Packing a bag lunch is prudent, but taking practicing attorneys out to lunch is a shrewd move that will expand your network and may get you a job.
Tomasz Stasiuk has a great post on how to jump start your job search by mastering the networking lunch.
A few tips for your networking lunch:
- Get a business card. People still use them and a neat design can make you stand out from the crowd.
- Make sure your email address is business appropriate—try and get something that has your last name and first initial (maddogg84@hotmail.com does not cut it).
- Be sure to follow up—write an actual thank you card, not a two-sentence email. The attorney will appreciate the gesture and it might make you stand out from the crowd.
Make it a point to have lunch with at least one other attorney each week, and watch it pay off.
how to l(a)unch your law career | Chuck Newton Rides the Third Wave
(photo: debaird)
Randall Ryder practices consumer rights law in Minnesota and is a publisher of Elder Parent Help. Follow him @randallryder.
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Even as a practicing attorney, lunch with other lawyers will lead to more referrals in my experience.
I’m preparing to take the LSAT and go to law school and really like your ideas. What are the best ways to make the initial contacts with practicing attorneys?
I agree wholeheartedly. Most new attorneys don’t realize that a huge amount of new business comes through attorney to attorney referrals. You need to target those fellow attorney that are complementary to your practice. For example, I’m a real estate attorney and litigator, thus, I look to network with criminal attorneys or personal injury attorneys who refer real estate matters out. I can then make referrals to them.
Richard D. Vetstein, Esq.
It really is invaluable.
Danny—I think calling up attorneys and saying just that should be enough. Just call them up and ask if you can meet them and talk about their practice—not all of them will be interested, but some will certainly say yes.
I know if you’re in Richmond, VA I will be happy to chat.
Or write a guest post for one of your favorite sites ;-)