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

In today's episode, we're doing things a bit differently. We've talked about how to study for a law exam, but today we are going to take an exam with you. Well, not actually TAKE it with you, but we're going over a real question to show you exactly how we'd approach an exam hypo, from start to finish. Before listening to this episode, be sure to download the documents in the resources so you can follow along. In this episode we discuss: Our step-by-step attack plan How we organize the information in the hypo What we're looking for when we read the question How to figure out the key legal issues and critical facts How to generally approach exam hypos Tying the facts to the law Creating a scratch paper outline Putting it all together and writing your exam answer Resources: Here are the materials you'll need, if you want to follow along: Adverse Possession Hypo (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Adverse-possession-hypo.pdf) Adverse Possession Attack Plan (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Adverse-possession-attack-plan.pdf) Adverse Possession Sample Answer (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Adverse-possession-Sample-answer.pdf) Marked Up Answer Alison (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Marked-Up-Question-Alison.pdf) Marked Up Answer Lee (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Marked-Up-Question-Lee.pdf) Scratch Paper Outline Alison (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Scratch-Paper-Outline-Alison.pdf) Scratch Paper Outline Lee (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Scratch-Paper-Outline-Lee.pdf) If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know! We'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes. 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). Thanks for listening! Best of luck on your exams! Alison & Lee

In law school, you spend a lot of time preparing for exams. What most students don't spend time much on is putting yourself in your professor's shoes and focusing on what he or she is looking for in an exam answer. That's what this episode is about! Your goal should be to write a clean, well-organized, and thoughtful exam to give yourself an edge over your frazzled, disorganized classmates. We'll show you how. In this episode we discuss: What grading exams is really like for your professor What your professor is looking for in an exam answer and how you use this information to present them with the best possible answer The importance of mastering not only the law but being also able to apply it What your professor is NOT looking for Ways to frustrate and annoy your professor Remember, when you're writing your exam answers, don't forget to put yourself in the professor's shoes. After all, that's who's giving you a grade. Best of luck on your exams! Resources: 1L Tip of the Day: Good Confusion and Bad Confusion (http://thegirlsguidetolawschool.com/10/law-school-tip-of-the-day-good-confusion-and-bad-confusion/) Should Your Law School Essay Be Wearing Sweatpants or a Suit? (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/should-your-law-school-essay-be-wearing-sweatpants-or-a-suit/) If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know! We'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes. 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). Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

When you're counting the time to your first exam in weeks, rather than months, lots of law students start to panic. While we don’t suggest panicking, some concern is warranted! Time is going to go quickly, and you want to be sure you’re using it wisely in the last month or so until exams start. If you've got law school exams coming up, tune in! In this episode we discuss: Time management during law school exam prep Why you need to make a study calendar NOW! How should you handle Thanksgiving? How to effectively use feedback you have received Triage methods when you have too much to do Ways to reduce stress and stay healthy Evaluating your current study methods so you know what's working (and making changes when you need to) If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know! We'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes. 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). Thanks for listening! And good luck on your exams! Alison & Lee

Not all law school exams are created equal. Different schools will use different types of exams and your professors can do whatever they want! In order to succeed, whether you're facing open-book, closed-book, multiple-choice, or take-home exams, it's critical to practice, to be resourceful, and to use tools and resources that are geared to your specific type of exam. Don't stress out about what type of exams you're facing! Tune in for our advice on the best strategy for every type of law school exam. In this episode we talk about: The different types of law school exams - open book, closed book, multiple choice, and take homes What is the easiest type of law school exam? The hardest? Our personal experience with the different exam types The most common type of exams you will see in law school What resources are most helpful for the different exam types Study strategies for each type of exam The unique challenges you may face with each type of exam Is it okay to ask your professor for help? The importance of planning before you write! Remember - practice makes perfect! Prepare early for your exams and you will be successful. Best of luck on your exams! Whatever type they happen to be... Resources: Surviving Law School Exams (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/may-surviving-law-school-exams/) All You Need to Prepare for Law School Exams (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/all-you-need-to-know-to-prepare-for-law-school-exams/) Tips for Studying for an Open Book Exam (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/tips-for-studying-for-an-open-book-exam/) How to Prepare for a Closed Book Exam (http://thegirlsguidetolawschool.com/11/how-to-prepare-for-a-closed-book-exam/) How to Prepare for an Open Book Exam (http://thegirlsguidetolawschool.com/12/how-to-prepare-for-an-open-book-exam/) 1L Exams Start in a Week - What Should Be Doing? (http://thegirlsguidetolawschool.com/12/1l-exams-start-this-week/) If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know! We'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes. 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). Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Whether you are in your first or final year of law school, you should be using supplements. Although they can't do the work for you, commercial supplements can provide valuable insight and help fill the gaps in your understanding. Supplements can provide a roadmap for the topic you're studying, fill in missing details, and - in some cases - provide a more direct explanation of what you're discussing in class. Want to find out more about what supplements can do for you and how can you use them effectively? Listen in! In this episode we discuss: What supplements are How supplements can help Different types of law school supplements you can use Lee and Alison's favorite supplements How to know what information in the supplement you should use (and shouldn't) Should you read a supplement before class or after class? How to avoid information overload How supplements can work with your outlining Using supplements with practice exams Finding the right supplements for your course Supplements can be a valuable tool for law school success. The key is to use them to complement your reading, lectures and study - and not in place of those methods. Best of luck! Resources: Chirelstein on Contracts: (http://amzn.to/1Mnp9K4) Torts - Examples and Explanations: (http://amzn.to/1G1sfXz) Civ Pro - Examples and Explanations: (http://amzn.to/1G1slOQ) Chemerinsky on Con Law: (http://amzn.to/1G1sstF) Chemerinsky - Federal Jurisdiction (Fed Courts) (http://amzn.to/1MN5vr9) Multiple Choice: Glannon Guide To Civil Procedure: Learning Civil Procedure Through Multiple-Choice Questions and Analysis (http://amzn.to/1MN5vr9) Q&A Series (http://www.lexisnexis.com/store/catalog/catalog.jsp?id=cat80144) CrunchTime: Civil Procedure (http://amzn.to/1MN5vr9) Contracts (http://amzn.to/1GqXRGe) Torts (http://amzn.to/1MN67Nq) Crim Law (http://amzn.to/1LVBhWp) Property (http://amzn.to/1MN6dEC) Con Law (http://amzn.to/1LVBt84) (These are affiliate links) If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know! We'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes. 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). Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Are you struggling with certain things in law school? We have all been there. When you need help, it's critical to find the "right" resources to help you (and won't make you need even more help!). If you're not sure who to turn to for help, or what resources are available, tune in. In this episode we discuss: Is it okay to ask for help in law school? How to approach professors so that they're willing to help you Should you go to your TA for help? How to use academic support services Why you should proceed with caution when asking for help from peers What books and substantive materials are useful What type of help is out there for students with learning disabilities Valuable resources on the internet How private tutors can get you prepared for success and help you with problems you encounter Don't be afraid to ask for help in law school! The key is to try to solve the problem yourself first and formulate specific questions to ask. The better your questions, the better the help you will receive. Most of all, don't give up! Best of luck! Resources: (contains some affiliate links) Chirelstein on Contracts: (http://amzn.to/1Mnp9K4) Torts: (http://amzn.to/1G1sfXz) Civ Pro: (http://amzn.to/1G1slOQ) Chemerinsky on Con Law: (http://amzn.to/1G1sstF) Five Myths About the Law School Study Group (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/five-myths-about-the-law-school-study-group/) Lessons From My 1L Year - Be Careful With Study Groups: (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/lessons-from-my-1l-year-be-careful-with-study-groups/) How to Make the Most Out of Academic Guidance in Law School (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/how-to-make-the-most-out-of-academic-guidance-in-law-school/) Making the Most of Professor's Office Hours (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/making-most-of-professors-office-hours/) Avoiding Office Hours? Go and Get Something Out of It (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/avoiding-office-hours-go-and-get-something-out-of-it/) If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know! We'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes. 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). Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Studying in law school is not one-size fits all. Each student learns in a different way. The key is to recognize the type of learner you are and use that information to optimize your study style - for YOU. In this episode we talk bout: The three main types of learning styles - Auditory, Visual and Kinesthetic Whether learning styles even exist How to figure out your learning preferences you are Specific techniques for each learning style in law school How to outline and what type of learner should (and shouldn't) utilize outlining Why you should probably handwrite your outlines The basics of attack plans, and why they're important (for everyone!) Using checklists vs. roadmaps for your attack plans Flowcharts, Flashcards, and Mnemonics and who can benefit from them Resources: Learner Type Quiz - (http://homeworktips.about.com/od/homeworkhelp/a/lstyleqz.htm) Flash Cards or Flowcharts - What's Best? (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/flashcards-or-flowcharts-whats-best/) 5 Study Tips for Visual Learners (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/5-study-tips-for-visual-learners/) 5 Study Tips for Kinesthetic Learners (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/5-study-tips-for-kinesthetic-learners/) 5 Tips for Auditory Learners (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/5-study-tips-for-auditory-learners/) 4 Evidence Backed Law School Study Tips (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/4-evidence-backed-law-school-study-tipos/) 3 More Law School Study Tips (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/3-more-law-school-study-tips/) Secrets to Starting Law School Right - Hey Do You Know How to Memorize Stuff (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/secrets-to-starting-law-school-right-hey-do-you-know-how-to-memorize-stuff/) If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know! We'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes. 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). Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

October is the time in law school where reality begins to set in. Whether you had a tough exam or are struggling with outlining, you may be feeling a little overwhelmed and defeated. You may be exhausted, burnt out, and wondering how you are going to prepare for exams or even what you're doing in law school in the first place. The good news is most law students go through this. Don't flip out! Take our advice to get through the October Freakout so you can have a productive rest of the semester. In this episode we discuss: Taking stock of where you are and where you should be How and where to get help if you are struggling What happens if you still feel completely lost in class? How long you should be spending on deep thinking tasks (outlining, reviewing concepts and practicing) versus other work How to know if your outlines are working for you Balancing extra-curricular activities and class work How to avoid having Legal Writing take over your life Getting things in order to set yourself up for success How to set goals that work Don't let the October Freakout destroy your law school motivation. Stay strong, and you will get through it! Best of luck! Resources: Are You Having an October Freakout? Of Course You Are! (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/having-an-october-freakout-of-course-you-are/) Surviving the 1L October Freakout (http://thegirlsguidetolawschool.com/10/surviving-the-october-1l-freakout/) It’s Time for a Mid-Semester Reality Check (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/time-for-a-mid-semester-reality-check/) Are You in Law School Crisis Mode? (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/are-you-in-law-school-crisis-mode-heres-how-to-get-out/) If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know! We'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes. 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). Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

We will be honest with you, disasters in law school are inevitable. It's not a question of "if" disasters will happen, but "when." That's why it's crucial to be as prepared as possible to avoid total chaos when bad things happen. Law school is stressful enough without suffering through a total academic or life meltdown! Alison and Lee share some of their own personal disasters in law school and other situations that you may encounter. In this episode you will learn: What is the #1 problem that affects law school students? How and why to backup your computer files (seriously, just do it!) Ways to prevent and handle exam disasters How to prepare for the inevitable life meltdowns How to prepare your computer for exams How to overcome test anxiety How to rebound from a law school disaster Why it's important to build community Resources: Dropbox - (http://dropbox.com/) One Password - (https://agilebits.com/onepassword) Last Pass - (https://lastpass.com/) Mind Over Bar - (http://mindoverbar.com/) Build a Survival Kit (Red Cross) - (http://www.redcross.org/prepare/location/home-family/get-kit) Why You Need Renters Insurance (https://www.balancepro.net/education/publications/rentersinsurance.html) Why You Should Backup Your Files (https://www.backblaze.com/data-backup/backup-your-computer.html) If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know! We'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes. 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). Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Today we are talking about one important facet of your law school experience - learning to argue like a lawyer. From class to court, it's all basically the same. So, what do Lawyers argue about? Some combination of: The Facts The Law Policy In this episode we discuss: Examples of the types of arguments you will find in law school How to argue like a lawyer Why law students struggle with the concept of ambiguity The importance of reading cases carefully Why law students struggle when trying to argue about the law Policy arguments and why they can be the most confusing type of argument How professors handle policy arguments What types of arguments will you see on exams and strategies for mastering them If you liked this episode, please let us know!We'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes. 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). Thanks for listening! Good luck in law school. Alison & Lee

