Tips for New Lawyers - ABA Law Practice Today

The April 2012 issue of Law Practice Today is out. This month's issue is a "survival guide" for young lawyers, but there are lessons here for lawyers of all experience levels.

"Standing Out From the Pack in Networking, Interviews and Beyond" is an advice-laden article for young lawyers seeking a new job, but the advice given applies to lawyers networking for other purposes as well.

Looking for a job is really marketing. In that case, you're marketing yourself to a legal employer. But lawyers can use the same principles in their networking, marketing and business development efforts when seeking new clients. It isn't all about you - it's about learning what your audience (whether that audience is potential employers or potential clients) cares about and needs. And doing your homework - researching potential employers or potential clients and their business or industry - is just as important for seasoned lawyers as it is for new ones.

For the truly young lawayers (or new lawyers, regardless of age), Kathleen Brady shares ways to understand the job search process and Wendy Werner gives tips you can use right now to help find that elusive job. And the Law Practice Management Section has decided to reprise my 2009 article co-written with Jim Calloway, "50 Web Resources for the Suddenly Solo Lawyer" which applies to any lawyer finding themselves newly solo - whether they are a new graduate or a law firm refugee.

On the marketing front, find out from Anne Parys how to engage clients by talking to them about something *other than* their legal matter, and Mary Enemark gives practical tips for creating strategic alliances and referral partnerships.

Parys tackles two of the main obstacles to lawyers building good relationships with clients: getting over the feeling of awkwardness when reaching out to clients and the age-old argument that lawyers are just 'too busy' for business development. The article gives practical tips any lawyer can follow. Although most lawyers say they get most of their business as a result of referrals, few take the time to really cultivate referral relationships and ensure that their referral partners understand what the lawyer does and how the lawyer can help.

Enemark's article gives practical tips to help lawyers build better referral relationships - including specific ideas for the all-important follow up.

All of the marketing and networking in the world won't do you any good unless you can manage client expectations well. Learn how to do just that with Chuck Roberts' 4 step approach for managing client expectations.

There's even more great articles and information in this issue of Law Practice Today, so take a moment to take a look.