networking Archives

14 04, 2010

It’s Never Too Early to Raise Your Profile

2010-04-14T13:11:34+00:00By Debra L. Bruce, JD, PCC.|1 Comment

In today’s fast-paced legal world, it is easy for young lawyers to convince themselves that they don’t have time to worry about networking, raising their profile and creating a personal brand. Have you ever said anything like this to yourself?

“It already takes Herculean effort to meet the billable hour requirements around here. I’m not going to waste my time giving away free advice or hanging out with a bunch of schmoozers.”

“I went to a smaller firm so I wouldn’t have to put on a game face. The partners here like my work, and that’s enough.”

“The point of going in-house was so I wouldn’t have to play politics and could have time for a life. I only need to keep my boss happy.”

“I’m just an associate. Clients aren’t going to come to me anyway, so why bother?

Why That’s Foolhardy

Even before the “Great Recession,” […]

4 Tips for Reluctant Networkers

2009-11-16T09:40:17+00:00By Debra L. Bruce, JD, PCC.|1 Comment

Lately I’ve been getting calls from laid off lawyers for help in augmenting their job search efforts. Contacting legal recruiters and submitting resumes online hasn’t been sufficient to land a new job. I also hear from attorneys whose business has dropped off.

One of my first questions is usually “What kind of networking do you do?” Frequently they confess that they aren’t very comfortable with networking, so they haven’t really done much. A recent caller lamented that he hadn’t tried to maintain a network when he was busy. He just focused on doing good work. When times got tough, he contacted the handful of people he had kept in touch with, but that fell short.

I wasn’t surprised at those responses. I read somewhere that 69% of lawyers are introverts. Introverts get drained by being around a lot of people and may find it stressful. Here are a few tips to make that essential networking activity more enjoyable, or at least less painful, for the reluctant networker. […]

Who Do I Need to Know and How Do I Meet Them?

2007-11-10T20:27:52+00:00By Debra L. Bruce, JD, PCC.|1 Comment

I. Rule 1.01 of the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct

A lawyer should not accept employment in a matter beyond his/her competence.
Unless: 1.01(a)(1) a competent lawyer is associated with client’s prior informed consent
“Competence” defined as having the ability to timely acquire the necessary knowledge, skill & training.

Need to know: lawyers

That you can call on to give you advice and guidance to expeditiously acquire such additional knowledge, skills and training as you may need.
That you can associate in your client matter with the client’s consent if the matter is too complex to handle on your own.

How do you meet them?

Houston Young Lawyers Association meetings
State and local bar association section meetings.
Solos Supporting Solos.
Call your old professors, especially if you are practicing in the same town. They can answer questions and refer you to other lawyers. They may even be able to help you find employment down the road if you stay in touch. Established lawyers often contact their old professors when they are looking to hire a young lawyer.
Lawyers in firms where your friends are working. Even someone just 2 or 3 years ahead of you can be helpful.
Take on bar association duties or section duties.

Start attending meetings before you have questions, so that you will already have the relationships established before you have the questions. Most of the organizations have student memberships, but very few students take advantage of them. You will stand out as dedicated, plucky, and savvy.

Find ways that you can benefit the lawyers you would like to benefit from. When you do them a favor first, they will want to find a way to benefit you.

Perhaps offer to 2d chair a trial with them for free, or at a very cheap rate.
Handle some of their “dog” cases for them.
Find out what needs or interests they have and try to help get them met.
Baby-sit their kids in […]

Make an Appointment

Setting goals for
your life and career?