Simplify Your Summer Networking

Hi All,

Spring is here and summer is right around the corner.  This usually means a different pace of our daily lives. The summer is a great time to network at any stage of your career. Because of unique summer opportunties, you can simplify your summer networking and enjoy yourself while you do it.

If you are in law school you likely have a summer position.  Even if you are taking summer classes, the flow of a summer session is entirely different from the regular school year.  For those of you taking the bar this summer you have a very different season before you.  Even if you are out and in practice, the summer can mean a different work flow, perhaps some time to take a breath, and maybe even a vacation.

This interruption in your schedule to hopefully enjoy some beautiful weather means something else to us. This is the perfect opportunity for summer networking. Because of the particular nature of summer, summer networking can look very different.  We always find that networking in the summer lends itself to more casual networking and in ways that you would not necessarily think to do it in other seasons.

But before you decide where and when you will network in the summer, you must first think about why.  The first place we will start is with our networking goals. As we always say, networking is not about attending every meet and greet or networking event you are invited to. Networking is about relationships. 

Strong networking relationships are mutually beneficial professional relationships. As you start to develop a plan that works for you and your practice area, keep the goal of developing relationships into mutually beneficial networking relationships at the forefront.  For many established lawyers the answer to this question may be very easy.  But even established lawyers may not be proficient networkers, in fact many are not.  

When you think about networking within your law practice, you will typically come across three types of people - colleagues, referral sources, and potential clients. A colleague is someone in the same field as you that you can share and bounce ideas off of. A referral source is someone that is in an industry or field of law that could be a great referral for you. A potential client is of course someone who is in need of your services. 

First determine why you are networking. That is, who are you seeking to connect with? Colleagues? Referral sources? Or prospective clients? Focusing your attention on your goals and then developing a plan for how you will reach that goal will save you time and energy because you will be able focus on actions that will serve you rather than simply trying to cast a wide net and see what happens.

If you are a law student that is unsure about your path and you have a summer position then we have a very simple networking plan for you this summer.  Focus on networking at work.  The summer is the perfect stretch of time to focus on developing those relationships within your summer position. 

Here are two quick tips to help you develop that summer networking plan.  Tip #1: provide quality and timely work.  You are there for work so the work should be your first priority.  Quality and timely work is the easiest and most direct way to build a connection with others.  Because you are networking for a professional purpose, your networking contacts will be stronger when they know that you are a dedicated and reliable worker. 

When you are given an assignment, complete it well and within the time allotted.  If you encounter a problem, be proactive in addressing the problem.  Discuss issues with your supervisor before they become more complex.  Additionally, your supervisor is likely a busy professional with a lot on their plate.  When they give you an assignment make sure you are keeping track of it.  They will come to highly value someone who they know will keep track of their work and does not need others to remind them.  

Tip #2 - learn more about the people you are working with.  Because networking is all about building mutually beneficial networking relationships, learn about others to start building those relationships. Go to lunch with your coworkers.  Learn more about them as a whole person, not just as an attorney.  

Now it is time to consider how you will take advantage of all of the unique summer networking opportunities. And remember you are not confined to networking at formal organized events.  The summer is a perfect time to reconnect with colleagues over a longer lunch at an outdoor cafe or making time for a round of golf during a slower week this summer.

Have a great day!

Haley & Amy

Photo by Ethan Robertson on Unsplash

Please keep in mind that your jurisdiction will have rules of professional conduct that you must follow. This discussion does not focus on the any such rules, including the rules from the jurisdiction where we practice. Rather this is a discussion of tips we have found helpful in managing client expectations in our own experiences. This should not be taken as legal advice.

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