Practice Management

Do you want a good job immediately after law school?  Or, do you want to successfully transition into the profitable private practice of law after passing the bar?  If so, you should start networking or building relationships while in law school.

I know, especially the first year, that law school takes up so much time that this is difficult.  But, students wait or put off doing anything until it is time to interview for internships or associate positions, when the market is crowded.

If you want to work in a particular field you need to start calling on lawyers, judges, government officials, in-house counsel, or whoever now.  Learn who they are from the career services office of the law school or by just getting on the web.  Ask to drop by and speak with them.  Email them.  Ask them about jobs, ask them about the practice area, ask for advice.  Do not ask them for a job.

If you want to go into the private practice of law, you need to figure out those people, groups and organizations that you need to succeed.  You need to start contacting them - just to look for information and advice.

Then do what I do now.  Collect their information.  Follow up with an email, a letter, a call now and then.  Input that information in a spreadsheet, set up an cheap email broadcast account, a broadcast fax account, and save the list for mailings.  Start a blog to reference and keep as your hub about the subject you are pursuing.  Then keep in touch regularly this way.  Have a question, pick up the phone and start calling.  Ask these informal advisers what they think would be best for you.

First, you will learn a lot - whole lot a valuable information they just do not teach you in law school.

Second, you meet a lot of interesting people.

Third, you will be able to define your opportunities better, and quantify more of what you want.  It is a learning process.

Fourth, you learn better not only who you might want to work for or with, but also who you do not.

If you get an internship or job from one during law school and decide to take it, all the better.  But, do not stop your efforts.

Remember, it is always easier to build relationships that will serve you well later at a time when you do not need anything but advice and comfort from the person with whom you have solicited.