The summer lull is officially over and The Jacksonville Bar Association calendar is full of luncheons, continuing legal education, social gatherings and more.
It is only September and we already have had two Young Lawyers Section happy hours, we are halfway through the basketball league season and the first judicial breakfast is just around the corner.
As the boards sit down to plan the coming year, creating opportunities to build relationships and get involved in the legal community is always a priority. As you plan your schedule for the coming months, consider these tips for making the most of each opportunity.
Show up and be bold
Finding your second wind after a long day is not always easy. While it may be cliché, showing up really is half the battle.
If happy hour does not seem like a fun social opportunity to you, think of it as part of the job. Networking is a requirement in our field –– there simply is no way around it.
So, whether you are new to the association and social anxiety has sunk in, or you are a veteran and apathy has reared its ugly head, the advice is the same: fake it ‘til you make it.
If you struggle with social situations, you are in good company.
Even I have been guilty of hiding out in the ladies’ room to avoid awkward interaction before the start of an event. I promise it gets easier.
What I learned is a crowd is far less intimidating if you know even one person.
Don’t have a friend in the room? No problem. Seek out someone else who is standing alone or looking nervous.
I met one of the women who contributed to this article in that way at lunch several years ago and now consider her an invaluable colleague and friend.
On the flip side, don’t spend the entire event with coworkers or familiar colleagues.
Unless your goal is getting to know a coworker or reconnecting with someone you have not seen in a while, get out there and expand your horizons. It is natural to gravitate toward people you know, so make a conscious effort to mingle or at least involve someone new in the conversation.
Set goals and attend with a purpose
Attending a Bar luncheon is not about the food, nor is happy hour about the drink specials.
These are professional opportunities. Before you walk in the door, think about what you want to accomplish. Whether it’s to meet one new person or build your referral base, have a goal and stick to it.
Chairing a committee? Do not leave the room until you have identified at least one new potential volunteer.
Not sure how to navigate office politics or move up? Find someone who made partner at another firm and ask for advice.
Just switched firms? Take the opportunity to spread the word about your new practice.
Don’t neglect the follow through
So you dragged yourself to an event and met someone new –– now what?
Take a few minutes to jot down notes on the back of a business card. Then remember to transfer them to Outlook before you lose the card or leave it in your pocket and run it through the laundry.
I have been guilty of that more times than I care to admit. It turns out a stack of business cards in a drawer will not do you much good if you never look at it again.
If you are looking for new committee volunteers, take a moment to offer information on how to get involved.
If you are trying to get involved, don’t sit and wait for the people you meet to ask you. Seek them out to communicate your interest and be persistent.
If you are working to build a referral base, try to make an introduction for that person so they think of you next time. If you are trying to meet new people, touch base with them after the event and schedule lunch.
As time goes by, reinforce your connections. Send a note to congratulate a football fan on their team’s win or forward an article that is on point with your last conversation.
The importance of small gestures should not be overlooked.
Whatever the case, assume it is your move to take the next step to solidify the relationship after an event. Don’t let your hard work die on the vine for lack of follow-through.
Special thanks to Francine Palmeri and Kelly Karstaedt for their contributions to this article.
Cynthia Trimmer is an associate with Driver, McAfee, Peek & Hawthorne focusing on real estate law, retail leasing and commercial real estate transactions and land use and zoning law.