The Bar Exam Toolbox podcast is an entertaining, useful weekly show which can help you prepare for and pass the bar exam.
You can always access current podcast episodes on the website, on Apple Podcasts, or on many other streaming services. (If you’d like to browse a complete list of all episodes, click here for an archive.)
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Enjoy!
Working Through MEE Questions
- Bar Exam Toolbox Episode 23: Tackling An MEE Corporations Question Lee discusses a corporations MEE question and walks you through how to plan an answer. This is the first in our series of podcasts about how to approach each section of the UBE.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 27: Tackling an MEE Question: Wills and Trusts We are discussing a Wills and Trusts MEE question. This is part of our series of podcasts on how to approach each section of the UBE.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 33: Tackling an MEE Civil Procedure Question We’re walking through a Civil Procedure MEE question. This is one of our series of podcasts on how to approach each section of the UBE.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 37: Tackling an MEE Secured Transactions Essay Question We are walking through a UBE secured transactions essay question. This is one of our series of podcasts on how to approach Multistate Essay Examination questions.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 41: Tackling an MEE Family Law and Conflicts of Law Essay Question We’re walking through a UBE family law and conflicts of law essay question. This is one of our series of podcasts on how to approach Multistate Essay Examination questions.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 65: Tackling an MEE Real Property Essay Question We are walking through a UBE Real Property essay question. This is part of our series of podcasts on how to approach Multistate Essay Examination questions.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 66: Tackling an MEE Agency and Torts Essay Question We are walking through a UBE Agency and Torts essay question from the February 2015 bar exam. This is part of our series of podcasts on how to approach Multistate Essay Examination questions.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 71: Tackling an MEE Contracts Essay Question We are walking through a UBE Contracts essay question from the July 2018 bar exam. This is part of our series of podcasts on how to approach Multistate Essay Examination questions.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 76: Tackling an MEE Con Law Essay Question We are walking through a UBE constitutional law essay question from the July 2018 bar exam. This is part of our series of podcasts on how to approach Multistate Essay Examination questions.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 79: Tackling an MEE Criminal Law/Procedure and Evidence Essay We are walking through a UBE Criminal Law/Procedure and Evidence essay question from the July 2016 bar exam. This is part of our series of podcasts on how to approach Multistate Essay Examination questions.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 84: Tackling an MEE Partnerships Essay We are walking through a UBE Agency and Partnerships essay question from the February 2018 bar exam. This is part of our series of podcasts on how to approach Multistate Essay Examination questions.
Working Through California Essay Questions
- Bar Exam Toolbox Episode 24: Tackling a California Bar Exam Essay: Professional Responsibility and Evidence We’re walking through a California bar exam question on professional responsibility and evidence. This is the first in our series of podcasts on how to approach California bar exam essay questions.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast 32: Tackling a California Bar Exam Essay: Wills and Community Property We are walking through a California bar exam question on wills and community property. This is one of our series of podcasts on how to approach California bar exam questions.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 35: Tackling a California Bar Exam Essay: Corporations Today we are walking through a California bar exam question on corporations. This is one of our series of podcasts on how to approach California bar exam questions.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 39: Tackling a California Bar Exam Essay: Real Property We are walking through a California bar exam question on property. This is one of our series of podcasts on how to approach California bar questions.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 44: Tackling a California Bar Exam Essay: Constitutional Law We are walking through a California bar exam question on constitutional law. This is part of our series of podcasts talking about how to approach questions on the California bar exam.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 49: Tackling a California Bar Exam Essay: Tort Law Today we are walking through a California bar exam question on tort law, taken from the February 2016 exam.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 64: Tackling a California Bar Exam Essay: Contract Law We are walking through the July 2016 California bar exam question on contract law. This is part of our series of podcasts talking about how to approach questions on the California bar exam.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 70: Tackling a California Bar Exam Essay: Criminal Law and Procedure We walked through the February 2017 California bar exam question on criminal law and criminal procedure. This is part of our series of podcasts talking about how to approach questions on the California bar exam.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 72: Tackling a California Bar Exam Essay: Civil Procedure We are walking through the July 2017 California bar exam question on civil procedure. This is part of our series of podcasts talking about how to approach questions on the California bar exam.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 75: Tackling a California Bar Exam Essay: Trusts We are walking through the February 2016 California bar exam question on wills, trusts, and property. This is part of our series of podcasts talking about how to approach questions on the California bar exam.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 86: Tackling a California Bar Exam Essay: Remedies We are walking through the July 2017 California bar exam question on Remedies. This is part of our series of podcasts talking about how to approach questions on the California bar exam.
