Effective Networking: An Essential Skill for Law Students

We’ve all heard the expression, "It's not what you know; it's who you know." Although this isn’t completely true when it comes time to find work after law school, having a few good connections certainly won’t hurt. Law schools are constantly churning out well qualified graduates, and as a result, the market for jobs following graduation is tough. One of the best approaches to tackling the impending challenge of finding work following graduation is to start networking while you’re in school and know how to use your contacts. As a law student, there are a few must-know approaches to networking and using those contacts effectively.

Most law schools will offer both long-term and short-term internships and externships. You should absolutely take advantage of these opportunities. Internships and externships allow law students the opportunity to work under the watchful eyes of a lawyer or judge in a variety of real-world situations. As a participant in one of these programs, students have the opportunity to hone such lawyering skills as negotiating, public speaking, writing, and briefing, to name a few. But mainly, internships and externships provide a student with an amazing opportunity for networking. In fact, many judges and lawyers agree to participate in these programs with the intention of finding hard working, well-qualified lawyers right out of law school. Keep this in mind when you begin your internship, and be sure to work your hardest and get to know as many people as you can in your office. It’s not a bad idea to occasionally ask for advice from other lawyers just to remind them that you will be looking for work soon. Be careful not to overdo it, however; it’s never a good idea to show up on your first day with blood on your teeth!

Once you have completed your internship or volunteer position and have a stack of business cards on your desk, the next question is how to best take advantage of your contacts. In general, it’s a good idea to stay in infrequent but continuous contact with a new person. If too much time elapses between the time you were handed a business card and the time you asked for a letter of recommendation, it may sour the relationship. Send occasional emails updating your former supervisor (for example) on your progress, or send an email with a challenging legal question that you encountered at school. It’s also a good idea to send out greeting cards on major holidays. The point here is that if you want to make the most of a relationship, it should be an actual relationship. The ratio of “friendly contacts” to “business contacts” should be fifteen to one. A lawyer or judge will be more likely to help out a friend as opposed someone who appears to be using the relationship only as a vehicle.

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