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

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we're doing a recap of our top 10 law school survival episodes. Not necessarily the most popular ones on these topics, but the ones we think are the most useful! In this episode, we discuss: The best episodes for time and life management skills and strategies for productivity Tips for avoiding disasters in law school – both in the classroom and in your personal life The importance of mindset and how you can use it to succeed in law school How to build positive relationships with classmates, professors, and other mentors How to handle challenges in law school – from seeking accommodations when warranted to addressing mental health issues, including anxiety and substance abuse RESOURCES: Podcast Episode 7: Time and Life Management Basics (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-7-time-life-management-basics/) Podcast Episode 134: Strategies for Maximum Personal Productivity (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-134-strategies-for-maximum-personal-productivity/) Podcast Episode 14: Avoiding Disasters in Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-14-avoiding-disasters-law-school/) Podcast Episode 1: Mindset – The Key to Success in Law School? (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-1-mindset-key-success-law-school/) Podcast Episode 110: Revisiting Mindset (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-110-revisiting-mindset/) Podcast Episode 130: How to Make Difficult Decisions in Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-130-how-to-make-difficult-decisions-in-law-school/) Podcast Episode 107: How to Build Positive Relationships in Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-107-how-to-build-positive-relationships-in-law-school/) Podcast Episode 59: Conquering Loneliness in Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-49-conquering-loneliness-in-law-school/) Podcast Episode 72: Seeking Accommodations in Law School and on the Bar Exam (w/Dr. Jared Maloff) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-72-seeking-accommodations-law-school-bar-exam/) Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 2: Accommodations for the Bar Exam (w/Dr. Jared Maloff) (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-2-accommodations-for-the-bar-exam-w-dr-jared-maloff/) Podcast Episode 123: Mental Health in Law School and the Legal Profession (w/Sarah Weinstein) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-123-mental-health-law-school-legal-profession-sarah-weinstein/) Podcast Episode 88: Self-care Tips for Keeping Your Mojo in Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-88-self-care-tips-for-keeping-your-mojo-in-law-school/) Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/LST-Ep-160-Top-10-Surviving-Law-School-Podcast-Eps.pdf) 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

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we're talking with ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones about the secret life of large law firms. If you think you want to work in a large law firm someday, don't miss this episode as we dive into the unique culture of BigLaw. In this episode, we discuss: The unique work culture of large law firms and the myriad personalities the of people who work there (aka, why BigLaw is so weird) Things not to do, if you don't want to look like a jerk How to really get on the partnership track – if that's what you want – and the reality of the pyramid structure at large law firms The truth about partnership at large firms – it's not the golden ticket it once was Dress codes – are all firms the same and does it really matter what you wear? Tips for fleshing out the unspoken expectations and rules that often exist in BigLaw around billable hours, travel time and expenses, and office face time What unlimited vacation REALLY means RESOURCES: Using Reply-All to Show Your BigLaw Firm You're a Jerk (https://abovethelaw.com/2018/05/read-the-nasty-mass-email-sent-at-a-biglaw-firm-over-a-departing-associate/) CareerDicta (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/careerdicta/) Podcast Episode 142: Owning Your Career (w/Whittney Beard) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-142-owning-your-career-w-whittney-beard/) Podcast Episode 135: Leaving the Law (wCasey Berman) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-135-leaving-law-casey-berman/) Fashionably Lawyered: How to Dress the Part as a New Attorney (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/fashionably-lawyered-how-to-dress-the-part-as-a-new-attorney/) Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/LST-Ep-159-Secret-Life-of-Law-Firms-w-Sadie.pdf) 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 to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we're talking about law school fashion. What to wear (and maybe what not to wear) to law school classes, job interviews, and other law school events. In this episode, we discuss: Do you need to even worry about what to wear to class? Balancing your professional self and your authentic self Why it's fine not to get creative with your fashion choices Some solid rules of thumb – like ALWAYS wear a suit to an interview Dressing the part for the role you want and building confidence in the process Easy ways to build a professional wardrobe and the benefits of keeping it simple RESOURCES: A Law Student's 3-Tiered Guide to Dressing the Part (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/a-law-students-3-tiered-guide-to-dressing-the-part/) Business Insider: Successful People Like Barack Obama and Mark Zuckerberg Wear the Same Thing Everyday and It's Not a Coincidence (http://www.businessinsider.com/successful-people-like-barack-obama-wear-the-same-thing-every-day-2018-2) Medium: I Wore the Same Dress Everyday for a Year (https://medium.com/@katerosebee/i-wore-the-same-dress-every-day-for-a-year-9fabf6bdd715) The Washington Post: Life is Easier with a Capsule Wardrobe (https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/home/life-is-easier-with-a-capsule-wardrobe/2018/05/07/708d5b14-4d74-11e8-b725-92c89fe3ca4c_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.faf993e8009d) Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/LST-Ep-158-What-to-wear-and-not-to-wear.pdf) 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 to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we're talking about OCI offers and how to handle them with ex-BigLaw recruiter, Sadie Jones. If you're hoping to be a summer associate, tune in! In this episode, we discuss: A full breakdown of the offer process and what you can