4 Ways For Potential Lawyers To Build Network

Networking abilities are frequently attributed to successful lawyers. Networking isn't about amassing contacts, it's about planting flowers and growing a beautiful garden. To remain competitive in the legal field, a potential lawyer must continue to build his or her network consistently. By networking, one can broaden their horizons and advance their career.

Whether establishing strong networking relationships with existing clients or within their law firm, the bottom line is that networking relationships matter and must be strategic and authentic. Here are four ways how potential young law professionals can build their network: 

Social Interaction: This tip is all about shifting perspectives. By treating your network as if they were clients, one will gain an understanding of the time and efforts invested in keeping up with them. Digital networks allow you to reach a large number of people. However, while networking, more is always better.

Law students can make some attainable as well as measurable goals and pen them down. Then, devise a strategy for achieving these objectives. Attending formal networking events, reaching out to friends and current clients, getting to know some of your partners better, broadening your social media reach, and so on are all possibilities.

Joining industry LinkedIn and Facebook groups can also help you stay connected with like-minded people and is a great way to stay up to date on what's going on in the legal industry. Potential law professionals must also make an effort to add value by posting original content and participating in online discussions.

Leverage Technology: Through face-to-face digital interactions, young lawyers can build a strong network. Law students can create online coffee meetings, host online seminars, webinars, and workshops.

In addition to using technological tools to improve the automation of marketing and sales efforts, there are numerous technologically advanced tools available to assist you in maintaining your network. 

Developing a plan for more modern methods of educating the audience, apart from the traditional methods of promoting blogs and articles, is highly appreciated. Fortunately, technology has never been more accessible than it is today, in the form of making podcasts, webinars, workshops, etc.

Follow-up: Although it is a simple task, many young law professionals overlook this crucial step in the networking process. The time potential lawyers invest in speaking with someone new will be rewarded greatly and benefit their career development if they regularly follow up with their network and keep the conversation going. 

It is vital to follow up with any other young legal professionals who may become the prospective source for business or even to widen your social circle. Even if one is natural at striking up interesting and memorable conversations with everyone they meet, sending a quick email afterwards will cement the acquaintance’s memories and help in cultivating that relationship deeply. 

Go above and beyond for clients: When it comes to business development, meeting people is only the first step. The real work is in figuring out how to cultivate relationships as issues arise. To stand out from the crowd, one must produce excellent as well as exceptional work.

Law students should understand that to keep a client fully engaged; they need to keep the conversation focused on that particular client. This is true in any conversation, but it is especially true at an event where the sole goal is to build mutually beneficial relationships.

Young law students must understand the importance of going above and beyond for their clients. That's how they will recall one’s remarkable work. Hiring someone to handle a task is easy. However, if potential lawyers handle a task that exceeds the client’s expectations, they would look forward to exploring more opportunities with those young lawyers.

Law has been an evolving profession since time immemorial, owing to the fact that the law is inextricably linked with society. Young law students play a critical role in administering justice, so they must develop strong networking skills for the betterment of society.

Dr Sukhvinder Singh Dari

Guest Author The author is Director, Symbiosis Law School, Nagpur