The Law School Toolbox podcast is an entertaining, useful weekly show which can help you make the most of your law school experience. You can always access current podcast episodes on the website or on Apple Podcasts and many other streaming services. And you’ll find a full archive in the Law School Toolbox podcast archive.
Enjoy!
Getting a Legal Job
- Podcast Episode 3: Mastering the On-Campus Interviewing (OCI) Process In this episode, we talk about improving your resume and cover letter, how to figure out what firms to bid on in OCI, how the process typically works, and more!
- Podcast Episode 4: Callback Tips for BigLaw Summer Associate Positions Today, we’re discussing the next step in the on campus interview process – callback interviews. Topics covered include what are firms looking for in a callback, advice on scheduling interviews, and more!
- Podcast Episode 24: Job Search Basics for 1Ls Although it's only December, today we're looking ahead to the summer. We know a lot of you may be stressing out about this so we've got some useful tips and information about the basics of a 1L job search.
- Podcast Episode 27: Job Interview Basics Are you interviewing for a legal job? Whether you are interviewing for your first summer job, or one that will (hopefully) be more permanent, we have tips for many different types of interviews and situations.
- Podcast Episode 44: How to Get a Judicial Clerkship Judicial clerkships are high sought after positions for law students. Today we are talking with special guest, Fairuz Abdullah, Associate Director of Public Interest Programs and Judicial Clerkships in the office of career and professional development at UC Hastings, about how to get a judicial clerkship!
- Podcast Episode 55: An Overview of BigLaw On-Campus Interviewing (OCI) We will discuss BigLaw OCI, or on-campus interviewing. This is the annual rite of passage where thousands of law students try to secure BigLaw summer associate positions for the next summer. In this episode, we talk at a high level about all of the aspects of OCI, and you can listen to our earlier OCI episodes for a deeper dive into the specifics of callbacks and initial interviews.
- Podcast Episode 58: Non-Profit Law and Social Entrepreneurship (with Guest Adrian Tirtanadi of Bayview Hunters Point Community Legal) We will discuss doing good works with Adrian Tirtanadi, founder of Bayview Hunters Point Community Legal, a non-profit legal startup in San Francisco. This is a great episode for anyone who is interested in how access to legal services can change a community and for everyone interested in entrepreneurial non-profit or public interest law.
- Podcast Episode 70: How to Decide What Type of Law to Practice Today, we’re talking about how to figure out what type of law to practice. There are more options than most people realize, so listen if you want some suggestions for finding something that uses your unique skills, interests, and background to set yourself apart from the pack.
- Podcast Episode 105: OCI Basics With an Ex-BigLaw Recruiter There are many steps to the OCI process, and it can be energetically draining, so we’re discussing what you can expect, and how you can put your best foot forward with an experienced BigLaw recruiter. If you’re planning to participate in your school’s OCI program, tune in!
- Podcast Episode 108: Handling Summer Associate Offers (With an Ex-BigLaw Recruiter) Today, we’re talking with ex-BigLaw recruiter, Sadie Jones, about the process of getting, or not getting, an offer at the end of your time as a summer associate. Tune in for some great information on how to end your summer successfully and navigate the offer process thoughtfully and respectfully.
- Podcast Episode 120: Preparing for the 1L Job Hunt (With Ex-BigLaw Recruiter Sadie Jones) If you're a 1L getting ready for your job hunt, this is the podcast for you! We talk about how to prepare and apply, and what types of jobs will be best for your future.
- Podcast Episode 126: How To Get People to Help With Your Job Search We’re talking about how to get people to help you with your job search and how to keep them happy when they do help. We’ll talk about the different people you can reach out to, and how to approach them based on the strength of your relationship.
- Podcast Episode 164: No Offer After OCI? Here's What To Do (w/Sadie Jones) We’re talking with ex-BigLaw recruiter, Sadie Jones, about what to do if OCI didn’t go as planned, and you didn’t end up with a summer associate offer for your 2L summer.
