It’s no secret that law school is an all-consuming endeavor. Even your friends and family with no background in the legal field have probably heard stories about how rigorous and draining law school is. Unfortunately, these horror stories can often ring true, at least to some extent. While your free time will be drastically limited for three years (if not even longer), it doesn’t mean that you will never be able to spend time with your friends and family. In fact, making time to keep in touch with the people you love can often help you be happier and more successful during law school. [Read more…] about Maintaining Personal Relationships in Law School
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Podcast Episode 263: Listen and Learn — Subject Matter Jurisdiction
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 focusing on subject matter jurisdiction from Civil Procedure.
In this episode we discuss:
- Review of the basic concept of jurisdiction
- Constructing an attack plan for Civil Procedure
- The two types of actions that federal courts have jurisdiction over
- The difference between citizenship and domicile for people (and corporations)
- Analyzing two Civ Pro essay questions, from the February 2009 and July 2012 California bar exams
- Laws that tie into subject matter jurisdiction — supplemental jurisdiction and aggregation of claims
Thanks for listening!
[Read more…] about Podcast Episode 263: Listen and Learn — Subject Matter Jurisdiction
Volunteering for the Election During COVID-19
September is here, and that means election season is right around the corner! One thing that both parties can agree on is that this election is crucial, and, during a global pandemic, presents never before seen challenges to all voters and our voting institution as a whole.
With so many of us still stuck at home and some traditional volunteering opportunities on hold, engaging in the election might be on your mind. But there is an overwhelming amount of information out there about how you can get involved, and It can be hard to figure out just how to start
Have no fear! We are here to distill down the different opportunities that exist and how you can be a valuable participant.
[Read more…] about Volunteering for the Election During COVID-19
Law School Perspective: How To Prepare for Co-Curricular Tryouts and Interviews
Usually starting in your 2L year you have the opportunity to participate in “professional experience” activities, also known as co-curriculars or extracurriculars. There are numerous different organizations that you can join that hone different skills. At my law school we had moot court, mock trial, law review, Journal of Business Law, The Journal of Law in Society, Jessup International Law Moot Court, and the transactional law competition. (Please note that other schools may have other programs or more niched organizations in a specific area of law). Regardless of what the focus of the organization is, these extracurriculars are amazing opportunities to gain practical experience about what it’s like to be a lawyer. Not only do you obtain valuable skills and can add something to your resume, you also usually can get credits toward your degree! [Read more…] about Law School Perspective: How To Prepare for Co-Curricular Tryouts and Interviews
Podcast Episode 262: Researching Law Firms (w/Sadie Jones)
Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re talking with ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones about the best resources to turn to for law firm research, and what information to consider when applying for summer associate positions.
In this episode we discuss:
- When should you start to think about summer jobs?
- Finding firms whose specialties are the best fit for you
- Considering the differences between headquarters and satellite offices
- Looking at the firm’s diversity program
- How informative are law firm websites, and where else can you look for information?
- Why law firm rankings can be a trap
- Connecting with previous summer associates to get a clearer picture of the firm
Thanks for listening!
[Read more…] about Podcast Episode 262: Researching Law Firms (w/Sadie Jones)
Book Recommendation: How to be Sort of Happy in Law School
For the summer after my 1L year, I wanted to stay away from all law and law school related books and devote my down time to fiction and TV shows. While catching up with an old friend from college, she insisted that I read this book called “How To Be Sort of Happy in Law School,”written by Kathryne M. Young. I was hesitant. After reading my share of self-help books in the “how to succeed in law school” genre, I was not sure whether I would gain much from yet another one.
Well, I was mistaken. This book is unlike anything I have read. It is centered on self-empowerment and well-being – as the title hints. It does not prescribe formulas for success but asks its law student readers what they want to get out of their time in law school. [Read more…] about Book Recommendation: How to be Sort of Happy in Law School