Page 9 - Networking Receptions - Networking for Law Students Series_1 (1)

09
Networking Receptions

Dos & Don’ts – Dos

• Do give a firm handshake. The other person wants your hand - not a limp wet
spaghetti noodle in disguise! Not just your fingers. A solid hand.

• Do state your first and last name with confidence, clarity, and at an appropriate
volume. However, you may want to refrain from stating your titles in law student
organizations unless appropriate, as it may come across as “showy” to some and
perhaps others may find it silly or irrelevant. For example, I would have never
introduced myself as “…NBLSA National interim Acting Chief-of-
Staff/Parliamentarian…” unless it was at a NBLSA event or a co-sponsored event
in which the board members were invited along with other groups. And even
then, only when appropriate. Let the conversation dictate if and which titles you
mention. For example, if you’re a leader of an extremist liberal political
organization, consider whether it is wise to mention that to a founding partner at
an event sponsored by a conservative law firm, before they have the opportunity
to get to know you. After law school, some recent grads/attorneys choose to
state their first and last name immediately followed by the firm for which they
work while others wait until the other person asks. Perhaps after stating your
name, state your year and school.

• Do your research about which firms and people that will probably be present at
the networking event ahead of time, if you can. Do network with others besides
partners and judges. Even other law students.

• Do get to a networking event on time or slightly early. You will have more time to
mingle before the event gets underway; more time for preliminary introductions,
and then once the event begins, you'll be able to make introductions to others.
For whatever reason, other law students seem to be impressed by this. They will
probably assume that you are a pro and will probably naturally gravitate toward
you.

• Do bring a small pencil with you to networking events and after you finish talking
to someone or better yet, at the end of the night, on the back of their business
card write down something you talked about with them. The first time I met one
of my mentors, we talked about college football – that I was a fan of the
University of Miami Hurricanes and he was a Seminole fan. As a follow-up, I
sent him an e-mail saying that it was good meeting him at the networking
reception but that his best Seminole team couldn’t beat my fantasy ‘Canes. He
responded saying that it was nice talking to me even though I was “delusional
about Hurricane football” and we hit it off from there.

This pamphlet contains copyrighted
material. All rights reserved.