Listen and Learn Topics
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 87: Listen and Learn - Homicide We’re introducing a new series of podcast episodes called “Listen and Learn,” where we’re going to review substantive areas of the law and apply some of that law to facts. In this episode, we’re talking about homicide.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 88: Listen and Learn - Negligence Per Se This is the second episode in our “Listen and Learn” series, where we review legal concepts and apply them to fact patterns. Today, we’re talking about negligence per se.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 89: Listen and Learn - What is Hearsay? We continue our “Listen and Learn” series, where we review legal concepts and apply them to fact patterns. This time, we’re talking about some hearsay basics.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 91: Listen and Learn - Logical and Legal Relevance This episode is part of our “Listen and Learn” series, where we review legal concepts and apply them to fact patterns. Today, we’re talking about a topic you will see on every Evidence essay on the bar exam: relevance.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 92: Listen and Learn - Subject Matter Jurisdiction This is another episode in our “Listen and Learn” series, where we review legal concepts and apply them to fact patterns. Today, we’re talking about a commonly tested Civ Pro topic — subject matter jurisdiction.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 93: Listen and Learn - Constructive Eviction This episode is part of our “Listen and Learn” series, and this time we’ll review a topic from real property — namely, constructive eviction.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 95: Listen and Learn - Promissory Estoppel Today’s episode is part of our “Listen and Learn” series, where we review legal concepts and use them in fact patterns. This time we’re analyzing a topic from contract law — promissory estoppel.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 97: Listen and Learn - The Reasonable Person Standard This is another episode in our “Listen and Learn” series, where we review legal concepts and apply them to fact patterns. Today, we’re tackling the reasonable person standard in Negligence.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 98: Listen and Learn - The "Battle of the Forms" Under UCC 2-207 We’re doing another episode in our “Listen and Learn” series, talking about the Uniform Commercial Code Section 2-207 — or “battle of the forms”, as it’s commonly called.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 101: Listen and Learn - Present Sense Impression vs. State of Mind We have another episode as part of our “Listen and Learn” series. This one covers two hearsay exceptions –- specifically, present sense impression and state of mind.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 102: Listen and Learn - The Statute of Frauds This episode is part of our “Listen and Learn” series, where we review a substantive area of the law and apply it to fact patterns. This time, we’re focusing on the Statute of Frauds in Contract Law.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 103: Listen and Learn - Assault and Battery 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.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 104: Listen and Learn - Intentional Torts: Defamation 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.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 105: Listen and Learn - Public and Private Nuisance We have another episode in our “Listen and Learn” series, where we review substantive areas of the law that you’re likely to encounter on the bar exam. This time, we’re focusing on a topic related to both Property and Torts, and that is nuisance.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 107: Listen and Learn - Assumption of Risk (Torts) We have another episode in our “Listen and Learn” series, where we review substantive areas of the law that you’re likely to encounter on the bar exam. This time, we’re looking at assumption of risk as a defense to negligence in Tort law.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 108: Listen and Learn - The Commerce Clause We have another installment in our “Listen and Learn” series, where we review substantive areas of the law that you’re likely to encounter on the bar exam. This time, we’re talking about a very testable part of Constitutional Law — the Commerce Clause.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 110: Listen and Learn - The Basics of Justiciability (Con Law) In an installment of our “Listen and Learn” series, we’re tackling another Constitutional Law topic — that is justiciability, or the issue of deciding whether a court can make a formal judgment on a legal matter.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 111: Listen and Learn - Introduction to Supplemental Jurisdiction (Civ Pro) This episode is part of our “Listen and Learn” series, where we review substantive areas of the law that you’re likely to encounter on the bar exam. Today we’re talking about supplemental jurisdiction, which you may see as part of a larger Civil Procedure essay question involving jurisdiction, or as a multiple choice question on the MBE.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 112: Listen and Learn - Property Crimes This episode is part of our “Listen and Learn” series, where we review substantive areas of the law that you’re likely to encounter on the bar exam. This time we are focusing on criminal law, specifically property crimes, which appear on both the MBE and in essay questions.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 114: Listen and Learn - Non-Hearsay In this episode from our “Listen and Learn” series, we cover a category of evidence called “non-hearsay,” which is tested often on both the MBE and on Evidence essays.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 115: Listen and Learn - Dying Declaration vs. Excited Utterance In episode 101 we covered two hearsay exceptions, namely present sense impression and state of mind. Today, we’ll discuss two more exceptions that are also commonly tested, and those are dying declaration and excited utterance.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 117: Listen and Learn - Due Process and Equal Protection (Con Law) In this week’s episode, as part of our “Listen and Learn” series, we’re talking about an important area of Constitutional Law — the Fourteenth Amendment. Specifically, we take a look at procedural due process, substantive due process, and equal protection.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 119: Listen and Learn - Anticipatory Repudiation (Contracts) In an episode from our “Listen and Learn” series, we’re talking about anticipatory repudiation, which is an often-tested issue both on the MBE and on Contracts essays.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 120: Listen and Learn - Piercing the Corporate Veil We have another episode in our “Listen and Learn” series, where we review a substantive area of the law and apply that law to fact patterns. This time we’re looking at piercing the corporate veil, which is a commonly-tested issue in Corporations and LLC essays.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 121: Listen and Learn - Character Evidence We’re talking about the Federal Rules of Evidence, and how to apply the rules of character evidence to both civil and criminal case hypos.
- Podcast Episode 122: Listen and Learn - Easements (Real Property) In an episode of our “Listen and Learn” series, we’re discussing easements, which is one of the more common Real Property topics on bar exam essays.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 123: Listen and Learn - First Amendment (Content-Neutral Restrictions) In an episode from our “Listen and Learn” series, we’re discussing the First Amendment – in particular when, where, and how the government can regulate speech through content-neutral time, place, and manner restrictions.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 124: Listen and Learn - Duty of Loyalty (Corporations) We’re talking about the duty of loyalty owed by directors and officers of a corporation, and the main types of conduct they are prohibited from engaging in.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 126: Listen and Learn - The Erie Doctrine We’re discussing an issue related to civil procedure — the Erie Doctrine. We look at a step-by-step approach for answering questions in this area of the law when they show up on the bar exam.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 128: Listen and Learn - Privilege Against Self-Incrimination and Miranda Rights We are focusing on criminal procedure, specifically two constitutional protections afforded to accused persons by the 5th Amendment – the privilege against self-incrimination, and Miranda rights.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 131: Listen and Learn - Strict Products Liability We’re talking about strict products liability, which is one of the three theories of liability that can form the basis of a products liability claim.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 132: Listen and Learn - Hearsay Exceptions: Government and Business Records We cover two hearsay exceptions, and they are government/public records and business records. You can find more on the topic of hearsay exceptions in episodes 101 and 115.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 133: Listen and Learn - Covenants (Real Property) We’re going to explore covenants, a type of non-possessory interest in real property. You can find more on the topic of real property in episode 122, where we discuss easements.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 134: Listen and Learn - Authority of Agents As part of our “Listen and Learn” series, we’re discussing agent authority, which is one of the most heavily-tested issues on the bar exam.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 135: Listen and Learn - The Dormant Commerce Clause In our “Listen and Learn” series, we’re focusing on the Dormant Commerce Clause, also known as the Negative Commerce Clause. We previously discussed the Commerce Clause in episode 108.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 137: Listen and Learn - The Confrontation Clause In our “Listen and Learn” series, we take a look at the Fourteenth Amendment, specifically the Confrontation Clause. Confrontation Clause issues are commonly tested in Evidence questions in both law school exams and bar exams, almost always alongside hearsay issues.