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

Alison Monahan and Lee Burgess - Law School Toolbox, LLC
  • 4.5 (519)
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  • Updated Weekly

The Law School Toolbox podcast is an engaging show for law students about law school, the bar exam, legal careers, and life. Each week, we offer practical tips and advice on academic matters, careers, and more. The Law School Toolbox podcast is hosted by opinionated law school and bar exam experts Alison Monahan and Lee Burgess. You might not always agree with us, but we guarantee you won't be bored listening! Our goal is to impart useful, actionable advice in an entertaining manner. Join us! And, if you have an opinion on the show, please drop by and offer a review. We're here to help, and we'd love to hear from you!

  1. 2d ago

    Law Every 1L Should Know -- Contract Formation

    Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! This episode is part of the series "Law Every 1L Should Know", and today we're tackling contracts. We cover the three essential elements of contract formation under common law -- offer, acceptance, and consideration -- and apply the rules to a practical fact pattern. Thanks to Juno for sponsoring this episode! If you're thinking about student loans for law school, head to JoinJuno.com to explore your options and see how Juno can help you find a better rate.    In this episode we discuss: Overview of contract law Contract formation checklist and rules A fact pattern illustrating contract formation Resources: JoinJuno.com (https://joinjuno.com/) Lucy v. Zehmer (https://www.casebriefs.com/blog/law/contracts/contracts-keyed-to-murphy/the-bargain-relationship/lucy-v-zehmer-2/) Hamer v. Sidway (https://www.casebriefs.com/blog/law/contracts/contracts-keyed-to-farnsworth/bases-for-enforcing-promises/hamer-v-sidway/) Podcast Episode 344: Listen and Learn – Contract Formation (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-344-listen-and-learn-contract-formation/) Podcast Episode 487: Listen and Learn – Consideration (Contract Law) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-487-listen-and-learn-consideration-contract-law/) Podcast Episode 245: Listen and Learn – Promissory Estoppel (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-245-listen-and-learn-promissory-estoppel/) Podcast Episode 267: Listen and Learn – UCC 2-207 ("The Battle of the Forms") (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-267-listen-and-learn-ucc-2-207-the-battle-of-the-forms/) Podcast Episode 341: Listen and Learn – Contract Defenses (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-341-listen-and-learn-contract-defenses/) Podcast Episode 354: Listen and Learn – Expectation and Consequential Damages (Contracts) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-354-listen-and-learn-expectation-and-consequential-damages-contracts/) Podcast Episode 497: Listen and Learn – Incidental, Reliance, and Restitution Damages (Contracts) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-497-listen-and-learn-incidental-reliance-and-restitution-damages-contracts/) Podcast Episode 521: Smarter Borrowing: How Juno Helps Lower Student Loans (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-521-smarter-borrowing-how-juno-helps-lower-student-loans/) Download the Transcript  (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-558-law-every-1l-should-know-contract-formation/) 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

    23 min

  2. May 25

    This is How Your Brain Actually Learns (The Brain Science Behind Our RAMP Tool)

    Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we explain the neuroscience behind our RAMP bar study tool -- which we introduced in a recent episode. We discuss the limitation of working memory, which makes it essential to move legal rules into long-term memory through spaced repetition and scaffolding.  In this episode we discuss: The research and science behind our RAMP bar study tool Scaffolding and why we use three learning tiers Studying through spaced repetition RAMP study mode features and confidence calibration How much information can our working memory hold? Resources: https://barexamtoolbox.com/ramp (https://barexamtoolbox.com/ramp) Podcast Episode 369: Using Spaced Repetition for Your Law School and Bar Exam Studies (w/Gabriel Teninbaum) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-369-using-spaced-repetition-for-your-law-school-and-bar-exam-studies-w-gabriel-teninbaum/) Podcast Episode 554: How We're Thinking About NextGen Prep Differently (Plus, Try Our New Tool for Free) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-554-how-were-thinking-about-nextgen-prep-differently-plus-try-our-new-tool-for-free/) Download the Transcript  (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-557-this-is-how-your-brain-actually-learns-the-brain-science-behind-our-ramp-tool/) 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

    30 min

  3. May 18

    How Much Do Grades Matter for Different Career Paths?

    Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we're talking about the legal jobs for which grades matter a lot, where they matter somewhat, and where they really don't matter much at all. We also share some tips for what you should do if your grades so far aren't what you had hoped for. Thanks to Juno for sponsoring this episode! If you're thinking about student loans for law school, head to JoinJuno.com to explore your options and see how Juno can help you find a better rate.    In this episode we discuss: Where grades matter a lot Where grades matter somewhat Where grades matter less than you think What if your grades are disappointing so far? Resources: Career Help with CareerDicta (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/careerdicta/career-help/) JoinJuno.com (https://joinjuno.com/) Podcast Episode 9: How To Raise Your Grades as a 2L or 3L (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-9-raise-grades-2l-3l/) Podcast Episode 28: Dealing With Bad Law School Grades (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-28-dealing-bad-law-school-grades/) Podcast Episode 44: How to Get a Judicial Clerkship (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-44-how-to-get-a-judicial-clerkship/) Podcast Episode 98: Top 1L Questions: Non-Traditional Law Students (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-98-top-1l-questions-non-traditional-law-students/) 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/) Podcast Episode 116: Life as a Small Firm Associate (With Jeremy Richter) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-116-life-as-a-small-law-firm-associate-with-jeremy-richter/) Podcast Episode 176: Talking About Judicial Clerkships with Kelsey Russell (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-176-talking-about-judicial-clerkships-with-kelsey-russell/) Podcast Episode 521: Smarter Borrowing: How Juno Helps Lower Student Loans (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-521-smarter-borrowing-how-juno-helps-lower-student-loans/) Download the Transcript  (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-556-how-much-do-grades-matter-for-different-career-paths/) 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

    23 min

  4. May 11

    Listen and Learn -- The Breach Element of a Negligence Claim (Torts)

    Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're discussing the different methods a plaintiff may use to establish the second element of a negligence claim -- breach. We also talk about the "res ipsa loquitur" doctrine, and we will walk through several hypotheticals involving breach of the standard of care.  In this episode we discuss: An overview of negligence claims The reasonable person standard The "res ipsa loquitur" doctrine Hypothetical scenarios involving breach of the standard of care 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 2021 (https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/admissions/Examinations/July-2021-CBX-Essay-Qs-and-Selected-Answers.pdf) Podcast Episode 244: Listen and Learn – Negligence Per Se (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-244-listen-and-learn-negligence-per-se/) Podcast Episode 257: Listen and Learn – The Reasonable Person Standard (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-257-listen-and-learn-the-reasonable-person-standard/) Podcast Episode 318: Listen and Learn – Negligence: Duties of Professionals and Children (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-318-listen-and-learn-negligence-duties-of-professionals-and-children/) Podcast Episode 319: Listen and Learn – Negligence: Duties of Landlords, Owners, and Possessors of Land (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-319-listen-and-learn-negligence-duties-of-landlords-owners-and-possessors-of-land/) Download the Transcript  (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-555-listen-and-learn-the-breach-element-of-a-negligence-claim-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

    21 min

  5. May 4

    How We're Thinking About NextGen Prep Differently (Plus, Try Our New Tool for Free!)

    Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we're discussing how we're thinking about preparing for the NextGen bar exam differently -- and we're excited to introduce a new tool we've built to help you learn and retain the rules you need to know. In this episode we discuss: An overview of the NextGen UBE The big misconception: No memorization is required for the NextGen Why traditional study methods fall short Introducing our new RAMP (Rule Acquisition and Mastery Platform) tool and how it works Our recommendation on who should start using RAMP now Resources: https://barexamtoolbox.com/ramp (https://barexamtoolbox.com/ramp) NextGen UBE Content Scope (https://www.ncbex.org/sites/default/files/2025-07/NCBE%20NextGen%20UBE%20Content%20Scope-Aug%202025.pdf) Pomodoro Technique (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pomodoro_Technique) Podcast Episode 369: Using Spaced Repetition for Your Law School and Bar Exam Studies (w/Gabriel Teninbaum) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-369-using-spaced-repetition-for-your-law-school-and-bar-exam-studies-w-gabriel-teninbaum/) Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 223: Quick Tips – Balancing Passive and Active Studying for the Bar Exam (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-223-quick-tips-balancing-passive-and-active-studying-for-the-bar-exam/) Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 327: Facts and Fears Around the Integrated Question Sets (IQSs) on the NextGen Bar Exam (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-327-facts-and-fears-around-the-integrated-question-sets-iqss-on-the-nextgen-bar-exam/) 5 Simple and Effective Memorization Techniques for Law Students (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/5-simple-and-effective-memorization-techniques-for-law-students/) Using Peg System Mnemonics to Remember Rule Elements (https://barexamtoolbox.com/using-peg-system-mnemonics-to-remember-rule-elements/) Download the Transcript  (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-554-how-were-thinking-about-nextgen-prep-differently-plus-try-our-new-tool-for-free/) 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

