Break Into Law School® Podcast
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Break into Law School® is the podcast for students who are ready to break down generational barriers to law school and walk confidently into their future.
This podcast provides transparent, quality, and ethical law school advice in a way that is uplifting and relatable.
Sydney Montgomery, Esq, is a law school admissions consultant specializing in working with first-generation and minority applicants. She herself is a first-generation graduate of Princeton and Harvard Law School. Through Barrier Breakers®, she and our team have helped over 7,000 students gain admission to law school.
Are you struggling with information overload? Are you getting lost in Reddit and Google? Are you feeling stuck, not sure what to write about, not sure how to even begin the application process? Join a community of students who are choosing to stop the cycle of confusion and missed opportunities and find quality and ethical answers to their application questions.
No scare tactics here. No tearing people down. No shaming anyone. This show is all about leading with love, uplifting you, and encouraging you as you step confidently into your career as an attorney.
Meet Your Hosts
Ep 183: Could You Be a Court Clerk? with Richard V. Hill
Ever wondered what city clerks actually do? Meet Richard Vincent Hill, the Clerk of Courts for Youngstown Municipal Court, as he shares his journey and the vital role clerks play in keeping the city running. From handling criminal traffic cases to managing a $1.8 million budget, Richard breaks down the responsibilities and skills needed for this underrated but crucial job. Learn about his path to public service, the diverse functions of the Clerk of Courts Office, and the symbiotic relationship with the legal profession. In this episode, learn what it takes to be at the heart of a city's legal and administrative operations.
Ep 182: What Are the Keys to Setting Professional Boundaries? with Nimat Lawal
We are joined by Nimat Lawal, a first-generation Nigerian-American and corporate counsel at O'Melveny & Myers LLP. We dive into her journey from Atlanta to Harvard Law, her unique experiences growing up in predominantly white spaces, and the pressures of balancing cultural expectations and personal goals. We also talk about her time teaching with Teach for America, the challenges of working in corporate law, and her passion for life and professional coaching. Nimat shares valuable advice on setting boundaries, maintaining authenticity, and building a life that is truly yours.
Ep 181: Managing Law School with ADHD with ADHD Coach Henry Lam
Struggling to manage ADHD in law school? Today, we delve into the challenges and strategies for success with expert ADHD coach and comedian Henry Lam. Henry shares his unique journey from accounting to ADHD coaching, offering valuable insights on diagnosing and managing ADHD. We discuss practical strategies for success, overcoming procrastination, and maintaining motivation. Whether you're about to enter law school or in law school, I hope this episode helps to empower you.
Ep 180: What to Do After Your Law School Midterms with Legally Fit
With our collaboration series with Legally Fit, DeAndré goes over the essential steps for processing midterm feedback. You’ll learn how to leverage your midterm results to enhance your final exam preparation, focusing on strategies for multiple choice and essay exams. He emphasizes the importance of not just understanding the law but effectively applying it, with practical tips for consistent improvement.
Ep 178: Can You Be Undocumented and a Lawyer?
Ever wondered how someone can become an undocumented lawyer in the U.S.? For this episode we are joined by Jazmín Irazoqui-Morales, Founder and Chief Executive Officer The UndocuLawyer Firm. Jasmine shares her personal journey from Mexico to becoming a lawyer despite being undocumented, highlighting the challenges and misconceptions around immigration status and legal professions. She also talks about support systems and resources available for undocumented students and professionals and overall advice for others in similar situations.
Ep 177: What to Know as a Parent Applying to Law School
Today Nadia shares her personal journey and tips on applying to law school as a parent. As someone who pursued her PhD while raising two young kids, Nadia discusses the challenges and considerations involved, from financial aid and balancing responsibilities to finding support and maintaining mental health. Just because you are a parent, doesn't mean you can't go to law school.
Ep 176: How Can Lawyers Connect with Hispanic Communities?
Ever wondered how to tap into the underrepresented Hispanic market with your legal services? We chat with Hugo Gomez, founder of Abogados NOW, a national Spanish marketing agency for attorneys, about his innovative approach to help lawyers reach out authentically to Hispanic communities. We go over his journey in creating a digital-focused strategy based on Hispanic mobile behavior and the challenges he faced convincing traditional firms.
Ep 175: 3 Keys to a Strong Personal Statement
It's summer, and it's time to work on those personal statements for law school applications! For this episode, Sydney guides you through three key steps to craft a compelling personal statement. Sydney shares tips on choosing a guiding theme, using specific anecdotes, and the importance of outlining.
Ep 174: How to Prepare for Midterms with Legally Fit
Welcome to your 1L Club session! We're diving deep into midterms - how to prepare, manage your time, and learn from them. Get tips on balancing your study routine, creating effective day-of-exam habits, and reflecting on performance.
Ep 173: What is a "Good" Law School?
With law school rankings fluctuating and more schools boycotting traditional ranking systems, how do you know what is a "good" law school? Sydney, offers advice on better metrics to consider like employability, bar passage rates, median salaries, and job prospects in the desired region. Today, we use the Law School Transparency website to help build a personalized law school list to figure what is a "good" law school for you.
Ep 172: Managing Neurodivergence and Autism as a Lawyer with Haley Moss
We have the absolute pleasure of chatting with Haley Moss, who's not just an attorney but also a powerhouse public speaker, author, and advocate for people with neurodiversity. Haley opens up about her autism diagnosis at age three and her journey through law school, sharing candidly about her challenges and victories. Be sure to check out her book "Great Minds Think Differently: Neurodiversity for Lawyers and Other Professionals" for more insight.
Ep 171: Busting Law School Myths
Law school myths are everywhere and it's difficult to know whether they're true...or false. Today, Sydney addresses several myths surrounding law school that discourage potential applicants. She discusses the misconceptions about the necessity of specific undergraduate majors, age restrictions for law school applicants, the importance of LSAT scores and GPAs, and the affordability of law school, particularly the comparison between part-time and full-time enrollment. Do not limit yourself based on common but often misleading narratives.
Ep 170: The Lawyers Behind Your Favorite TV Shows with Ke'Andra Levingston
We are joined by business affairs executive Ke'Andra Levingston about the legal intricacies in major TV productions. Ke'Andra shares her journey from being inspired by The Cosby Show to working at one of Hollywood's top talent agencies. Learn about the day-to-day life of a television business affairs executive, the role of a production lawyer, and the importance of understanding the business side of entertainment. Ke'Andra also offers valuable advice for aspiring law students interested in entertainment law.
Ep 169: Exploring Law School Financial Aid with Brooklyn Law School
We are joined by Dean Eulas Boyd, Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at Brooklyn Law School. We cover a comprehensive overview of law school financial aid, including merit-based and need-based aid, the financial aid process at Brooklyn Law School, and crucial tips on managing law school debt. Dean Boyd also shares important advice on building a list of target schools, the timing and application for financial aid, and navigating scholarships and loans. This episode is essential for prospective law students seeking to understand the financial landscape of law school education.
Ep 168: Setting the Tone for Your Law School Addendum
Writing addendums can be difficult to navigate. Today, Sydney explains the importance of being explanatory rather than excusatory, and emphasizes taking responsibility for your circumstances. Sydney also shares practical tips for crafting a concise and effective addendum that addresses potential concerns from admissions committees. Learn how to navigate your law school application with confidence, even if you’ve faced academic or personal challenges.
Ep 167: From Immigrant Daughter to First Muslim Bar President: Soukaina Sourouri’s Story
Soukaina Sourouri is the first Muslim Arab American president of the Staten Island Women's Bar Association. Soukaina shares her remarkable story, from navigating cultural and language barriers as the daughter of Moroccan immigrants to her challenges and triumphs in law school and beyond. Despite difficulties with initial LSAT scores and the COVID-19 pandemic affecting her bar exam plans, Soukaina’s perseverance and support from her family enabled her to graduate debt-free and succeed professionally. Join us to learn more about her inspiring journey and her contributions as a leader in the legal community.
Ep 166: The Power of Representation in the Legal Profession with BecomingJD
In this episode, we’re joined by Anthony Denmark, founder of Becoming JD, a highly rated motivational speaker and strategic law school admissions advisor. Together, we delve into the vital topic of diversity and equity in law school admissions and the legal field. Anthony shares his personal journey to law school, and highlights the importance of representation and empowerment. From overcoming adversity to achieving dreams, we explore the challenges faced by underrepresented students and discuss strategies for fostering inclusivity and support within legal education and the profession. If you want to hear more from Anthony, make sure to register for our three-day FREE virtual conference at www.breakintolawconference.org/
Ep 165: Multiple Choice Strategy for Law School with Legally Fit
For today's Legally Fit episode, DeAndré delves into mastering multiple choice questions for law school and bar exams. He highlights the importance of becoming proficient in this format, regardless of whether it's a natural strength or weakness. This episode covers essential strategies, including understanding the role of multiple choice in final grades, recognizing the challenge posed by these questions, and developing a systematic approach to tackle them effectively.
Ep 164: JD-Next: The New Law School Entry Exam
Dr. David Klieger from Aspen Publishing joins us today to discuss the new law school entry exam, JD-Next. Dr. Klieger goes over JD-Next program which is an eight-week, online course simulates a first-year law school contracts class, aiming to help prospective law students preview and prepare for the rigors of law school. Dr. Klieger shares insights into the program's development, its benefits, and how it addresses equity in legal education. Tune in to learn how if JD-Next might be the exam for you.
Ep 163: How a Legal Mentor Can Change Your Career with Somi Umolu
We are joined by Somi Umolu, an accomplished corporate lawyer, consultant, and entrepreneur, who will also be a panelist at the upcoming JD Alternatives panel for the Break Into Law School Conference this June. Somi shares her journey from working in big law to exploring various entrepreneurial ventures, leveraging her law degree to create a fulfilling career. Learn about the value of mentors, the courage needed to make career transitions, and the importance of building a life that feels good, not just looks good. See how a legal mentor can change your life.