Are your resume and cover letter ready to send out? Many law students wait until they're under the gun to craft their job application materials. The truth is you should write your resume now to avoid having to rush and create one when an opportunity presents itself. Not all resumes and cover letters are created equal. Find out what makes a law student resume and cover letter stand out in a sea of applicants! In this episode we talk about: Why you should do your resume and cover letter early in law school What your resume needs to convey How long the average hiring manager looks at your resume Learning to look at your resume from different perspectives How to make your resume stand out in a crowded field Common resume problems How to elaborate on a short resume How to explain experience that isn’t obviously related How you can get more experience for your resume Crafting different resumes for different types of jobs Where to get help writing your resume and cover letter The importance of consistency on LinkedIn and other social media profiles Good luck in the job hunt! Resources: The One Thing That Needs to Be On Your Résumé to Ace a Callback Interview (http://thegirlsguidetolawschool.com/07/summer-associate-callback-law-firm-interview-tips/) The One Question That Will Improve Any Résumé (http://thegirlsguidetolawschool.com/09/the-one-question-that-will-improve-any-resume/) Looking for Work? 7 Tips for a Remarkable Résumé (http://thegirlsguidetolawschool.com/02/looking-for-a-legal-job-resume-tips/) Want a Job? Clean Up Your Online Paper Trail (http://thegirlsguidetolawschool.com/06/want-a-job-clean-up-your-online-paper-trail/) If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know! We'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes. 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). Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

What is it about the term Legal Writing that makes law students cringe? If you are a first-year law student, you're most likely enrolled in a Legal Research and Writing Class (LRW). This is a class that can strike fear into the heart of some law students. Others approach it with an "I got this" attitude only to be shocked when they realize they actually don't. The same writing skills that scored you a spot in law school do not always transfer when it comes to legal writing. It's just another class - what is everyone so afraid of? You have to get comfortable with writing in a different way. The exams and papers can be incredibly time-consuming and challenging. It's hard to "unlearn" a style of writing you became comfortable with in your prior education. In this episode we talk about: What makes legal writing so difficult? The different types of legal writing How your academic background can affect your success in your legal writing class Improving your legal writing skills How to handle legal writing if English isn't your first language Tools and tricks to stay organized Why legal writing is important to your future career (and passing the bar exam) If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know! We'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes. 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). Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee Resources: Trello (http://www.trello.com) - Our favorite organizational tool!!! Be Ready to Throw Your Writing Style Out the Window (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/0l-to-1l-be-ready-to-throw-your-writing-style-out-the-window/) It is Important to Be Realistic About Assignments (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/it-is-important-to-be-realistic-about-assignments/) Legal Writing Tip: Imagine You're Talking to Your Grandmother (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/legal-writing-tip-imagine-youre-talking-to-your-grandma/)

Are lawyers actually more unhappy than your average professionals, or do they just like to complain a lot? Studies have shown that 52% of practicing lawyers are dissatisfied in their careers. They suffer from depression rates 3.6 times higher than other professions. The divorce rate is higher among lawyers and especially among female lawyers. Are you doomed to misery as a lawyer? In this episode, we discuss why the profession is so messed up, and what you can do to shield yourself against the worst aspects of the legal profession. We talk about: Why lawyers are so unhappy Whether there's a link between pay and job satisfaction What intrinsic factors in the profession contribute to the widespread misery? "Phantom Blackberry syndrome" after leaving BigLaw Has technology made these problems worse? Perfectionism in the legal profession Is this all law schools' fault? What can you do to avoid or respond to these problems? How can you make your life better as a law student or lawyer? The good news - not all lawyers are unhappy. The trick is to find a happy medium that works for you. If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know! We'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes. 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/). Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee Resources Mentioned: Why Are Lawyers So Unhappy? (http://www.lawyerswithdepression.com/articles/why-are-lawyers-so-unhappy/) Lawyers With Lower Pay Report More Happiness (http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/05/12/lawyers-with-lowest-pay-report-more-happiness/) Law School Quadruples the Chance of Depression: Some Changes That May Help (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kate-mayer-mangan/law-school-quadruples-dep_b_5713337.html) The Lawyer Who Became a Clown (http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/08/20/abandoning-the-work-i-hated/) Dave Nee Foundation (http://www.daveneefoundation.org/scholarship/lawyers-and-depression/) Warrior One - Mindfulness for Lawyers (http://warriorone.com/)

Welcome back! If you are a 2L or 3L who's stuggled in law school, this episode is for you. Today we're talking about how to overcome a 1L year that was less than stellar and raise your grades for the rest of your tenure in law school. Your GPA as a 1L is important because it's used for on-campus interviews and Law Review, but don't forget that clerkships, internships, and future employers look at the big picture and you still have a long way to go. It's too early to get discouraged! We discuss strategies to raise your GPA which include: Evaluating the problem Developing more effective pre-exam preparation strategies Secrets to eliminating distractions in class Managing your time effectively and getting more practice in Working on your exam writing skills Scheduling classes the smart way Taking advantage of electives and clinics Improving your GPA as a 3L - Is it even worth bothering? Getting in the right mindset for success The most important things is to not get discouraged and give up. Continuously try to improve and change the way you prepare and study, and you'll see results! If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know! We'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes. 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/). Good luck! Alison & Lee Resources: Demoralizing Feedback? Look at What You Did Right! (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/demoralizing-feedback-look-at-what-you-did-right/)

Welcome back! If you’re a 1L, this is the episode for you. We’re going to talk about the top five things law students consistently screw up their first year, so you can avoid doing any of them. In a nutshell, here they are (and we talk about each one in detail in this episode): 1. Bad time and life management 2. Misunderstanding what’s expected on the final exam 3. Lack of practice 4. Lack of feedback (or not learning from feedback) 5. Simply not doing the work, or not fully committing to the experience Are you falling behind in law school, or just checking the boxes and missing the point? Find out what you need to be doing to succeed as a 1L - and what NOT to do! Resources: The Circles method for time management (http://thegirlsguidetolawschool.com/08/tips-time-management-awesomeness-with-the-circles/) How to Calendar Your Way to Better Grades and More Free Time (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/how-to-calendar-your-way-to-better-grades-and-more-free-time/) If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know! We'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes. 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/). Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Today, we're doing a deep dive into a critically important topic -- time and life management! If you're an overstressed law student or young lawyer, this is a can't miss episode. Here's some of what we cover: Why is work-life balance so hard in today's legal profession? Has technology made things even more difficult? How to focus and get the right things done Why multitasking is a bad idea Why it's important to make time for breaks Overcoming self-sabotaging behavior in law school Effectively using a calendar to manage your time How to figure out what you should be spending your time on in law school When should you start outlining in law school? Strategies for prioritizing and executing effectively in law school Common ways to waste time in law school How much time should you spend reading cases? Using systems to make life easier for yourself What can you outsource to create more time for yourself? How much time are people really studying in law school? Resources: The Circles Technique for time management (http://thegirlsguidetolawschool.com/08/tips-time-management-awesomeness-with-the-circles/) How to Calendar Your Way to Better Grades and More Free Time (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/how-to-calendar-your-way-to-better-grades-and-more-free-time/) If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know! We'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes. 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/). Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Today we’re excited to be discussing one of our very favorite topics – Learning! I know you’re shocked that this is a topic we find interesting…but we do. Especially right now, when Alison is living in Mexico trying to learn Spanish and Lee is watching her one-year-old son learn new stuff every day. We’re pretty convinced that the lessons from learning a language, or learning to walk, apply equally to learning in law school! Here's what's discussed in this episode: How do children approach learning, and what can we learn from them? What's it like learning another language, and how do these lessons apply to law school? Why you need to do the things that make you uncomfortable to really learn effectively Why being smart isn't enough (Hint: You still have to work hard) What we can all learn from Brene Brown about learning (love her!) Practical ways to develop your learning resilience Enjoy! If you like the Law School Toolbox podcast, we're really appreciate an iTunes review and/or rating. And if you have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Lee and Alison at [email protected] or [email protected] or you can always contact us via our website contact form at LawSchoolToolbox.com. Show Notes: Brene Brown (BreneBrown.com) Is Starting Law School Like Moving to a Foreign Country? (http://thegirlsguidetolawschool.com/07/starting-law-school-like-moving-foreign-country/) Ultimately, You Always Have to Teach Yourself (http://thegirlsguidetolawschool.com/07/ultimately-always-teach/) How to Pass the Bar By Doing What Makes You Most Uncomfortable (http://barexamtoolbox.com/how-to-pass-the-bar-by-doing-what-makes-you-the-most-uncomfortable/) Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Today, we’re talking about a very important topic – how to stay true to yourself and live with integrity as a law student and as a lawyer. Our friend Linda Alvarez gave a great talk on this topic at the most recent Catapult conference, and we’re going to be pulling heavily from her ideas here. For those of you who don’t know her, Linda is an innovative attorney who helps her clients create contracts that align with their values, through a process she calls “discovering agreement.” She’s been named an ABA Legal Rebel, and you can find out more about her on her website DiscoveringAgreement.com. One of the first things Linda mentioned was that it was very interesting that we even think to ask these sort of questions. For example: How do I create an authentic life in the context of my work as a lawyer? How can I create a legal career that doesn’t create too much dissonance between my nature and my work? Why are lawyers even asking these questions?!? Alison went to architecture school, and architects definitely aren't spending a ton of time worrying that architecture will ruin their lives! Today's conversation is wide-ranging, and includes stories of how we both screwed up and went off track in law school. Some of the topics discussed include: Is this all law school’s fault? Has the legal profession lost a sense of community? What’s integrity? How does it relate to power? Can knowing your core values can make tough decisions easier? The value of making a personal mission statement Are lawyers allowed to have feelings? And what happens if you pretend you don't have any? What are you saying Yes to? Is it really what you want? What fundamental questions should you be asking yourself in law school, or as a new lawyer? Enjoy! And, as always,if you have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Lee and Alison at [email protected] or [email protected] or you can always contact us via our website contact form at LawSchoolToolbox.com. Resources Mentioned: Linda Alvarez: DiscoveringAgreement.com Relationship advice for lawyers from Mark Perlmutter (http://trebuchetlegal.com/mark-perlmutter-6-things-learned-law-school-shouldnt-tried-home/) Lawyer-turned-therapist Will Meyerhofer ThePeoplesTherapist.com Please leave a iTunes rating or review if you enjoyed the show. And don't forget to subscribe, so you won't miss anything!

Last time, we talked about the basics of OCI, how to bid, and what to expect in the initial interview. Today, we’re discussing the next step in the process – callback interviews. Topics discussed include: The basics - what's a callback interview, and how is it different from the initial on-campus interview? What are firms looking for in a callback? Advice on scheduling interviews and handling travel arrangements (including what you can expect the firm to pay for) What to wear for your callbacks and what to bring with you Thank you notes What you should be paying attention to on your callbacks, to figure out if a firm is a good fit for you Questions to ask (and not to ask) at a callback What to do if you strike out at OCI and need to find a job a different way If you're doing callbacks, this is a must-listen episode! We'll tell you all the stuff that no one else will. If you enjoyed this episode of the Law School Toolbox podcast, please take a second to leave a review and rating on iTunes. We’d really appreciate it. And be sure to subscribe, so you don’t miss anything. If you have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Lee and Alison at [email protected] or [email protected] or you can always contact us via our website contact form at LawSchoolToolbox.com. Thanks for listening! Good luck in your job hunt. Alison & Lee

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast. For the next two episodes, we’re talking about the process of getting a summer associate position at a large law firm – typically referred to as on-campus interviewing or OCI. The details of the process vary somewhat between schools, but the basics are similar across the board. In this episode, we talk about improving your resume and cover letter, how to figure out what firms to bid on in OCI and how to keep them straight, how the process typically works (and differences between different schools), what to wear, what the interviews are like, and what firms are looking for. We also share tips from our experience interviewing potential summer associate candidates - the good, the bad, and the ugly, and talk about the weird stuff we had to explain when we did OCI. If you're a law student going through OCI, this is a can't miss episode! If you have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Lee and Alison at [email protected] or [email protected] or you can always contact us via our website contact form at LawSchoolToolbox.com. Enjoy, and good luck at OCI! Resources mentioned: Vault's Guide to Summer Associate positions (http://www.vault.com/company-rankings/law/best-summer-associate-programs) American Lawyer Mid-Level Associate Survey (http://www.americanlawyer.com/id=1202512392833/The-2014-Associates-Survey-Midlevels-Are-Happy-But) Above the Law BigLaw Rankings (http://abovethelaw.com/careers/2015-law-firm-rankings/) Did you find this episode helpful and interesting? Please leave a ranking and review on iTunes. Thanks! Alison & Lee

In the prior episode, we talked about Mindset and how important it is to work on cultivating a growth mindset. Today, we’re talking about why law school is hard! Not to scare you, but to provide context and alert you to some of the challenges you might face. Forewarned is forearmed. And remember, a challenge – seen the right way – is just an opportunity for growth and learning. In this episode, we talk about: Whether law school is the hardest thing we've ever done Ways to make law school harder for yourself, by choosing the wrong school The impact of stress and anxiety on law students and the legal profession Why the academics of law school are hard Why the social aspects of law school are hard Why the job aspects of law school are hard Whether law school has gotten even harder in recent years Resources: Articles we discussed: Suicide on Campus and the Pressure of Perfection On Being a Happy, Healthy, and Ethical Member of an Unhappy, Unhealthy, and Unethical Profession Got a question? Please contact us via LawSchoolToolbox.com. Thanks for listening! Please leave a review and rating on iTunes if you enjoyed the show. We'd really appreciate it!

The goal of this episode is to talk about one of the most important tools you need when starting your legal career – the right mindset. We discuss fixed and growth mindsets and talk about how having the right mindset can really influence your experience and success in law school. We became somewhat obsessed with the book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck (a Stanford Professor) a couple of years ago. After reading the book, we both realized that a lot of surviving and thriving in law school is really about having the right mindset. Everyone is going to encounter challenges in law school, and in life – what matters is how you react to the road bumps. Do you have a fixed mindest ("I'm too stupid to be in law school") or do you see challenges as an opportunity to learn and grow? In this episode, we share our own stories of overcoming challenges, in law school and otherwise, and offer some tips for shifting to a more growth-oriented way of thinking, for those times when that might not be your first impulse! And, as an added bonus, when discuss when it makes sense to give up and drop out of law school. Resources Mentioned: Mindset: The New Psychology of Success The Writing Assignment that Changes Lives What Does It Mean to Have "Grit" in the Classroom? Got a question? You can always find us via the Contact form on LawSchoolToolbox.com. Say hello! And if you enjoy the show, please leave a rating and review on iTunes. Thanks!

This goal of this episode is to give you – the new listener – an overview of who Lee and Alison are, how we met and started our various projects, why we went to law school, and what we did there. We also talk about different legal jobs we had, over the summers and full-time. Finally, we give you a very quick rundown of our various businesses, and how we can help – whether you’re a current law student, just thinking about law school, or already working as a lawyer. If you're new to the Law School Toolbox podcast, start here! We’d love to hear from you with any questions or comments. You can contact us via the LawSchoolToolbox.com website, or at Alison or Lee @lawschooltoolbox.com. If you enjoy the show, please leave a rating and/or a review. We'd appreciate it!