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

Welcome to the Law School Toolbox podcast for our special series on starting off on the right foot in law school! In today's episode, we'll demystify the dreaded Socratic method for teaching in law school, and provide some survival tips for being called on in class.

In this episode we discuss:

• Alison's and Lee's own experiences of being called on in a law school class, and not having things go well
• Why classes are critically important
• What is the Socratic method of teaching?
• The good thing about speaking up in class
• Tips for surviving being called on
• What if you feel like you're not prepared to answer?
• What's the worst that could happen if you give a wrong answer?

Looking for more personalized help as you get ready for law school? Check out our flagship Start Law School Right course at startlawschoolright.com. It provides a full overview of the skills you need in law school, along with opportunities to practice and get feedback from a Law School Toolbox tutor.

Resources:

• "Start Law School Right" podcast series (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/law-school-toolbox-podcast-archive/pre-law-episodes/#start-off-right)
• "Start Law School Right" course (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/start-law-school-right/)
• Law School Toolbox (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/)
• Tutoring for Law School Success (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/tutoring-for-law-school-success/)
• Strategies for Pre-Law Students (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/strategies-new-law-students/tips-for-pre-law-students/)
• Brené Brown – Listening to Shame TED Talk (https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_listening_to_shame/c)
• The Paper Chase, by John Joy Osborn Jr. (https://www.amazon.com/Paper-Chase-John-Jay-Osborn/dp/0983698007)
• 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/)
• Ahead of the Curve: What Is the Socratic Method? (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/ahead-of-the-curve-what-is-the-socratic-method/)
• Be Prepared and Speak Up! A Different Approach to the Socratic Method (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/be-prepared-and-speak-up-a-different-approach-to-the-socratic-method/)
• How to Deal with a "Bad" Cold Call (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/how-to-deal-with-a-bad-cold-call/)
• Strategies for Surviving Cold Calls (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/strategies-for-surviving-cold-calls/)

Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-398-start-law-school-right-the-socratic-method/)

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 John Passmore - a practicing attorney and one of our Law School Toolbox writers - with us to talk about some ways that law students can get involved in the legal profession.

In this episode we discuss:

• A quick overview of John's professional background
• How to make the most of internships and summer legal jobs
• What are some ways to get involved outside of class, beyond working?
• What we found most helpful in law school towards building a legal career
• Networking tips for law students

Resources:

• CareerDicta (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/careerdicta/)
• Building Your Legal Career (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/law-school-toolbox-podcast-archive/careers/)
• Law School Career Tips (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/law-school-career-tips/)
• John Passmore, Author at Law School Toolbox (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/author/john-passmore/)
• ABA Law Student Division (https://www.americanbar.org/groups/law_students/)
• Oyez (https://www.oyez.org/)
• Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/)
• Podcast Episode 5: Maintaining Authenticity in the Legal Profession (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-5-maintaining-authenticity-legal-profession/)
• Podcast Episode 114: Law School Networking 101 (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-114-law-school-networking-101/)
• Podcast Episode 162: Professional Development Strategies for Young Lawyers (w/Sadie Jones) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-162-professional-development-strategies-for-young-lawyers-w-sadie-jones/)
• Join Now! Getting Involved in the Legal Profession (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/join-now-getting-involved-in-the-legal-profession/)

Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-397-how-to-get-involved-in-the-legal-profession-while-still-in-law-school/)

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 to the Law School Toolbox podcast for our special series on starting off on the right foot in law school! Today, in the second episode of the series, we're discussing reading law school cases and preparing for class.

In this episode we discuss:

• Why it's important to spend time reading cases
• Things to pay attention to when you're reading a case
• The components of a typical opinion
• Holding and dicta in the context of court decisions
• The case of United States v. Carroll Towing Co.
• Pros and cons of "briefing" cases before class

Looking for more personalized help as you get ready for law school? Check out our flagship Start Law School Right course at startlawschoolright.com. It provides a full overview of the skills you need in law school, along with opportunities to practice and get feedback from a Law School Toolbox tutor.

