Beyond the Briefcase

Beyond the Briefcase

By Sarah Rosa & Meg ZhangBusinessEducationCareers
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Beyond the Briefcase episodes

  • Navigating the Licensing Process (Ontario and New York State)

    On our FIFTIETH episode of Beyond the Briefcase, your hosts chat about the lawyer licensing process in Ontario and New York State. Meg talks about writing the LSO bar exams and articling process. Sarah shares her experiences navigating the many, MANY US and NY virtual and in-person exams. Your hosts are in the thick of it, but have no fear - all will be well (eventually)!

    Support the podcast!
    Follow us on our socials
    Instagram: @beyondthebriefcasepodcast

    Give us a 5-star rating and subscribe for more. 
    Don't hesitate to contact us if there are some topics you would like covered on the show! We would love to hear from you. 

    Please note that the views and opinions expressed in this episode are our own and do not necessarily reflect those of our law school or any past guests/future guests on our podcast.

    This episode was recorded by Meg Zhang, and produced by Adam Green. 

    Music: "Sunset Strip" by audionautix.com 

    See you next week,

    Sarah and Meg

    59 min
  • Interview with Celine Tsai: Going on Exchange in Law School

    On this episode of Beyond the Briefcase, your hosts chat with Celine Tsai, a student who went on exchange to Lund University in Sweden in her final year of law school. Celine shares her experiences navigating the (bizarrely antiquated) exchange application process, the terror of housing logistics, and the many, many fun places to visit in Europe.

    Support the podcast!
    Follow us on our socials
    Instagram: @beyondthebriefcasepodcast

    Give us a 5-star rating and subscribe for more. 
    Don't hesitate to contact us if there are some topics you would like covered on the show! We would love to hear from you. 

    Please note that the views and opinions expressed in this episode are our own and do not necessarily reflect those of our law school or any past guests/future guests on our podcast.

    This episode was recorded by Meg Zhang, and produced by Adam Green. 

    Music: "Sunset Strip" by audionautix.com 

    See you next week,

    Sarah and Meg

    47 min
  • Interview with Tharmela Ganendralingam: Articling at a Boutique Law Firm

    On this episode of Beyond the Briefcase, your hosts chat with Tharmela Ganendralingam, an articling student working at a boutique law firm in Downtown Toronto. Tharmela peels back the curtain on transitioning into articles and how to balance work and life. She also imparts some sage and much-needed wisdom for those finishing up law school.

    Support the podcast!
    Follow us on our socials
    Instagram: @beyondthebriefcasepodcast

    Give us a 5-star rating and subscribe for more. 
    Don't hesitate to contact us if there are some topics you would like covered on the show! We would love to hear from you. 

    Please note that the views and opinions expressed in this episode are our own and do not necessarily reflect those of our law school or any past guests/future guests on our podcast.

    This episode was recorded by Meg Zhang, and produced by Adam Green. 

    Music: "Sunset Strip" by audionautix.com 

    See you next week,

    Sarah and Meg

    40 min
  • Summer Student Experiences: Boutique

    Welcome to the sixth and final episode of our summer student mini-series! In this episode, Sarah and Meg chat about their experiences working at boutique firms in Downtown Toronto. Sarah speaks about her time at an office specializing in capital markets and mergers and acquisitions. Meg recounts her time at a labour/employment shop. If you're interested in learning more about the culture at boutiques, the perils of commuting, and how law schools should have an etiquette program, this episode is for you!

    Support the podcast!
    Follow us on our socials
    Instagram: @beyondthebriefcasepodcast

    Give us a 5-star rating and subscribe for more. 
    Don't hesitate to contact us if there are some topics you would like covered on the show! We would love to hear from you. 

    Please note that the views and opinions expressed in this episode are our own and do not necessarily reflect those of our law school or any past guests/future guests on our podcast.

    This episode was recorded by Meg Zhang, and produced by Adam Green. 

    Music: "Sunset Strip" by audionautix.com 

    See you next week,

    Sarah and Meg

    59 min
  • Summer Student Experiences: Full-Service

    Welcome to the fifth episode of our mini-series where we canvas diverse summer student experiences in different areas of the legal profession. In this episode, Sarah and Meg chat with Amit Nehru, a 3L student at the University of Toronto who summered at a full service firm in Downtown Toronto. Amit gives us the run-down on how to keep an open mind and open heart when applying for summer positions, some top tips when commuting to work, and his experience exploring all the interconnected areas of law at a firm servicing large corporate clients. 

    Support the podcast!
    Follow us on our socials
    Instagram: @beyondthebriefcasepodcast

    Give us a 5-star rating and subscribe for more. 
    Don't hesitate to contact us if there are some topics you would like covered on the show! We would love to hear from you. 

    Please note that the views and opinions expressed in this episode are our own and do not necessarily reflect those of our law school or any past guests/future guests on our podcast.

    This episode was recorded by Meg Zhang, and produced by Adam Green. 

    Music: "Sunset Strip" by audionautix.com 

    See you next week,

    Sarah and Meg

    51 min
  • Summer Student Experiences: Government

    Welcome to the fourth episode of our mini-series where we canvas diverse summer student experiences in different areas of the legal profession. In this episode, Sarah and Meg chat with Humza Khan, a 3L student at the University of Toronto who summered at the Toronto Crown Office. Humza gives us the run-down on applying and interviewing for government positions in Ontario as well as the importance of doing what you love as a law student and summer student. 

