Regardless of where you are in your law school journey, you’ve probably heard an attorney tell you that you need to network because it’s important.

While true, it’s often said nonchalantly as if it’s common knowledge. Unless you’re already a networking guru, this simple statement leaves you with unanswered questions and a sense of anxiety because you feel like you’re falling behind. It’s daunting to say the least. Easier said than done.

As an introvert, I know how tough it is to go to a networking event where you don’t know anyone. It’s nerve-wracking to send an unsolicited email to someone you’ve never met and ask to buy them a cup of coffee and talk shop. It sucks, I get it.

However, whether you work for a big firm, small firm, or hang your own shingle like me, networking – in my opinion – is the single best tool we attorneys have in our marketing toolbelt. Let me explain why and also give you some tips for effective networking.

You Become Invaluable

We’ve all heard the term “rainmaker.”

I don’t like it. The only time you’ll hear me use that term is if I’m referring to that Matt Damon movie, but the word still holds meaning.

The cold truth: those who bring work to their firm are more valuable than those who don’t. You could be a straight-A student and best brief writer in your firm, but the attorney next to you who brings in multiple clients each month is less likely to be fired if layoffs are looming.

You don’t have to agree with the thought process, because frankly, it’s wrong. But law is a business, and money talks. If you bring in cases that bring in money, you have job security.

You become invaluable.

You Expand Your Opportunities

No matter what your ultimate goal is, you must start somewhere. If you’re building a house, you need a foundation. When you network, you’re building something bigger than yourself.

Networking opens the door to opportunities you might never imagine. For my first five years of being a licensed attorney, I felt stuck working for someone else. Then it clicked. I needed to bring in work. I took the leap to start my own firm because I felt unsatisfied working for someone else.

While contemplating and planning my solo voyage, I consciously expanded my network. I now have enough cases trickling to me from various sources that I know I can at least pay my bills each month while being my own boss. To me, that’s true freedom.

You may wish to be the top “rainmaker” to achieve the highest status you can at a big law firm. You may want to feel secure in your job. You may want to hang your own shingle and live life on your terms. Or you may one day want to pursue an entirely new career path.

All these goals are noble. And all of them are possible with a strong network. You never know where opportunity lies. But I know where it doesn’t – sitting on your couch doing nothing.

There Are Hidden Positives

Aside from the obvious quality of being invaluable, networking has unseen advantages.

It will raise your self-esteem. When the invoice gets paid and that money hits your operating account, or you receive an origination bonus check, or you simply connect two people that wouldn’t have known about each other except for you, you’ll feel proud – and you should. You worked hard to make meaningful connections. Seeing fruit produced from the networking seeds you planted weeks, months, or years ago is a powerful feeling. You’ll become the go-to attorney, and that’s a cool feeling.

You’ll also make friends. I moved to Wisconsin from St. Louis a little over 2 1/2 years ago. The older you get, the harder it is to make friends. But using networking as a primary purpose, I found the ulterior motive of friendship much more achievable.

And finally, you’ll get better at your job. As an attorney, we must be an effective communicator to our clients, the courts, and the public. The more you network and interact with people of diverse careers and backgrounds, the more comfortable and confident you’ll be in the work you do as an attorney. It’s a win-win for you.

How to Network

Now, I know what you’re thinking – that’s all great, John, but how do I network as a law student that doesn’t have much time to waste? You must be selective in your efforts, and you have to force yourself out of your shell. But it’s worth it.

Here are a few strategies that worked for me:

• Go to your law school events and bar reviews. You and your peers are the future of the legal profession. You are the next generation of lawyers, and not all of you will do the same thing. If you’re interested in being an estate planning attorney, get to know the other students who want nothing to do with that area of the law. They’re going to be your future referral sources and vice versa. It may be uncomfortable at first, but networking with other students you see every day is less daunting than cold calling someone.
• Find local attorneys through the State Bar, Google, LinkedIn, legal articles, elists, etc. Seek out those in practice areas that interest you and ask them if they’d have some time to talk with you about their career. Hint – lawyers love to talk about themselves. And most practicing attorneys will be flattered that a law student wants to “interview” them about their legal journey. Ask them about their career path, their biggest successes and mistakes, and advice for your own career. Show a genuine interest in others and you will be abundantly rewarded.
• Use your professors and law school resources. Your professors and law school staff know a lot of people. If you’re interested in an internship or job in a certain area or at a certain law firm, figure out who you need to know to get into that position and then introduce yourself and establish a sincere relationship.

Overall, think of networking as professional dating, but without the downsides. You’ll naturally connect easily with some, but everyone you talk to becomes part of your network. They become a resource. You will never waste your time by getting to know someone in your profession because it could bring unexpected opportunities.

And most importantly, because most people can sniff out phony behavior, be yourself when networking. You’ll never know where your career might take you.

Wow

If you had asked me five years ago where I’d be now, I would never have thought the answer would be that I would have my own firm in Wisconsin. But here I am, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

And it’s all because of networking.

This article was originally published on the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Law Student Blog, Just the Facts. The State Bar offers a variety of resources to help law students connect with the legal profession, including finding mentors and clerkships. Find out more on Wisbar.org.