Top Podcasts for Law Students

My love affair with podcasts all started with Serial – a show that followed a journalist’s re-investigation of the case of a high school teen and the ex-boyfriend convicted of her murder. Even though I consider myself a very visual learner, I couldn’t believe how much information I absorbed and how much I enjoyed learning about something I was only listening to on my headphones. Podcasts are not only a super convenient way to make your commute fly by, but also a great method to keep up with the law and everything involving it. In case you’re not sure where to start or want some new podcast suggestions, I listened to and reviewed a few well-known legal podcasts in no particular order.

Thinking Like a Lawyer

• When to Listen:
  • When you want to listen to strong dialogue about relevant legal topics (along with some light-hearted commentary).
• Description:
  • This roughly 30 minutes per episode podcast features Above the Law’s Elie Mystal and Joe Patrice. In each episode, the hosts take an everyday topic and “shine it through the prism of a legal framework.” When I listened to it, I not only learned a lot, but also found myself actually laughing out loud because of how funny the hosts were.
• Recommended Listening:
  • Freedom of the Press in Trump’s America
  • Awards For the Lawyer in Your Life
  • The Future and Past of the Supreme Court

I Am The Law

• When to Listen:
  • You can’t decide which type of law you want to pursue.
• Description:
  • Each episode, roughly twenty minutes or so, features lawyers working in different areas of the law that describe what their jobs are actually like. While they aren’t going to dive into their salary, the podcast interviews lawyers who talk about their careers and how they got there. Personally, I’m a little unsure of what law I want to go into, and this podcast has been a great way for me to figure out, at the very least, what I probably don’t want to do.
• Recommended Listening:
  • In-House Counsel (CO): Where Prioritization Outweighs Perfection
  • Plaintiff’s Personal Injury (NYC): A Radically Changed Business

ABA Law Student Podcast

• When to Listen:
  • You want a show that covers issues that specifically affect you as a law student, from passing the bar to tackling student debt.
• Description:
  • While I’ve rarely come across a legal podcast I didn’t like, I find that they often tailor to the practicing lawyer and not the law student. This podcast specifically reaches out to law students and recent grads and labels the show as a “trusted resource for the next big step.” It’s even co-hosted by law students! From what I listened to, I liked how the hosts seemed relatable but also very knowledgeable about each topic.
• Recommended Listening:
  • Student Loans: Look Before You Leap
  • Finding Alternative Careers in the Law

Life of the Law

• When to Listen:
  • You have Serial withdrawals and/or also have a passion for captivating journalism.
• Description:
  • Currently my favorite podcast, this show features a group of reporters and legal scholars who share stories they find that involve the law in some respect. In essence, the podcast, “explores the relationship of law to American society by documenting how legal concepts affect individual lives and cases.” To be frank, I have yet to find a podcast more eye opening.
• Recommended Listening:
  • Last Count
  • Kids Doing Life
  • Radio Silenced

Opening Arguments

• When to Listen:
  • You’d like to form an opinion about a current legal topic but don’t have enough information to do so yet.
• Description:
  • During every holiday or family function, I often find myself in the middle of a heated debate and being asked to give my legal opinion on current topics. This show, in particular, helps me prepare for the inevitable, “Can Donald Trump really do that?!” The podcast describes itself as, “tackling relevant legal arguments and giving you all the tools you need to understand the issue and win every argument.” Each episode runs about an hour and while the hosts do not hide their political views on the show, which I appreciate, unlike most podcasts I’ve listened to, they present all the facts in a neutral way for you to make a decision, which I also appreciate. It also provides some comic relief, which I know we all need after November 8^th.
• Recommended Listening:
  • What Could Donald Trump’s Tax Returns Tell Us
  • The “Fallout” Over Copyright

Law School Toolbox Podcast

• When to Listen:
• You’re in the summer before your first year of law school or you’re a current law student who wants to make sure you’re doing everything you can to succeed academically and professionally.
• Description:
  • What may seem like a shameless plug is really just an honest review from an avid listener. Before I joined the writing team at Law School Toolbox, I listened to Lee and Alison’s podcast and it helped me immensely during my 1L year. With their experience in the legal field and in helping law students, they are a great resource if you find yourself lost and in some need of direction during your academic and professional career.
• Recommended Listening:
  • Building Emotional Intelligence
  • How to Decide What Type of Law to Practice

While these are just a few of my new favorites, there are SO many legal podcasts out there that offer great advice, or just something interesting to listen to while commuting to school. I’m also always looking for recommendations so please feel free to comment below on any of your favorites not mentioned. Happy listening!

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