Fellow Lawyers are a Solo and Small Firm Lawyer's Best Friend

Fellow Lawyers are a Solo and Small Firm Lawyer's Best Friend



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How do you Build Your Network?

Beyond the strategies discussed at the beginning, there are today a variety of ways to build your circle of legal peers, and lawyers should always take the opportunity to build their professional relationships every chance they get. Attend as many relevant seminars as you can in your practice areas, and get to know the speakers. Many speak at the same seminars throughout the country, so spend time introducing yourself to as many speakers and attendees as possible. Earn the respect, trust, and professional recognition of others by participating on listserves, serving on committees, and (with restraint) sharing your own professional successes. Volunteer to speak at seminars, or create your own. For example, if you are active in a section, consider putting together a closed-door rapid fire seminar the day before the seminar, and share valuable ideas and information with your fellow lawyers. The best way to speak at seminars is to make other lawyers want to hear what you have to say.



Join online attorney communities such as LinkedIn groups and Martindale Connected as well as regularly reviewing key national legal blawgs. Maintain up to date listings in online legal niche directories such as Justia, Lawyers.com and Avvo and use these resources to identify opportunities to connect with others based on common interests.



Social media presents exciting new opportunities for lawyers to interact with other lawyers and the community. LexTweet is a great community of online Twitter members who are in the legal profession. Post advice and take the opportunity to develop your professional expertise.



As solo practitioners and as lawyers working in small firms, we do not always have the vast resources that in-house counsel or larger firms have to fight to protect our clients. But we can level the playing field by developing strong relationships with lawyers you trust and respect from across the country, and from which you can call upon for help and assistance.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Steven M. Gursten is a partner at Michigan Auto Law (www.michiganautolaw.com), an auto accident law firm helping victims injured in Michigan car, truck and motorcycle accidents. As one of the nation’s top experts in serious car and truck accident injury cases, Steve received Michigan's largest truck accident jury verdict in 2010. Visit Steve's Michigan Car Accident Lawyer Resource Center (http://www.michiganautolaw.com/caraccidents/index.php) for additional resources."