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

Today, we're talking with ex-BigLaw recruiter, Sadie Jones, about preparing for the 1L job hunt. We'll also talk about the impact your 1L job might, or might not, have on your future job prospects. There are many rules and restrictions on the 1L job application process and a lot of things to consider when deciding what you want to do with your 1L summer, so tune in for some great information and advice. In this episode, we discuss: When should you start applying for 1L summer jobs? Resources for finding job openings What employers are looking for What you should look for in a job How does your 1L summer job impact future job prospects? Resources: NALP General Standards for the Timing of Offers and Decisions (http://www.nalp.org/fulltextofnalpprinciplesandstandards#Part_V._General_Standards) NALP Principles & Standards Interpretations: 1L Student Employer Contact Prior to December 1 (http://www.nalp.org/interpretations#1Ls) NALP Directory (http://www.nalpdirectory.com/) Equal Justice Works Conference and Career Fair (http://www.equaljusticeworks.org/law-school/conference-and-careerfair) PSJD Public Interest Career Fair and Events Calendar (http://www.equaljusticeworks.org/law-school/conference-and-careerfair) Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Episode-120-Preparing-for-the-1L-Job-Hunt.pdf) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) (or your listening platform of choice). 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/). Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox Podcast! Today we're discussing tips for applying to law school with two application experts: Doretta McGinnis, who is also a tutor for us at the Law School Toolbox and the Bar Exam Toolbox, and Ned Luce. Doretta and Ned are independent educational consultants with a focus on undergrad and law school admissions. Together, they founded Admission Logic. In this episode, we discuss: Should you apply to law school? And where? Admissions trends in the aftermath of the financial crash in 2008 ABA law school disclosures and how to best use them in your application process Latest information on law school admissions criteria How to approach the writing components in law school admissions vs. undergrad The function of the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) and Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Tips for applying to an LLM program Resources: Admission Logic (https://www.admission-logic.com/) Podcast Episode 74: Should You Go to Law School? (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/074-go-law-school/) How to Conduct Great Informational Interviews (https://thegirlsguidetolawschool.com/how-to-conduct-great-informational-interviews/) Washington Post, "From Her Dad's Killing During the Crack Epidemic to a Supreme Court Clerkship." (https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/from-her-dads-killing-during-the-crack-epidemic-to-a-supreme-court-clerkship/2017/09/27/e631eb7c-8de0-11e7-8df5-c2e5cf46c1e2_story.html?utm_term=.63bdb6fbd3e3) Resources for Deciding Where to Apply for Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/resources-for-deciding-where-to-apply-for-law-school/) Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Episode-119-law-school-applications2.pdf) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) (or your listening platform of choice). 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/). Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Welcome to the Law School Toolbox Podcast! Today, we're talking with Pamela Hart, Director of the Animal Law Program at the Animal Legal Defense Fund. Animal law is a growing practice area, and we're excited to find out more about the work that is being done for animal rights and animal owners. Pamela also has some great general insights for people interested in pursuing public interest careers. In this episode, we discuss: How Pamela got involved with animal law What is animal law? What does it cover? How students can get involved with animal law in law school How do you prepare for a career in animal law? Pamela's advice for students pursuing public interest careers generally Resources: Sheltering Animals of Abuse Victims (http://www.saavprogram.org/) What's Your Alternative? Uncovering Alternative Career Paths for the Law Firm Skeptic - How Do I Become a Public Interest Attorney? (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/whats-alternative-uncovering-alternative-career-paths-law-firm-skeptic-become-public-interest-attorney/) Podcast Episode 101: Preparing for a Career in Public Interest Law (with Ashley Matthews of Equal Justice Works) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-101-preparing-career-public-interest-law-ashley-matthews-equal-justice-works/) Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Episode-118-Animal-Law.pdf) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) (or your listening platform of choice). And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (https://barexamtoolbox.com/). Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Welcome to the Law School Toolbox Podcast! Today, we're talking about a subject no one likes to think about: midterms. Law school midterms are becoming more and more common, especially for 1Ls. If you're a 1L, this will be the first time you stare down the barrel of a law school exam – and get a grade, which can be intimidating! Tune in while Lee and Alison discuss what you need to know about law school midterms. In this episode, we discuss: The value of midterm exams for students How seriously should you take midterms? Types of midterm exams you might see How to prepare, and resources you can turn to for help The significance of a midterm grade, whether you did really well, or not so well Resources: Podcast Episode 22: Take an Exam with Us (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-22-take-exam-us/) What Your Law School Midterms Can Tell You (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/law-school-midterms-can-tell/) Help! Midterms are Coming! (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/help-midterms-are-coming/) The 3 Stages of a 1L Midterm (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/the-3-stages-of-a-1l-midterm/) How to Prepare for Midterm Season in Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/how-to-prepare-for-midterm-season-in-law-school/) Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Episode-117-Surviving-Midterms.pdf) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) (or your listening platform of choice). 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/). Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox Podcast! Today, we're talking with Jeremy W. Richter, an attorney with Webster, Henry, Bradwell, Cohan, Speagle & DeShazo, in Birmingham, Alabama. Jeremy practices civil defense litigation and focuses on commercial auto/trucking litigation, premises liability, general business liability, and various other aspects of insurance defense litigation. He also writes an interesting blog, spanning a variety of topics, which you'll find at jeremywrichter.com. In this episode, we discuss: Jeremy's background, why he decided to go to law school and how his career developed Life as a small law firm associate The impact that the people you work with have on your experience Tracking your time: basics of time keeping and the billable hour debate Blogging as a lawyer What young lawyers and law students should know about the business of law Networking as an introvert How to develop skills as a trial lawyer as a young associate What law firms are looking for when hiring associates Resources: Jeremy's Website (http://www.jeremywrichter.com/) Jeremy on Twitter @richterjw (https://twitter.com/richterjw) Three Steps to Becoming a Better Associate Attorney (http://www.jeremywrichter.com/2017/01/09/becoming-better-associate/) "Efficient Lawyers Starve to Death" (http://www.jeremywrichter.com/2017/07/27/efficient-lawyers-starve-to-death/) (Why) Should a Lawyer Have a Blog? An Interview with Keith Lee or, What's on an Associate's Mind? (http://www.jeremywrichter.com/2017/02/09/associates-mind-keith-lee/) Networking for a Job as an Introvert (Law School Edition) (http://www.jeremywrichter.com/2017/07/13/networking-job-introvert-law-school/) Knowing When to Stop Arguing Your Point (http://www.jeremywrichter.com/2017/08/23/stop-arguing-point/) How to Voir Dire a Jury: Goals, Tactics, & Effectiveness (Part 1) (http://www.jeremywrichter.com/2017/04/24/voir-dire-jury/) Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Episode-116-young-law-associate.pdf) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) (or your listening platform of choice). 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/). Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox Podcast! Today, we're chatting about settling into law school after your first month. The first four or five weeks of class can be a really pivotal turning point for a lot of students, especially 1Ls. But there's still plenty of adjusting that happens in your 2L and 3L years, too, with each year presenting unique challenges. In this episode, we discuss: Taking stock of what's going on: getting used to the law school workload, ramping up to LRW assignments, and starting your outlines For 2Ls and 3Ls: balancing academics with the job search, interviews, traveling, and extracurriculars Checking in and evaluating your class prep, class time, and overall study schedule and strategy: How is it working for you? What are your next step? Evaluating your stress levels and prioritizing self-care Where to look for help and resources What you can do now to get ready for the February bar exam Resources: Molly Bishop Shadel, Finding Your Voice in Law School: Mastering Classroom Cold Calls, Job Interviews, and Other Verbal Challenges (https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Your-Voice-Law-School/dp/1611630738) Law School Tutoring from the Law School Toolbox (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/tutoring-for-law-school-success/) Bar Exam Tutoring from the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/private-bar-exam-tutoring/) Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Episode-115-Settling-into-Law-School.docx.pdf) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) (or your listening platform of choice). 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/). Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Welcome to the Law School Toolbox Podcast! Today we are talking about a topic every law student needs to think about – Networking! Whether you are an extrovert or an introvert, this episode is for you. Networking is a "bad word" for some folks and can even cause anxiety. You may dread having to get dressed up and go to a networking event to meet new people, but in this job market, legal networking is critically important. So, we want to help you change your perspective! Networking isn't all about stuffy functions where everyone is wearing suits and making awkward small talk. Actually, networking doesn't even have to be done in person. In this episode, we discuss: The story of how the Law School Toolbox was born from social media networking What is networking? Why network? Reframing networking as community building How to network: From formal events to volunteer activities, and everything in between Networking mistakes to avoid – be professional! Resources: How to Conduct Great Informational Interviews (http://thegirlsguidetolawschool.com/how-to-conduct-great-informational-interviews/) Calendly (https://calendly.com/) Career Dicta: Networking Strategies for a New World (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/careerdicta/networking-strategies/) Online Legal Networking: LinkedIn (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/online-legal-networking-linkedin/) Online Legal Networking: Twitter (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/online-legal-networking-twitter/) Online Legal Networking: Facebook (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/online-legal-networking-facebook/) Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Episode-114-Networking-101.pdf) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) (or your listening platform of choice). 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/). Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Welcome to the Law School Toolbox Podcast. Today, we're here with Law School Toolbox writer and 2L, Shirlene Armstrong, to talk about her experiences being a first-generation college and law student. From deciding to go to law school, to getting in, to becoming familiar with the culture and thriving, the process is challenging for everyone, but can be especially intimidating if you have no personal point of reference for what to expect. But it's possible, and Shirlene is proof! In this episode, we discuss: Shirlene's decision to go to law school How being the first person in her family to go to college and law school has impacted her experience The law school application process for applicants who aren't from the "typical" law student background, including personal statements and application fees Choosing the law school that's right for you Making friends, finding mentors, and connecting with professors Landing a job in law school and during the summer break The challenges of commuting Shirlene's advice for anyone who feels out of place in law school, or is considering going to law school as a first-generation law student Resources: Shirlene's Articles (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/author/shirlenearmstrong/) Law School Myth #1: Lawyers Make a Lot of Money (http://thegirlsguidetolawschool.com/09/law-school-myth-1-lawyers-make-a-lot-of-money/) The Battle of Commuting to Law School (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/the-battle-of-commuting-to-law-school/) Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Episode-113-First-Generation-Law-Student.pdf) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) (or your listening platform of choice). 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/). Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Welcome to the Law School Toolbox Podcast. Today, we're talking about one of the keys to success in law school – managing distractions. We live in a world of ever-increasing distractions. From technology, to analysis paralysis, to life's ongoing drama, there are a million things you can turn your attention to at any given moment. Learn to master distractions in law school and you'll have greater success, not only academically, but in your law career and in life as well. In this episode, we discuss: Internet, social media and technology – put the phone down! How overthinking and mental clutter block your focus Offloading mental clutter with systems and habits Life and relationships – setting healthy boundaries and efficiently taking care of your needs Avoiding seeing distractions as a result of boredom Improving concentration though improved sleeping habits ADD/ADHD: even mild cases can manifest differently in the law school environment Resources: Moment App (https://inthemoment.io/) Podcast Episode 72: Seeking Accommodations in Law School and on the Bar Exam (with Dr. Jared Maloff) (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-72-seeking-accommodations-law-school-bar-exam/) Podcast Episode 7: Time and Life Management Basics (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-7-time-life-management-basics/) Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less, by Greg McKeown (https://www.amazon.com/Essentialism-Disciplined-Pursuit-Greg-McKeown/dp/0804137382) Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World, by Cal Newport (https://www.amazon.com/Deep-Work-Focused-Success-Distracted-ebook/dp/B00X47ZVXM) Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Episode-112-Managing-Distractions.pdf) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) (or your listening platform of choice). 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/). Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

Welcome to the Law School Toolbox Podcast. Today, we welcome back former BigLaw Recruiter, Sadie Jones, to give her insights on resumes and cover letters. She's reviewed thousands of legal resumes in her life and is here to answer some frequently asked questions on the dos and don'ts of resume and cover letter preparation. In this episode, we discuss: The purpose of a good resume or cover letter Common missteps to avoid Frequent formatting issues and questions What should be included, and in what order? How to address "weak" areas Do you really need a cover letter? What about transcripts and writing samples? Is it okay to follow up if you don't get a response? Resources: CareerDicta.com (http://careerdicta.com/) Podcast Episode 105: OCI Basics with an Ex-BigLaw Recruiter (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-105-oci-basics-ex-biglaw-recruiter/) Podcast Episode 108: Handling Summer Associate Offers (with an Ex-BigLaw Recruiter) (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-108-handling-summer-associate-offers/) Podcast Episode 12: Resume and Cover Letter Basics (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-12-resume-cover-letter-basics/) Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Episode-111-Resumes-and-Cover-Letters-with-an-ex-BigLaw-Recruiter.pdf) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) (or your listening platform of choice). 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/). Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee