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
  • 4.6 (484)
  • HOW TO
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
The Law School Toolbox Podcast: Tools for Law Students from 1L to the Bar Exam, and Beyond

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. 4 DAYS AGO

    Creativity, Goal Setting, and Personal Growth (w/Anne Ditmeyer)

    Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're excited to have Anne Ditmeyer – the author of Override! What If There Was Another Way? – joining us to talk about creativity, goal setting, personal growth, and following your own path in life. In this episode we discuss: Anne's journey to becoming an author and creative coach How the book Override! What If There Was Another Way? was inspired A surprising creative exercise for reflection and personal growth  Building useful habits to help you be more organized and productive Making new connections! You never know which one will lead to an interesting opportunity or turn into a close friend Resources: Anne Stark Ditmeyer (https://www.anneditmeyer.com/) Instagram: pretavoyager (https://www.instagram.com/pretavoyager/?img_index=1) Override! What If There Was Another Way?, by Anne Ditmeyer (https://www.anneditmeyer.com/override-book) Podcast Episode 381: Find Your Unicorn Space: Reclaim Your Creative Life in a Too-Busy World (w/Eve Rodsky) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-381-find-your-unicorn-space-reclaim-your-creative-life-in-a-too-busy-world-w-eve-rodsky/) Podcast Episode 427: A Discussion with Author Jessica Elefante on the Power of Influence in the Digital Age (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-427-a-discussion-with-author-jessica-elefante-on-the-power-of-influence-in-the-digital-age/) Podcast Episode 432: Creating New Habits and Optimizing Time Management (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-432-creating-new-habits-and-optimizing-time-management/) Podcast Episode 458: The Lost Art of Connecting (w/Susan McPherson) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-458-the-lost-art-of-connecting-w-susan-mcpherson/) Download the Transcript  (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-472-creativity-goal-setting-and-personal-growth-w-anne-ditmeyer/) 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

    43 min

  2. SEP 23

    Life as a Trial Lawyer (w/Jim Brosnahan)

    Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're speaking with Jim Brosnahan – a longtime Morrison Foerster trial lawyer and author of Justice at Trial – about life as a trial lawyer and the skills you'll need to succeed in this profession. In this episode we discuss: Introduction to our guest, Jim Brosnahan, and his latest book, Justice at Trial Challenges and rewards of life as a trial lawyer With trials being so limited these days, is this a viable career path for newer lawyers? The process of developing public speaking skills BigLaw interview tips for aspiring lawyers Resources: JimJBrosnahan.com (https://www.jimjbrosnahan.com/) LinkedIn: Jim Brosnahan (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-brosnahan/) Justice at Trial: Courtroom Battles and Groundbreaking Cases, by James J. Brosnahan (https://www.amazon.com/Justice-Trial-Courtroom-Battles-Groundbreaking/dp/153817443X/ref=sr_1_1) Podcast Episode 13: What Do Lawyers Argue About? (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-13-lawyers-argue/) Podcast Episode 53: Acing Oral Arguments in Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-53-acing-oral-arguments-law-school/) Podcast Episode 103: Setting Yourself Up to Be a Mock Trial Rockstar (with Sara O'Connor) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/16182-2/) Debate and the Law: 3 Lessons from Competing in and Judging Debate (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/debate-and-the-law-3-lessons-from-competing-in-and-judging-debate/) Learning Your Courthouse (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/learning-your-courthouse/) Surviving Your First Oral Argument (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/surviving-your-first-oral-argument/) Why You Should Attend a Court Hearing (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/why-you-should-attend-a-court-hearing/) How to "Drop the Mic" on Your First Moot Court Argument (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/how-to-drop-the-mic-on-your-first-moot-court-argument/) Download the Transcript  (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-471-life-as-a-trial-lawyer-w-jim-brosnahan/) 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. SEP 19

    Tips for Neurodivergent Law Students (w/Heather Varanini and Rebecca Petrilli)

    Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! We have two special guests today, talking about how neurodivergent students can reach their full potential in law school. We're speaking with Heather Varanini, Director of Academic Achievement and Adjunct Professor at Golden Gate University School of Law in San Francisco, and Rebecca Petrilli, Director of Marketing Content Strategy at Themis Bar Review.  Note: This episode is sponsored by Themis Bar Review – the gold standard in bar exam preparation. Right now, Themis has a special offer for Law School Toolbox podcast listeners. Any Themis course, whether you're sitting for the bar in 2025, 2026, or 2027, is at the cost of $1,695 with the promo code LAWSCHOOLTB1200. (This offer is valid until November 15th, 2024.) In this episode we discuss: An introduction to our guests and why the topic of neurodiversity is important to them Common challenges for neurodivergent students in law school How to stay focused during long lectures Handling the stress of being cold called in class The debate on laptop bans in the classroom Resources and support for neurodivergent law students Resources: Themis Bar Review (https://www.themisbar.com/) The Anxious Generation, by Jonathan Haidt (https://www.amazon.com/Anxious-Generation-Rewiring-Childhood-Epidemic/dp/0593655036) Examples & Explanations series (https://aspenpublishing.com/collections/examples-explanations) Podcast Episode 112: Managing Distractions in Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-112-managing-distractions-in-law-school/) Podcast Episode 427: A Discussion with Author Jessica Elefante on the Power of Influence in the Digital Age (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-427-a-discussion-with-author-jessica-elefante-on-the-power-of-influence-in-the-digital-age/) Podcast Episode 437: Quick Tips – Succeeding in Law School with ADHD (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-437-quick-tips-succeeding-in-law-school-with-adhd/) Podcast Episode 439: Keys to Law School Success with Themis (w/Michele Cooley) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-439-keys-to-law-school-success-with-themis-w-michele-cooley/) Podcast Episode 445: Best Practices for Getting Accommodations in Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-445-best-practices-for-getting-accommodations-in-law-school/) Download the Transcript  (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-470-tips-for-neurodivergent-law-students-w-heather-varanini-and-rebecca-petrilli/) 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

    51 min

  4. SEP 16

    The Power of Professional Style: A Conversation with Alison Bruhn and Delia Folk

    Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we have fashion experts Alison Bruhn and Delia Folk – creators of The Style That Binds Us – here with us to talk about professional style for law students and lawyers.  In this episode we discuss: Professional style tips for new lawyers What looks to avoid if you're younger-looking or a more mature student Knowing your body type and the colors that work for you Building a versatile wardrobe on a budget Can't find anything to wear in your closet? How to solve this problem by doing a "closet edit" Resources: The Style That Binds Us (https://thestylethatbindsus.com/) How to Find Your Style, Dress for Your Body Type and Transform Your Look (https://thestylethatbindsus.com/digital-styling-course) Podcast Episode 457: Essential Wardrobe Tips for Law Students and Lawyers (w/Jenny Eversole of Style Space) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-457-essential-wardrobe-tips-for-law-students-and-lawyers-w-jenny-eversole-of-style-space/) Fashionably Lawyered: How to Dress the Part as a New Attorney (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/fashionably-lawyered-how-to-dress-the-part-as-a-new-attorney/) Fashion Inspiration for Lawyers and Law Students (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/fashion-inspiration-for-lawyers-and-law-students/) Ahead of the Curve: What to Wear to Law School and How to Dress to Impress (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/ahead-of-the-curve-what-to-wear-to-law-school-and-how-to-dress-to-impress/) Download the Transcript  (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-469-the-power-of-professional-style-a-conversation-with-alison-bruhn-and-delia-folk/) 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

    27 min

  5. SEP 9

    Playing the Role of You (w/Pam Sherman)

    Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're joined by Pam Sherman, who is a leadership consultant, actor, author, and recovering lawyer, to talk about playing the role of YOU in your career and in life. In this episode we discuss: An introduction to our guest, Pam Sherman The surprising parallels between lawyers and actors To what degree is every professional playing a role? Bridging the "believability gap" between ourselves and our audience How lawyers could benefit from acting classes The value of legal education beyond law Resources: ThePamSherman.com (https://www.thepamsherman.com/) LinkedIn: Pam Sherman (https://www.linkedin.com/in/pam-sherman-86822710/) Facebook: Pam Sherman (https://www.facebook.com/thepamsherman/) Instagram: Pam Sherman (https://www.instagram.com/thepamsherman/) Download the Transcript  (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-468-playing-the-role-of-you-w-pam-sherman/) 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

    31 min

  6. SEP 2

    467: Surviving Migration in the Age of Technology (w/Petra Molnar)

    Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In this episode, we're excited to have lawyer, anthropologist, and author Petra Molnar with us to talk about her new book, The Walls Have Eyes: Surviving Migration in the Age of Artificial Intelligence. In this episode we discuss: Petra's background, work, and the idea behind her book, The Walls Have Eyes An overview of how the asylum process works What is "crimmigration"? The technology incorporated at immigration detention camps and around borders How AI is being used to make immigration decisions Human stories and ethical considerations when it comes to migration How did COVID impact the process of migration and border control? Resources: PetraMolnar.com (https://www.petramolnar.com/) Migration and Technology Monitor (https://www.migrationtechmonitor.com/) X: Petra Molnar (https://x.com/_pmolnar?lang=en) The Walls Have Eyes: Surviving Migration in the Age of Artificial Intelligence, by Petra Molnar (https://www.amazon.com/Walls-Have-Eyes-Artificial-Intelligence/dp/1620978369/ref=monarch_sidesheet_title) Podcast Episode 83: Lawyers in Action – The Airport Immigration Crisis (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-83-lawyers-in-action-the-immigration-crisis/) Download the Transcript  (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-467-surviving-migration-in-the-age-of-technology-w-petra-molnar/) 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

  7. AUG 26

    Listen and Learn -- Concurrent Estates (Property)

    Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, as part of our "Listen and Learn" series, we're talking about concurrent ownership of property. For a discussion on the related topic of present and future estates, you can check out episodes 250 and 251 of the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast. In this episode we discuss: Concurrent estates versus present and future estates The three major forms of concurrent ownership: Tenancy in Common Joint Tenancy Tenancy by the Entirety Sample questions illustrating the above concepts 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 2011 (https://nwculaw.edu/pdf/bar/July%202011%20Essays%20and%20Sample%20Answers.pdf) California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, October 2020 (https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/admissions/Examinations/October-2020-Essay-Selected-Answers.pdf) Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 250: Listen and Learn – Present and Future Estates (Part 1) (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-250-listen-and-learn-present-and-future-estates-part-1/) Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 251: Listen and Learn – Present and Future Estates (Part 2) (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-251-listen-and-learn-present-and-future-estates-part-2/) Download the Transcript  (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-466-listen-and-learn-concurrent-estates-property/) 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

  8. AUG 19

    Improving Your Legal Writing Skills (w/Luiz Arroyo)

    Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In this episode, together with Luiz Arroyo - one of our law school and bar exam tutors - we highlight the critical role of legal writing in a lawyer's career and provide tips for improving your legal writing skills. In this episode we discuss: Luiz's background and experience in legal writing What constitutes "good legal writing"? How to approach the two different types of legal writing Practical tips for pre-writing (planning and organizing), as well as post-writing (effective proofreading)  How to address problematic facts or case law Resources: Legal Writing in Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/legal-writing-in-law-school/) Podcast Episode 11: Legal Writing 101 (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-11-legal-writing-101/) Podcast Episode 84: Using Rules Effectively in Legal Writing (w/Guest Jason Jones) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-84-using-rules-effectively-legal-writing-w-guest-jason-jones/) 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/) Podcast Episode 429: Legal Research and Writing in the Workplace (Part 2) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-429-legal-research-and-writing-in-the-workplace-part-2/) Three Cs of Legal Writing…And One T (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/three-cs-of-legal-writingand-one-t/) Download the Transcript  (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-465-improving-your-legal-writing-skills-w-luiz-arroyo/) 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

    24 min
See All (473)

4.6
out of 5
484 Ratings

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!

Information

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada