In today’s episode, we’re doing something a little different—we’re actually talking about what you do learn in law school, specifically when it comes to those infamous final exams. I am joined by law student Troy Hendrickson, who’s just wrapped up his second year and lived to tell the tale.

If you’ve ever wondered what law school finals are really like, buckle up. Forget what you know about undergrad exams—here it’s all about three to four hours of high-pressure essays that can make or break your entire grade. Think all-nighters fueled by way too much caffeine, stressing over whether you remember that one obscure case, and facing the reality of the dreaded law school curve.

We swap stories about cramming, anonymous grading, 80-page outlines, and why actually learning the material trumps just memorizing it (no, you can’t really fake it ‘til you make it here). They share practical advice—like how space repetition and making your own flashcards can save you, and why talking through arguments is key.

Whether you’re in law school, thinking about applying, or just curious about why law students always look so tired, this episode spills all the secrets. Grab your coffee—and maybe a Red Bull—because you’re about to get the inside scoop on surviving law school finals!

Key Moments

00:00 "Beyond Law School Lessons"

03:35 "Mastering Law School Tricks"

07:06 Learning Law with Black's Dictionary

09:22 Unique Law School Strategy

13:49 "Judge Approach to Law Essays"

17:37 "Learning Through Writing"

19:47 Exam Success Through Self-Summarization

23:08 Law School Case Discussion Process

25:28 Effective Study Group Strategies

Submit your questions to www.lawyertalkpodcast.com.

Recorded at Channel 511.

Stephen E. Palmer, Esq. has been practicing criminal defense almost exclusively since 1995. He has represented people in federal, state, and local courts in Ohio and elsewhere.

Though he focuses on all areas of criminal defense, he particularly enjoys complex cases in state and federal courts.

He has unique experience handling and assembling top defense teams of attorneys and experts in cases involving allegations of child abuse (false sexual allegations, false physical abuse allegations), complex scientific cases involving allegations of DUI and vehicular homicide cases with blood alcohol tests, and any other criminal cases that demand jury trial experience.

Steve has unique experience handling numerous high publicity cases that have garnered national attention.

For more information about Steve and his law firm, visit Palmer Legal Defense.

Copyright 2025 Stephen E. Palmer - Attorney At Law

Should you represent yourself in court?

This topic came to mind after I watched a viral video of a defendant trying to go it alone in front of a judge down in Texas, and it got me thinking about the risks and realities of self-representation.

Drawing from my own experiences—and remembering that classic line often attributed to Abraham Lincoln, “He who represents himself has a fool for a lawyer”—I’ll share why even I, as a practicing attorney, would never want to represent myself, especially when the stakes are high.

I’ll walk you through situations where it might actually make sense to go solo, like a straightforward speeding ticket, but I’ll also dig into the hidden dangers of navigating certain legal matters on your own, including issues with things like record sealing or expungement.

Whether you’re considering representing yourself or you just want to know more about how lawyers think through these decisions, stick around. I’ll give you candid advice, real-world stories, and the practical insights you need before your day in court.

Here are my top 3 takeaways:

Representing Yourself is (Almost) Never a Good Idea: As the old saying goes (attributed to Abraham Lincoln!), “He who represents himself has a fool for a lawyer.” If there’s any risk of jail time, don’t go solo—hire a professional to ensure you keep perspective and make sound decisions.

Minor Matters May (Rarely) Be an Exception: For low-stakes issues like minor traffic tickets, representing yourself might make sense—especially when the cost of a lawyer outweighs the penalty. But go in with realistic expectations and know you won’t have the same leverage or results.

Do-It-Yourself Can Backfire: Especially in complex matters (even non-criminal ones like sealing or expunging records), self-representation can unintentionally harm your future chances due to procedural missteps or legal technicalities.

Submit your questions to www.lawyertalkpodcast.com.

Recorded at Channel 511.

Stephen E. Palmer, Esq. has been practicing criminal defense almost exclusively since 1995. He has represented people in federal, state, and local courts in Ohio and elsewhere.

Though he focuses on all areas of criminal defense, he particularly enjoys complex cases in state and federal courts.

He has unique experience handling and assembling top defense teams of attorneys and experts in cases involving allegations of child abuse (false sexual allegations, false physical abuse allegations), complex scientific cases involving allegations of DUI and vehicular homicide cases with blood alcohol tests, and any other criminal cases that demand jury trial experience.

Steve has unique experience handling numerous high publicity cases that have garnered national attention.

For more information about Steve and his law firm, visit Palmer Legal Defense.

Copyright 2025 Stephen E. Palmer - Attorney At Law

Mentioned in this episode:

Circle 270 Media Podcast Consultants

Circle 270 Media® is a podcast consulting firm based in Columbus, Ohio, specializing in helping businesses develop, launch, and optimize podcasts as part of their marketing strategy. The firm emphasizes the importance of storytelling through podcasting to differentiate businesses and engage with their audiences effectively. www.circle270media.com

I hear all the time: "How do some cases end up in the Ohio Supreme Court or even the U.S. Supreme Court so quickly, when most seem to crawl through the system?"

I’ll walk you through the usual process of appeals and then show you how certain hot-topic cases—like challenges to executive orders or big government actions—can take a legal shortcut.

I’ll explain how declaratory judgment actions and emergency appeals can move these issues straight to the top of the judicial ladder, sometimes almost overnight. If you’ve ever wondered why some court battles make the news so fast, or how the legal system decides what’s urgent, this episode is for you.

Moments

00:00 Rapid Court Responses Explained

03:52 Expedited Court Process Explained

Key Takeaways:

Fast-Track for Emergencies: Urgent or constitutionally significant cases (like challenges to executive orders or funding disputes) often get "fast tracked" to the Supreme Court via declaratory judgment actions and requests for immediate injunctions.

Not Always About the Merits: Many times, the Supreme Court is ruling not on the actual underlying legal issue, but on procedural matters—like whether or not to grant a temporary restraining order, based on criteria like irreparable harm and likelihood of success.

Emergency Appeals = Expedited Review: If a district or trial court issues (or declines to issue) an injunction, either party can seek an "emergency" or expedited appeal—helping cases bypass the usual, lengthy appellate process and land in front of the Supreme Court quickly.

Submit your questions to www.lawyertalkpodcast.com.

Recorded at Channel 511.

Stephen E. Palmer, Esq. has been practicing criminal defense almost exclusively since 1995. He has represented people in federal, state, and local courts in Ohio and elsewhere.

Though he focuses on all areas of criminal defense, he particularly enjoys complex cases in state and federal courts.

He has unique experience handling and assembling top defense teams of attorneys and experts in cases involving allegations of child abuse (false sexual allegations, false physical abuse allegations), complex scientific cases involving allegations of DUI and vehicular homicide cases with blood alcohol tests, and any other criminal cases that demand jury trial experience.

Steve has unique experience handling numerous high publicity cases that have garnered national attention.

For more information about Steve and his law firm, visit Palmer Legal Defense.

Copyright 2025 Stephen E. Palmer - Attorney At Law