Post Networking Event Tips

I attended a networking event, should I follow up on the short conversation I had with an attorney I met?

It depends…

If you want to keep in touch with this attorney because you like their practice area, firm, or the conversation you had: Yes! Send a follow up email and indicate something specific you talked about.? You can find the attorney's email address on the firm website, California Bar Attorney Search, or from their business card, and send them a short email.

Example:? Dear Ms. Attorney: I enjoyed meeting you last night at the Careers in the Law event.? I especially enjoyed our conversation about technology transfer.? As you suggested, I will look into joining the Intellectual Property Section of the SDCBA and I hope to see you at a future event.? If you know of any other events related to intellectual property and where law students are welcome, please let me know.? I appreciate the time you took to support our law school and it was a pleasure to meet you.?

If it was a really short conversation and there is nothing you want to follow up about, it does not hurt to send a short email.??

?Example:? Dear Ms. Attorney: I enjoyed meeting you last night at the Careers in the Law event.? It was great to hear about your firm and the clients you represent.? I hope to see you at a future networking event.? Thank you for taking the time to support our law school.??

However, you do not have to follow up with everyone you meet at every networking event.? Be strategic and selective, as both you and the attorneys have limited time.

When is it too late to send a follow up email after a networking event?

The best practice is to send an email within 24 hours.? If you wait too long to send an email, it is not as effective or professional.? However, better to send a later email than none at all!? For example, if you attended Careers in the Law last week and forgot to send follow up emails, do so now.

What if the attorney never responds?

This happens and perhaps you will meet this attorney again at a future event.? If you made a fantastic connection, you can send one more follow up email 5-7 days after the first outreach.?

Keeping in Touch

If the attorney responds, that is great news!? Consider adding them as a connection on LinkedIn.? If they are active on LinkedIn, regularly like and/or comment on their posts (or their firm’s posts).? You can also reach out to the attorney by email a couple of times a year, and see if they would be willing to meet up for coffee.

What if ______________ (insert any number of possibilities)?

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