Beyond the Briefcase

Hosted by Sarah Rosa & Meg Zhang

Business Education

RSS feed

Episodes

Latest episode

Apr 2026

Language

About the show

Want to learn more about your legal rights and responsibilities, how to become a lawyer, and how to navigate law school? Rather than entering the Google rabbit hole, join Sarah and Meg every Monday as they embark on their law school journey and take you along, where you can learn from and with them. You will discover career paths that do not require licensing, niche areas of practice, and be guided through common legal challenges, as the hosts take you Beyond the Briefcase.

Listen to episodes

50 recent

April 13, 2026Episode 5058 min

Navigating the Licensing Process (Ontario and New York State)

On our FIFTIETH episode of Beyond the Briefcase, your hosts chat about the lawyer licensing process in Ontario and New York State. Meg talks about writing the LSO bar exams and articling process. Sarah shares her experiences navigating the many, MANY US and NY virtual and in-person exams. Your hosts are in the thick of it, but have no fear - all will be well (eventually)! Support the podcast!Follow us on our socialsInstagram: @beyondthebriefcasepodcastGive us a 5-star rating and subscribe for more. Don't hesitate to contact us if there are some topics you would like covered on the show! We would love to hear from you. Please note that the views and opinions expressed in this episode are our own and do not necessarily reflect those of our law school or any past guests/future guests on our podcast.This episode was recorded by Meg Zhang, and produced by Adam Green. Music: "Sunset Strip" by audionautix.com See you next week,Sarah and Meg

April 6, 2026Episode 4946 min

Interview with Celine Tsai: Going on Exchange in Law School

On this episode of Beyond the Briefcase, your hosts chat with Celine Tsai, a student who went on exchange to Lund University in Sweden in her final year of law school. Celine shares her experiences navigating the (bizarrely antiquated) exchange application process, the terror of housing logistics, and the many, many fun places to visit in Europe. Support the podcast!Follow us on our socialsInstagram: @beyondthebriefcasepodcastGive us a 5-star rating and subscribe for more. Don't hesitate to contact us if there are some topics you would like covered on the show! We would love to hear from you. Please note that the views and opinions expressed in this episode are our own and do not necessarily reflect those of our law school or any past guests/future guests on our podcast.This episode was recorded by Meg Zhang, and produced by Adam Green. Music: "Sunset Strip" by audionautix.com See you next week,Sarah and Meg

March 30, 2026Episode 4839 min

Interview with Tharmela Ganendralingam: Articling at a Boutique Law Firm

On this episode of Beyond the Briefcase, your hosts chat with Tharmela Ganendralingam, an articling student working at a boutique law firm in Downtown Toronto. Tharmela peels back the curtain on transitioning into articles and how to balance work and life. She also imparts some sage and much-needed wisdom for those finishing up law school.Support the podcast!Follow us on our socialsInstagram: @beyondthebriefcasepodcastGive us a 5-star rating and subscribe for more. Don't hesitate to contact us if there are some topics you would like covered on the show! We would love to hear from you. Please note that the views and opinions expressed in this episode are our own and do not necessarily reflect those of our law school or any past guests/future guests on our podcast.This episode was recorded by Meg Zhang, and produced by Adam Green. Music: "Sunset Strip" by audionautix.com See you next week,Sarah and Meg

November 24, 2025Episode 4758 min

Summer Student Experiences: Boutique

Welcome to the sixth and final episode of our summer student mini-series! In this episode, Sarah and Meg chat about their experiences working at boutique firms in Downtown Toronto. Sarah speaks about her time at an office specializing in capital markets and mergers and acquisitions. Meg recounts her time at a labour/employment shop. If you're interested in learning more about the culture at boutiques, the perils of commuting, and how law schools should have an etiquette program, this episode is for you! Support the podcast!Follow us on our socialsInstagram: @beyondthebriefcasepodcastGive us a 5-star rating and subscribe for more. Don't hesitate to contact us if there are some topics you would like covered on the show! We would love to hear from you. Please note that the views and opinions expressed in this episode are our own and do not necessarily reflect those of our law school or any past guests/future guests on our podcast.This episode was recorded by Meg Zhang, and produced by Adam Green. Music: "Sunset Strip" by audionautix.com See you next week,Sarah and Meg

November 10, 2025Episode 4650 min

Summer Student Experiences: Full-Service

Welcome to the fifth episode of our mini-series where we canvas diverse summer student experiences in different areas of the legal profession. In this episode, Sarah and Meg chat with Amit Nehru, a 3L student at the University of Toronto who summered at a full service firm in Downtown Toronto. Amit gives us the run-down on how to keep an open mind and open heart when applying for summer positions, some top tips when commuting to work, and his experience exploring all the interconnected areas of law at a firm servicing large corporate clients. Support the podcast!Follow us on our socialsInstagram: @beyondthebriefcasepodcastGive us a 5-star rating and subscribe for more. Don't hesitate to contact us if there are some topics you would like covered on the show! We would love to hear from you. Please note that the views and opinions expressed in this episode are our own and do not necessarily reflect those of our law school or any past guests/future guests on our podcast.This episode was recorded by Meg Zhang, and produced by Adam Green. Music: "Sunset Strip" by audionautix.com See you next week,Sarah and Meg

November 3, 2025Episode 4540 min

Summer Student Experiences: Government

Welcome to the fourth episode of our mini-series where we canvas diverse summer student experiences in different areas of the legal profession. In this episode, Sarah and Meg chat with Humza Khan, a 3L student at the University of Toronto who summered at the Toronto Crown Office. Humza gives us the run-down on applying and interviewing for government positions in Ontario as well as the importance of doing what you love as a law student and summer student. Support the podcast!Follow us on our socialsInstagram: @beyondthebriefcasepodcastGive us a 5-star rating and subscribe for more. Don't hesitate to contact us if there are some topics you would like covered on the show! We would love to hear from you. Please note that the views and opinions expressed in this episode are our own and do not necessarily reflect those of our law school or any past guests/future guests on our podcast.This episode was recorded by Meg Zhang, and produced by Adam Green. Music: "Sunset Strip" by audionautix.com See you next week,Sarah and Meg

October 27, 2025Episode 4443 min

Summer Student Experiences: Cross-Jurisdictional

Welcome to the third episode of our mini-series where we canvas diverse summer student experiences in different areas of the legal profession. In this episode, Sarah and Meg chat with Vlad Shevchenko, a 3L student at the University of Toronto who is completing law school in Ontario, but will practice in Alberta. Vlad gives us the run-down on studying and applying to work in another jurisdiction, some top tips on interviewing (including the importance of NOT eating at sketchy sushi joints the day before an interview!), and how to balance personal and career aspirations. LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST Find Vlad on LinkedIn at "Volodymyr (Vlad) Shevchenko" Support the podcast!Follow us on our socialsInstagram: @beyondthebriefcasepodcastGive us a 5-star rating and subscribe for more. Don't hesitate to contact us if there are some topics you would like covered on the show! We would love to hear from you. Please note that the views and opinions expressed in this episode are our own and do not necessarily reflect those of our law school or any past guests/future guests on our podcast.This episode was recorded by Meg Zhang, and produced by Adam Green. Music: "Sunset Strip" by audionautix.com See you next week,Sarah and Meg

October 20, 2025Episode 4342 min

Summer Student Experiences: Split Program (Toronto and New York)

Welcome to the second episode of our mini-series where we canvas diverse summer student experiences in different areas of the legal profession. In this episode, Sarah and Meg chat with Emma Farrell, a 3L student at the University of Toronto who split her summer working at a New York firm and a Toronto firm. Emma gives us the run-down on what it's like to apply for and split the summer working in two jurisdictions. Support the podcast!Follow us on our socialsInstagram: @beyondthebriefcasepodcastGive us a 5-star rating and subscribe for more. Don't hesitate to contact us if there are some topics you would like covered on the show! We would love to hear from you. Please note that the views and opinions expressed in this episode are our own and do not necessarily reflect those of our law school or any past guests/future guests on our podcast.This episode was recorded by Meg Zhang, and produced by Adam Green. Music: "Sunset Strip" by audionautix.com See you next week,Sarah and Meg

October 13, 2025Episode 4242 min

Summer Student Experiences: Public Interest

Welcome back to a new season of Beyond the Briefcase! We start with a mini-series canvassing diverse summer student experiences in different areas of the legal profession. This episode, your hosts chat with Cathleen Ma, a 3L student at the University of Toronto who summered at Legal Aid Ontario. Cathleen gives us the run-down on summering at a public interest, government organization. Support the podcast!Follow us on our socialsInstagram: @beyondthebriefcasepodcastGive us a 5-star rating and subscribe for more. Don't hesitate to contact us if there are some topics you would like covered on the show! We would love to hear from you. Please note that the views and opinions expressed in this episode are our own and do not necessarily reflect those of our law school or any past guests/future guests on our podcast.This episode was recorded by Meg Zhang, and produced by Adam Green. Music: "Sunset Strip" by audionautix.com See you next week,Sarah and Meg

December 23, 2024Episode 4155 min

Reflecting on the 2L Recruit

On the last episode of Season 3 of Beyond the Briefcase, your hosts reflect upon the 2L recruit. Now with summer placements (and hopefully articles!) lined up, Sarah and Meg catch you up on their experiences with OCIs, Call Day, and Interview Week. Disclaimer: What Sarah and Meg say is wholly their personal opinions and experiences. By no means will this reflect your experience going through the 2L job recruit. As your hosts will share - no two experiences in the recruit are the same! Sarah and Meg predominantly participated in the Toronto private law firm recruit. They did not apply for positions in government, with fellowships and clinics, or out of province in Canada. Please speak to your career development office for insight and advice that will best anticipate and suit your concerns and intentions.This marks the end of Season 3. If you've made it this far, thank you so much for your support :)Support the podcast!Follow us on our socialsInstagram: @beyondthebriefcasepodcastGive us a 5-star rating and subscribe for more. Don't hesitate to contact us if there are some topics you would like covered on the show! We would love to hear from you. Please note that the views and opinions expressed in this episode are our own and do not necessarily reflect those of our law school or any past guests/future guests on our podcast.This episode was recorded by Meg Zhang, and produced by Adam Green. Music: "Sunset Strip" by audionautix.com See you next week,Sarah and Meg