The Law School Toolbox Podcast: Tools for Law Students from 1L to the Bar Exam, and Beyond – Details, episodes & analysis

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we're discussing how you can regroup, triage, and get the most out of the final weeks before law school exams.  

In this episode we discuss:

• Preparing outlines and other study materials
• How to use study groups effectively
• Writing practice exams and getting feedback
• Optimizing study time and minimizing distractions
• The importance of sleep and wellbeing
• How to prepare for exam accommodations
• Using AI tools for exam prep

Resources:

• Tutoring for Law School Success (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/tutoring-for-law-school-success/)
• Podcast Episode 112: Managing Distractions in Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-112-managing-distractions-in-law-school/)
• Podcast Episode 230: Learning Through Making Mistakes in Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-230-learning-through-making-mistakes-in-law-school/)
• Podcast Episode 480: Ethical Uses of AI in Law School (w/Professor Susan Tanner) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-480-ethical-uses-of-ai-in-law-school-w-professor-susan-tanner/)
• Podcast Episode 498: Tips for Better Rest with Sleep Expert Lindsay Scola (Part 1) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-498-tips-for-better-rest-with-sleep-expert-lindsay-scola-part-1/)
• Podcast Episode 499: Tips for Better Rest with Sleep Expert Lindsay Scola (Part 2) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-499-tips-for-better-rest-with-sleep-expert-lindsay-scola-part-2/)
• Surviving the October Freakout (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/surviving-the-october-freakout/)
• How to Move from Outline to Exam Answer (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/how-to-move-from-outline-to-exam-answer/)
• 5 Ways Study Groups Can Be Helpful (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/5-ways-study-groups-can-be-helpful/)
• Lessons from My 1L Year: You Don't Have to Live in the Law Library (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/lessons-from-my-1l-year-you-dont-have-to-live-in-the-law-library/)
• Leveling the Playing Field: Using Resources and Seeking Accommodations in Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/leveling-playing-field-using-resource-seeking-accommodations-law-school/)
• Our Social Media Detox (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLT5txTOjOHmS5cQa7_tvCaTs4xP-FFFAW)

Download the Transcript 
(https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-529-last-minute-law-school-exam-prep-triage-tips-for-success/)

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 podcast episode explores the critical connection between sleep and productivity, especially for students and professionals. Guest Lindsay Scola shares her personal journey with sleep disorders and emphasizes that sleep is foundational for cognitive performance, memory, and overall well-being. The conversation offers practical tips for improving sleep habits and highlights the importance of being intentional about rest to support both academic and career success.

In this episode we discuss:

• The science of sleep and its relation to productivity
• Building your sleep blueprint
• Balancing social life and sleep
• Managing middle-of-the-night-wakeups
• The "Snooze" button myth
• Sleep chronotypes and productivity
• Top 5 sleep tips for law students, and what you can find in Lindsay's sleep course

Resources:

• Lindsay Scola (https://www.lindsayscola.com/)
• LinkedIn: Lindsay Scola (https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsay-scola-a75b431/)
• Sleep Is the Power Move course (https://courses.lindsayscola.com/sleep-is-the-power-move)
• Podcast Episode 134: Strategies for Maximum Personal Productivity (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-134-strategies-for-maximum-personal-productivity/)
• Podcast Episode 498: Tips for Better Rest with Sleep Expert Lindsay Scola (Part 1) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-498-tips-for-better-rest-with-sleep-expert-lindsay-scola-part-1/)
• Podcast Episode 499: Tips for Better Rest with Sleep Expert Lindsay Scola (Part 2) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-499-tips-for-better-rest-with-sleep-expert-lindsay-scola-part-2/)

Download the Transcript 
(https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-528-optimizing-sleep-and-productivity-in-law-school-w-lindsay-scola/)

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 discussing torts – specifically, the intentional tort of false imprisonment and the associated defense, shopkeeper's privilege. We also go through several sample questions and apply the law to the fact patterns.

In this episode we discuss:

• An overview of intentional torts
• The elements of false imprisonment
• Hypothetical scenarios from previous California bar exams
• The shopkeeper's privilege defense to false imprisonment

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 2010 (https://juraxbar.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/July-2010-CBX.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-519-listen-and-learn-false-imprisonment-and-shopkeepers-privilege-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 are going to continue the conversation from our last episode with a discussion about persuasive writing in the workplace and some thoughts on the future of legal writing in the age of AI.

In this episode we discuss:

• Differences between objective and persuasive legal writing
• Common legal writing assignments for summer associates and new lawyers
• Tips for effective persuasive writing in the workplace
• How AI is influencing legal writing

Resources:

• Tutoring for Law School Success (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/tutoring-for-law-school-success/)
• Casetext (https://casetext.com/)
• Podcast Episode 45: Writing Effectively in Your Summer Legal Job (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-45-writing-effectively-summer-legal-job/)
• Podcast Episode 68: Top 10 Legal Research and Writing Disasters to Avoid (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-68-legal-writing-disasters/)
• Podcast Episode 428: Legal Research and Writing in the Workplace (Part 1) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-428-legal-research-and-writing-in-the-workplace-part-1/)
• Using Legal Writing in the Workplace (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/using-legal-writing-in-the-workplace/)
• Three Cs of Legal Writing…And One T (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/three-cs-of-legal-writingand-one-t/)
• Tips for Legal Writing at Your Summer Job (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/tips-for-legal-writing-at-your-summer-job/)
• Five Secrets of Effective Legal Writing (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/five-secrets-of-effective-legal-writing/)
• From Objective to Persuasive Writing, Part 1: Law (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/10818-2/)
• From Objective to Persuasive Writing, Part 2: Facts (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/objective-to-persuasive-writing-part-two/)

Download the Transcript 
(https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-429-legal-research-and-writing-in-the-workplace-part-2/)

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

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee

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

In this episode we discuss:

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

Resources:

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

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

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

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee

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

In this episode we discuss:

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

Resources:

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

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

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

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we have ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones with us to talk about dealing with overwhelm in the job search process.

In this episode we discuss:

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

Resources:

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

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

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

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee

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

In this episode we discuss:

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

Resources:

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

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

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

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee

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

In this episode we discuss:

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

Resources:

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

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

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

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee

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

In this episode we discuss:

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

Resources:

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

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

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

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee