduct_table_of_contents/) Professional Responsibility 101 – A Quick Look at Upperclassmen Courses (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/professional-responsibility-101-a-quick-look-at-upperclassmen-courses/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-544-quick-tips-rapid-fire-legal-ethics-scenarios/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Feb 23, 20267 min

Ep 543543: The CROWN Act – Fighting Discrimination in the Workplace (w/Karis Stephen)

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, Lee is talking with Karis Stephen -- a plaintiff-side employment attorney and Law School Toolbox tutor -- about her career journey, law school success, and the CROWN Act. In this episode we discuss: An introduction to our guest and her professional journey Exploring different career and life interests Working in the employment discrimination field Why it's advisable to find a professional mentor What is the CROWN Act and how it fights discrimination Women and workplace discrimination Three important pieces of advice for law students Resources: Tutoring for Law School Success (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/tutoring-for-law-school-success/) The CROWN Act (https://www.thecrownact.com/) In-N-Out former employee files $3-million lawsuit, saying he was fired over his hairstyle (https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-06-16/in-n-out-former-employee-files-3-million-lawsuit-saying-he-was-fired-over-his-hair-style) Podcast Episode 358: Diversity and Inclusion in the Legal Profession (w/Alexis Yee-Garcia) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-358-diversity-and-inclusion-in-the-legal-profession-w-alexis-yee-garcia/) Podcast Episode 387: Breaking Diversity Barriers (w/Jason Parker from Canamac Productions) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-387-breaking-diversity-barriers-w-jason-parker-from-canamac-productions/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-543-the-crown-act-fighting-discrimination-in-the-workplace-w-karis-stephen/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Feb 16, 202643 min

Ep 542542: Listen and Learn -- Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress (Torts)

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! This episode explains the concept of negligent infliction of emotional distress (NIED) in tort law, outlining the four specific situations in which a plaintiff can recover for emotional harm caused by another's negligence. In this episode we discuss: A review of the elements of negligence The four situations in which NIED claims are valid Negligent versus intentional infliction of emotional distress Hypotheticals and examples illustrating NIED Resources: "Listen and Learn" series (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/law-school-toolbox-podcast-substantive-law-topics/#listen-learn) California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, July 2010 (https://juraxbar.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/July-2010-CBX.pdf) California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, February 2011 (https://juraxbar.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/February-2011-CBX.pdf) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-542-listen-and-learn-negligent-infliction-of-emotional-distress-torts/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Feb 9, 202617 min

Ep 541541: Listen and Learn -- Injunctions and Restraining Orders (Civ Pro)

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, as part of our "Listen and Learn" series, we're discussing the concept of injunctive relief (Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 65). We introduce three types of injunctions – temporary restraining orders (TROs), preliminary injunctions, and permanent injunctions, and the elements necessary for obtaining each of them. In this episode we discuss: Overview of injunctive relief Temporary restraining orders (TROs) Preliminary injunctions and permanent injunctions Sample questions from previous California bar exams Resources: "Listen and Learn" series (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/law-school-toolbox-podcast-substantive-law-topics/#listen-learn) California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, July 2019 (https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/admissions/July-2019-Essay-Questions-and-Answers.pdf) California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, July 2008 (https://nwculaw.edu/pdf/bar/July%202008%20Essays%20and%20Sample%20Answers.pdf) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-541-listen-and-learn-injunctions-and-restraining-orders-civ-pro/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Feb 2, 202621 min

Ep 540540: Listen and Learn -- Self-Defense and Defense of Others

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In this episode we explain the legal concepts of self-defense and defense of others, focusing on their importance in criminal law and in law school exams. In this episode we discuss: Self-defense: rules and elements Imperfect self-defense Defense of others: rules and elements Two hypothetical scenarios from previous California bar exams Resources: "Listen and Learn" series (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/law-school-toolbox-podcast-substantive-law-topics/#listen-learn) California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, February 2008 (https://nwculaw.edu/pdf/bar/February%202008%20Essays%20and%20Sample%20Answers.pdf) California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, February 2006 (https://nwculaw.edu/pdf/bar/February%202006%20Essays%20and%20Sample%20Answers.pdf) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-540-listen-and-learn-self-defense-and-defense-of-others/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Jan 26, 202615 min

Ep 539539: Listen and Learn -- Impeachment (Part 1)

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're diving into part one of a two-part series on the topic of impeachment. Specifically, we're focusing on character impeachment – that is, discrediting the credibility of a witness. In this episode we discuss: What is witness impeachment? Demonstration of bias Examining a witness's character for truthfulness Evidence of prior bad acts and convictions Analyzing two questions from previous bar exams Resources: "Listen and Learn" series (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/law-school-toolbox-podcast-substantive-law-topics/#listen-learn) California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, February 2016 (https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/admissions/Examinations/February2016CBX_QuestionsSelectedAnswers_R.pdf) California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, February 2020 (https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/admissions/Examinations/February-2020-Essay-Selected-Answers.pdf) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-539-listen-and-learn-impeachment-part-1/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Jan 19, 202620 min

Ep 538538: Using AI in Law School: Smart Strategies and Red Flags

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! As AI is becoming part of our everyday life, we're discussing the good practices and the questionable uses of AI in law school. In this episode we discuss: How law students are currently using AI How law schools and professors are responding to AI usage The upside: When AI genuinely helps you learn and practice Risks, pitfalls, and ethical landmines Resources: Tutoring for Law School Success (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/tutoring-for-law-school-success/) AI in Higher Education: A Meta Summary of Recent Surveys of Students and Faculty (https://sites.campbell.edu/academictechnology/2025/03/06/ai-in-higher-education-a-summary-of-recent-surveys-of-students-and-faculty/) ABA Task Force on Law and Artificial Intelligence releases survey on AI and legal education (https://www.americanbar.org/news/abanews/aba-news-archives/2024/06/aba-task-force-law-and-ai-survey/) This law school is among the 1% that allow use of AI to write admissions essays (https://www.abajournal.com/news/article/a-majority-of-surveyed-law-schools-have-no-policy-on-using-ai-to-write-admission-essays/) Risks of AI in Legal Practice (https://law.stanford.edu/juelsgaard-intellectual-property-and-innovation-clinic/risks-of-ai-in-legal-practice/) Podcast Episode 480: Ethical Uses of AI in Law School (w/Professor Susan Tanner) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-480-ethical-uses-of-ai-in-law-school-w-professor-susan-tanner/) Podcast Episode 505: Breaking ADHD Barriers with the Help of AI (w/Lindsay Scola) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-505-breaking-adhd-barriers-with-the-help-of-ai-w-lindsay-scola/) Podcast Episode 517: Teaching AI in Law School (w/Megan Hutchinson and Nicole Phillips) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-517-teaching-ai-in-law-school-w-megan-hutchinson-and-nicole-phillips/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-538-using-ai-in-law-school-smart-strategies-and-red-flags/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Jan 12, 202631 min

Ep 537537: Planning for a Better Second Semester in Law School

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In the first week of January, we're talking about the second semester – how to make a study plan, get feedback on your first-semester exams, and even use AI to help you out with organization and studying. In this episode we discuss: Dealing with disappointing first-semester grades Engaging with professors and seeking feedback Creating and sticking to a study schedule Minimizing distractions and maximizing focus Utilizing AI for academic success Resources: Tutoring for Law School Success (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/tutoring-for-law-school-success/) Podcast Episode 79: Making the Most of Your Second Semester in Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-79-making-second-semester-law-school/) Podcast Episode 110: Revisiting Mindset (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-110-revisiting-mindset/) Podcast Episode 112: Managing Distractions in Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-112-managing-distractions-in-law-school/) Podcast Episode 226: Bouncing Back Second Semester in Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-226-bouncing-back-second-semester-in-law-school/) Podcast Episode 505: Breaking ADHD Barriers with the Help of AI (w/Lindsay Scola) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-505-breaking-adhd-barriers-with-the-help-of-ai-w-lindsay-scola/) Podcast Episode 513: Grappling with AI as a Law Student and Lawyer (1L Summer Series) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-513-grappling-with-ai-as-a-law-student-and-lawyer-1l-summer-series/) Podcast Episode 522: Is Social Media Destroying Our Ability to Focus? (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-522-is-social-media-destroying-our-ability-to-focus/) Podcast Episode 533: Quick Tips – How to Engage Meaningfully with Your Professors in Office Hours (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-533-quick-tips-how-to-engage-meaningfully-with-your-professors-in-office-hours/) Leveling the Playing Field: Using Resources and Seeking Accommodations in Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/leveling-playing-field-using-resource-seeking-accommodations-law-school/) Need to Get More Done in Law School? Try The Circles. (https://thegirlsguidetolawschool.com/08/tips-time-management-awesomeness-with-the-circles/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-537-planning-for-a-better-second-semester-in-law-school/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Jan 5, 202634 min

Ep 536536: Listen and Learn -- UCC Expectation Damages (Contracts)

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In this episode from our "Listen and Learn" series, we're talking about the expectation damages of sellers and buyers of goods under Article 2 of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC). In this episode we discuss: Sellers' expectation damages Buyers' expectation damages Hypothetical scenarios dealing with remedies for breaches of contract Resources: "Listen and Learn" series (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/law-school-toolbox-podcast-substantive-law-topics/#listen-learn) Podcast Episode 341: Listen and Learn – Contract Defenses (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-341-listen-and-learn-contract-defenses/) Podcast Episode 354: Listen and Learn – Expectation and Consequential Damages (Contracts) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-354-listen-and-learn-expectation-and-consequential-damages-contracts/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-536-listen-and-learn-ucc-expectation-damages-contracts/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Dec 29, 202522 min

Ep 535535: Listen and Learn -- Public and Private Nuisance

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we have another episode in our "Listen and Learn" series. This time, we're talking about nuisances (public and private). In this episode we discuss: How does nuisance show up on an exam? The similarities and differences between public and private nuisance Defenses to nuisance claims Analyzing a hypo from the California First-Year Law Students' Examination from June 2014 How to structure your answer to a question involving nuisance A reminder to extract individual facts from the fact pattern and figure out why each one matters Resources: "Listen and Learn" series (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/law-school-toolbox-podcast-substantive-law-topics/#listen-learn) California First-Year Law Students' Examination, June 2014 (http://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/admissions/fyx/FYLSX_June2014_Essay_Questions.pdf) Podcast Episode 257: Listen and Learn – The "Reasonable Person" Standard (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-257-listen-and-learn-the-reasonable-person-standard/) Podcast Episode 265: Listen and Learn – Constructive Eviction (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-265-listen-and-learn-constructive-eviction/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-535-listen-and-learn-public-and-private-nuisance/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Dec 22, 202519 min

Ep 534534: Handling ADHD in the Legal Workplace (w/Emily Haan)

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In this episode, we're speaking with ADHD and executive function coach Emily Haan about the unique challenges attorneys with ADHD face in the workplace, such as time management, task switching, and email overload. We share practical coping strategies --including using physical timers, planning ahead, and body doubling -- to help manage these difficulties, and emphasize the importance of self-advocacy and finding supportive mentors. In this episode we discuss: Introduction to our guest Emily Haan and her work as an ADHD and executive function coach Understanding ADHD in professional environments Challenges faced by young lawyers with ADHD Effective time management and coping strategies Seeking support in the workplace Advantages of ADHD and finding the right fit career-wise Resources: EmilyHaan.com (https://www.emilyhaan.com/) Podcast Episode 476: Executive Functioning Skills for Law Students with ADHD (w/Emily Haan) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-476-executive-functioning-skills-for-law-students-with-adhd-w-emily-haan/) Working on Your Executive Functioning Skills (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/working-on-your-executive-functioning-skills/) Creating a Prioritized To-Do List: Law School and ADHD (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/creating-a-prioritized-to-do-list-law-school-and-adhd/) Seeking Accommodations & Support for Neurodiversity: Law School and ADHD (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/seeking-accommodations-support-for-neurodiversity-law-school-and-adhd/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-534-handling-adhd-in-the-legal-workplace-w-emily-haan/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Dec 15, 202532 min

Ep 533533: Quick Tips -- How to Engage Meaningfully with Your Professors in Office Hours

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we're talking about using office hours in a productive way – this time, from your professor's perspective. We emphasize preparing specific questions, demonstrating prior effort, and engaging thoughtfully with the feedback your professor gives you. In this episode we discuss: Preparing your materials for office hours Effective communication during office hours Seeking feedback on written work What questions to ask and how to take notes Attitude and professionalism in office hours Resources: Tutoring for Law School Success (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/tutoring-for-law-school-success/) Podcast Episode 106: How to Go to Office Hours and Make It Worth Your Time (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-106-go-office-hours-make-worth-time/) Six Ways to Use Office Hours (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-106-go-office-hours-make-worth-time/) Tips for Making the Most of Your Professor's Office Hours (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/making-most-of-professors-office-hours/) Avoiding Office Hours? Go, and Get Something Out of It (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/avoiding-office-hours-go-and-get-something-out-of-it/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-533-quick-tips-how-to-engage-meaningfully-with-your-professors-in-office-hours/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Dec 8, 202521 min

Ep 532532: Listen and Learn -- Criminal Procedure: Identifications (Part 2)

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! This episode continues the discussion on criminal identification procedures, focusing on potential due process violation issues. Through analyzing a hypothetical scenario, we illustrate how courts look at the totality of the circumstances and assess whether identification procedures are unnecessarily suggestive. The episode concludes with a step-by-step approach to tackling identification procedure questions on an exam. In this episode we discuss: A question from the October 2020 California bar exam The various types of identification procedures How to consider the totality of the circumstances when determining potential due process violations An exam strategy for answering identification procedure questions Resources: "Listen and Learn" series (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/law-school-toolbox-podcast-substantive-law-topics/#listen-learn) California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, October 2020 (https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/admissions/Examinations/October-2020-Essay-Selected-Answers.pdf) Podcast Episode 290: Listen and Learn – Privilege Against Self-Incrimination and Miranda Rights (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-290-listen-and-learn-privilege-against-self-incrimination-and-miranda-rights/) Podcast Episode 295: Listen and Learn – Due Process and Equal Protection (Con Law) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-295-listen-and-learn-due-process-and-equal-protection-con-law/) Podcast Episode 330: Listen and Learn – The Sixth Amendment (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-330-listen-and-learn-the-sixth-amendment/) Podcast Episode 530: Listen and Learn – Criminal Procedure: Identifications (Part 1) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-530-listen-and-learn-criminal-procedure-identifications-part-1/) SpacedRepetition.com (https://spacedrepetition.com/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-532-listen-and-learn-criminal-procedure-identifications-part-2/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Dec 1, 202516 min

Ep 531531: What Law Students Should Know About New Legal Tech (w/Gabe Teninbaum)

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, Alison and Gabe Teninbaum -- law professor and creator of SpacedRepetition.com -- discuss how technology is rapidly transforming the legal profession, emphasizing the importance for law students and lawyers to develop technological competence and adapt to new tools and roles in the legal profession. In this episode we discuss: Gabe's background and work in legal innovation and technology The evolution and future of legal work Important soft and tech skills for future lawyers Resources for keeping up with legal innovation Resources: SpacedRepetition.com (https://www.spacedrepetition.com/) LinkedIn: Gabriel Teninbaum (https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriel-teninbaum-6a34676/) Suffolk University: Gabriel Teninbaum (https://www.suffolk.edu/academics/faculty/g/t/gteninbaum) Suffolk University Legal Innovation & Technology Lab (https://suffolklitlab.org/) QnA Markup (https://www.qnamarkup.org/) Docassemble (https://docassemble.org/) Gavel (https://www.gavel.io/) CoCounsel (https://www.thomsonreuters.com/en/cocounsel) LinkedIn Learning (https://www.linkedin.com/learning/) LawSites (https://www.lawnext.com/) Artificial Lawyer (https://www.artificiallawyer.com/) Tomorrow's Lawyers: An Introduction to Your Future, by Richard Susskind (https://www.amazon.com/Tomorrows-Lawyers-Introduction-your-Future-dp-0192864726/dp/0192864726/ref=dp_ob_title_bk) Podcast Episode 71: Soft Skills You Need to Develop to Be a Successful Attorney (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-71-soft-skills-you-need-to-develop-to-be-a-successful-attorney/) Podcast Episode 441: Exploring the Impact of AI on the Legal Profession (w/Gabe Teninbaum) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-441-exploring-the-impact-of-ai-on-the-legal-profession-w-gabe-teninbaum/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-531-what-law-students-should-know-about-new-legal-tech-w-gabe-teninbaum/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Nov 24, 202531 min

Ep 530530: Listen and Learn -- Criminal Procedure: Identifications (Part 1)

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we're talking about the rules and timing of the different types of criminal identification procedures. This is Part 1 of a two-part episode. In this episode we discuss: Types of criminal identifications procedures Timing of identifications procedures and right to counsel Due process in identifications procedures Analysis of a hypothetical scenario Resources: "Listen and Learn" series (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/law-school-toolbox-podcast-substantive-law-topics/#listen-learn) California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, February 2003 (https://nwculaw.edu/pdf/bar/February%202003%20Essays%20and%20Sample%20Answers.pdf) Podcast Episode 290: Listen and Learn – Privilege Against Self-Incrimination and Miranda Rights (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-290-listen-and-learn-privilege-against-self-incrimination-and-miranda-rights/) Podcast Episode 295: Listen and Learn – Due Process and Equal Protection (Con Law) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-295-listen-and-learn-due-process-and-equal-protection-con-law/) Podcast Episode 330: Listen and Learn – The Sixth Amendment (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-330-listen-and-learn-the-sixth-amendment/) SpacedRepetition.com (https://spacedrepetition.com/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-530-listen-and-learn-criminal-procedure-identifications-part-1/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Nov 17, 202516 min

Ep 529529: Last-Minute Law School Exam Prep: Triage Tips for Success

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we're discussing how you can regroup, triage, and get the most out of the final weeks before law school exams. In this episode we discuss: Preparing outlines and other study materials How to use study groups effectively Writing practice exams and getting feedback Optimizing study time and minimizing distractions The importance of sleep and wellbeing How to prepare for exam accommodations Using AI tools for exam prep Resources: Tutoring for Law School Success (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/tutoring-for-law-school-success/) Podcast Episode 112: Managing Distractions in Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-112-managing-distractions-in-law-school/) Podcast Episode 230: Learning Through Making Mistakes in Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-230-learning-through-making-mistakes-in-law-school/) Podcast Episode 480: Ethical Uses of AI in Law School (w/Professor Susan Tanner) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-480-ethical-uses-of-ai-in-law-school-w-professor-susan-tanner/) Podcast Episode 498: Tips for Better Rest with Sleep Expert Lindsay Scola (Part 1) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-498-tips-for-better-rest-with-sleep-expert-lindsay-scola-part-1/) Podcast Episode 499: Tips for Better Rest with Sleep Expert Lindsay Scola (Part 2) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-499-tips-for-better-rest-with-sleep-expert-lindsay-scola-part-2/) Surviving the October Freakout (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/surviving-the-october-freakout/) How to Move from Outline to Exam Answer (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/how-to-move-from-outline-to-exam-answer/) 5 Ways Study Groups Can Be Helpful (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/5-ways-study-groups-can-be-helpful/) Lessons from My 1L Year: You Don't Have to Live in the Law Library (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/lessons-from-my-1l-year-you-dont-have-to-live-in-the-law-library/) Leveling the Playing Field: Using Resources and Seeking Accommodations in Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/leveling-playing-field-using-resource-seeking-accommodations-law-school/) Our Social Media Detox (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLT5txTOjOHmS5cQa7_tvCaTs4xP-FFFAW) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-529-last-minute-law-school-exam-prep-triage-tips-for-success/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Nov 10, 202535 min

Ep 528528: Optimizing Sleep and Productivity in Law School (w/Lindsay Scola)

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! This podcast episode explores the critical connection between sleep and productivity, especially for students and professionals. Guest Lindsay Scola shares her personal journey with sleep disorders and emphasizes that sleep is foundational for cognitive performance, memory, and overall well-being. The conversation offers practical tips for improving sleep habits and highlights the importance of being intentional about rest to support both academic and career success. In this episode we discuss: The science of sleep and its relation to productivity Building your sleep blueprint Balancing social life and sleep Managing middle-of-the-night-wakeups The "Snooze" button myth Sleep chronotypes and productivity Top 5 sleep tips for law students, and what you can find in Lindsay's sleep course Resources: Lindsay Scola (https://www.lindsayscola.com/) LinkedIn: Lindsay Scola (https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsay-scola-a75b431/) Sleep Is the Power Move course (https://courses.lindsayscola.com/sleep-is-the-power-move) Podcast Episode 134: Strategies for Maximum Personal Productivity (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-134-strategies-for-maximum-personal-productivity/) Podcast Episode 498: Tips for Better Rest with Sleep Expert Lindsay Scola (Part 1) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-498-tips-for-better-rest-with-sleep-expert-lindsay-scola-part-1/) Podcast Episode 499: Tips for Better Rest with Sleep Expert Lindsay Scola (Part 2) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-499-tips-for-better-rest-with-sleep-expert-lindsay-scola-part-2/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-528-optimizing-sleep-and-productivity-in-law-school-w-lindsay-scola/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Nov 3, 202546 min

Ep 527527: Listen and Learn -- Excuses for Non-Performance of a Contract

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In this episode from our "Listen and Learn" series, we're exploring the situations in which a party to a contract is claiming that their contractual obligations should be discharged as a result of supervening events that occurred after the formation of the contract. The three excuses for non-performance of a contract we'll look at are: impossibility, impracticability, and frustration of purpose. In this episode we discuss: The rules for the impossibility, impracticability, and frustration of purpose excuses for non-performance of a contract Two essay questions from previous California bar exams Resources: "Listen and Learn" series (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/law-school-toolbox-podcast-substantive-law-topics/#listen-learn) California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, February 2009 (https://juraxbar.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/February-2009-CBX.pdf) California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, July 2006 (https://nwculaw.edu/pdf/bar/July%202006%20Essays%20and%20Sample%20Answers.pdf) Taylor v. Caldwell (https://www.casebriefs.com/blog/law/commercial-law/commercial-law-keyed-to-lopucki/performance/taylor-v-caldwell-2/) Krell v. Henry (https://www.casebriefs.com/blog/law/commercial-law/commercial-law-keyed-to-lopucki/performance/krell-v-henry-2/) Podcast Episode 341: Listen and Learn – Contract Defenses (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-341-listen-and-learn-contract-defenses/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-527-listen-and-learn-excuses-for-non-performance-of-a-contract/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Oct 27, 202517 min

Ep 526526: Quick Tips -- Legal Latin Decoded

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Much of Western legal tradition evolved from Roman law, and even when legal systems modernized, many principles and terms remained in Latin. Today, as part of our "Quick Tips" series, we provide you with the meaning of various Latin phrases that are commonly used in law school classes. In this episode we discuss: The meaning and uses of various Latin words and phrases used in the legal context Resources: Law School 101 (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/law-school-101/) 15 Latin Legal Terms Every 1L Should Know (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/15-latin-legal-terms-every-1l-should-know/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-526-quick-tips-legal-latin-decoded/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Oct 20, 202513 min

Ep 525525: Being an Adult (w/Julie Lythcott-Haims)

E

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In this episode, author and educator Julie Lythcott-Haims discusses with Lee the complexities of becoming an adult, emphasizing that adulthood is less about age and more about taking responsibility for oneself. We highlight the importance of developing independence, financial literacy, and the ability to have difficult conversations, while also stressing the value of vulnerability, community, and human connection in navigating adult life. Ultimately, the discussion encourages embracing the challenges of adulthood as opportunities for growth and self-discovery. In this episode we discuss: What does it mean to be an adult? Tests of adulthood: Handling life's challenges Managing helicopter parents and creating autonomy The power of vulnerability and connection Financial literacy and money management Being a helper in your community Technology, AI, and the future of the legal profession Resources: Julie Lythcott-Haims (https://www.julielythcotthaims.com/) Julie's Pod – Substack (https://jlythcotthaims.substack.com/) Your Turn: How to Be an Adult, by Julie Lythcott-Haims (https://www.julielythcotthaims.com/your-turn) How to Raise an Adult, by Julie Lythcott-Haims (https://www.julielythcotthaims.com/how-to-raise-an-adult) Podcast Episode 383: Talking About Money with Jesse Mecham, Founder of You Need A Budget (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-383-talking-about-money-with-jesse-mecham-founder-of-you-need-a-budget/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-525-being-an-adult-w-julie-lythcott-haims/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Oct 13, 202559 min

Ep 524524: LSAT Changes and Prep Strategies with AI (w/Steve Schwartz)

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In today's episode, Steve Schwartz from LSAT Unplugged shares the latest changes to the LSAT format. We also explore the evolving role of AI in test preparation and admissions and offer practical advice for effective LSAT study strategies. In this episode we discuss: The latest LSAT format, consisting of: logical reasoning tasks reading comprehension tasks writing sample The role of AI in test prep and admissions LSAT prep strategies and resources Resources: LSAT Unplugged (https://www.unpluggedprep.com/) LSAT Unplugged & Law School Admissions podcast (https://lsatunplugged.libsyn.com/) YouTube: LSAT Unplugged & Law School Admissions (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjZbY0gbWSt6i53hXWTJ0zw) LawHub (https://www.lawhub.org/) Podcast Episode 448: 10 Things to Consider When Applying to Law School (w/Steve Schwartz) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-448-10-things-to-consider-when-applying-to-law-school-w-steve-schwartz/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-524-lsat-changes-and-prep-strategies-with-ai-w-steve-schwartz/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Oct 6, 202537 min

Ep 523523: Listen and Learn -- Negligence: Factual Causation

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In today's episode, we're focusing on one of the most highly-tested topics on law school exams: Negligence. In particular, we're talking about the different ways in which factual causation can be demonstrated. In this episode we discuss: Review of the elements of negligence What is factual causation and the five tests that are used to prove it Analyzing two hypos from previous California bar exams Resources: "Listen and Learn" series (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/law-school-toolbox-podcast-substantive-law-topics/#listen-learn) California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, February 2019 (https://makethisyourlasttime.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Feb-2019-Essays.pdf) California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, July 2017 (https://makethisyourlasttime.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/July-2017-Essays.pdf) Summers v. Tice (https://casetext.com/case/summers-v-tice) Sindell v. Abbott Laboratories (https://wiki.harvard.edu/confluence/display/GNME/Sindell+v.+Abbott+Laboratories) Podcast Episode 382: Listen and Learn – Negligence: Proximate Cause (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-382-listen-and-learn-negligence-proximate-cause/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-523-listen-and-learn-negligence-factual-causation/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Sep 29, 202519 min

Ep 522522: Is Social Media Destroying Our Ability to Focus?