- Podcast Episode 165: What is an Elevator Pitch and Do You Need One? Today we’re talking about elevator pitches and whether you need one as a law student. Spoiler alert: Yes, you do!
- Podcast Episode 166: How to Frame Your Job Search Story (w/Sadie Jones) We're talking with ex-BigLaw recruiter, Sadie Jones, joins us to talk about how to frame your job search story. You may be thinking that you don’t have a story, but we all have a story!
- Podcast Episode 179: What To Do If You Still Don't Have a Summer Job We’re talking with ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones about what to do if you don’t have a summer job yet.
- Podcast Episode 181: Negotiating a Job Offer (w/Ex-BigLaw Recruiter Sadie Jones) We’re excited to be talking with ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones about negotiating job offers.
- Podcast Episode 183: Changing Course in the Job Hunt (w/Ex-BigLaw Recruiter Sadie Jones) We’re talking with ex-BigLaw recruiter, Sadie Jones, about when and how to change direction in your job search.
- Podcast Episode 185: Thinking About the 2L Job Search as a 1L (w/Ex-BigLaw Recruiter Sadie Jones) We’re talking with ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones about how to start thinking about your 2L job search when you’re still a 1L.
- Podcast Episode 197: Career Advice From Lawyer & Author Rachel Gezerseh We’re talking with Rachel Gezerseh about how to find a legal job you’ll actually like, and how to break into BigLaw if that’s what you’re looking for.
- Podcast Episode 203: Job Search Q&A (w/Ex-BigLaw Recruiter Sadie Jones) We’re talking with ex-BigLaw recruiter, Sadie Jones, about some of the most common issues and questions we see in the law student job search.
- Podcast Episode 209: Job Hunting in a City Where You're Not in Law School We’re here with ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones to discuss the ins and outs of job searches involving moving to another city from where you attend (or attended) law school.
- Podcast Episode 214: Handling an Extensive Job Search Outside of OCI We’re talking with ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones about how to find a job if you struck out at OCI, or never tried it to begin with.
- Podcast Episode 232: Finding a 1L Summer Job in the Spring (w/Sadie Jones) We have ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones back with us to talk about the process of finding a 1L summer job in the spring.
- Podcast Episode 239: Looking to History to Assess the Impact of COVID-19 on the Legal Job Market We’re welcoming back Sadie Jones to talk about the impact the coronavirus might have on the legal job market, based on some historical context.
- Podcast Episode 260: Career Implications of the COVID-19 Crisis (w/Sadie Jones) We’re talking with guest Sadie Jones about the implications of the coronavirus on the legal job market. We’re looking at several common concerns, such as cancelled jobs, lay-offs, and diminished networking opportunities.
- Podcast Episode 262: Researching Law Firms (w/Sadie Jones) 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.
- Podcast Episode 266: Preparing for Virtual OCI (w/Sadie Jones) We have ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones back with us to talk about how the OCI process will be different this year and what to do to prepare for upcoming virtual interviews.
- Podcast Episode 270: Looking for Legal Jobs over Winter Break (w/Sadie Jones) We’re chatting with our consultant on career-related issues, Sadie Jones, about advancing your legal career this winter break, which is going to require a slightly different approach than usual, due to the COVID-19 pandemic situation.
- Podcast Episode 297: The 3L Job Hunt Process (w/Sadie Jones) We’re discussing the ins and outs of the 3L job market with our guest Sadie Jones. We take a look at recruiting in BigLaw firms, as well as government and public interest organizations and in-house options at smaller firms.
- Podcast Episode 302: Basics of Making a Lateral Career Move (w/Sadie Jones) We have former BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones back with us to talk about the basics of lateraling, or what other industries might refer to as “finding a new job that’s not your first job.”
- Podcast Episode 331: A Conversation with Assistant District Attorney Sara Beller We’re speaking with guest Sara Beller, a member of the District Attorney’s office in Riverside County, California, and a tutor with the Law School Toolbox. We’re talking about careers in public service, specifically working as a prosecutor.
- Podcast Episode 337: How to Address Common Job Search Problems (w/Sadie Jones) We’re talking with ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones about common issues that law students encounter when looking for a job.
- Podcast Episode 339: Fitting in Consistent Career Planning and Job Search Time (w/Sadie Jones) We’re excited to have ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones with us to talk about ways to keep your job search and career planning consistent as a law student, without overdoing it.
- Podcast Episode 348: Getting Ready for On-Campus Interviewing (w/Sadie Jones) We’re chatting with ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones about how you should be preparing for a successful OCI process.
- Podcast Episode 353: Tips for a Successful Callback Interview (w/Sadie Jones) We have ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones with us to discuss how to prepare for the second round of interviews for summer associate positions.
- Podcast Episode 360: Legal Jobs in a Slowing Economy (w/Sadie Jones) We have ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones with us to talk about looking for legal jobs in the current economy, where law firm hiring is slowing down and some layoffs may even be happening.
- Podcast Episode 368: Finding a Summer Job Late in the Game We’re excited to have ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones with us to talk about what to do when you really just need to find a job – any job.
- Podcast Episode 371: Starting the 1L Job Hunt During Winter Break We have ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones with us to talk about using winter break to get ready for the 1L job hunt.
- Podcast Episode 378: When to Start the 2L Job Hunt (w/Sadie Jones) We have ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones with us to talk about the timeline of the 2L job hunt.
Crafting Great Job Application Documents
- Podcast Episode 12: Resume and Cover Letter Basics Are your resume and cover letter ready to send out today? The truth is you should write your resume now to avoid having to rush and create one when an opportunity presents itself. Today we are discussing resume and cover letter basics for law students.
- Podcast Episode 77: How to Get Great Letters of Recommendation for Anything Today we’re talking about how to get great letters of recommendation, whether you need them to apply to law school, get a job or clerkship, or for some other purpose as a law student.
- Podcast Episode 111: Resumes and Cover Letters (with an Ex-BigLaw Recruiter) Concerned about your job applications? Our podcast guest has 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.
- Podcast Episode 127: Avoid These Resume No-Gos Wondering what to do -- and what not to do -- on your resume? Tune in to hear ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones talk about things to avoid doing on your resume.
- Podcast Episode 173: Frequently Asked Questions About Resumes and Cover Letters (w/Sadie Jones) Today we’re excited to have ex-recruiter Sadie Jones with us to talk about the most common questions we’ve been getting about resumes and cover letters.
- Podcast Episode 205: Navigating Interviews as a Non-Traditional Law Student We chatted with ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones to get some interview tips for non-traditional law students who are trying to start a legal career.
- Podcast Episode 237: Handling Resume and Cover Letter Difficulties (w/Sadie Jones) We’re excited to have former BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones back with us to talk about difficulties you might be wondering how to handle on your resume and cover letter.
- Podcast Episode 255: The Dos and Dont's of Writing Samples (w/Sadie Jones) We have ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones with us to talk about preparing a great writing sample, which you might need when applying for a law job, a clerkship, or an internship/externship.
- Podcast Episode 324: Editing Your Resume and Cover Letter (w/Sadie Jones) We’re talking with guest Sadie Jones about polishing the appearance of your resume and cover letter so they look as professional as possible, and customizing them for the job you’re applying to.
Becoming a Professional
- Podcast Episode 25: How to Behave Like a Professional in the Legal Workplace Although it seems like it should be common sense, you'd be surprised by how many law students struggle with professionalism when they arrive at their first law job. Now is the time to make a good first impression at your legal job and we have some advice to help you out!
- Podcast Episode 31: Why is it So Horrible to be a Woman Lawyer? This week we are talking about something very near and dear to our hearts - being a woman in the legal profession. Are we really still having this same tired conversation about women in the workplace? Yes, yes we are.
- Podcast Episode 45: Writing Effectively in Your Summer Legal Job In this podcast we are talking about writing effectively in a summer legal job. Joining us as a guest is Doretta McGinnis, who has taught Legal Writing for many years and is now a Law School Toolbox tutor.
- Podcast Episode 54: How to Evaluate Your Summer Legal Job Experience We will talk about about how to evaluate your summer legal job experience, and how to make sure you leave on good terms. As your summer law job is drawing to a close, here are some ways to ensure you learn as much as you can from the experience.
- Podcast Episode 66: Tips for a Successful Law School Internship or Externship Today we’re talking about how to have a successful law school internship or externship experience. For most law students, these jobs are their first experiences in the legal workplace (or maybe in any professional workplace). Be sure you’re behaving like a responsible professional, and you’ll set yourself up for success in any internship or externship!
- Podcast Episode 91: From Lawyer to Entrepreneur to Mayor! During our talk, Rachel Hundley doesn't just offer some great practical tips for being active in your local community, she also provides an inspiring example of someone who felt a calling and pursued it—more than once, undeterred by various obstacles—where there’s a will, there’s a way!
- Podcast Episode 94: How to Succeed at Your Summer Legal Job (With Sara O'Connor) Summer law jobs can come with a lot of pressure, and you want to make a good impression and set yourself up for success. Tune in for a preview of life as a summer associate or intern, along with tips for getting the most out of the experience (including a job offer).
- Podcast Episode 114: Law School Networking 101 Networking can cause a lot of anxiety, but it doesn't have to! Whether you're an introvert or an extrovert, this episode can help you take a new approach to building your professional network.
- Podcast Episode 116: Life as a Small Firm Associate (With Jeremy Richter) In this episode we're talking to a practicing attorney about life as a young associate. If you're trying to figure out what you might be able to expect in your first few years after law school, this is the podcast for you!
- Podcast Episode 124: Don't Be a Jerk at Work We’re talking about how not to be a jerk in your legal office environment. True or not, lawyers have a terrible reputation when it comes to being nice and considerate in the office. Lawyers are often thought to be jerks to other lawyers, as well as staff. Why is that? How true is it? How do you avoid being “that” person?
- Podcast Episode 125: Maintaining a Professional Profile in the Digital Age We discuss how to maintain a professional profile in the digital age where so much of your life is online, for better or worse. If you want to maintain a professional image, it is important to be mindful of what you’re posting, where you’re posting it, who can see it (intentionally or unintentionally), and other activities that might put you at risk.
- Podcast Episode 137: How to Handle Difficult Workplace Situations Today, we are talking about how to handle difficult situations at work.
- Podcast Episode 142: Owning Your Career (w/Whittney Beard) We’re talking with Whittney Beard, an ex-lawyer and career coach at Orrick, about how to really own and direct your career, even as a young lawyer.
- Podcast Episode 158: What To Wear (And Not To Wear) Today we’re talking about law school fashion. What to wear (and maybe what not to wear) to law school classes, job interviews, and other law school events.
- Podcast Episode 168: How to Handle Rejection Professionally (w/Sadie Jones) We're talking with ex-BigLaw recruiter, Sadie Jones, about ways to handle rejection in a professional manner.
- Podcast Episode 175: Top Interview Questions With Ex-BigLaw Recruiter Sadie Jones We’re excited to have ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones with us to discuss the most common questions we get about job interviewing as a law student.
- Podcast Episode 188: How to Make People Hate You at Work (w/Ex-BigLaw Recruiter Sadie Jones) We’re talking with ex-BigLaw recruiter, Sadie Jones, about how to make people hate you at work, so that, basically, you can avoid doing these things.