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 138: Listen and Learn - Hearsay Exceptions: Prior Testimony and Past Recollection Recorded We cover two more hearsay exceptions — prior testimony and past recollection recorded. You can find more on the topic of hearsay exceptions in episodes 101, 115, and 132.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 140: Listen and Learn - Regulatory Takings From our “Listen and Learn” series, we tackle the topic of regulatory takings, which is often tested in crossover essay questions that cover both Property and Constitutional Law issues.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 141: Listen and Learn - The Fourth Amendment In our “Listen and Learn” series, we’re discussing when the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution applies, and how to determine if an unlawful search has occurred.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 143: Listen and Learn - More Hearsay Exceptions We discuss three hearsay exceptions (statements against interest, statements made for medical diagnosis or treatment, and statements of personal or family history), which all involve someone speaking or writing about him or herself. You can find more on the topic of hearsay exceptions in episodes 101, 115, and 132.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 144: Listen and Learn - Adverse Possession We’re talking about adverse possession, which is a commonly-tested issue in Real Property questions on the bar exam.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 145: Listen and Learn - Permissive Joinder and Required Joinder I1451n our “Listen and Learn” series, we’re dealing with another topic from civil procedure. In particular, we discuss two of the five types of joinder — permissive and required joinder.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 146: Listen and Learn - Mortgages and Priority We’re focusing on Real Property. In particular, we’re diving into the tricky subtopic of mortgages and priorities.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 147: Listen and Learn - Negligence: Duties of Children and Professionals In our “Listen and Learn” series, we take a look at the duty of professionals and the duty of children under Negligence, a sub-topic of tort law.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 148: Listen and Learn - Claim and Issue Preclusion (Civil Procedure) As part of our “Listen and Learn” series, we’re focusing on one of the newest additions to the MBE portion of the bar exam: Civil Procedure. In particular, we take a look at claim preclusion and issue preclusion, also known as res judicata and collateral estoppel.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 149: Listen and Learn - Negligence: Duties of Landlords, Owners, and Possessors of Land We talk about the special duties landowners and land possessors owe to people who enter their land, as well as the duties landlords owe to their tenants. Both are subtopics of Negligence under Tort Law.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 150: Listen and Learn - Corporate Formation and Pre-Incorporation Liability We talk about how corporations are formed, what happens when formation isn’t completed, and the details of pre-formation contract liability.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 153: Listen and Learn - More Types of Joinder (Civ Pro) In the second part of our discussion of joinder, we look at intervention, impleader (or third-party action), and class actions. We previously covered permissive and required joinder in episode 145.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 154: Listen and Learn - The Exclusionary Rule (Criminal Law and Procedure) We’re discussing a topic from Criminal Law and Procedure. Join us as we look at the exclusionary rule and Miranda warnings, grounded in the Fourth Amendment.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 156: Listen and Learn - The Fourth Amendment: Informer Tips We’re focusing on Criminal Procedure, specifically the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution and the limits it imposes on police actions based on tips from anonymous informants. We previously discussed other aspects of the Fourth Amendment in episode 141 of the podcast.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 157: Listen and Learn - The Sixth Amendment We’re focusing on Criminal Procedure, specifically the Sixth Amendment to the Constitution and the rights and protections it provides to anyone accused of a criminal act.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 158: Listen and Learn - Multiple Hearsay We go through a step-by-step approach for analyzing questions involving multiple levels of hearsay.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 159: Listen and Learn - Evidence: Expert vs. Law Witness Testimony In our “Listen and Learn” series, we’re discussing the standards for admitting witness testimony, which are found in the rules of Evidence.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 160: Listen and Learn - Standards of Review (Con Law) We’re discussing the different standards of review a court will apply when dealing with questions of constitutionality. You may also hear these referred to as “levels of scrutiny.”
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 161: Listen and Learn - Contract Formation As part of our “Listen and Learn” series, we’re looking at the conditions that have to be satisfied in order to form a valid contract. We’ll review the concepts and illustrate them with two essay questions from previous bar exams.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 162: Listen and Learn - Federal and State Powers (Con Law) We’re talking about three different topics in Constitutional Law that are sometimes tested together: executive authority, federal preemption, and commandeering. These topics logically go together because they all involve a power struggle between government entities.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 163: Listen and Learn - Removal (Civ Pro) In our “Listen and Learn” series is from Civil Procedure, specifically removal of a case from state to federal court.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast 164: Listen and Learn - Contract Defenses We’re talking about contract defenses, including mistake, fraudulent misrepresentation, and non-disclosure. For a refresher on the concepts involved in contract formation, take a look at episode 161 of the podcast.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 167: Listen and Learn - Direct and Derivative Actions (Corporations) We review the terminology and rules that you’ll need to know when answering a question on direct and derivative actions. To illustrate the concepts, we also go over two questions adapted from the California bar exam.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 169: Listen and Learn - Personal Jurisdiction (Civ Pro) In this “Listen and Learn” episode, we look at the various ways of establishing whether a court has jurisdiction over the parties in a lawsuit.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 170: Listen and Learn - Real Property Zoning Rules We’re talking about a frequently tested real property issue – zoning ordinances. We’ll cover zoning variances, as well as the different ways in which zoning ordinances can be challenged.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast 171: Listen and Learn - Expectation and Consequential Damages (Contracts) From our “Listen and Learn” series, we talk about the two most heavily-tested types of legal remedies for a breach of contract.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 173: Listen and Learn - Criminal Procedure: Warrant Requirements As part of our “Listen and Learn” series, we’re discussing Criminal Procedure, specifically what is needed for a valid search warrant, and the situations in which a warrant is not required.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 174: Listen and Learn - Privileges and Immunities Clause (Con Law) We’re discussing how to identify and work through Privileges and Immunities Clause issues on the bar exam.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 175: Listen and Learn - Inchoate Offenses (Criminal Law) We’re focusing on Criminal Law, specifically inchoate offenses. This topic commonly appears on bar exam questions and includes attempt, solicitation, and conspiracy.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 177: Listen and Learn - Best Evidence Rule We’re focusing on an important topic in Evidence – the Best Evidence Rule, which requires a witness to produce the document whose contents he or she is testifying about.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 179: Listen and Learn - Professional Responsibility: Competence We’re tackling Competence – an issue that comes up in many California bar essays on Professional Responsibility.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 180: Listen and Learn - Venue (Federal Civil Procedure) We are digging into a commonly-tested bar exam topic in Federal Civil Procedure – determining proper venue in civil actions.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 181: Listen and Learn - Parol Evidence (Contracts) We’re talking about the parol evidence rule, which governs evidence that parties to a contract dispute can introduce when determining the specific terms of the contract.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 182: Listen and Learn - Policy Exclusions (Evidence) From our “Listen and Learn” series, we’re talking about evidence that the court may exclude for various public policy reasons under the Federal Rules of Evidence.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 183: Listen and Learn - Taxing and Spending Clause (Con Law) From our “Listen and Learn” series, we’re discussing the Taxing and Spending Clause of the Constitution, which specifies how Congress can collect taxes and allocate spending.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Episode 184: Listen and Learn - The Business Judgment Rule (Corporations) We’re discussing a couple of topics that go hand in hand in Corporations essays – the duty of care and the business judgment rule.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 185: Listen and Learn - Prosecution of a Criminal Trial (Burdens, Presumptions, Sufficiency) The topic of today’s “Listen and Learn” episode is Criminal Procedure. Specifically, we’re talking about a few topics related to the prosecution of a criminal trial: burden of proof, presumptions, and sufficiency of the evidence.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 186: Listen and Learn - Negligence: Proximate Cause We will be discussing Proximate Cause – a subtopic of Negligence under Tort Law.
- Podcast Episode 187: Listen and Learn - State Sovereign Immunity (Con Law) We’re talking about state sovereign immunity, pursuant to the Eleventh Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
- Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 188: Listen and Learn - Freedom of the Press (Con Law) We’re discussing the First Amendment, a big topic in Constitutional Law. Specifically, we’re looking at how far press freedom extends.