Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! This episode features a discussion with Dan Smith from Themis Bar Review about the upcoming NextGen Bar Exam, highlighting its new computer-based format and integrated question sets, as well as the importance of memorization and practical skills. The conversation also covers how Themis is adapting its prep materials for the new exam format.

Note: This episode is sponsored by Themis Bar Review – the gold standard in bar exam preparation. Save $1,200 on any 2026 Themis Bar Review course by using the code LAWSCHOOLTB1200 at checkout. (This offer is valid until October 15, 2025.)

In this episode we discuss:

• Changes to the bar exam with the NextGen format
• How Themis materials support bar studiers
• Bar prep timeline for NextGen
• In-school bar preparation programs
• Choosing your jurisdiction for the exam

Resources

• Themis Bar Review (https://www.themisbar.com/)
• NextGen UBE Content Scope Outlines (https://www.ncbex.org/exams/nextgen/content-scope)
• The California Bar Experiment/Fiasco (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLT5txTOjOHmTwR9HiPiib3N-STp7PxM-O)
• Podcast Episode 372: The NextGen Bar Exam (w/Doretta McGinnis) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-372-the-nextgen-bar-exam-w-doretta-mcginnis/)
• Podcast Episode 413: Preparing for the Bar Exam with Themis and UWorld (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-413-preparing-for-the-bar-exam-with-themis-and-uworld/)

Download the Transcript
(https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-520-preparing-for-the-nextgen-bar-exam-with-themis/)

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

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! In today's episode, we're discussing torts – specifically, the intentional tort of false imprisonment and the associated defense, shopkeeper's privilege. We also go through several sample questions and apply the law to the fact patterns.

In this episode we discuss:

• An overview of intentional torts
• The elements of false imprisonment
• Hypothetical scenarios from previous California bar exams
• The shopkeeper's privilege defense to false imprisonment

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 2010 (https://juraxbar.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/July-2010-CBX.pdf)
• California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, July 2006 (https://nwculaw.edu/pdf/bar/July%202006%20Essays%20and%20Sample%20Answers.pdf)

Download the Transcript
(https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-519-listen-and-learn-false-imprisonment-and-shopkeepers-privilege-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

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today Alison is speaking with Susan Stone and Kristina Supler from KJK's Student & Athlete Defense Group about ways poor decisions in the past might (or might not) derail your law school and bar exam journey.

In this episode we discuss:

• The work our guests do to save futures
• Life decisions that might derail your journey
• When it's time to get help
• How to handle the following scenarios:
  • Academic misconduct
  • Social media mishaps
  • Past criminal offenses

Resources

• KJK's Student & Athlete Defense Group (https://studentdefense.kjk.com/)
• Susan Stone: LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-c-stone-5551102b/)
• Kristina Supler: LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristina-supler-5b5a826/)
• Podcast Episode 212: Bouncing Back from a Major Mistake (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-212-bouncing-back-from-a-major-mistake/)

Download the Transcript
(https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-518-will-past-poor-decisions-derail-your-legal-career-w-susan-stone-and-kristina-supler/)

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

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today Alison is speaking with USF law professors Megan Hutchinson and Nicole Phillips about how they are teaching law students to use AI responsibly -- emphasizing ethical, professional, and practical applications.

In this episode we discuss:

• How AI is taught at USF School of Law
• Student and faculty reactions to AI
• The human side of lawyering
• Potential pitfalls and responsible AI use
• Tech resources for law students

Resources

• The New York Times: I'm a LinkedIn Executive. I See the Bottom Rung of the Career Ladder Breaking. (https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/19/opinion/linkedin-ai-entry-level-jobs.html?amp;referringSource=articleShare)
• USF: Megan Hutchinson (https://www.usfca.edu/law/faculty/megan-hutchinson)
• UCLA: Megan Hutchinson (https://law.ucla.edu/faculty/faculty-profiles/megan-r-hutchinson)
• USF: Nicole Phillips (https://www.usfca.edu/law/faculty/nicole-phillips)
• LinkedIn: Megan Hutchinson (https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-hutchinson-6428691/)
• LinkedIn: Nicole Phillips (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolelphillips/)
• Podcast Episode 480: Ethical Uses of AI in Law School (w/Professor Susan Tanner) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-480-ethical-uses-of-ai-in-law-school-w-professor-susan-tanner/)
• Podcast Episode 505: Breaking ADHD Barriers with the Help of AI (w/Lindsay Scola) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-505-breaking-adhd-barriers-with-the-help-of-ai-w-lindsay-scola/)
• Podcast Episode 513: Grappling with AI as a Law Student and Lawyer (1L Summer Series) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-513-grappling-with-ai-as-a-law-student-and-lawyer-1l-summer-series/)

Download the Transcript
(https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-517-teaching-ai-in-law-school-w-megan-hutchinson-and-nicole-phillips/)

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

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're focusing on the basics of Criminal Law – that is, the elements of a crime. Specifically, we're going to spend some time diving into the two most important elements: causation and mens rea.

In this episode we discuss:

• The four elements necessary to prove a crime
• The defendant's state of mind and criminal intent when they commit a crime
• Actual and proximate causation
• Two hypos from previous California bar exams

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 2007 (https://nwculaw.edu/pdf/bar/July%202007%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)
• Podcast Episode 357: Listen and Learn – Prosecution of a Criminal Trial (Burdens, Presumptions, Sufficiency) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-357-listen-and-learn-prosecution-of-a-criminal-trial-burdens-presumptions-sufficiency/)
• Podcast Episode 406: Listen and Learn – Defenses to a Crime (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-406-listen-and-learn-defenses-to-a-crime/)
• Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 218: Listen and Learn – Intent Under the Model Penal Code (Criminal Law) (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-218-listen-and-learn-intent-under-the-model-penal-code-criminal-law/)

Download the Transcript
(https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-516-listen-and-learn-elements-of-a-crime/)

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

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, as part of our "Listen and Learn" series, we're discussing Civil Procedure – specifically, the following topics related to discovery: motions to compel, interrogatories, and physical/mental examinations.

In this episode we discuss:

• An overview of discovery
• The specific rules related to motions to compel, interrogatories, and physical/mental examinations during discovery
• An analysis of two questions from previous California bar exams

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 2019 (https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/admissions/July-2019-Essay-Questions-and-Answers.pdf)
• California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, February 2023 (https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/admissions/Examinations/February2023CBXessayQsandAnswers.pdf)
• Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 204: Listen and Learn – Scope of Discovery and Work-Product Privilege (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-204-listen-and-learn-scope-of-discovery-and-the-work-product-privilege/)
• Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 237: Listen and Learn – Discovery (Civ Pro) (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-237-listen-and-learn-discovery-civ-pro/)

Download the Transcript
(https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-514-listen-and-learn-discovery-civ-pro/)

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

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, in our 1L summer series, we're exploring whether law students should continue to study as hard if AI can already perform many tasks for us. We're highlighting AI's current capabilities and limitations, underscoring the enduring importance of human skills such as judgment, emotional intelligence, and creative problem-solving.

In this episode we discuss:

• What aspects of legal work can AI currently handle, and what are its limitations?
• What legal skills will remain uniquely human even as AI advances?
• How might the legal profession transform with AI, and what new opportunities will emerge?
• What should you consider when deciding if law school is still worth it in the AI era?
• How is legal education adapting to incorporate AI tools?

Resources

• Start Law School Right! (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/start-law-school-right/)
• Podcast Episode 430: The Paxton AI Founders Talk About Their AI Legal Assistant (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-430-the-paxtonai-founders-talk-about-their-ai-legal-assistant/)
• Podcast Episode 449: Implications of AI for the Legal Profession (w/Kevin Surace) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-449-implications-of-ai-for-the-legal-profession-w-kevin-surace/)
• Podcast Episode 480: Ethical Uses of AI in Law School (w/Professor Susan Tanner) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-480-ethical-uses-of-ai-in-law-school-w-professor-susan-tanner/)
• Podcast Episode 500: The Next Generation of Legal Careers: How AI Is Reshaping Legal Education and Practice (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-500-the-next-generation-of-legal-careers-how-ai-is-reshaping-legal-education-and-practice/)
• Podcast Episode 505: Breaking ADHD Barriers with the Help of AI (w/Lindsay Scola) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-505-breaking-adhd-barriers-with-the-help-of-ai-w-lindsay-scola/)

Download the Transcript
(https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-513-grappling-with-ai-as-a-law-student-and-lawyer-1l-summer-series/)

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