Resources:

• "Start Law School Right" podcast series (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/law-school-toolbox-podcast-archive/pre-law-episodes/#start-off-right)
• "Start Law School Right" course (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/start-law-school-right/)
• Law School Toolbox (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/)
• Tutoring for Law School Success (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/tutoring-for-law-school-success/)
• Strategies for Pre-Law Students (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/strategies-new-law-students/tips-for-pre-law-students/)
• United States v. Carroll Towing Co. (https://www.lexisnexis.com/community/casebrief/p/casebrief-united-states-v-carroll-towing-co-1383630741)
• Podcast Episode 11: Legal Writing 101 (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-11-legal-writing-101/)
• Podcast Episode 102: How to Read Cases and Prepare for Class in Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/16176-2/)
• Podcast Episode 309: Tips for Reading a Case (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-309-tips-for-reading-a-case/)
• Podcast Episode 304: Introduction to the Bluebook (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-304-introduction-to-the-bluebook/)

Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-396-start-law-school-right-class-prep-101/)

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, as part of our "Listen and Learn" series, we're discussing Evidence, specifically some special forms of privileged communication.

In this episode we discuss:

• Privileged communication vs. confidentiality
• The two types of marital (or spousal) privilege
• Requirements for communication between a doctor and a patient for it to be considered privileged
• Scope of the clergy-penitent privilege
• Two hypos illustrating how privilege may come up on an exam

Resources:

• "Listen and Learn" series (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/law-school-toolbox-podcast-substantive-law-topics/#listen-learn)
• California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, February 2009 (https://juraxbar.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/February-2009-CBX.pdf)
• California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, July 2012 (https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/admissions/Examinations/CBXJuly2012_Selected_Answers_Essays_R.pdf)
• Podcast Episode 261: Listen and Learn – The Basics of Hearsay (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-261-listen-and-learn-the-basics-of-hearsay/)

Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-395-listen-and-learn-evidence-special-privileges/)

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 to the Law School Toolbox podcast for our special series on starting off on the right foot in law school! In this episode, we're discussing what the law school process is, what lawyers argue about, and where "the law" comes from.

In this episode we discuss:

• The four distinct steps in the law school learning process
• What do lawyers argue about, and what do law students argue about?
• The two different types of law in the United States
• Applying "the law" on an exam

Looking for more personalized help as you get ready for law school? Check out our flagship Start Law School Right course at startlawschoolright.com. It provides a full overview of the skills you need in law school, along with opportunities to practice and get feedback from a Law School Toolbox tutor.

Resources:

• "Start Law School Right" podcast series (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/law-school-toolbox-podcast-archive/pre-law-episodes/#start-off-right)
• "Start Law School Right" course (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/start-law-school-right/)
• Law School Toolbox (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/)
• Tutoring for Law School Success (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/tutoring-for-law-school-success/)
• Strategies for Pre-Law Students (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/strategies-new-law-students/tips-for-pre-law-students/)

Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-394-start-law-school-right-getting-started-101/)

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 on the podcast to discuss how to interpret news and headlines you see around law firms and the current economy in general.

In this episode we discuss:

• What is happening in relation to law firms in the current economy?
• If you are given a deferred start date, what's the best way to handle this as a law student?
• What should students going into 2L recruiting be thinking about?
• How does the current economy landscape compare to 2008?
• How to put yourself in the best position, knowing that things are probably tightening

Resources:

• CareerDicta (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/careerdicta/)
• Building Your Legal Career (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/law-school-toolbox-podcast-archive/careers/)
• Podcast Episode 360: Legal Jobs in a Slowing Economy (w/Sadie Jones) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-360-legal-jobs-in-a-slowing-economy-w-sadie-jones/)
• How to Search for a Law Job in an Uncertain Economy (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/how-to-search-for-a-law-job-in-an-uncertain-economy/)
• Tips to Finding Post-Graduate Jobs During a Recession (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/tips-to-finding-post-graduate-jobs-during-a-recession/)

Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-393-the-legal-hiring-landscape-in-the-current-economy-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, as part of our "Listen and Learn" series, we're talking about the purpose of recording statutes, and the recording system more generally.

In this episode we discuss:

• The first-in-time rule for valid title
• What is a bona fide purchaser?
• What does it mean to take property without notice?
• The three types of recording statutes
• How transfers of real property are recorded
• What is a "wild" deed?
• Analyzing sample questions involving recording statutes

Resources:

• "Listen and Learn" series (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/law-school-toolbox-podcast-substantive-law-topics/#listen-learn)

Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-392-listen-and-learn-recording-statutes-real-property/)

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 on the podcast to talk about the expectations that law firms have of their summer associates, in terms of work hours, work load, and communication.

In this episode we discuss:

• Why some people don't take a summer associate position as seriously as they should
• Managing a hybrid or virtual work schedule
• Taking a vacation during your summer job
• Attending in-person and virtual work events
• What should you do if you aren't clear on expectations?
• What if you really don't have much to do, and is this a sign you're not going to get an offer?

Resources:

• CareerDicta (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/careerdicta/)
• Podcast Episode 94: How to Succeed at Your Summer Legal Job (with Sara O'Connor) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-94-succeed-summer-legal-job-sara-oconnor/)
• Podcast Episode 147: Top Summer Associate Mistakes and How to Fix Them (w/Sadie Jones) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-147-top-summer-associate-mistakes-and-how-to-fix-them-w-sadie-jones/)
• Podcast Episode 342: Real World Summer Job Situations (w/Sadie Jones) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-342-real-world-summer-job-situations-w-sadie-jones/)
• 5 Things You Should Do Throughout Your Summer Job or Internship (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/5-things-you-should-do-throughout-your-summer-job-or-internship/)
• 5 Tips for Rescuing Your Law School Summer Job from Disaster (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/5-tips-for-rescuing-your-law-school-summer-job-from-disaster/)

Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-391-how-to-show-up-as-a-summer-associate-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 discussing the circumstances under which a principal is vicariously liable for the unlawful actions of their employees and independent contractors.

In this episode we discuss:

• The general rule for vicarious liability
• Distinguishing between an employee and an independent contractor
• When is an employee considered to act within the scope of employment?
• When is a principal liable for torts committed by an independent contractor?

Resources:

• "Listen and Learn" series (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/law-school-toolbox-podcast-substantive-law-topics/#listen-learn)
• California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, July 2014 (https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/admissions/gbx/July2014CBX_SelectedAnswersEssays1-6_R.pdf)
• California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, July 2006 (https://nwculaw.edu/pdf/bar/July%202006%20Essays%20and%20Sample%20Answers.pdf)

Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-390-listen-and-learn-vicarious-liability-torts/)

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 happy to have a special guest, Givelle Lamano, with us to talk about starting and running a criminal defense law firm.

In this episode we discuss:

• Givelle's background and career path
• The challenges and rewards of doing criminal defense work
• Working in non-profit and community organizations
• Building a network in law school that will help your future career
• Advice for law students who think they may want to start their own solo practice

Resources:

• Linktree – Lamano Law (https://linktr.ee/lamanolaw)
• Criminal Defense Attorney in Oakland – Lamano Law Office (https://www.lamanolaw.com/)
• Oakland DUI Attorneys (https://www.oaklandduiattorneys.com/)
• Gallup StrengthsFinder (CliftonStrengths) assessment (https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/254033/strengthsfinder.aspx)
• DiSC assessment (https://www.discprofile.com/what-is-disc)
• Outliers: The Story of Success, by Malcolm Gladwell (https://www.amazon.com/Outliers-Story-Success-Malcolm-Gladwell/dp/0316017930)
• Podcast Episode 86: Resources for Aspiring Entrepreneurs (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-86-resources-aspiring-entrepreneurs/)
• Podcast Episode 109: Life as a Woman Entrepreneur with Meg Keene of A Practical Wedding (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-109-life-woman-entrepreneur-meg-keene-practical-wedding/)
• Podcast Episode 154: Building a Better Law Practice (w/Jeremy Richter) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-154-building-a-better-law-practice-w-jeremy-richter/)
• Podcast Episode 233: Starting a Small Law Firm (w/Guest Stephanie Everett of Lawyerist) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-233-starting-a-small-law-firm-w-guest-stephanie-everett-of-lawyerist/)
• Podcast Episode 333: Building an Authentic Law Practice (w/Hillary Vaillancourt) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-333-building-an-authentic-law-practice-w-hillary-vaillancourt/)

Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-389-running-a-criminal-defense-law-firm-w-givelle-lamano/)

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