    Support the podcast!
    Follow us on our socials
    Instagram: @beyondthebriefcasepodcast

    Give us a 5-star rating and subscribe for more. 
    Don't hesitate to contact us if there are some topics you would like covered on the show! We would love to hear from you. 

    Please note that the views and opinions expressed in this episode are our own and do not necessarily reflect those of our law school or any past guests/future guests on our podcast.

    This episode was recorded by Meg Zhang, and produced by Adam Green. 

    Music: "Sunset Strip" by audionautix.com 

    See you next week,

    Sarah and Meg

    41 min
  • Summer Student Experiences: Cross-Jurisdictional

    Welcome to the third episode of our mini-series where we canvas diverse summer student experiences in different areas of the legal profession. In this episode, Sarah and Meg chat with Vlad Shevchenko, a 3L student at the University of Toronto who is completing law school in Ontario, but will practice in Alberta. Vlad gives us the run-down on studying and applying to work in another jurisdiction, some top tips on interviewing (including the importance of NOT eating at sketchy sushi joints the day before an interview!), and how to balance personal and career aspirations.

    LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST 

    Find Vlad on LinkedIn at "Volodymyr (Vlad) Shevchenko" 

    Support the podcast!
    Follow us on our socials
    Instagram: @beyondthebriefcasepodcast

    Give us a 5-star rating and subscribe for more. 
    Don't hesitate to contact us if there are some topics you would like covered on the show! We would love to hear from you. 

    Please note that the views and opinions expressed in this episode are our own and do not necessarily reflect those of our law school or any past guests/future guests on our podcast.

    This episode was recorded by Meg Zhang, and produced by Adam Green. 

    Music: "Sunset Strip" by audionautix.com 

    See you next week,

    Sarah and Meg

    44 min
  • Summer Student Experiences: Split Program (Toronto and New York)

    Welcome to the second episode of our mini-series where we canvas diverse summer student experiences in different areas of the legal profession. In this episode, Sarah and Meg chat with Emma Farrell, a 3L student at the University of Toronto who split her summer working at a New York firm and a Toronto firm. Emma gives us the run-down on what it's like to apply for and split the summer working in two jurisdictions. 

    Support the podcast!
    Follow us on our socials
    Instagram: @beyondthebriefcasepodcast

    Give us a 5-star rating and subscribe for more. 
    Don't hesitate to contact us if there are some topics you would like covered on the show! We would love to hear from you. 

    Please note that the views and opinions expressed in this episode are our own and do not necessarily reflect those of our law school or any past guests/future guests on our podcast.

    This episode was recorded by Meg Zhang, and produced by Adam Green. 

    Music: "Sunset Strip" by audionautix.com 

    See you next week,

    Sarah and Meg

    43 min
  • Summer Student Experiences: Public Interest

    Welcome back to a new season of Beyond the Briefcase! We start with a mini-series canvassing diverse summer student experiences in different areas of the legal profession. This episode, your hosts chat with Cathleen Ma, a 3L student at the University of Toronto who summered at Legal Aid Ontario. Cathleen gives us the run-down on summering at a public interest, government organization. 

    Support the podcast!
    Follow us on our socials
    Instagram: @beyondthebriefcasepodcast

    Give us a 5-star rating and subscribe for more. 
    Don't hesitate to contact us if there are some topics you would like covered on the show! We would love to hear from you. 

    Please note that the views and opinions expressed in this episode are our own and do not necessarily reflect those of our law school or any past guests/future guests on our podcast.

    This episode was recorded by Meg Zhang, and produced by Adam Green. 

    Music: "Sunset Strip" by audionautix.com 

    See you next week,

    Sarah and Meg

    43 min
  • Reflecting on the 2L Recruit

    On the last episode of Season 3 of Beyond the Briefcase, your hosts reflect upon the 2L recruit. Now with summer placements (and hopefully articles!) lined up, Sarah and Meg catch you up on their experiences with OCIs, Call Day, and Interview Week. 

    Disclaimer: What Sarah and Meg say is wholly their personal opinions and experiences. By no means will this reflect your experience going through the 2L job recruit. As your hosts will share - no two experiences in the recruit are the same! 


    Sarah and Meg predominantly participated in the Toronto private law firm recruit. They did not apply for positions in government, with fellowships and clinics, or out of province in Canada. Please speak to your career development office for insight and advice that will best anticipate and suit your concerns and intentions.


    This marks the end of Season 3. If you've made it this far, thank you so much for your support :)

    Support the podcast!
    Follow us on our socials
    Instagram: @beyondthebriefcasepodcast

    Give us a 5-star rating and subscribe for more. 
    Don't hesitate to contact us if there are some topics you would like covered on the show! We would love to hear from you. 

    Please note that the views and opinions expressed in this episode are our own and do not necessarily reflect those of our law school or any past guests/future guests on our podcast.

    This episode was recorded by Meg Zhang, and produced by Adam Green. 

    Music: "Sunset Strip" by audionautix.com 

    See you next week,

    Sarah and Meg

    56 min

About Beyond the Briefcase

From the publisher's feed

Want to learn more about your legal rights and responsibilities, how to become a lawyer, and how to navigate law school? Rather than entering the Google rabbit hole, join Sarah and Meg every Monday as…