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! This is another episode in our "Listen and Learn" series, where we review legal concepts and apply them to fact patterns. Today, we're talking about homicide.

In this episode we discuss:

• The two broad categories of homicide
• The four elements of malice aforethought
• What is "statutory interpretation"?
• Analyzing two criminal law questions, from the February 2007 and February 2008 California bar exams
• Classifying a homicide as first-degree murder, second-degree murder, or manslaughter
• Why you need to consider every fact in the question
• How "because" is one of the most important words you can use on most law school essay exams

Resources:

• Tutoring for Law School Success (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/tutoring-for-law-school-success/)
• The State Bar of California (http://www.calbar.ca.gov/)
• California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, February 2007 (https://juraxbar.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/February-2007-CBX.pdf)
• California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, February 2008 (https://www.calweasel.com/sites/default/files/February2008EssaysandSampleAnswers.pdf)
• Podcast Episode 215: Listen and Learn – The Commerce Clause (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-215-listen-and-learn-the-commerce-clause/)
• Podcast Episode 218: Listen and Learn – Supplemental Jurisdiction (Civ Pro) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-218-listen-and-learn-supplemental-jurisdiction-civ-pro/)
• Podcast Episode 244: Listen and Learn – Negligence Per Se (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-244-listen-and-learn-negligence-per-se/)
• Podcast Episode 245: Listen and Learn – Promissory Estoppel (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-245-listen-and-learn-promissory-estoppel/)
• First Hand Guide to 1L Courses – Criminal Law (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/firs-hand-guide-to-1l-courses-criminal-law/)
• The Elusive Mini-IRAC (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/the-elusive-mini-irac/)

Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-248-listen-and-learn-introduction-to-homicide/)

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 what behavioral interviews are and how you can prepare to handle them if you encounter one.

In this episode we discuss:

• What exactly is a behavioral interview?
• Some examples of common behavioral interview questions
• What the interviewer can learn about you from this type of questioning
• Employing the STAR technique to answer behavioral questions
• The danger of overpreparing your answers
• How to frame a positive story

Resources:

• CareerDicta (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/careerdicta/)
• 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 175: Top Interview Questions with ex-BigLaw Recruiter Sadie Jones (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-175-top-interview-questions-with-ex-biglaw-recruiter-sadie-jones/)
• Preparing for 1L Interviews: How to Craft Your Story (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/preparing-for-1l-interviews-how-to-craft-your-story/)
• 30 Behavioral Interview Questions You Should Be Ready to Answer (https://www.themuse.com/advice/30-behavioral-interview-questions-you-should-be-ready-to-answer)
• How to Use the STAR Interview Response Technique (https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/how-to-use-the-star-interview-response-technique)

Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-247-mastering-behavioral-interviews-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 have special guest Dr. Shirag Shemmassian of Shemmassian Academic Consulting back with us to talk about how the LSAT's influence over the admission process has changed recently and why some schools are now accepting the GRE.

In this episode we discuss:

• Do you still have to take the LSAT if you want to go to law school?
• What if you've already taken the GRE?
• What is considered a "good" LSAT score?
• Balancing studying with working
• Dealing with disappointing test results
• How do LSAT scores correlate to success in law school?
• Being open to different opportunities for jobs in the legal field

Resources:

• Shemmassian Academic Consulting (https://www.shemmassianconsulting.com/)
• The Ultimate Guide to Law School Admissions (https://www.shemmassianconsulting.com/blog/law-school-admissions)
• Law School Admission Council (https://www.lsac.org/)
• 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/)
• Everything You Think You Know About Law School – The LSAT (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/everything-think-know-law-school-lsat/)
• Understanding the GRE Phenomenon in Law School Admissions (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/understanding-the-gre-phenomenon-in-law-school-admissions/)

Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-246-influence-of-the-lsat-on-the-law-school-admission-process-with-shirag-shemmassian/)

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 another episode in our "Listen and Learn" series, where we review legal concepts and apply them to fact patterns. Today, we're talking about promissory estoppel.

In this episode we discuss:

• When is a promise breakable, and when is it a contract?
• What is inadequate consideration?
• Analyzing a question from the July 2002 California bar exam
• Breach of contract and reliance damages
• Why reasoning is more important than the conclusion on law school exams

Resources:

• Start Law School Right course (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/start-law-school-right/)
• California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, July 2002 (https://juraxbar.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/July-2002-CBX.pdf)
• Podcast Episode 215: Listen and Learn – The Commerce Clause (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-215-listen-and-learn-the-commerce-clause/)
• Podcast Episode 218: Listen and Learn – Supplemental Jurisdiction (Civ Pro) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-218-listen-and-learn-supplemental-jurisdiction-civ-pro/)
• Podcast Episode 244: Listen and Learn – Negligence Per Se (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-244-listen-and-learn-negligence-per-se/)

Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-245-listen-and-learn-promissory-estoppel/)

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 another episode in our "Listen and Learn" series, where we review legal concepts and apply them to fact patterns. Today, we're talking about negligence per se.

In this episode we discuss:

• The four elements of negligence
• How will you know when negligence per se appears on a Torts exam?
• What if the facts don't specify the language of the statute?
• Analyzing two essay questions, from the July 2010 and July 2004 California bar exams
• How to structure a successful negligence per se analysis

Resources:

• Start Law School Right course (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/start-law-school-right/)
• California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, July 2010 (https://juraxbar.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/July-2010-CBX.pdf)
• California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, July 2004 (https://juraxbar.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/July-2004-CBX.pdf)
• Podcast Episode 215: Listen and Learn – The Commerce Clause (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-215-listen-and-learn-the-commerce-clause/)
• Podcast Episode 218: Listen and Learn – Supplemental Jurisdiction (Civ Pro) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-218-listen-and-learn-supplemental-jurisdiction-civ-pro/)

Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-244-listen-and-learn-negligence-per-se/)

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 on-campus interviewing moving to the winter of 2021, rather than being held in the summer, as it typically has been.

In this episode we discuss:

• Balancing your course load in the fall semester
• The new timeline for OCI
• Pros and cons of having additional time before interviews start
• A look at how the legal job world has had to make adjustments before
• Paying careful attention to all communications from your school
• Having a Plan B if OCI doesn't work out

Resources:

• CareerDicta (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/careerdicta/)
• Above the Law (https://abovethelaw.com/)
• National Association for Law Placement (NALP) (https://www.nalp.org/)
• Podcast Episode 55: An Overview of BigLaw On Campus Interviewing (OCI) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-55-overview-biglaw-campus-interviewing-oci/)
• Podcast Episode 140: OCI Strategy (w/Sadie Jones) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-140-oci-strategy-w-sadie-jones/)
• Podcast Episode 152: Top OCI Mistakes to Avoid (w/Sadie Jones) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-152-top-oci-mistakes-to-avoid-w-sadie-jones/)
• Podcast Episode 239: Looking to History to Assess the Impact of COVID-19 on the Legal Job Market (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-239-looking-to-history-to-assess-the-impact-of-covid-19-on-the-legal-job-market/)
• How to Prepare for OCI Interviews (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/prepare-oci-interviews/)

Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-243-pushing-oci-back-to-the-winter-of-2021-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 potential 1Ls can think through whether to start law school in the fall, given the current uncertainty due to COVID-19.

In this episode we discuss:

• Being prepared for the possibility of online learning
• If classes are virtual, do you even move to the area?
• Seeking additional financial aid
• In what cases does it make sense to defer?
• What might happen to the legal job market?
• Could some schools be in danger of closing?

Resources:

• Start Law School Right (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/start-law-school-right/)
• Welcome, Incoming 1Ls! (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/1l/)
• Podcast Episode 151: Our Top 10 Podcast Episodes for Incoming 1Ls (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-151-our-top-10-podcast-episodes-for-incoming-1ls/)
• Podcast Episode 238: Pass/Fail Grading in the Time of COVID-19 (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-238-pass-fail-grading-in-the-time-of-covid-19/)
• Podcast Episode 239: Looking to History to Assess the Impact of COVID-19 on the Legal Job Market (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-239-looking-to-history-to-assess-the-impact-of-covid-19-on-the-legal-job-market/)

Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-242-covid-19-considerations-for-potentially-incoming-1ls/)

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 guest Sadie Jones about best practices when it comes to handling virtual job interviews, which you may be experiencing more frequently for the foreseeable future.

In this episode we discuss:

• What are the advantages and disadvantages of virtual interviews?
• The technical side of phone and video calls
• What should you have in front of you for reference?
• How you can test your preparedness
• Answering possible questions regarding the current situation
• Tips for panel-type interviews

Resources:

• CareerDicta (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/careerdicta/)
• Job Interview Strategies (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/law-school-career-tips/job-interview-strategies/)
• Podcast Episode 27: Job Interview Basics (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-27-job-interview-basics/)
• Podcast Episode 175: Top Interview Questions with ex-BigLaw Recruiter Sadie Jones (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-175-top-interview-questions-with-ex-biglaw-recruiter-sadie-jones/)
• Podcast Episode 190: How to Pass the Interview Happy Hour Test (w/ex-BigLaw Recruiter Sadie Jones) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-190-how-to-pass-the-interview-happy-hour-test-w-ex-biglaw-recruiter-sadie-jones/)

Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-241-tips-for-virtual-job-interviews/)

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 make a smooth transition to open book and take-home exams, since law schools are likely to use them this semester.

In this episode we discuss:

• Different types of take-home exams
• The difficulty level of open book take-home exams compared to traditional in-class ones
• Why it's still important to know the law for take-home exams
• How to create effective cheat sheets and outlines
• Preparing the logistics and technology you'll need
• Structuring your time in advance
• Reaching out with questions well ahead of the exam

Resources:

• Tutoring for Law School Success (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/tutoring-for-law-school-success/)
• ExamSoft (https://examsoft.com/)
• Marco Polo app (https://www.marcopolo.me/)
• Podcast Episode 19: Conquering Different Types of Law School Exams (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-19-conquering-different-types-law-school-exams/)
• Podcast Episode 65: How to Make a Useful Law School Outline (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-65-make-a-useful-law-school-outline/)
• Wondering What an Attack Plan Is? (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/wondering-what-an-attack-plan-is/)
• Tips for Studying for an Open Book Law School Exam (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/tips-for-studying-for-an-open-book-exam/)
• Tips for Take-Home Exams (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/tips-for-take-home-exams/)

Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-240-transitioning-to-open-book-take-home-exams/)

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 welcoming back Sadie Jones to talk about the impact the coronavirus might have on the legal job market, based on some historical context.

In this episode we discuss:

• The financial crisis of 2008 and its impact on the job market
• How law firms handled summer associate programs
• What about people they'd made offers to, but who hadn't started yet?
• What happened to associates who were already working?
• Where to look for opportunities in all the chaos?
• Our advice for students who are in the middle of a job search now

Resources:

• CareerDicta (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/careerdicta/)
• Bar Exam Toolbox podcast (https://barexamtoolbox.com/)
• Above the Law archives (https://abovethelaw.com/archives/)
• 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 236: Coping with COVID-19 in Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-236-coping-with-covid-19-in-law-school/)
• A Law Student's Reaction to the Coronavirus (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/a-law-students-reaction-to-the-coronavirus/)

Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-239-looking-to-history-to-assess-the-impact-of-covid-19-on-the-legal-job-market/)

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