I google everything, and during my first weeks of law school, I consistently googled, “getting through law school with my sanity intact.” I desperately searched for others who had made it through law school without losing their minds. My obsession with clarifying with Google that there were others who had survived, followed me into bar exam prep, where I googled “Will I pass the bar?” and “Will I die if I don’t?” incessantly. And as I’m sure you are already aware, Google could not decide these answers for me. [Read more…] about Searching for Answers to Passing the Bar Exam
Bar Exam Toolbox Blog
Podcast Episode 104: Listen and Learn — Intentional Torts: Defamation
Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re talking about defamation — a topic you might see on a Torts essay along with other intentional torts, and sometimes on the MBE as well. We also highlight some of the other intentional torts that are commonly triggered in a defamation fact pattern.
In this episode we discuss:
- The five elements of defamation
- When is a statement of opinion actionable?
- The difference between defamation claims brought by private figures and public figures
- The “slander per se” rule for damages
- Analyzing three fact patterns involving defamation claims
- What are the common defenses to defamation
Thanks for listening!
[Read more…] about Podcast Episode 104: Listen and Learn — Intentional Torts: Defamation
The Top Five Most Common Comments I Give to Bar Exam Takers
Based on the imperfect science of Ctrl+F, I’ve managed to compile the five most common comments I’ve given on student bar exams that I have reviewed in the last year. These comments have been shortened and edited to protect student confidentiality and to “universalize” the feedback. If any of these feel familiar, don’t panic! As you’ll see, every one of these issues is totally fixable with practice, strategy-building, and more practice. And so, in no particular order: [Read more…] about The Top Five Most Common Comments I Give to Bar Exam Takers
Strategies for Taking an Online Bar Exam Without Scratch Paper
Unbelievably, the news about the bar examination is still cloudy. At this point in your preparation, I think the best approach would be to prepare for a completely online exam, and assume it will be given on the date when it is currently set. So, let’s explore a strategy you can start practicing now. [Read more…] about Strategies for Taking an Online Bar Exam Without Scratch Paper
Podcast Episode 103: Listen and Learn –- Assault and Battery
Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we have another episode in our “Listen and Learn” series, where we review a substantive area of the law and apply the rules to fact patterns. This time, we’re focusing on two topics from Torts — specifically, assault and battery.
In this episode we discuss:
- Unpacking the elements of assault and battery
- Are threatening words enough to be considered an assault?
- Some less obvious situations where harmful or offensive bodily contact can occur
- Coming up with scenarios to help you remember the rules
- Going through a fact pattern from the February 2016 California bar exam Torts essay
- How to analyze intentional tort questions
Thanks for listening!
[Read more…] about Podcast Episode 103: Listen and Learn –- Assault and Battery
Logistical Preparation for the Online Bar in California
Now that we know the California bar exam is going to be administered online in October, 2020, a lot of students have questions about how to prepare. Some of my advice will be the same as usual:
- Get a good night’s sleep
- Stay hydrated
- Relax the day before and take the afternoon and evening off
- Plan your exam-day lunches
- Don’t cram or practice on the mornings of test days
The new exam format, though, is forcing everyone to make some adjustments. We’ve posted before about scheduling changes to make and how to modify your study habits. Today, let’s talk about logistics. [Read more…] about Logistical Preparation for the Online Bar in California