    37 min

  6. Apr 27

    NextGen Bar Exam: What Law Schools (and Students) Need to Do Differently (w/Quentin Huff)

    Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, Alison is speaking with Quentin Huff -- Director of Bar Support at Purdue Global Law School -- about the NextGen bar exam, which shifts focus from memorization to practical legal skills. Find out what's actually changing, and what it means for how students and professors might approach law school classes.  In this episode we discuss: An introduction to our guest, Quentin Huff Setting the stage: Specifics of the NextGen bar exam Moving away from memorization Curriculum mapping in law school Legal research and writing focus on the NextGen Using class time to build NextGen-ready skills Resources: Purdue Global Law School (https://www.purduegloballawschool.edu/) Quentin Huff: quentin.huff@purdueglobal.edu NextGen UBE Content Scope (https://www.ncbex.org/exams/nextgen/content-scope) Podcast Episode 520: Preparing for the NextGen Bar Exam with Themis (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-520-preparing-for-the-nextgen-bar-exam-with-themis/) Download the Transcript  (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-553-nextgen-bar-exam-what-law-schools-and-students-need-to-do-differently-w-quentin-huff/) 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

    34 min

  7. Apr 20

    Too Much Reading, Not Enough Time? Tips for Overloaded Weeks in Law School

    Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! This episode covers law school survival strategies for when you're overwhelmed and behind on the material. Lee outlines a triage framework -- prioritizing class attendance, case reading, and black-letter law understanding.  Thanks to Juno for sponsoring this episode! If you're thinking about student loans for law school, head to JoinJuno.com to explore your options and see how Juno can help you find a better rate. In this episode we discuss: What actually moves the needle on your exam prep, and what could you afford to cut? AI use without cognitive offloading Case reading priority cascade Supplements and tips for catching up on your reading   Resources: Tutoring for Law School Success (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/tutoring-for-law-school-success/) "Listen and Learn" series (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/law-school-toolbox-podcast-substantive-law-topics/#listen-learn) JoinJuno.com (https://joinjuno.com/) Podcast Episode 309: Tips for Reading a Case (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-309-tips-for-reading-a-case/) Podcast Episode 521: Smarter Borrowing: How Juno Helps Lower Student Loans (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-521-smarter-borrowing-how-juno-helps-lower-student-loans/)   Podcast Episode 548: A Week in the Life of a Successful 1L – What You Actually Do Hour by Hour (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-548-a-week-in-the-life-of-a-successful-1l-what-you-actually-do-hour-by-hour/) Triage Tips for Final Exams (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/triage-tips-final-exams/) Download the Transcript  (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-552-too-much-reading-not-enough-time-tips-for-overloaded-weeks-in-law-school/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

    20 min

  8. Apr 13

    Listen and Learn -- Warranties and Disclaimers Under the UCC (Contracts)

    Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we're discussing contract law – specifically, warranties and the disclaimer of warranties under the UCC. We explain both express and implied warranties and how they can be disclaimed. We also go through several examples to illustrate these rules in practice. In this episode we discuss: Express and implied warranties under the UCC Disclaimer of warranties A hypothetical scenario from a previous California bar exam Resources: "Listen and Learn" series (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/law-school-toolbox-podcast-substantive-law-topics/#listen-learn) California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, February 2016 (https://www.calbar.ca.gov/sites/default/files/portals/0/documents/admissions/Examinations/February2016CBX_QuestionsSelectedAnswers_R.pdf) Download the Transcript  (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-551-listen-and-learn-warranties-and-disclaimers-under-the-ucc-contracts/) 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

    25 min
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About

The Law School Toolbox podcast is an engaging show for law students about law school, the bar exam, legal careers, and life. Each week, we offer practical tips and advice on academic matters, careers, and more. The Law School Toolbox podcast is hosted by opinionated law school and bar exam experts Alison Monahan and Lee Burgess. You might not always agree with us, but we guarantee you won't be bored listening! Our goal is to impart useful, actionable advice in an entertaining manner. Join us! And, if you have an opinion on the show, please drop by and offer a review. We're here to help, and we'd love to hear from you!

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