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 have the first episode in a two-part series on legal writing in the workplace. This episode is going to focus on objective legal writing and some best practices for office communications. Next time we will be discussing persuasive legal writing.

In this episode we discuss:

• How legal writing is different in the work context than in law school classes
• Common legal writing assignments for summer associates and new lawyers
• Objective and persuasive legal documents
• Tips on doing well on your writing assignments at work
• Help resources for effective legal research
• Best practices for professional office communication

Resources:

• Tutoring for Law School Success (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/tutoring-for-law-school-success/)
• Podcast Episode 45: Writing Effectively in Your Summer Legal Job (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-45-writing-effectively-summer-legal-job/)
• Podcast Episode 68: Top 10 Legal Research and Writing Disasters to Avoid (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-68-legal-writing-disasters/)
• Using Legal Writing in the Workplace (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/using-legal-writing-in-the-workplace/)
• Three Cs of Legal Writing…And One T (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/three-cs-of-legal-writingand-one-t/)
• Tips for Legal Writing at Your Summer Job (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/tips-for-legal-writing-at-your-summer-job/)
• Five Secrets of Effective Legal Writing (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/five-secrets-of-effective-legal-writing/)
• How to Ace Your Objective Legal Writing Memo (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/how-to-ace-your-objective-legal-writing-memo/)
• From Objective to Persuasive Writing, Part 1: Law (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/10818-2/)
• From Objective to Persuasive Writing, Part 2: Facts (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/objective-to-persuasive-writing-part-two/)

Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-428-legal-research-and-writing-in-the-workplace-part-1/)

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're excited to have Jessica Elefante – the author of Raising Hell, Living Well – on the podcast with us to discuss influence, choices, and managing our digital lives.

In this episode we discuss:

• Jessica's background and how the idea for her book came about
• What is influencing our decisions in today's world?
• The drawbacks of everyday technologies and how to try limiting their use
• Avoiding information overload
• Going back to making more offline than online connections

Resources:

• Jessica Elefante (https://jessicaelefante.com/)
• Raising Hell, Living Well: Freedom from Influence in a World Where Everyone Wants Something from You, by Jessica Elefante (https://www.amazon.com/Raising-Hell-Living-Well-Influence/dp/0593500555/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1701776391&sr=1-1)
• Modern Bullshit (https://jessicaelefante.substack.com/)
• Instagram: folkrebellion (https://www.instagram.com/folkrebellion/?hl=en)
• Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence, by Anna Lembke (https://www.amazon.com/Dopamine-Nation-Finding-Balance-Indulgence/dp/1524746746/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=)
• Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World, by Cal Newport (https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Minimalism-Choosing-Focused-Noisy/dp/0525542876)
• Podcast Episode 125: Maintaining a Professional Profile in the Digital Age (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-125-maintaining-professional-profile-digital-age/)
• Digital Distraction: When Is Media Helpful and Harmful While You Are Studying (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/digital-distraction-media-helpful-harmful-studying/)

Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-427-a-discussion-with-author-jessica-elefante-on-the-power-of-influence-in-the-digital-age/)

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 have ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones with us to talk about dealing with overwhelm in the job search process.

In this episode we discuss:

• Where do people get stuck in the job search process?
• What can you do if you're not sure where to start?
• Tools to help you track your job search progress
• Prioritizing which activities to focus on
• How to deal with feeling overwhelmed and hopeless
• Tips for creating accountability
• When do you need to get outside help?

Resources:

• CareerDicta (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/careerdicta/)
• Law School Toolbox Podcast: Careers (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/law-school-toolbox-podcast-archive/careers/)

Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-426-dealing-with-overwhelm-in-your-job-search-w-sadie-jones/)

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! In today's episode, we're talking with Colin Levy -- author of the book The Legal Tech Ecosystem -- about what's new and exciting in the field of legal technology, and how AI might change the future of law practice.

In this episode we discuss:

• Colin's background and path in the legal tech space
• What does "the legal tech ecosystem" encompass and how has it developed over the last 20 years or so?
• How can legal tech help lawyers "do more with less"?
• How access to justice issues are being alleviated
• The impact of generative AI on law firms
• People, companies, and tools that are innovating the legal tech field

Resources:

• The Legal Tech Ecosystem: Innovation, Advancement & the Future of Law Practice, by Colin S. Levy (https://www.amazon.com/Legal-Tech-Ecosystem-Innovation-Advancement/dp/B0CKCZTLWW)
• Colin S. Levy: Legal Technology Maven (https://www.colinslevy.com/)
• Proxy: Legal Workflow Management (https://www.proxylegalapp.com/)
• Clio: Legal Practice Management Software (https://www.clio.com/)
• CoCounsel: AI Legal Assistant (https://casetext.com/)
• UniCourt: Legal Data and Analytics (https://unicourt.com/)
• Podcast Episode 279: Legal Trends in 2020 and Going Forward (w/George Psiharis of Clio) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-279-legal-trends-in-2020-and-going-forward-w-george-psiharis-of-clio/)
• Emerging Careers for Law Graduates: The Intersection of Law and Technology (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/emerging-careers-for-law-graduates-the-intersection-of-law-and-technology/)

Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-425-exploring-the-legal-tech-ecosystem-w-colin-levy/)

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! Preparing effectively for exams is critical to doing well in law school, so you should start early, create your own outlines, and take practice exams before you feel ready. But if - for whatever reason - you find yourself in the reading week nightmare scenario, we're here to help you make the most of the few days left before exams!

In this episode we discuss:

• What's the first thing you should do if you find yourself in reading week and feeling unprepared for exams?
• How to create a study schedule for the last few days before exams
• The study materials to gather for each of your classes
• How and why to prepare "skinny" outlines
• The importance of practicing exam questions under timed conditions
• Tips for getting through a law school exam after a few days of cramming

Resources:

• Tutoring for Law School Success (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/tutoring-for-law-school-success/)
• Gilbert Law Summaries (https://www.westacademic.com/series/Gilbert-Law-Summaries)
• Emanuel Study Aid Series (https://aspenpublishing.com/collections/study-aids-emanuel-series)
• Black Letter Outlines (https://www.westacademic.com/series/Black-Letter-Outlines)
• Examples & Explanations (https://aspenpublishing.com/collections/examples-explanations)
• Acing Series (https://www.westacademic.com/series/Acing-Series)
• Podcast Episode 20: The Exam Countdown – One Month and Counting! (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-20-exam-countdown-one-month-counting/)
• Podcast Episode 41: Avoiding Law School Exam Disasters (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-41-avoiding-law-school-exam-disasters/)
• Podcast Episode 221: Our Top 5 Last-Minute Exam Tips (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-221-our-top-5-last-minute-exam-tips/)
• Triage Tips for Final Exams (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/triage-tips-final-exams/)
• Don't Panic! Last Minute Tips for Final Exams (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/dont-panic-last-minute-tips-for-final-exams/)

Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-424-quick-tips-exam-prep-triage/)

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! This is the second episode in a two-part series on getting ready for exams. Last time, we talked about outlining, creating study materials, and applying those study materials to a fact pattern. Today, we're focusing on how to actually write an exam answer.

In this episode we discuss:

• What professors look for in your exam answers, and what to make sure to avoid doing
• A sample Criminal Law hypo
• Planning and outlining before you start writing
• The elements of the IRAC/CRAC/CREAC structures
• Five key things related to a solid exam answer

Resources:

• Tutoring for Law School Success (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/tutoring-for-law-school-success/)
• Homicide Outline (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/homicide-outline/)
• Podcast Episode 312: Mid-Term Exam Prep Basics for Law Students (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-312-mid-term-exam-prep-basics-for-law-students/)
• Podcast Episode 403: Start Law School Right – Outlining 101 (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-403-start-law-school-right-outlining-101/)
• Podcast Episode 407: Start Law School Right – Exam Writing 101 (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-407-start-law-school-right-exam-writing-101/)
• Podcast Episode 422: Law School Exam Prep (Part 1) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-422-law-school-exam-prep-part-1/)
• Exam Prep Outline: A Practice in Reverse Engineering (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/exam-prep-outline-a-practice-in-reverse-engineering/)
• 5 New Exam Strategies to Try (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/5-new-exam-strategies-to-try/)

Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-423-law-school-exam-prep-part-2/)

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! This is the first episode in a two-part series on getting ready for exams. Today, we're talking about what professors look for on law school exams, as well as strategies to make effective outlines and study aids. Next time, we'll focus on practicing exam-taking skills and creating a plan for exam prep.

In this episode we discuss:

• Why are law school exams generally so difficult?
• What professors are looking for on exams
• Analyzing a sample Criminal Law hypo
• How to create a useful outline

Resources:

• Tutoring for Law School Success (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/tutoring-for-law-school-success/)
• Homicide Outline (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/homicide-outline/)
• Podcast Episode 312: Mid-Term Exam Prep Basics for Law Students (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-312-mid-term-exam-prep-basics-for-law-students/)
• Podcast Episode 403: Start Law School Right – Outlining 101 (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-403-start-law-school-right-outlining-101/)
• Podcast Episode 407: Start Law School Right – Exam Writing 101 (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-407-start-law-school-right-exam-writing-101/)
• Exam Prep Outline: A Practice in Reverse Engineering (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/exam-prep-outline-a-practice-in-reverse-engineering/)
• 5 New Exam Strategies to Try (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/5-new-exam-strategies-to-try/)

Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-422-law-school-exam-prep-part-1/)

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode!

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, in an episode from our "Quick Tips" series, we're talking about a seemingly radical approach to note-taking: drawing your notes. This technique may especially appeal to you if you are a visual learner or like to draw or sketch concepts.

In this episode we discuss:

• How drawing helps with memorization
• Developing a "visual toolkit" for law school classes
• Summarizing the facts of a case with a series of images
• Specific shorthand symbols and drawings commonly used by law students

Resources:

• Drawing in Class: Rachel Smith at TEDx (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tJPeumHNLY)
• How to Draw to Remember More: Graham Shaw at TEDx (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gj3ZnKlHqxI)
• Mike Rohde: The Sketchnote Books (https://rohdesign.com/)
• Notability app (https://notability.com/)
• Podcast Episode 30: Visual Learning for Law Students (Guest Kipp Mueller) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-30-visual-learning-law-students-guest-kipp-mueller/)
• Podcast Episode 146: Tips for Visual Learners (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-146-tips-for-visual-learners/)
• How Visual Learning Tools Can Help You in Law School: An Interview with SketchyLaw (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/how-visual-learning-tools-can-help-you-in-law-school-an-interview-with-sketchylaw/)

Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-421-quick-tips-using-visual-drawings-for-note-taking-and-memorization/)

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 about being realistic about which jobs you'd be a good candidate for and choosing the right option, while neither selling yourself short nor aiming too high.

In this episode we discuss:

• Determining where you would be a realistic candidate
• How to cast a wider net if you need to
• How the economy affects the legal landscape
• Taking a job you may not entirely want versus holding out for something better
• Getting other people to help with your job search

Resources:

• CareerDicta (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/careerdicta/)
• NALP: National Association for Law Placement (https://www.nalp.org/)
• The Wall Street Journal (https://www.wsj.com/)
• Above the Law (https://abovethelaw.com/)
• Podcast Episode 126: How to Get People to Help with Your Job Search (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-126-get-people-help-job-search/)
• Podcast Episode 132: What's BigLaw Really Like? (w/Sadie Jones) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-132-whats-biglaw-really-like-w-sadie-jones/)
• Podcast Episode 183: Changing Course in the Job Hunt (w/ex-BigLaw Recruiter Sadie Jones) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-183-changing-course-in-the-job-hunt-w-ex-biglaw-recruiter-sadie-jones/)
• Podcast Episode 316: Being Smart About Your Career Goals (w/Sadie Jones) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-316-being-smart-about-your-career-goals-w-sadie-jones/)
• Podcast Episode 385: Career Planning Resources for Law Students (w/Sadie Jones) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-385-career-planning-resources-for-law-students-w-sadie-jones/)
• Podcast Episode 393: The Legal Hiring Landscape in the Current Economy (w/Sadie Jones) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-393-the-legal-hiring-landscape-in-the-current-economy-w-sadie-jones/)

Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-420-being-realistic-in-your-law-school-job-search-w-sadie-jones/)

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 about how to start putting together the material you've covered so far, and making sense of it, so you can apply it on an exam.

In this episode we discuss:

• The four fundamental steps in the law school learning process
• What to do if you have no idea how to start your mid-term prep
• How to build useful outlines and other study aids
• Why using somebody else's outlines is not the best idea
• Tips for utilizing AI to help you study

Resources:

• Claude.ai (https://claude.ai/login?returnTo=%2F)
• Palsgraf v. Long Island Railroad Co. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palsgraf_v._Long_Island_Railroad_Co.)
• 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 67: Mid-Semester Law School To-Do List (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-67-mid-semester-to-do-draft/)
• Podcast Episode 213: Why Practice Is So Important in Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-213-why-practice-is-so-important-in-law-school/)
• Podcast Episode 312: Mid-Term Exam Prep Basics for Law Students (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-312-mid-term-exam-prep-basics-for-law-students/)
• Wondering What an Attack Plan Is? (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/wondering-what-an-attack-plan-is/)
• Surviving the October Freakout (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/surviving-the-october-freakout/)

Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-419-making-sense-of-the-law-at-mid-semester/)

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