Building a Legal Network When You’re from Out of Town

I graduated from Northeastern University School of Law in Boston, Massachusetts, on a Saturday in May 2019. On the following Monday, I moved to San Diego to study for the bar exam and start applying for attorney jobs. I found a law clerk position at a civil litigation firm here which turned into my first associate attorney position, and I have stayed in San Diego since.

Being new to San Diego, I wanted to build a network of law students and lawyers to help make my transition smooth and tried a variety of approaches to make connections that lasted. If you are new to San Diego, or even if you aren’t, this guide can be used to help you build a network in a new place or expand your current connections.  Most of these suggestions can be modified to fit ever-changing regulations and comfort levels during the ongoing pandemic.

SDCBA Events

The SDCBA offers free membership for law students through the first year after graduation. If you’re reading this article, you’re probably already a member, but if you’re not, consider joining to access a wide variety of events with lawyers from across the county. There are events catered to specific practice areas and events catered to new lawyers, so you’re bound to find something that interests you. The SDCBA organizes events specifically designed for networking, such as the popular annual Summer Social, but even formal presentations are an opportunity to meet like-minded individuals. Both virtual and in-person events are offered regularly and can be found on the SDCBA calendar.

CLE Events

We have to fulfill continuing legal education (CLE) requirements anyways, so consider it an opportunity to make connections. In my experience, mindset goes a long way toward supporting or hindering my goals. When I prepare to attend a CLE event with the goal of, say, meeting one new person, I attend with a few business cards and take advantage of the time before and after the presentation by chatting with other attendees. Many CLE opportunities are focused on a particular area of law, so you’re likely to meet people working in the same field you are. Start by introducing yourself and discussing the presentation and see where the conversation takes you.

Informal One-on-One Meetings

Don’t forget to utilize friends of friends. After law school, I knew I wanted to practice in civil litigation, but didn’t know what types of cases I would enjoy working on. So, I began calling the attorneys I knew who had contacts in San Diego and asking them to help me make an introduction. After explaining that I was a recent law school graduate and a transplant to San Diego who wanted to explore my job options, most of the attorneys I contacted were willing to meet for an informal talk over coffee or lunch. We organized to meet at a coffee shop or restaurant near their office, and I came prepared with questions about the attorney’s work. It’s understanding to think you’re being an inconvenience to a busy practicing attorney, but the attorneys I met with were excited to provide casual, one-time mentorship. The majority of these meetings did not turn into long-term mentor relationships, but I gained valuable information about practicing law, and I now see several more familiar faces when I attend SDCBA events.

Connect at Work

Consider your office as a location to make new and deepening connections. Invite your boss for a coffee in the afternoon or make use of meetings with colleagues over the water pitcher. Every interaction is an opportunity to create the foundation for a relationship. Already close with everyone in your office? Consider your clients and vendors, too.

Remember that Networking Opportunities are Everywhere

I’ve met lawyers and people who know lawyers at places we don’t consider normal attorney hangs. Members of your yoga studio or people at the grocery store might be local attorneys. But also, don’t forget to network with people outside of the industry. Two and a half years after moving to San Diego, I have established a legal network, but I get as much, if not more, value from my relationships with people without backgrounds, careers, or interests in the law. Remember that these relationships could be professionally fruitful in some circumstances, but that there’s always value in simply building lasting friendships and relationships.