A Lawyer’s Guide to Networking

This month I reviewed a workbook entitled, “A Lawyer’s Guide to Networking.” This volume offers advice and insight from some of the great networkers of the legal industry. Susan R. Sneider Esq. is the author and wrote the piece for the American Bar Association, Career Resource Center.

This workbook defined networking as, “building relations to provide value to others.” The piece also states that lawyers have a distinct advantage over other people in the networking arena because their clients and colleagues already trust them. Ms. Sneider cautions attorneys to remember to focus on giving not taking and to develop long-term or relational connections not immediate. She advised that networking for lawyers should be considered a normal part of their lives and that they should always be thinking about how they can help their peers and clients prosper. She states that “the truth of networking is as follows: when one does good things for other people, without ulterior motives, wonderful opportunities open up for you”.

A Lawyer’s Guide to Networking mentions those reasons to network. Among them are: to maximize their careers, to create opportunities at current jobs, to gain professional visibility, to solidify relations with clients and to move to other employment.

When asked how Ms. Sneider maintains her own network, she responded by saying that she: writes a note or a phone call within 24 hours of contact with that person. Further, she remembers to write or call someone in her network whom she has not seen or heard from in some time.

Lastly, when asked what is the best thing lawyers can do for their career, she responded by urging attorneys to: be open and learn everything around them, be friendly to everyone they meet, to take on additional opportunities especially if it involves writing on a topic or speaking at an event, and to give back to the community to serve those less fortunate.

Lawyers need clients to survive financially and to remain productive. Those members of society are more likely to consult with and retain the services of an attorney who is able to connect to others and provide value to his/her sphere of influence. It is assumed that attorneys are proficient within their particular area of practice. Usually the difference in the perception of value is what comes back from the professional.

It is said that, “no one cares how much you know, until they know how much you care.”

 

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