How to Network as a Legal Professional

Here’s how I built an intentional and meaningful LinkedIn presence – and how you can too... As a recovering lawyer myself, I know the challenges, sensitivities, and—let's be honest—the pain of putting yourself out there on LinkedIn. It can feel awkward, intimidating, or like you’re just shouting into the void. But here’s the truth: LinkedIn is the platform for building meaningful, profitable connections in the legal world—if you do it right. Here’s how I did it, and how you can too: 1️⃣ Focused on Clarity, Not Complexity – I cut the legal jargon and stopped listing every case I’d ever worked on. Instead, I focused on what matters to my ideal clients: How can I solve their problems? 2️⃣ Let My Personality Show – Lawyers are people too! I added my own wit, warmth, and a touch of sarcasm to my profile because authenticity matters. Your network wants to connect with a human, not just a résumé. 3️⃣ Told Stories, Not Just Facts – I shared my journey from practicing law to helping lawyers position themselves for life after law. Your journey is a story worth telling too—don’t just list your job titles; talk about the real impact you’ve made. 4️⃣ Built a High-Quality, Targeted Network – I didn’t connect with every lawyer on the planet. Instead, I was intentional about connecting with innovative, dynamic, and kind professionals who align with my goals and values. 5️⃣ Engaged Authentically and Consistently – It’s not just about creating a profile and walking away. I made sure to engage by liking, commenting, and posting content that adds value to the conversation—content that resonates with my network’s struggles and aspirations. By following these steps, I’ve been able to leverage LinkedIn as a powerful tool for growth. And if I can do it, you can too. Trust me, I’ve been where you are! P.S. If you need help or support to get going, type "Let’s go" in the comments or reach out to me in the DMs. Let’s build something great together!

"I’m a litigator. I only get hired when there’s a problem. How do I market?" "I’m an M&A lawyer. What do I do when the market is down?" The interesting thing about client service and marketing is that to be truly impactful, they need to take place constantly.  These elements are integral in how leading professionals run their practice. Taking care of clients and developing new relationships are not items you can take out of a box when you need them and put them away when you don’t. It’s those in-between times, when your client isn’t handing you work or when the market isn’t busy, that you need to remain in touch and still provide value. This is how the most successful rainmakers who I’ve worked with operate their practices. How can you do this? 💡 Stay in touch with your clients by following their companies’ news, quarterly and annual reports, and leadership statements. When something pertinent shows up, send a note to your contact to demonstrate you’ve noticed and let them know that they remain on your mind. Always consider making an offer of help if there is some way that you can. 💡 Spend time with past clients. Invest time taking them to lunch or entertaining them as you would typically do with a current client.  You don’t need to discuss business, and sometimes it’s even better if you don’t, but rather focus on strengthening the relationship. 💡 Keep track of your clients’ industries, and the news and regulations that might impact their business. If appropriate, find ways to provide information or help them prepare for changes impacting their organization. 💡 Consider changing your “former client “mindset.  In my mind, there is really no such thing as a former client, just clients that may not be as active.   💡 Get to know all of your clients as people, not just as amorphous representatives of their companies. Be sure to know if your client is unhappy with their career or planning to leave their job. You may be able to help find them a new one, and what better way is there to help a friend? #businessdevelopment #consulting #lawfirms #marketing #coaching

Dear law students, network now, often and never stop. What kind of networking did I do while in law school?” The honest answer? Not nearly enough. If I could go back, here’s what I wish I had done (and what I recommend to every law student now): Join and show up to local bar association events (even as a student member—they want to meet you!). Attend Kiwanis, Rotary, Toastmasters and Chamber of Commerce meetings—because these are the people who refer cases and shape your community. Volunteer for legal clinics, expunction fairs, and pro bono events. Ask practicing attorneys for coffee—not for a job, just to learn their story. Keep in touch with classmates in other areas of law or different cities. Say yes to invitations, even when I felt out of place or “not ready”. Join Facebook groups, local legal Listservs, or online forums where lawyers help each other. Follow up after networking events—not just meet people, but stay connected. Treat every class, internship, and job like a long-term relationship—not just a grade or a paycheck. I used to think networking was something you start after you pass the bar. But the truth is: networking starts the day you decide to go to law school. To any current law student reading this: You don’t have to wait until you feel confident. Just show up. Ask questions. Take interest in others. That’s how real networking begins. If you’re a practicing attorney, what’s something you wish you’d done earlier in your career?

If you're a new lawyer trying to grow a practice, referrals are critical. But what if you don't already have a strong network of lawyers? I didn't have any lawyers in my family and didn't grow up around lawyers. At the time I started law school, I only knew one lawyer, one who fixed my speeding tickets in high school. When I decided to start my own firm directly out of school, I knew I needed referrals. So I started talking to people from non-legal circles in my network. Here are four non-legal sources of referrals I've relied on during my career: 1. Other Racing Hobbyists For about a decade, I was active in formula drift racing. I sold my race car in 2016, but the race track network has been unexpectedly valuable. I've gotten a bunch of cases through referrals in the car-racing community. Ken Schwartz, a mentor a fellow lawyer, gets many referrals through motorcycle drag racing. 2. Family and Friends My wife's connections have provided several referrals. I've also gotten cases from interacting with other parents at my children's school. 3. Adjacent Professionals Early in my career, I reached out to the owners of insurance agencies and body shops. Those relationships have proven valuable since those owners are constantly talking to people after car wrecks. I've also developed relationships with medical professionals, including a chiropractor refers every unrepresented car accident client directly to me. 4. Law School Classmates When Chris Finney talks to law school classes, he tells them that their best source of new business is the people sitting in that room. I tend to agree. One law school classmate has received significant Co-Counsel fees by sending cases my way. Your network isn't just about who you know in your professional circle. Engage with your hobbies, community, and personal interests. These connections can often lead to the most unexpected and valuable referrals.

The most important career advice I NEVER got? Relationships unlock opportunity. The difference between professionals who plateau and those who thrive often comes down to one thing: the strength of their networks. Easier said than done. Even if I had understood this, I would have needed guidance on HOW to do it. Real network-building requires intention, generosity, and authentic human connection. After years of trial and error, I've identified 20 strategies that consistently create powerful professional relationships. Here are 10. The rest are in the visual. 1. Practice the 5-minute favor rule ↳ When meeting someone new, ask yourself, "What can I do in 5 minutes that would meaningfully help this person?" ↳ Example: Send a relevant article or make a quick introduction. 2. Follow the 2:1 giving ratio ↳ Provide value at least twice before asking for anything. ↳ Example: Share and comment meaningfully on their LinkedIn posts. 3. Be 'interested, not interesting' ↳ Focus conversations on the other person rather than trying to impress. ↳ Example: Ask follow-up questions about their challenges rather than discussing your own achievements. 4. Leverage commonality ↳ Find unexpected shared interests beyond work. ↳ Example: Discovering you both enjoy pottery or hiking specific trails creates stronger bonds than just industry connections. 5. Practice conversational generosity ↳ Introduce people to others in group settings. ↳ Example: "Sarah, you should meet Alex. You're both working on similar AI ethics challenges." 6. Make specific, actionable asks ↳ Be clear about what you need. ↳ Example: "Would you be willing to review my presentation deck for 15 minutes this week?" 7. Connect with 'dormant ties' ↳ Reconnect with valuable past connections. ↳ Example: Reach out to former colleagues and share specific memories of working together. 8. Diversify your network ↳ Intentionally connect with people outside your immediate field. ↳ Example: A finance professional joining a technology meetup to gain fresh perspectives. 9. Maintain a personal board of directors ↳ Cultivate relationships with 5-7 trusted advisors. ↳ Example: Monthly check-ins with mentors who provide different perspectives on your career decisions. 10. Adopt the sweat equity approach ↳ Volunteer for industry organizations or committees. ↳ Example: Join the planning committee for a conference to create natural connections with speakers and organizers. The most valuable asset in your career isn't your degree, certifications, or even your experience It's the web of relationships you thoughtfully build along the way. What are your successful relationship building tactics? ♻️ Repost to share these ideas with your network. 👉Follow me Stephanie Eidelman (Meisel) for more ideas about how to enhance your network and your career. 📫 Subscribe to Women in Consumer Finance to access all of our carousels, cheat sheets, and other content. (https://hubs.la/Q03dY9_n0)

A few weeks back I attended an awesome trial lawyers convention in Houston, and recognized some newer attorneys struggling to network. Attending a convention offers a fantastic opportunity to network, share ideas, and build connections. To make the most of these interactions, it's essential to employ techniques that keep the conversation flowing and engaging. For those who feel they struggle to interact others, here are a few effective strategies I use to network: 1. Start with Open-Ended Questions Open-ended questions invite detailed responses and help avoid yes/no answers. Instead of asking, "Do you like this convention?" try, "What has been your favorite part of the convention so far?" This encourages the other person to share more about their experiences and opinions. 2. Use Mirroring Mirroring involves subtly mimicking the other person's body language, tone, and vocabulary. This creates a sense of rapport and makes the other person feel understood and connected. If they cross their arms, you might do the same a moment later. If they use specific jargon, incorporate it into your responses. 3. Active Listening Show genuine interest in what the other person is saying. Nod, maintain eye contact, and give verbal affirmations like "I see" or "That's interesting." Paraphrase their points to demonstrate understanding, such as, "So, you're saying that the latest technology has really improved your workflow?" 4. Share Relevant Stories Relate to what the other person is talking about by sharing relevant anecdotes or experiences. This keeps the conversation balanced and interactive. However, ensure your stories are concise and directly related to the topic at hand. 5. Ask Follow-Up Questions Follow-up questions show that you are engaged and interested. If someone mentions a project they are excited about, ask for more details: "What inspired you to start this project?" or "What challenges have you faced so far?" 6. Use Positive Body Language Your body language speaks volumes. Smile, nod, and maintain an open posture to appear approachable and engaged. Avoid crossing your arms or looking around the room, as these can signal disinterest. 7. Know When to Exit Gracefully Not every conversation will be fruitful. If you need to move on, do so politely. Thank the person for their time and mention that it was great to meet them. You could say, "I’ve enjoyed our conversation. I hope we can connect again later during the convention." Conventions are an excellent venue for meaningful conversations and networking. By employing techniques like open-ended questions, mirroring, active listening, sharing relevant stories, asking follow-up questions, and using positive body language, you can keep conversations engaging and productive. #networking #personalgrowth #personaldevelopment #success

Attention lawyers who hate networking: you’re doing it wrong. I know what you’re thinking… But I’m an introvert, I don’t have time for it, and/or I hate selling myself. Look, networking is **the** most effective business development strategy - and necessary for your professional growth (regardless of how senior you are and whether or not you plan to grow your own book). It’s time to fix your approach. Because when you dread or discount networking, you’re more likely to: ⏩ Fumble your words and awkwardly ramble. ⏩ Obsess over what to say (and miss what’s being said). ⏩ Cling to familiar faces (and meet no one new). Here’s how to shift your mindset: #1: Redefine WHY you’re networking. Stop trying to “sell” or “convince” people to hire you (that’s not what networking is for!). Remind yourself that you're there to connect through simple conversations. Your goal is to meet people you find interesting. And when you do, discover how you can help each other (the best relationships are reciprocal). And introverts, listen up: Long-term relationship-building is your superpower. #2: Lead with curiosity. Network to learn, not pitch. Be curious: - About whom you meet and their experiences. - About what you might learn. - About how to help (without an agenda). And don’t overthink “helping” because it can be as simple as: ✅ Asking a thoughtful question. ✅ Making an introduction. ✅ Sharing a useful resource or insight. And guess what? Helping need not always relate to the law, what you do, or business. #3: Go where it makes sense (for YOU). Choose events that feel strategic and comfortable: ⇒ Where someone can introduce you around. ⇒ Smaller rooms if large crowds drain you. ⇒ Where people in your industry show up (& you feel like you belong). And then, follow up to nurture those new connections. Networking isn’t about schmoozing. It’s about showing up as a real human to build relationships that actually matter. XO, Heather P.S. Want more tips for how to succeed in both law and life? Join the Life & Law Success Vault, where you'll get weekly leadership, mindset, and practice management wisdom straight to your inbox plus access to my full vault of resources (leveraging 25+ years of in-the-trenches experience). See the link in my profile at Heather Moulder to join.