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

Welcome to the Law School Toolbox Podcast! Today, we're talking with Pamela Hart, Director of the Animal Law Program at the Animal Legal Defense Fund. Animal law is a growing practice area, and we're excited to find out more about the work that is being done for animal rights and animal owners. Pamela also has some great general insights for people interested in pursuing public interest careers.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How Pamela got involved with animal law
• What is animal law? What does it cover?
• How students can get involved with animal law in law school
• How do you prepare for a career in animal law?
• Pamela's advice for students pursuing public interest careers generally

Resources:

• Sheltering Animals of Abuse Victims (http://www.saavprogram.org/)
• 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/)
• Podcast Episode 101: Preparing for a Career in Public Interest Law (with Ashley Matthews of Equal Justice Works) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-101-preparing-career-public-interest-law-ashley-matthews-equal-justice-works/)

Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Episode-118-Animal-Law.pdf)

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) (or your listening platform of choice). And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (https://barexamtoolbox.com/).

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee

Welcome to the Law School Toolbox Podcast! Today, we're talking about a subject no one likes to think about: midterms. Law school midterms are becoming more and more common, especially for 1Ls. If you're a 1L, this will be the first time you stare down the barrel of a law school exam – and get a grade, which can be intimidating! Tune in while Lee and Alison discuss what you need to know about law school midterms.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The value of midterm exams for students
• How seriously should you take midterms?
• Types of midterm exams you might see
• How to prepare, and resources you can turn to for help
• The significance of a midterm grade, whether you did really well, or not so well

Resources:

• Podcast Episode 22: Take an Exam with Us (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-22-take-exam-us/)
• What Your Law School Midterms Can Tell You (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/law-school-midterms-can-tell/)
• Help! Midterms are Coming! (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/help-midterms-are-coming/)
• The 3 Stages of a 1L Midterm (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/the-3-stages-of-a-1l-midterm/)
• How to Prepare for Midterm Season in Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/how-to-prepare-for-midterm-season-in-law-school/)

Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Episode-117-Surviving-Midterms.pdf)

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) (or your listening platform of choice). 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/).

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox Podcast! Today, we're talking with Jeremy W. Richter, an attorney with Webster, Henry, Bradwell, Cohan, Speagle & DeShazo, in Birmingham, Alabama. Jeremy practices civil defense litigation and focuses on commercial auto/trucking litigation, premises liability, general business liability, and various other aspects of insurance defense litigation. He also writes an interesting blog, spanning a variety of topics, which you'll find at jeremywrichter.com.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Jeremy's background, why he decided to go to law school and how his career developed
• Life as a small law firm associate
• The impact that the people you work with have on your experience
• Tracking your time: basics of time keeping and the billable hour debate
• Blogging as a lawyer
• What young lawyers and law students should know about the business of law
• Networking as an introvert
• How to develop skills as a trial lawyer as a young associate
• What law firms are looking for when hiring associates

Resources:

• Jeremy's Website (http://www.jeremywrichter.com/)
• Jeremy on Twitter @richterjw (https://twitter.com/richterjw)
• Three Steps to Becoming a Better Associate Attorney (http://www.jeremywrichter.com/2017/01/09/becoming-better-associate/)
• "Efficient Lawyers Starve to Death" (http://www.jeremywrichter.com/2017/07/27/efficient-lawyers-starve-to-death/)
• (Why) Should a Lawyer Have a Blog? An Interview with Keith Lee or, What's on an Associate's Mind? (http://www.jeremywrichter.com/2017/02/09/associates-mind-keith-lee/)
• Networking for a Job as an Introvert (Law School Edition) (http://www.jeremywrichter.com/2017/07/13/networking-job-introvert-law-school/)
• Knowing When to Stop Arguing Your Point (http://www.jeremywrichter.com/2017/08/23/stop-arguing-point/)
• How to Voir Dire a Jury: Goals, Tactics, & Effectiveness (Part 1) (http://www.jeremywrichter.com/2017/04/24/voir-dire-jury/)

Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Episode-116-young-law-associate.pdf)

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) (or your listening platform of choice). 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/).

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox Podcast! Today, we're chatting about settling into law school after your first month. The first four or five weeks of class can be a really pivotal turning point for a lot of students, especially 1Ls. But there's still plenty of adjusting that happens in your 2L and 3L years, too, with each year presenting unique challenges.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Taking stock of what's going on: getting used to the law school workload, ramping up to LRW assignments, and starting your outlines
• For 2Ls and 3Ls: balancing academics with the job search, interviews, traveling, and extracurriculars
• Checking in and evaluating your class prep, class time, and overall study schedule and strategy: How is it working for you?
• What are your next step?
• Evaluating your stress levels and prioritizing self-care
• Where to look for help and resources
• What you can do now to get ready for the February bar exam

Resources:

• Molly Bishop Shadel, Finding Your Voice in Law School: Mastering Classroom Cold Calls, Job Interviews, and Other Verbal Challenges (https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Your-Voice-Law-School/dp/1611630738)
• Law School Tutoring from the Law School Toolbox (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/tutoring-for-law-school-success/)
• Bar Exam Tutoring from the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/private-bar-exam-tutoring/)

Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Episode-115-Settling-into-Law-School.docx.pdf)

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) (or your listening platform of choice). 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/).

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee

Welcome to the Law School Toolbox Podcast! Today we are talking about a topic every law student needs to think about – Networking! Whether you are an extrovert or an introvert, this episode is for you. Networking is a "bad word" for some folks and can even cause anxiety. You may dread having to get dressed up and go to a networking event to meet new people, but in this job market, legal networking is critically important. So, we want to help you change your perspective! Networking isn't all about stuffy functions where everyone is wearing suits and making awkward small talk. Actually, networking doesn't even have to be done in person.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The story of how the Law School Toolbox was born from social media networking
• What is networking? Why network?
• Reframing networking as community building
• How to network: From formal events to volunteer activities, and everything in between
• Networking mistakes to avoid – be professional!

Resources:

• How to Conduct Great Informational Interviews (http://thegirlsguidetolawschool.com/how-to-conduct-great-informational-interviews/)
• Calendly (https://calendly.com/)
• Career Dicta: Networking Strategies for a New World (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/careerdicta/networking-strategies/)
• Online Legal Networking: LinkedIn (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/online-legal-networking-linkedin/)
• Online Legal Networking: Twitter (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/online-legal-networking-twitter/)
• Online Legal Networking: Facebook (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/online-legal-networking-facebook/)

Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Episode-114-Networking-101.pdf)

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) (or your listening platform of choice). 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/).

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee

Welcome to the Law School Toolbox Podcast. Today, we're here with Law School Toolbox writer and 2L, Shirlene Armstrong, to talk about her experiences being a first-generation college and law student. From deciding to go to law school, to getting in, to becoming familiar with the culture and thriving, the process is challenging for everyone, but can be especially intimidating if you have no personal point of reference for what to expect. But it's possible, and Shirlene is proof!

In this episode, we discuss:

• Shirlene's decision to go to law school
• How being the first person in her family to go to college and law school has impacted her experience
• The law school application process for applicants who aren't from the "typical" law student background, including personal statements and application fees
• Choosing the law school that's right for you
• Making friends, finding mentors, and connecting with professors
• Landing a job in law school and during the summer break
• The challenges of commuting
• Shirlene's advice for anyone who feels out of place in law school, or is considering going to law school as a first-generation law student

Resources:

• Shirlene's Articles (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/author/shirlenearmstrong/)
• Law School Myth #1: Lawyers Make a Lot of Money (http://thegirlsguidetolawschool.com/09/law-school-myth-1-lawyers-make-a-lot-of-money/)
• The Battle of Commuting to Law School (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/the-battle-of-commuting-to-law-school/)

Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Episode-113-First-Generation-Law-Student.pdf)

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) (or your listening platform of choice). 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/).

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee

Welcome to the Law School Toolbox Podcast. Today, we're talking about one of the keys to success in law school – managing distractions. We live in a world of ever-increasing distractions. From technology, to analysis paralysis, to life's ongoing drama, there are a million things you can turn your attention to at any given moment. Learn to master distractions in law school and you'll have greater success, not only academically, but in your law career and in life as well.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Internet, social media and technology – put the phone down!
• How overthinking and mental clutter block your focus
• Offloading mental clutter with systems and habits
• Life and relationships – setting healthy boundaries and efficiently taking care of your needs
• Avoiding seeing distractions as a result of boredom
• Improving concentration though improved sleeping habits
• ADD/ADHD: even mild cases can manifest differently in the law school environment

Resources:

• Moment App (https://inthemoment.io/)
• Podcast Episode 72: Seeking Accommodations in Law School and on the Bar Exam (with Dr. Jared Maloff) (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-72-seeking-accommodations-law-school-bar-exam/)
• Podcast Episode 7: Time and Life Management Basics (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-7-time-life-management-basics/)
• Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less, by Greg McKeown (https://www.amazon.com/Essentialism-Disciplined-Pursuit-Greg-McKeown/dp/0804137382)
• Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World, by Cal Newport (https://www.amazon.com/Deep-Work-Focused-Success-Distracted-ebook/dp/B00X47ZVXM)

Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Episode-112-Managing-Distractions.pdf)

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) (or your listening platform of choice). 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/).

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee

Welcome to the Law School Toolbox Podcast. Today, we welcome back former BigLaw Recruiter, Sadie Jones, to give her insights on resumes and cover letters. She's reviewed thousands of legal resumes in her life and is here to answer some frequently asked questions on the dos and don'ts of resume and cover letter preparation.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The purpose of a good resume or cover letter
• Common missteps to avoid
• Frequent formatting issues and questions
• What should be included, and in what order?
• How to address "weak" areas
• Do you really need a cover letter?
• What about transcripts and writing samples?
• Is it okay to follow up if you don't get a response?

Resources:

• CareerDicta.com (http://careerdicta.com/)
• Podcast Episode 105: OCI Basics with an Ex-BigLaw Recruiter (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-105-oci-basics-ex-biglaw-recruiter/)
• Podcast Episode 108: Handling Summer Associate Offers (with an Ex-BigLaw Recruiter) (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-108-handling-summer-associate-offers/)
• Podcast Episode 12: Resume and Cover Letter Basics (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-12-resume-cover-letter-basics/)

Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Episode-111-Resumes-and-Cover-Letters-with-an-ex-BigLaw-Recruiter.pdf)

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) (or your listening platform of choice). 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/).

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee

Welcome to the Law School Toolbox Podcast. Today, we're revisiting one of our favorite topics, mindset. Our very first podcast was on this topic, specifically discussing fixed mindset vs. growth mindset as explored by Carol Dweck in her book, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. New information seems to suggest that focusing too much on grit and mindset might actually be harmful for learning. So, what's the deal??

In this episode, we discuss:

• Fixed mindset vs. growth mindset: What does this mean and how does it link to success?
• Is focusing on mindset and grit actually harmful?
• Things to consider or evaluate when you hit points of struggle
• The many facets of embracing failure
• Seeking support from peers and experts
• Learning systems, habits, and strategies for success other than mindset

Resources:

• Mindset: The New Psychology of Success (https://www.amazon.com/Mindset-Psychology-Carol-S-Dweck/dp/0345472322)
• Podcast Episode 1: Mindset: The Key to Success in Law School (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-1-mindset-key-success-law-school/)
• Podcast Episode 64: Developing Grit in Law School (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-64-grit-in-law-school/)
• Podcast Episode 7: Time and Life Management Basics (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-7-time-life-management-basics/)
• Podcast Episode 95: Top 1L Questions: Time and Life Management (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-95-top-1l-questions-time-life-management/)
• Podcast Episode 43: Getting Mentally Prepared to Start Law School (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-43-getting-mentally-prepared-to-start-law-school/)
• Need to Get More Done in Law School? Try the Circles (http://thegirlsguidetolawschool.com/08/tips-time-management-awesomeness-with-the-circles/)
• Students are Better Off without a Laptop in the Classroom (https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/students-are-better-off-without-a-laptop-in-the-classroom/)

Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Episode-110-Mindset-Revisited.pdf)

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) (or your listening platform of choice). 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/).

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee

Welcome to the Law School Toolbox Podcast. Today we have a special guest on the podcast, Meg Keene. Meg is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of A Practical Wedding, (the top independently-held wedding publication in the world), the author of two books (A Practical Wedding and A Practical Wedding Planner), and the creator of a new project, The Compact. Although Meg is not a lawyer, she is married to one, so we consider her part of the club. She's also a kick-ass entrepreneur with a lot of very interesting things to say, so tune in!

In this episode, we discuss:

• The path to entrepreneurship and what you need to know to be successful
• Challenges of running a business as a woman and mother
• Balancing politics and her decision to include a social mission as part of her business
• How to remain authentic in sharing your experiences while maintaining some privacy
• The effort required to create and maintain a social media presence
• Being in a relationship with a law student and lawyer

Resources:

• A Practical Wedding (https://apracticalwedding.com/)
• The Compact (http://www.thecompact.com/)
• A Practical Wedding: Creative Ideas for Planning a Beautiful, Affordable, and Meaningful Celebration, by Meg Keene (https://www.amazon.com/Practical-Wedding-Affordable-Meaningful-Celebration/dp/0738215155/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1497313177&sr=8-2&keywords=a+practical+wedding)
• A Practical Wedding Planner: A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating the Wedding You Want with the Budget You've Got (without Losing your Mind in the Process), by Meg Keene (https://www.amazon.com/Practical-Wedding-Planner-Step-Step/dp/0738218421/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1497313177&sr=8-1&keywords=a+practical+wedding)
• Why Women Don't See Themselves as Entrepreneurs, by Claire Cain Miller (https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/09/upshot/why-women-dont-see-themselves-as-entrepreneurs.html)
• The $100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future, by Chris Guillebeau (https://www.amazon.com/100-Startup-Reinvent-Living-Create/dp/0307951529)
• Podcast Episode 83: Lawyers in Action – The Airport Immigration Crisis (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-83-lawyers-in-action-the-immigration-crisis/)
• Podcast Episode 87: Affordable Bar Prep & Social Entrepreneurship (w/ Chris Henjum of Esqyr.com) (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-87-affordable-bar-prep-social-entrepreneurship-w-chris-henjum-esqyr-com/)
• Podcast Episode 58: Non-Profit Law and Social Entrepreneurship (with guest Adrian Tirtanadi of Bayview Hunters Point Community Legal) (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-58-non-profit-law-social-entrepreneurship-guest-adrian-tirtanadi-bayview-hunters-point-community-legal/)
• Podcast Episode 86: Resources for Aspiring Entrepreneurs (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-86-resources-aspiring-entrepreneurs/)
• Podcast Episode 91: From Lawyer to Entrepreneur to Mayor! (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-91-from-lawyer-to-entrepreneur-to-mayor-rachel-hundley/)

Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Episode-109-Life-and-Entreprenuership-with-Guest-Meg-Keene.pdf)

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) (or your listening platform of choice). 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/).

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee