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 excited to have college and law school admissions consultant Sydney Montgomery with us to talk all about law school admissions.

In this episode we discuss:

• Sydney's background and her work in admissions consulting
• What problems do people consistently run into during admissions?
• What unique challenges do first-generation law students face, and how can they overcome them?
• How to find out more about life as a lawyer if you're thinking of applying to law school
• What should you write in your personal statement?
• Is it worth it to pay full price for law school?
• Does it matter where your law school is located?
• Approaching your undergrad professors about letters of recommendation
• Communicating with schools if you're on their waitlist

Resources:

• Start Law School Right (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/start-law-school-right/)
• S. Montgomery Admissions Consulting (https://smontgomeryconsulting.com/)
• Break Into Law School podcast (https://breakintolawschool.com/)
• Navigating Law School Admissions podcast (https://law.yale.edu/admissions-financial-aid/jd-admissions/connect-us/navigating-law-school-admissions-podcast)
• Headspace (https://www.headspace.com/)
• InsightTimer (https://insighttimer.com/)
• Podcast Episode 119: Navigating the Law School Application Process (with Admission Logic) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-119-navigating-law-school-application-process-admission-logic/)
• Podcast Episode 210: Using Mindfulness Practices as a Law Student (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-210-using-mindfulness-practices-as-a-law-student/)
• Podcast Episode 246: Influence of the LSAT on the Law School Admission Process (with Shirag Shemmassian) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-246-influence-of-the-lsat-on-the-law-school-admission-process-with-shirag-shemmassian/)
• Podcast Episode 256: Tips for Applying to Law School (w/Anna Ivey) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-256-tips-for-applying-to-law-school-w-anna-ivey/)
• Podcast Episode 303: What's New with the LSAT (w/Steve Schwartz) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-303-whats-new-with-the-lsat-w-steve-schwartz/)
• Podcast Episode 335: Things to Consider If You're on a Law School Waitlist (w/Anna Ivey) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-335-things-to-consider-if-youre-on-a-law-school-waitlist-w-anna-ivey/)

Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-338-talking-about-law-school-admissions-w-sydney-montgomery/)

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 common issues that law students encounter when looking for a job.

In this episode we discuss:

• What to do if you're a 1L and you still don't have a summer job by mid-spring
• How to overcome losing on-campus connections if you've been studying remotely
• What happens if your firm went under in the last year and you're left without a job after graduation
• Career-related things you can do prior to starting law school to get on the right track
• When and how to get career help as a 1L

Resources:

• CareerDicta (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/careerdicta/)
• Job Search Strategies for Law Students (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/law-school-career-tips/job-search-strategies-for-law-students/)
• Podcast Episode 24: Job Search Basics for 1Ls (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-24-job-search-basics-1ls/)
• 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 166: How to Frame Your Job Search Story (w/Sadie Jones) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-166-how-to-frame-your-job-search-story-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 185: Thinking About the 2L Job Search as a 1L (w/Ex-BigLaw Recruiter Sadie Jones) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-185-thinking-about-the-2l-job-search-as-a-1l-w-ex-biglaw-recruiter-sadie-jones/)
• Podcast Episode 203: Job Search Q&A (w/Ex-BigLaw Recruiter Sadie Jones) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-203-job-search-qa-w-ex-biglaw-recruiter-sadie-jones/)
• Podcast Episode 209: Job Hunting in a City Where You're Not in Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-209-job-hunting-in-a-city-where-youre-not-in-law-school/)
• Podcast Episode 232: Finding a 1L Summer Job in the Spring (w/Sadie Jones) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-232-finding-a-1l-summer-job-in-the-spring-w-sadie-jones/)
• Podcast Episode 327: Job Search Etiquette (w/Sadie Jones) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-327-job-search-etiquette-w-sadie-jones/)
• Getting a Jump Start on the 1L Summer Job Search (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/getting-a-jump-start-on-the-1l-summer-job-search/)
• Getting a Jump Start on the Summer Job Search: Part II (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/getting-a-jump-start-on-the-summer-job-search-part-ii/)
• How to Develop a 3L Job Search Strategy (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/how-to-develop-a-3l-job-search-strategy/)

Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-337-how-to-address-common-job-search-problems-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 figure out which law school offer to accept if you're weighing multiple options.

In this episode we discuss:

• Should you automatically go to the highest ranked school you get into?
• How much does location matter?
• The role of scholarships and student loans
• The importance of visiting the schools in person
• Considering bar passage rates
• Job/career prospects after graduation

Resources:

• Start Law School Right (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/start-law-school-right/)
• Law School Transparency (https://www.lawschooltransparency.com/)
• Podcast Episode 34: Which Law School Should I Go to? (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-34-which-law-school-should-i-go-to/)
• Podcast Episode 217: Choosing a Law School (with Dr. Shirag Shemmassian) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-217-choosing-a-law-school-with-dr-shirag-shemmassian/)
• Podcast Episode 335: Things to Consider If You're on a Law School Waitlist (w/Anna Ivey) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-335-things-to-consider-if-youre-on-a-law-school-waitlist-w-anna-ivey/)

Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-336-how-to-decide-which-law-school-offer-to-accept/)

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 admissions consultant Anna Ivey back with us to discuss some timely admissions topics, including how to deal with being on a law school waitlist.

In this episode we discuss:

• Anna's background and work in admissions consulting
• Has the law school experience normalized after the two-year pandemic period?
• What do law school applications look like these days?
• The timeframe for schools making final decisions on students who are waitlisted
• What should you do if you're on a waitlist and want to get off of it?
• How many updates do you need to send to a school if you're on their waitlist?
• At what point does it make sense to commit to a school and end the waitlist limbo?

Resources:

• Anna Ivey Consulting (https://www.annaivey.com/)
• 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 252: Navigating the Law School Landscape in Light of COVID-19 (w/Anna Ivey) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-252-navigating-the-law-school-landscape-in-light-of-covid-19-w-anna-ivey/)
• Podcast Episode 256: Tips for Applying to Law School (w/Anna Ivey) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-256-tips-for-applying-to-law-school-w-anna-ivey/)
• Podcast Episode 307: Kicking Off Your 1L Year Right (Even in a Pandemic) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-307-kicking-off-your-1l-year-right-even-in-a-pandemic/)
• Everything You Need to Know About Finding Your Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-finding-your-law-school/)

Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-335-things-to-consider-if-youre-on-a-law-school-waitlist-w-anna-ivey/)

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 different standards of review a court will apply when dealing with questions of constitutionality. You may also hear these referred to as "levels of scrutiny."

In this episode we discuss:

• The three Constitutional Law levels of scrutiny and how courts apply each of them
• Fundamental rights under the Constitution
• Suspect and quasi-suspect classes of individuals
• The Due Process and Equal Protection clauses
• Analyzing two hypos involving the standards of review

Resources:

• "Listen and Learn" series (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/law-school-toolbox-podcast-substantive-law-topics/#listen-learn)
• Tutoring for Law School Success (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/tutoring-for-law-school-success/)
• California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, July 2013 (https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/admissions/gbx/July2013CBX%20SelectedAnswers%20Essay1-6_R.pdf)
• Podcast Episode 313: Listen and Learn – The Basics of Justiciability (Con Law) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-313-listen-and-learn-the-basics-of-justiciability-con-law/)
• Podcast Episode 295: Listen and Learn – Due Process and Equal Protection (Con Law) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-295-listen-and-learn-due-process-and-equal-protection-con-law/)

Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-334-listen-and-learn-standards-of-review-con-law/)

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 guest Hillary Vaillancourt with us to discuss a variety of topics, including her work on Piece of Cake Allergy Consulting and building a small firm practice.

In this episode we discuss:

• Hillary Vaillancourt's background and her work as a food allergy lawyer
• What to expect when starting a law firm
• Generating business when you're running your own practice
• What a virtual law practice looks like
• Balancing a legal career with raising small children
• How to handle an unexpected curve ball in terms of your career

Resources:

• Piece of Cake Allergy Consulting (https://www.pieceofcakeallergyconsulting.com/)
• Podcast Episode 70: How to Decide What Type of Law to Practice (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-70-how-to-decide-what-type-of-law-to-practice/)
• Podcast Episode 86: Resources for Aspiring Entrepreneurs (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-86-resources-aspiring-entrepreneurs/)
• 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/)

Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-333-building-an-authentic-law-practice-w-hillary-vaillancourt/)

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's topic in our "Listen and Learn" series is from Civil Procedure, specifically removal of a case from state to federal court.

In this episode we discuss:

• The definition and specifics of removal
• The reasons why some defendants would want to move their case to federal court
• What is needed for a defendant to motion to move a case to federal court?
• Establishing subject matter jurisdiction and diversity jurisdiction
• Federal abstention doctrines
• Analyzing three hypos from previous California bar exams

Resources:

• "Listen and Learn" series (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/law-school-toolbox-podcast-substantive-law-topics/#listen-learn)
• Tutoring for Law School Success (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/tutoring-for-law-school-success/)
• California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, February 2003 (https://nwculaw.edu/pdf/bar/February%202003%20Essays%20and%20Sample%20Answers.pdf)
• California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, February 2014 (https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/admissions/gbx/February2014CBXSelectedAnswers_R.pdf)
• California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, July 2016 (https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/admissions/gbx/July2016_CBXSelectedAnswers_EssayQuestions1-6_R.pdf)
• Podcast Episode 263: Listen and Learn – Subject Matter Jurisdiction (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-263-listen-and-learn-subject-matter-jurisdiction/)

Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-332-listen-and-learn-removal-civ-pro/)

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 speaking with guest Sara Beller, a member of the District Attorney's office in Riverside County, California, and a tutor with the Law School Toolbox. We're talking about careers in public service, specifically working as a prosecutor.

In this episode we discuss:

• Sara's journey to becoming an Assistant District Attorney
• Interning at a DA's office or U.S. Attorney's office
• What to highlight on your application for an internship at a DA's office
• What skills are important for students planning to work as prosecutors
• Sara's three pieces of advice to every law student
• The life lesson of "you don't know who's in the room"

Resources:

• Sara Beller, Author at Law School Toolbox (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/author/sarabeller/)
• Podcast Episode 71: Soft Skills You Need to Develop to Be a Successful Attorney (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-71-soft-skills-you-need-to-develop-to-be-a-successful-attorney/)
• Podcast Episode 219: Mastering People Skills for Success as an Attorney (w/Stephanie Hanna) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-219-mastering-people-skills-for-success-as-an-attorney-w-stephanie-hanna/)
• Why You Should Consider a Summer Internship at the District Attorney's Office and How to Find One! (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/why-you-should-consider-a-summer-internship-at-the-district-attorneys-office-and-how-to-find-one/)
• The Benefits of Doing Both a Federal District Court and a Circuit Court Clerkship (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/the-benefits-of-doing-both-a-federal-district-court-and-a-circuit-court-clerkship/)
• What's Your Alternative? Uncovering Alternative Career Paths for the Law Firm Skeptic: How Do I Become a Government Attorney? (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/whats-your-alternative-uncovering-alternative-career-paths-for-the-law-firm-skeptic-how-do-i-become-a-government-attorney/)
• 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/)

Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-331-a-conversation-with-assistant-district-attorney-sara-beller/)

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 focusing on Criminal Procedure, specifically the Sixth Amendment to the Constitution and the rights and protections it provides to anyone accused of a criminal act.

In this episode we discuss:

• The rights that the Sixth Amendment protects
• The general rule for competence
• When a judge may deny a defendant's right to represent himself/herself
• A criminal defendant's right to counsel
• The relationship between the right to counsel under the Sixth Amendment and Miranda warnings under the Fifth Amendment
• Analyzing a hypo involving the Sixth Amendment, based on previous California bar exams

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 2006 (https://nwculaw.edu/pdf/bar/February%202006%20Essays%20and%20Sample%20Answers.pdf)
• 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)
• Podcast Episode 290: Listen and Learn – Privilege Against Self-Incrimination and Miranda Rights (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-290-listen-and-learn-privilege-against-self-incrimination-and-miranda-rights/)
• Podcast Episode 323: Listen and Learn – The Exclusionary Rule (Criminal Law and Procedure) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-323-listen-and-learn-the-exclusionary-rule-criminal-law-and-procedure/)
• Podcast Episode 325: Listen and Learn – The Fourth Amendment: Informer Tips (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-325-listen-and-learn-the-fourth-amendment-informer-tips/)

Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-330-listen-and-learn-the-sixth-amendment/)

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 back with us to share tips for handling workplace situations that require a difficult conversation.

In this episode we discuss:

• Common workplace situations that require a difficult conversation
• Tips for approaching hard conversations to make them less awkward
• Asking for something you need for working more productively
• How do you know it's time to cut your losses and move on?
• Best practices around quitting a job
• Handling exit interviews

Resources:

• CareerDicta (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/careerdicta/)
• Law School Toolbox Podcast: Careers (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/law-school-toolbox-podcast-archive/careers/)
• Podcast Episode 137: How to Handle Difficult Workplace Situations (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-137-how-to-handle-difficult-workplace-situations/)
• Five Tips for Excelling in a Professional Workplace as a Summer Law Clerk (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/five-tips-for-excelling-in-a-professional-workplace-as-a-summer-law-clerk/)

Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-329-approaching-difficult-conversations-at-work-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