Networking is essential to build a successful legal career. Attorneys fresh out of college and even experienced ones need to connect with a wide range of people to establish their practice. As a part of networking, legal practitioners need to attend various types of gatherings. They need to approach these events in a planned manner to draw the best results from the meetings. Effective networking for lawyers is not possible without adopting a well-defined approach. First of all, professionals must not participate in such functions only with the sole objective of finding new clients. You must attend gatherings as a person who is genuinely interested in the occasion and likes to meet new people. This will help you get onto some beneficial groupings like an international legal network. The following smart tips will help you prepare for social meets in a better manner.

1. Identify Suitable Events To Attend

Most lawyers restrict themselves to attending only lawyers-only gatherings such as alumni meets. This is a good way to connect with your peers but does nothing to widen your exposure. Look to become a part of groups that consist of various kinds of professionals. Moreover, try to get invitations to social gatherings in your locations. This will help you meet many people who can be potential clients or partners. You must also join forums related to your hobbies and interests. The idea is to broaden your social circle that you are known to as many and varied people as possible. 

2. Define A Goal Before Going To A Meet

What do you think of before going to a function? Most probably your answer will be to make as many new acquaintances as possible. Discard this vague approach in favor of a goal-based plan. Define a fixed number of people with which you will exchange business cards. Let’s say you say that you will exchange contact information with 5 persons. Now, when you enter the venue you will have a specific objective that you would want to achieve. It will also be pertinent to identify the minimum amount of time you would like to spend at a gathering. This will help you in managing your time and extracting the maximum value out of the meet.

3. Plan Your Introduction Beforehand

Most of us hardly think about how we are going to introduce ourselves to a gathering. It is common to hear lawyers introducing themselves as “Hello! I am John and I am a tax attorney”. How many people do you think will remember meeting John at the event after it is over? Attorneys must plan their introduction beforehand and think about how it can intrigue the other person. Think of an opening sentence that catches the attention of a stranger. If John uses “I help people protect their money from the government” as an opening line, it will make anyone curious. This will also help in initiating an engaging conversation with an unknown person. Remember productive networking for lawyers will be possible only if they leave a strong impression on the audience. 

4. Learn About The Fellow Attendees

Many people who have just started networking find it difficult to carry on a conversation for a long time with new people. This happens because you do not know what you should talk about. Look at the list of attendees to know about the kind of people you are going to meet at the event. It may well happen that someone known to you is also coming to the function. Even if the list comprises of total strangers, you will at least know the industry, profession, and social circle to which the guests belong. This will help you know what kind of things you can discuss with them at the gathering.

5. Keep Your Mobile Phone On The Silent Mode 

Your mobile phone is a huge convenience that helps you conduct business on the go. However, this gadget can harm your networking chances if it is not kept on silent mode during events. Doing so will ensure that the phone does not ring between a conversation that may help you acquire a new lead. If you fear that you may miss an important call, reschedule it beforehand to avoid an embarrassing situation later on.  

6. Dress According To The Event

Another important factor to consider for making a strong impression is dressing appropriately. Most of the formal functions that you plan to go to will have a dress code. Make sure that you follow the instructions and are dressed accordingly. Events that do not specify what you should be wearing will require some forethought. Many lawyers play safe and wear a business suit and tie to all the gatherings. However, this will not be the correct approach if you are going to an informal event. Find out about the nature of the meet and then dress accordingly.

Conclusion 

Networking for lawyers will start producing results if they stop thinking about it as only a medium of finding new clients. They must cultivate a genuine interest in meeting and interacting with new people to gain good results from the strategy.