expect Your responsibilities in the offer process – for example, how many offers you're supposed to have open at any time – and where to find that information What to consider when deciding which offer to accept Some reminders if you're accepting an offer in another location. Guess what? You need to figure out where you're going to live - the firm won't do that for you! How and when to decline an offer RESOURCES: CareerDicta (http://careerdicta.com) NALP – National Association for Law Placement, Inc. (https://www.nalp.org) NALP Principles and Standards (https://www.nalp.org/fulltextofnalpprinciplesandstandards) Vault (http://www.vault.com) American Lawyer (https://www.law.com/americanlawyer/?slreturn=20180626003951) Chambers (http://www.chambers-associate.com/home) Podcast Episode 140: OCI Strategy (w/Sadie Jones) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-140-oci-strategy-w-sadie-jones/) Podcast Episode 152: Top OCI Mistakes to Avoid (w/Sadie Jones) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-152-top-oci-mistakes-to-avoid-w-sadie-jones/) Podcast Episode 155: Top Callback Mistakes to Avoid (w/Sadie Jones) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-155-top-callback-mistakes-to-avoid-w-sadie-jones/) Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/LST-157-Handling-OCI-Offers-w-Sadie.pdf) 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 to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're doing a recap of our top 10 academic episodes, plus a few bonus ones. These aren't necessarily the most popular episodes, but the ones we think are the most useful! In this episode, we discuss: Top podcasts for understanding the law school process How law school differs from other disciplines you may have studied before How to get through law school classes – including how to read cases, how to survive the dreaded Socratic Method, and the nitty gritty on supplements Our top podcasts for helping you prepare to take exams Bonus episodes on test anxiety, dealing with bad grades, and where to go for help in law school – it's there, sometimes you just have to ASK! RESOURCES: Law School Toolbox Podcast Archives (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast/) Podcast Episode 13: What do Lawyers Argue about? (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-13-lawyers-argue/) Podcast Episode 102: How to Read Cases and Prepare for Class in Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/16176-2/) Podcast Episode 62: Surviving the Socratic Method in Law School Classes (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-62-surviving-the-socratic-method-in-law-school-classes/) 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/) Podcast Episode 18: Using Supplements Effectively in Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-18-using-supplements-effectively-law-school/) Podcast Episode 65: How to Make a Useful Law School Outline (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-65-make-a-useful-law-school-outline/) Podcast Episode 139: How to Issue Spot an Exam Question (w/Live Example) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-139-how-to-issue-spot-an-exam-question-w-live-example/) Podcast Episode 22: Take an Exam with Us (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-22-take-exam-us/) Podcast Episode 136: How to Attack Multiple Choice Questions on Law School Exams (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-136-how-to-attack-multiple-choice-questions-on-law-school-exams/) Podcast Episode 11: Legal Writing 101 (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-11-legal-writing-101/) Podcast Episode 39: Battling Test Anxiety in Law School and on the Bar Exam (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-39-battling-test-anxiety-in-law-school-and-on-the-bar-exam/) Podcast Episode 17: Where to Get Help in Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-17-get-help-law-school/) Podcast Episode 28: Dealing with Bad Law School Grades (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-28-dealing-bad-law-school-grades/) Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/LST-EP-156-Top-10-Academic-Podcasts.pdf) 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 to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we're continuing our series of "What not to do" episodes with ex-BigLaw recruiter, Sadie Jones, and we're talking about Callback Interviews. In this episode, we discuss: Tips for handling the "lunch" interview including what NOT to do Key things to prepare for in callback interviews that are different from the initial interview What firms are really looking for in callback interviews Important resume tips that apply to any job search Special considerations when the firm is paying for you to travel to the interview RESOURCES: Ahead of the Curve: What are Big Law Recruiters Really Looking for? (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/ahead-of-the-curve-what-are-big-law-recruiters-really-looking-for/#more-16081) Podcast Episode 4: Callback Tips for BigLaw Summer Associate Positions (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-4-callback-tips-biglaw-summer-associate-positions/) NALP Principles and Standards for Law Placement and Recruitment Activities (https://www.nalp.org/fulltextofnalpprinciplesandstandards) NALP Printable Travel Expense Form (https://www.nalp.org/uploads/TravelExpenseReimbursementForm2018.pdf) Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/LST-EP-155-Top-Callback-Mistakes-to-Avoid-w-Sadie.pdf) 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 to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're excited to welcome back Jeremy Richter, attorney and author of the new book, Building A Better Law Practice, recently published by the ABA. He has some practical tips for young lawyers, to help you build a successful and satisfying law practice. In this episode, we discuss: Mistakes young lawyers make in their early careers Some tips for building and maintaining client relationships Ways to develop skills as a young lawyer and manage your caseload How to market yourself when you really hate traditional networking events The vital importance of self-care and figuring out what that means for you RESOURCES: Building a Better Law Practice (https://shop.americanbar.org/eBus/Store/ProductDetails.aspx?productId=310444728&term=jeremy+richter) Podcast Episode 116: Life as a Small Law Firm Associate (w/Jeremy Richter) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-116-life-as-a-small-law-firm-associate-with-jeremy-richter/#more-16912) Jeremy W. Richter Blog (http://www.jeremywrichter.com) Listen Like a Lawyer Blog (https://listenlikealawyer.com) Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Episode-154-Building-A-Better-Law-Practice-w-Jeremy-Richter.pdf) 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 to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we're talking about public policy work and gun violence prevention with Allison Anderman, the managing attorney at the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. In this episode, we discuss: What Allison does as a gun violence prevention public policy expert How her career path lead her to her current position The difference between litigation and policy work and how law school doesn't really prepare you for policy work Public speaking and how Allison got comfortable with doing media, press, and government testimonies in her current position Tips for students interested in public interest advocacy or policy RESOURCES: Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence: Managing Attorney Allison Anderman (http://lawcenter.giffords.org/about/our-team/) Giffords Law Center Fact Sheet: Extreme Risk Protection Orders (http://lawcenter.giffords.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/18.05-FACT-ERPO-Updated-5.7.18.pdf) Giffords Law Center Fact Sheet: Child Access Prevention (http://lawcenter.giffords.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/CAP-Laws-Factsheet-Giffords-Law-Center.pdf) Podcast Episode 138: Top Ten Public Speaking Tips (w/Jennifer Warren) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-138-top-ten-public-speaking-tips-w-jennifer-warren/) Moms Demand Action California Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/MomsDemandActionCA/) Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence (http://www.bradycampaign.org/about-brady) Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript (https://barexamtoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/LST-Ep-153-Working-for-Gun-Violence-Prevention-Group-w-Allison-Anderman.pdf) 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 to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking with Sadie Jones, an ex-BigLaw recruiter, about the top OCI mistakes to avoid – from the actual on-campus interviews through the callback process. This episode is chock full of good advice so you don't want to miss it! In this episode, we discuss: Sadie tells us some of the biggest mistakes she remembers from her BigLaw recruiter days How to dress and how NOT to dress for BigLaw interviews Cardinal rule #1: NEVER be late! Interview tips for students who go straight from college to law school and for non-traditional students What you should know about the firm and your interviewers BEFORE you interview Advice on note taking during interviews, business cards, thank-you notes, and more! RESOURCES: Podcast Episode 3: Mastering the On-Campus Interviewing (OCI) Process (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-3-mastering-campus-interviewing-oci-process/) Fashionably Lawyered: How to Dress for a Law Interview or Internship on a Budget (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/fashionably-lawyered-how-to-dress-for-a-law-interview-or-internship-on-a-budget/) How to Prepare for OCI Interviews (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/prepare-oci-interviews/) Podcast Episode 4: Callback Tips for BigLaw Summer Associate Positions (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-4-callback-tips-biglaw-summer-associate-positions/) Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/LST-Ep-152-Top-OCI-Mistakes-to-Avoid-w-Sadie.pdf) 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 to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we're counting down our top ten episodes for incoming 1Ls. This list is good listening for anyone, but especially for those getting ready to start law school in the fall. If law school's coming up soon, here are some episodes we recommend you check out! In this episode, we discuss: Money issues to think about before starting law school from negotiating scholarship offers (yes, you can do this!) and the realities of law school debt to creating a budget and what you should or should not buy before you start law school Ways to prepare for the transition to law school mentally and emotionally, as well as academically How to set yourself up for success BEFORE starting law school and how to survive your first month Why is law school so hard? Special concerns of non-traditional and first-generation law students RESOURCES: Podcast Episode 38: Can You Really Afford Law School? (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-38-can-you-really-afford-law-school/) Podcast Episode 92: Top 1L Questions: The Money Edition (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-92-top-1l-questions-money-edition/) Podcast Episode 104: Law School Essentials – What to Buy (and Not to Buy) Beforehand (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-104-law-school-essentials-what-to-buy-and-not-to-buy-beforehand/) Podcast Episode 43: Getting Mentally Prepared to Start Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-43-getting-mentally-prepared-to-start-law-school/) Podcast Episode 89: The Leap from Undergrad to Law School (w/Keri Clapp) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-89-the-leap-from-undergrad-to-law-school-with-keri-clapp/) Law School Toolbox Tutors (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/meet-law-school-toolbox-tutors/) Podcast Episode 40: Preparing for Your First Semester of Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-40-preparing-for-your-first-semester-of-law-school/) Podcast Episode 56: Getting off to a Smart Start in Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-56-get-smart-start-law-school/) Podcast Episode 2: Why is Law School Hard? (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-2-law-school-hard/) Podcast Episode 98: Top 1L Questions: Non-Traditional Law Students (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-98-top-1l-questions-non-traditional-law-students/) Podcast Episode 113: Life as a First-Generation College and Law Student (w/Shirlene Armstrong) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-113-life-first-generation-college-law-student-shirlene-armstrong/) Podcast Episode 60: 5 Tips for Surviving the First Month of Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-60-5-tips-surviving-first-month-law-school/) Start Law School Right Course (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/start-law-school-right/) Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/LST-Ep-151-Top-10-Podcast-Episodes-for-Incoming-1Ls.pdf) 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 to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee