Attorneys: Networking Strategies for Getting Hired at a Law Firm

While the overall growth of the legal market slowed in 2023, there are still many available positions for newly graduated law students and current practitioners who are looking for a change.

But finding a job is hard, even if the market offers lots of opportunities.

Because even if there is lots of opportunity, the best opportunities at the top firms are always in short supply – making the application process competitive.  Unless you are in the top ten percent of your class, you will need to find another way to gain a competitive edge and increase your chances of getting hired at a law firm.

So, how do you get hired at a law firm? The reality is, getting that job at a law firm requires you to flex your networking muscles to build the right connections if you want to stand out from the competition.

Here are five networking strategies to consider as a young lawyer to meet your networking objectives and goals.

1.      Do not hesitate to ask your professors how to find law jobs.

While in law school, it can be a real challenge to network.  Not only are you spending so much time studying, but the only real networking you do consistently is with your peers.  But that does not mean you are without options.

A great way to network while at school is to get to know your professors, develop meaningful connections with them, and confidently ask if they will introduce you to their own networks.  Good teachers want their students to succeed, and most are more than willing to help out.

2.      Use your school’s career office to learn how to find law jobs.

There are lots of great networking options on campus.  One of the best (but too often ignored) is your school’s career office or career center.  Career offices and centers are not only staffed with professionals suited to help you apply for jobs and navigate your concerns on how to work in a law firm. They can also facilitate connections with alumni and firms in the area to help you find summer opportunities and full-time employment upon graduation.

Do not forget; a school’s ranking draws heavily from post-grad employment, so your career office should be willing to do all it can to help you land the right opportunity.

3.      Legal Recruiters can show you how to find law jobs.

If you are just starting your legal career, but considering a lateral change, legal recruiters are a phenomenal resource and can help you get the job you want.

Legal recruiters typically work for a select number of firms and can advance applicants to the front of the resume line.  So do not ignore those recruiter emails as they come in or delete the LinkedIn messages.

4.      Your alumni networks are well-suited to teach you how to find a law job.

Another great tool to assist your job-hunting pursuits is to make use of your school’s alumni network.  There are undoubtedly many recent graduates and former students who would like to help current students as they look for work. So do not be afraid to use them as a resource and ask them how to get a job in law.

We already discussed how the career office can put you in touch with an alumnus. Further still, many schools have databases where they keep records on former students.  Current students can filter these records by location, firm size, and practice area.

5.      CLE events are a great way to network with peers on how to find a law job.

Working in the legal profession requires ongoing legal education to maintain bar status.  Every few years, practitioners must accumulate a minimum number of hours in subjects like ethics, professionalism, and competency.   To help lawyers meet their hours, many organizations and state bars will hold Continuing Legal Education (“CLE”) events.

At these events, lawyers can earn a bunch of hours in a single day, rather than trying to earn hours sporadically here and there. Signing up for these events will not only help you earn your hours but also allow you to network with other attorneys practicing in your area.  Sign up, attend these events, and ask these working professionals how to get a job at a law firm.

Finally, relying on job search tools can still be an effective way to find out who is hiring and what opportunities are available within the legal field.