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we're talking about a topic we've been thinking about a lot recently – whether social media is destroying our ability to focus. We reflect on how our daily routines were impacted by a week-long break from social media, and how we used the freed up time. In this episode we discuss: Pain points that led to our social media break Effects of a social media detox Reflections on how social media has evolved Implications of excessive social media usage for law students Resources: Tough Broad: From Boogie Boarding to Wing Walking – How Outdoor Adventure Improves Our Lives as We Age, by Caroline Paul (https://www.amazon.com/Tough-Broad-Boarding-Walking_How-Adventure/dp/1635576490) The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness, by Jonathan Haidt (https://www.amazon.com/Anxious-Generation-Rewiring-Childhood-Epidemic/dp/0593655036) Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence, by Dr. Anna Lembke (https://www.amazon.com/Dopamine-Nation-Finding-Balance-Indulgence/dp/1524746746/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0) Digital Distraction: When Is Media Helpful and Harmful While You Are Studying (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/digital-distraction-media-helpful-harmful-studying/) Exercising Your Focus and Attention Muscles (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/exercising-your-focus-and-attention-muscles/) Alison and Lee check their social media usage (https://youtu.be/7YwpbE7z5yI) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-522-is-social-media-destroying-our-ability-to-focus/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Sep 22, 202531 min

Ep 521521: Smarter Borrowing: How Juno Helps Lower Student Loans

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're speaking with Nikhil Agarwal from Juno about how law students can make smarter choices about student loans. We focus on the benefits of group negotiation for better interest rates and the differences between federal and private loans. Thanks to Juno for their support in sponsoring this episode! In this episode we discuss: An introduction to our guest, and the origin of Juno group loan negotiation Understanding student loan options The power of a lower interest rate How Juno's team guides students to make the best decisions for themselves Resources: JoinJuno.com (https://joinjuno.com/) Podcast Episode 96: How to Rapidly Pay Off Law School Debt (with Guest Financial Panther) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-96-how-to-rapidly-pay-off-law-school-debt-with-guest-financial-panther/) Podcast Episode 383: Talking About Money with Jesse Mecham, Founder of You Need A Budget (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-383-talking-about-money-with-jesse-mecham-founder-of-you-need-a-budget/) The Reality of Law School Debt and Planning for It (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/the-reality-of-law-school-debt-and-planning-for-it/) 5 Strategies to Save Money in Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/5-strategies-to-save-money-in-law-school/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-521-smarter-borrowing-how-juno-helps-lower-student-loans/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Sep 15, 202534 min

Ep 520520: Preparing for the NextGen Bar Exam with Themis

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! This episode features a discussion with Dan Smith from Themis Bar Review about the upcoming NextGen Bar Exam, highlighting its new computer-based format and integrated question sets, as well as the importance of memorization and practical skills. The conversation also covers how Themis is adapting its prep materials for the new exam format. Note: This episode is sponsored by Themis Bar Review – the gold standard in bar exam preparation. Save $1,200 on any 2026 Themis Bar Review course by using the code LAWSCHOOLTB1200 at checkout. (This offer is valid until October 15, 2025.) In this episode we discuss: Changes to the bar exam with the NextGen format How Themis materials support bar studiers Bar prep timeline for NextGen In-school bar preparation programs Choosing your jurisdiction for the exam Resources: Themis Bar Review (https://www.themisbar.com/) NextGen UBE Content Scope Outlines (https://www.ncbex.org/exams/nextgen/content-scope) The California Bar Experiment/Fiasco (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLT5txTOjOHmTwR9HiPiib3N-STp7PxM-O) Podcast Episode 372: The NextGen Bar Exam (w/Doretta McGinnis) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-372-the-nextgen-bar-exam-w-doretta-mcginnis/) Podcast Episode 413: Preparing for the Bar Exam with Themis and UWorld (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-413-preparing-for-the-bar-exam-with-themis-and-uworld/) Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-520-preparing-for-the-nextgen-bar-exam-with-themis/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Sep 8, 202531 min