Networking Strategies for Young Lawyers

I learned more about building a legal career from 75 one‑on‑one conversations than from any course outline or book. Last August I barely had a network in Toronto. So I set a personal challenge: speak with 75 lawyers and record what actually helps a career move forward. I stopped tracking job titles and started tracking sentences that changed how I work. Here are 9 that reshaped my habits. I grouped them so you can act on them right away. 1. Reputation “Reputation compounds. Protect it more than a single win.” If a tactic helps you win once but costs quiet trust, skip it. 2. Communication “Your emails are your reputation.” Write like the other side, a client, or a judge could read it tomorrow. 3. Initiative “Stop waiting to be invited to lead. Lead by organizing the next step.” Own loose ends. Summaries. Debriefs. Next-action lists. People remember who brings order. 4. Relationships “Law looks transactional from the outside. It is relational from the inside.” Track touches. Send follow ups. Remember small facts. That is how work finds you later. 5. Learning “Do a short 'post-mortem' after every file.” What went well. What went poorly. What will I do different next time. 90 seconds. Massive payoff. 6. Focus “Early in your career you think speed is value. Clarity is value.” Pause before you respond. Confirm the real question. Then answer it cleanly. 7. Boundaries “You teach people how to treat your time.” If you always reply in 2 minutes, that becomes the expectation. Set a sustainable rhythm now. 8. Resilience “If you feel like you are drowning, call someone who has already survived that wave.” Isolation makes problems bigger. One candid conversation shrinks them fast. 9. Courtesy “Say thank you to everyone. Even opponents. Especially opponents.” The profession is smaller than it looks. Courtesy is strategic endurance. These are not slogans. They became small daily filters I (try to) use before I hit send, say yes, or move on. Which one hits you hardest right now. Or drop the single best line of advice you have received so another student or junior lawyer can use it. Save this if you want a quick reset checklist later. Share it with someone starting out next month!

🔸Some newly minted law graduates darkened my door, seeking advice on how to approach the legal job market. Here are a few pointers that I shared: 1. Avoid the internship trap. Once you qualify to be registered as a legal practitioner, you must be able to make a case for a proper employment contract. Intern when you are a student. Once you graduate, close the deal. Yes, the market is brutal but that means you must exploit any opportunity you get to shine. Stand out. 2. Make sure you are a good fit. Conduct detailed research on the firms you apply to for employment. Understand their focus. Know the partners. Look up what cases the firm has taken on. Gather intelligence on what they do not like. Have a strong sense of their portfolio, values and philosophy. This will help you articulate why they must hire you. 3. You will be judged by your application letter. Address it to the senior or managing partner. Adopt a professional tone. Be concise. Format it properly. Include a line personal to that firm that summarizes your motivation for applying. Never send a blanket, impersonal email to all law firms. It will be ignored. 4. If possible, deliver your letter by hand in a white envelope. Type the addressee’s name onto the envelope. Ask the receptionist if you can make a 5-minute courtesy call to the managing partner to hand him or her the letter directly. Wear your best black suit and a crisp white shirt. 5. Prepare a one-page CV. Highlight skills relevant to the practice of law. Ensure there are no spelling or grammatical errors. 6. Be ready to demonstrate a strong grasp of the law, procedure and the mechanics of legal practice. You must show you are willing to learn but equally demonstrate that you have a steady foundation that they can build on. 7. Network as you search but don’t be annoying. Go to places where you are likely to meet potential employers like Rotary, Law Society gatherings, society clubs, the gym and church. In these settings, keep a constant eye out for opportunities to make a good professional impression. People tend to hire people they like. All the best!✨

From a first principles standpoint, business development is about: 1. Meeting people 2. Understanding what they need 3. Conveying what problems you solve 4. Staying visible to them 5. Being helpful to them Action items 4 and 5 are often sticking points for lawyers. Staying visible can feel awkward or self-promotional. But it’s essential—because legal demand is unpredictable. You don’t know when a potential client will face a triggering event (a lawsuit, a deal, a regulatory change). When that moment comes, you want to be top of mind. Being helpful is even more critical. It’s not enough to remind people you exist. You need to consistently add value—to share an idea, resource, or connection that helps them move their business forward. That’s what earns trust. That’s what separates a name in their inbox from someone they’d actually want to call. One of my favorite ways to do this—something I try to do at least once a week—is to introduce people in my network to each other. Why? Because everyone’s trying to grow, and growth is fueled by relationships. If you can be the person who spots opportunities and makes valuable introductions, you become a trusted resource—not just another lawyer. Give it a shot.

He wasn’t convinced that being active on LinkedIn would be helpful. 30 days later? Strategic LinkedIn networking brought in 2 new clients (estimated to be worth more than $100k in legal fees). The backstory: ⇒ Litigation partner in a mid-sized law firm. ⇒ Skeptical that LinkedIn could be used to network for business. ⇒ No time for writing or doing traditional “thought leadership”. Despite his doubts, he was willing to give LinkedIn a try. We put a simple strategic LI networking plan together that felt doable for him. Here it is: 1️⃣Identify (& then connect with/follow) 6-10 relevant people. These folks must: ✓ Be active on LinkedIn. ✓ Post about issues relevant to your ideal clients. And no, they don’t need to be competitors or attorneys (but they CAN be - don’t be afraid to follow and engage with those folks!). 2️⃣Set aside 15 minutes per day to review their posts and strategically comment (on any that are relevant to your audience). When commenting, don’t say “great post” or “thanks for sharing”. Instead, add value by: >>> Validating their point with specifics. >>> Adding a new perspective or insight. >>> Asking a question to deepen the discussion. 3️⃣Connect with people you engage with. LinkedIn is a networking tool. Use it that way! Any time someone you aren’t already connected to likes one of your comments or (even better) engages with it, reach out to them to connect. And then, DM them to say “hello” and take the discussion (already started in the comments) further. Yes, that's it. Here’s why this simple formula is so effective: ⏩ It's an easy way to showcase your point of view (and way of lawyering/thinking), which attracts better-fit people into your LI universe. ⏩ It shows your credibility and expertise (in a service-based, non-salesy way). By doing something that takes little time. ⏩ It builds authentic relationships. With people you probably wouldn’t meet in person. Stop thinking of LinkedIn purely as social media. Use it as the networking tool (it actually is). Now, the elephant in the room…Posting your own content. Yes, this will help. But it’s not necessary. If you don’t have the time right now (or are a bit shy about putting your own posts/articles out there), this is a great strategy to lead with. Ready to get started (now)? Do this: 1. Find 1 thought leader in your niche. 2. Make a thoughtful, strategic comment to one of their recent posts. 3. Connect with anyone who likes or engages with your comment. XO, Heather ~~~ P.S. Season 5 of Life & Law podcast is BACK. And this is exactly what we’re covering today. Dive deeper into how to use LinkedIn for networking by listening to Episode 204 (see my Featured Section at Heather Moulder to go directly to the podcast).

When networking in the U.S. for a legal job, whether you are a law student, a recent graduate, or an experienced professional, there are specific tips to enhance your networking efforts and increase your chances of securing relevant opportunities. Here are some recommendations: 1. Build a Strong Online Presence: Optimize your LinkedIn profile with a professional photo, comprehensive summary, and detailed work experience. Connect with legal professionals, alumni, and other relevant contacts in the legal field. 2.Attend Networking Events: Attend legal conferences, seminars, and networking events to meet professionals in the industry. Participate in events hosted by local bar associations, law firms, and legal organizations. 3. Join Professional Associations: Become a member of legal associations and bar organizations related to your field of interest. Attend their events and actively engage in discussions to expand your network. 4. Informational Interviews: Request informational interviews with practicing attorneys to learn more about their career paths and gain insights into the legal industry. Use these opportunities to seek advice and potentially uncover job opportunities. 5. Law School Alumni Networks: Leverage your law school alumni network. Many alumni are willing to assist fellow graduates in their career development. Attend alumni events and reach out to alumni working in your desired legal field. 6. Attend Bar Association Meetings: Regularly attend local and state bar association meetings to connect with legal professionals and stay updated on industry trends. Volunteer for committees or activities within the bar association to enhance your visibility. 7. Utilize Career Services: If you are a law student, make use of your law school's career services office for guidance on networking, resume building, and job search strategies. 8. Follow Legal Blogs and Publications: Stay informed about legal trends and issues by following legal blogs, publications, and online forums. Engage in discussions and share your insights to establish your expertise. Show Genuine Interest: 9. When networking, show genuine interest in others' experiences and perspectives. Ask thoughtful questions and actively listen to create meaningful connections. 10. Networking Follow-Up: After networking events or informational interviews, send personalized follow-up emails expressing gratitude and reiterating your interest. Connect with new contacts on LinkedIn and stay engaged with relevant updates and contributions. 11. Consider Pro Bono Opportunities.

Sadly, a Law degree alone is not enough to get you a legal role or a trainee solicitor position. Here’s what will: 1. Tailor your CV & cover letter – highlight transferable skills, relevant experience (no matter how small) and show how your background adds value. 2. Gain practical experience – look for internships, pro bono work, court marshalling or even part-time legal admin roles (online or in person). 3. Network – engage with legal professionals on LinkedIn, attend career events and ask for informational interviews. People want to help! Use LinkedIn to: - Add value before asking for help – engage with someone’s content, comment thoughtfully or share insights before making an ask. - Engage with content that interests you – join conversations, share your perspective and build your personal brand. - Build genuine relationships – approach networking as relationship-building and not just a means to an end. 4. Demonstrate commercial awareness – stay updated on legal trends, business news and how law firms operate. It shows you understand the bigger picture. 5. Showcase transferable skills – customer service, admin work and research experience all demonstrate key legal skills like communication and attention to detail. 6. Be resilient & keep applying – rejections happen but each one is a step closer to the right opportunity. Learn and keep pushing forward. To every recent grad hesitant to connect: 💡 Your authentic perspective is valuable. 💡 Your enthusiasm sets you apart. 💡 Your eagerness to learn makes a difference. Start small but start today. One meaningful conversation could change your career. #Networking #LawStudents #LegalCareers #CareerGrowth #AspiringSolicitors

I asked five attorneys what made them more likely to respond to messages from law students seeking to network, and here's what they shared: 1. I’m impressed when a student expresses a genuine interest in something I have experience in (like my practice area or the law school I attended) because I can actually help them in a meaningful way. If a student asks me questions outside my experience or practice area, I typically don’t respond. 2. I’m more likely to respond to a message from a student who has interacted with me or my LinkedIn content previously or who I have seen interacting with others on LinkedIn a few times before reaching out to me. 3. If I have the time, I honestly try to respond to every student who reaches out or I’ll try to connect them with someone else who might be able to help them better than me. 4. It’s always nice when a student reaches out just to introduce themselves and doesn’t ask for something. That puts them on my radar and I’m more inclined to continue interacting with them. 5. It’s easier to respond to students when they have specific questions as opposed to general questions that could potentially take me forever to type a response to. What networking messages are you more inclined to respond to? #lawstudents #lawschool #lawstudent #prelaw

LAW STUDENTS: Have coffee with one attorney every month. It works better than any networking event. Here's why: 1. Attorneys love talking about themselves. What they do. How they got there. Why their work is important. You're not interrupting them. You're giving them an opportunity to do their favorite thing. And when someone shows genuine interest in what you do - you remember them. 2. It's the easiest way to learn what they don't teach in law school. What different practice areas actually look like day-to-day. How to position yourself for your first job. What mistakes to avoid early on. Plus, if you're in law school, most attorneys will pick up the tab. Free coffee (and lunch!) adds up. 😉 3. You never know where it leads. Maybe it's a job down the line. Maybe it's a referral when you start practicing. Maybe it's just a connection that opens a door you didn't see coming. I didn't do this in law school. And I wish I had. I'd think: "They're too busy" or "What would I even say?" But now I do this for my business all the time. I reach out to attorneys, ask about their practice, grab lunch. It's been one of the most successful things I do. There's that old saying: "The best time to plant a tree was 25 years ago. The next best time is today." Same thing here. If you're a law student, pick one attorney this month whose work interests you. Send them a simple message: "Hi [Attorney Name], I'm a law student interested in [practice area]. Would you be open to grabbing coffee so I could learn more about your work?" Most will say yes. And that one conversation might change everything.

When young lawyers ask what they should be doing, they often hear they should do great work. And that's true. What they often need to hear is the importance of building their network. An extensive, deep network will lead to referrals, leadership and public speaking opportunities, and job offers. Who gets referrals? Those who know the referring lawyer. Who gets jobs? Often, those who know those seeking to grow their team. Who gets asked to write, speak, and lead? Those who know those who have those opportunities. Make a point to reach out to others regularly, have coffee with them, speak with them, message them, and make them part of your tribe. Your skill set and network are the two most valuable assets you can have for your professional development.