Networking for lawyers and small law firms has taken on greater importance

Many of us have spent the past 15 months or so in heads-down mode, working to keep our businesses running day-to-day. Now that we’re feeling a little room to pause and breathe, it’s time to reach out and grow. Networking for lawyers poses a few challenges in the wake of the pandemic, but it remains incredibly important.

The importance of networking

I don’t think a person among us escaped the sense of isolation that Covid-19 brought with it. As lawyers, and as business owners, we thrive on talking and exchanging ideas with our clients and others around us.

Even independent lawyers who have built their practices around a commitment to work-life balance and spending more time at home have missed those moments of professional collaboration. Meeting new people or gathering with other professionals gives us a chance to expand our horizons, learn new things and stay on top of changes in our field. It also gives our brains a break from monotony and stress.

Several studies have shown that the pandemic has caused people to become more siloed at work. They have participated less with more distant connections and even their interactions with close colleagues or peers have diminished. That decrease impacts both business outcomes and professional satisfaction. As HBR writes:

“…those who said their interactions with colleagues have decreased this year were less likely to be thriving at things that lead to innovation, like thinking strategically, collaborating or brainstorming with others, and proposing innovative ideas.” 

Even for a solo law firm, other people provide vital energy to your business. You need them. We all do.

Lawyer networking skills

So, now that you’re ready to see people again, how do you reach out? Start small by attending business networking events. You can find in-person events through business or bar associations (e.g. Colorado Bar Association, Nevada Bar Association).

Make your time at each event worth it by:

  • Researching attendees ahead of time
  • Making a plan for who you want to meet and why
  • Honing your elevator pitch
  • Considering how you can help others; talk about that
  • Letting social media work in your favor

Remember that networking is about building relationships. Make an effort to learn about others, and continually think about how you can help each person you meet.

On the point of social media: Make sure yours is ready to speak for you before you arrive at any events. Networking for lawyers begins online and with your virtual presence. When people find you on social media, your content there should explain in seconds who you are, what you do and what problem you can solve for people.

Where to build your network

In addition to in-person events, more organizations continue to host virtual conferences and meetups. Choose to attend the ones that make the most sense for your practice area. The virtual platform might also make it easier for you to present at various conferences, so consider developing some presentation topics.

You don’t have to limit yourself to lawyer-only audiences, so be creative about where to find the connections your practice needs most.

Where you spend the bulk of your work day also matters. Working from home might help you focus on client work, but it does little to build your network. Opting for a coworking or shared office space at least part time connects you to a built-in network. As a bonus, many of them will also host networking events for their members and for the broader community.

If you are ready to move out of isolation post-pandemic, schedule a tour of our shared office spaces for lawyers in Denver and Las Vegas. You can also check out our networking and CLE events here.