- Podcast Episode 201: Fashion Law & Men's Fashion (w/Douglas Hand) We chatted with Douglas Hand — an attorney, author, and podcast host — about his book The Laws of Style, working as a fashion lawyer, and “what to wear” tips for men in the legal profession.
- Podcast Episode 207: Navigating Networking Events as a Law Student We’re talking with ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones about networking nuts and bolts – what you need to know to feel comfortable mingling with strangers at cocktail parties, formal dinners, and more.
- Podcast Episode 241: Tips for Virtual Job Interviews We’re talking with guest Sadie Jones about best practices when it comes to handling virtual job interviews, which you may be experiencing more frequently for the foreseeable future.
- Podcast Episode 253: Networking in Quarantine (w/Sadie Jones) We’re combining two hot topics — networking and the coronavirus — and discussing with ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones how to stay on the radar of potential employers over the next several months, until Winter OCI begins.
- Podcast Episode 278: Questions to Ask (and Avoid Asking) in Legal Job Interviews (w/Sadie Jones) We have ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones back with us to talk about questions you should, and shouldn’t ask, in a job interview setting.
- Podcast Episode 283: Dealing with Interview and Workplace Mistakes (w/Sadie Jones) We have our career consultant Sadie Jones back with us to share tips about dealing with mistakes in the workplace and during the job application process.
- Podcast Episode 291: People You Should Get to Know at any Legal Job (w/Sadie Jones) We’re talking with ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones about getting to know the people that will help you get your work done when you start a legal job.
- Podcast Episode 316: Being Smart About Your Career Goals (w/Sadie Jones) We chat with our career expert Sadie Jones about setting realistic goals for your career development, as well as how to map out a longer term path to where you’d want to be in five years or more.
- Podcast Episode 329: Approaching Difficult Conversations at Work (w/Sadie Jones) We have ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones back with us to share tips for handling workplace situations that require a difficult conversation.
- Podcast Episode 333: Building an Authentic Law Practice (w/Hillary Vaillancourt) We have guest Hillary Vaillancourt with us to discuss a variety of topics, including her work on Piece of Cake Allergy Consulting and building a small firm practice.
- Podcast Episode 346: Judicial Accountability in the Workplace (w/Aliza Shatzman) We’re talking with guest Aliza Shatzman from The Legal Accountability Project about some of the things that can go wrong with judicial clerkships, and what clerks can do to protect themselves when that happens.
- Podcast Episode 351: Getting a Law Job in a Niche Area (w/Sadie Jones) If you’re interested in working in a specialty area of the law, join us for this episode as we share tips on getting a niche job out of law school or working your way in over time.
Building the Skills You'll Need as a Lawyer
- Podcast Episode 69: Building the 21st Century Lawyer This podcast deals with a panel discussion about what it takes to succeed as a 21st-Century lawyer. In this discussion, we dive into the characteristics of successful lawyers in today’s legal workplace and talk about how to gain those skills and traits while still in law school.
- Podcast Episode 71: Soft Skills You Need to Develop to be a Successful Attorney It shouldn’t be shocking to learn that law school doesn’t totally prepare you to be a successful lawyer. Sure, you learn useful skills like legal writing and legal analysis, but building a practice (and a book of business) requires other skills. Some law schools are getting better at offering opportunities for students to gain these skills, but ultimately it’s up to you to make sure you’re fully ready to practice. Tune in to find out which soft skills are important and how to develop them.
- Podcast Episode 75: Learn about Structured Negotiation and Disability Rights Law (with Lainey Feingold) Today, we’re excited to have attorney and author Lainey Feingold here with us. She is a long-time disability rights lawyer and developed a technique called Structured Negotiation that is the subject of her book, “Structured Negotiation: A Winning Alternative to Lawsuits,” which was recently published by the ABA. Structure Negotiation has been used with well-known organizations including major banks, Walmart, the city of San Francisco, and Major League Baseball to address accessibility issues in physical and virtual environments, outside of court.
- Podcast Episode 85: Surviving as a Summer Associate and New Firm Lawyer (with Grover Cleveland) We talk with Grover Cleveland, a Seattle lawyer and speaker and the author of the bestselling career advice book for new lawyers, Swimming Lessons for Baby Sharks: The Essential Guide to Thriving as a New Lawyer. We discuss how to survive as a summer associate and a new associate!
- Podcast Episode 86: Resources for Aspiring Entrepreneurs Today, we’re taking a little bit of a detour to talk about entrepreneurship. Or, maybe it’s not such a detour, given the number of lawyers who end up creating solo practices or small firms, or who leave the law entirely to start new businesses!
- Podcast Episode 99: What Law Schools Should Be Teaching, and Aren't (With Mark Cohen) Are you wondering what you should be demanding from your legal education? Mark Cohen has a unique perspective on the legal profession that could help you figure it out!
- Podcast Episode 100: 100th Anniversary Countdown! Our Most Popular (And Underrated) Episode Want to listen to our podcast but wondering where to start? Or already a fan and want to know what our favorites are? Here is a discussion of our most popular episodes, plus Lee and Alison's favorite, but underappreciated episodes.
- Podcast Episode 101: Preparing for a Career in Public Interest Law (With Ashley Matthews of Equal Justice Works) Public interest is a competitive field to break into, and it comes with its own unique set of challenges. If you’ve decided you want to pursue a career in public interest law, this episode is a must-listen!
- Podcast Episode 118: Learn About Animal Law With Pamela Hart at ALDF Interested in animal law? Or even just in pursuing a public interest career? Listen here for advice from Pamela Hart, Director of the Animal Law Program at the Animal Legal Defense Fund.
- Podcast Episode 133: Being Strategic About Your Legal Career (w/Liz Stone) We’re talking with legal recruiter Liz Stone, of Stone Legal Search, about ways to proactively manage your career from law school onwards. We discuss decisions to make early on to help ensure job satisfaction and how to best position yourself for a mid-career move.
- Podcast Episode 154: Building a Better Law Practice (w/ Jeremy Richter) Today we’re excited to welcome back Jeremy Richter, attorney and author of the new book, Building A Better Law Practice, recently published by the ABA. He has some practical tips for young lawyers to help you build a successful and satisfying law practice.
- Podcast Episode 162: Professional Development Strategies For Young Lawyers We’re talking about professional development for new lawyers with former BigLaw recruiter, Sadie Jones. Find out how to take control of your career development, from the earliest days of your career.
- Podcast Episode 190: How to Pass the Interview Happy Hour Test (w/Ex-BigLaw Recruiter Sadie Jones) We’re talking with ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones about how to pass the dreaded interview “happy hour test.”
- Podcast Episode 222: Using Winter Break to Advance Your Career We’re welcoming back ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones to talk about how to use winter break productively to move your career forward, make new connections, take care of personal chores, and of course, get some rest.
- Podcast Episode 224: Taking Ownership of Your Career (w/Sadie Jones) We are welcoming back ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones to discuss how much responsibility you should take for your future career — starting as a law student — and what resources are available to help.
- Podcast Episode 247: Mastering Behavioral Interviews (w/Sadie Jones) We’re talking with ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones about what behavioral interviews are and how you can prepare to handle them if you encounter one.
- Podcast Episode 311: Business Development Potential for Law Students (w/Sadie Jones) It’s a good idea to start thinking about business development methods from the early days of law school, if you want to work in a law firm! Today we’re chatting about this topic with our career expert, ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones.
- Podcast Episode 320: Goals for Your 1L Summer Job (w/Sadie Jones) We’re chatting with ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones about some goals for your 1L summer job.
- Podcast Episode 327: Job Search Etiquette (w/Sadie Jones) We have ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones back with us to talk about the “dos” and “don’ts” of the job search process, including applying for jobs, interviewing, and following up.