The “sweet-spot” for networking is now! In the first year after graduation we are in an ideal position to connect with attorneys since we have their sympathy. They too went through bar passage and the search for their first attorney position. As inspiration to get out there and start networking, I would like to share with you the approach I am taking and what I have learned thus far.
My Approach: During law school, I recognized that my preferred area of practice is family law. Knowing that, I began my post-bar networking by reaching out to my contacts and telling them exactly that. I sent emails to my former professors, supervisors, and acquaintances letting them know that I just took the bar exam and that I am interested in family law. But the most important thing I included in the email was a request for help. Instead of asking for a job, I asked how to get a job. That was all it took to get my networking project started.
What I Have Learned: After sending out my initial emails to a handful of folks, I have learned a great deal about the practice area I wish to join and the people who work in it. Here are some of my key takeaways.
1. The Bay Area legal community really wants to help us. Many of the people I emailed not only offered to meet for coffee or lunch to discuss my career goals, but also gave me the names and contact information of other attorneys that I should reach out to. My list of 10 or so contacts quickly grew into a list so large that I now manage it using a spreadsheet.
2. It’s important to meet with a diverse range of attorneys. My first informational interviews post-bar were with associates in family law firms. These meetings were not only fun, they were also very helpful in learning about the day-to-day tasks that associates typically do. However, after meeting with a few associates, I deliberately requested an informational interview with a partner. I walked away from that meeting with both a list of partners at other firms, and permission to use her name in my future interactions.
3. It’s all about the follow-up. Every attorney I have met with has told me that follow-up is the key to effective networking. Networking is a long-term investment and the connections must be cultivated or else they are lost. One particularly candid attorney told me that if a new connection fails to follow up, that person is quickly forgotten. The consequence of this is that if a job does arise the attorney will not necessarily remember you or your name, or take the time to figure it out, and the opportunity is lost. So, follow up! Send emails every six weeks or so just to stay on that person’s radar.
Networking is essential to finding legal employment no matter what approach you take. We would love to hear about your networking experiences here at LCS so that we can share with other graduates what did or did not work for you. Please send your stories to lawcareer@ggu.edu or jnussbaum@ggu.edu and in exchange we will give you a $10 Peet's card.
Happy networking!
