Tips for Networking
A Lawyer's Guide to Networking, 2d ed. by Publication Date: 2016
The Lawyer's Guide to Building Your Practice Through Referrals by Publication Date: 2013
The Opportunity Maker: Strategies for Inspiring Your Legal Career Through Creative Networking and Business Development, 2d ed. by Publication Date: 2016Available in West Academic Study Aids online
- Cornell Law School, Networking & Informational InterviewingLots of suggestions for developing your network, including this "sneaky trick": read.
- By reading newspapers, bar association publications, magazines, and relevant web sites, you can reap two different types of contacts. First, when an attorney's work is highlighted in an article, you can contact that person and talk to them about the work that was featured. Also, you can reach out to the author of the piece. Especially in bar publications, the writers are volunteers who actually practice law for a living. You can contact the author, letting him/her know that you liked the article and wanted to learn more.
The Cornell guide also has ideas for writing or calling a contact and what questions to ask. Includes a sample thank-you letter (addressed to a fictional legal aid group in Seattle, of all places). - Informational Interviews (Berkeley Law)Includes sample questions.
- How to Conduct Great Informational Interviews (Girl's Guide to Law School)
Articles
Erik Badia & Lynae Tucker, How 5 Students Rocked Their Networking Skills, Student Lawyer, Sept./Oct. 2016, at 16, HeinOnline
Kristine A. Bergman, Eight Networking Tips for Young Lawyers, Solo & Small Firm, Winter 2017, at 13, HeinOnline
Carol Schiro Greenwald, Strategies for Better Networking, Law Practice, March/April 2018, at 52, HeinOnline
Kristin Haugen et al., Networking Online and in Person, GP Solo, Nov./Dec. 2016, at 10, HeinOnline
Jill Stanley, How to Succeed (and Have Fun) at Informational Interviews, Student Lawyer, Jan./Feb. 2018, at 8, HeinOnline
Young Lawyer Editorial Board, Networking Doesn't Have to Be Painful, Student Lawyer, Feb. 2014, at 29, HeinOnline
Tips from UW's Foster School of Business:
Join Organizations
Many bar groups offer free or low-cost memberships to law students. Joining can help build your network.
- WSBA Law Student Resources
Volunteer opportunities.
Professional development resources.
Law students may attend many CLEs free. - County Bars in WashingtonList from WSBA
- Minority Bar Associations - Regional & NationalList from WSBA
- Speciality Bar Associations in WashingtonList from WSBA.
- King County Bar Association membership page
Law student membership is free. Includes two section memberships. - Spokane County Bar Association Membership Page
Law student membership is $15. - Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association Law Student Membership page
Membership fee is waived for students. - Washington State Association for Justice membership page
Law student membership is free.