Networking in Action: A Guide for Women Building the Future of Law

Whether you’re building a legal tech company, leading AI transformation in your organization, or exploring career and leadership opportunities in AI, your network is pivotal to your success.  For most of us, our current networks are not calibrated for the AI era.  After all, we are in the field-building phase of the AI era in law, with new institutions, leaders, and power dynamics still emerging.  Now is the time to take stock of your network and develop a strategy for building a future ready network to help you succeed in the new era. 

Read our insights on what the research says about effective network-building and steps you can take to supercharge your network for the AI era of law. 

Networking 101: What the Research Says

• What is the ideal network size and structure?
  • Small or large?  Small and mighty is okay. Maybe even better in some ways.
  • It’s the structure that matters. The types of connections in a network and “the connections” of those connections matter more than sheer size of the network.  For example, a contact with an investor who focuses on your  sector is more important than numerous finance contacts who don’t support your sector.
• Centrality is key
  • Multiple studies point to importance of networks characterized by close contacts. Having a close group of people with whom you interact frequently is best. (Yang and Chawla. 2019)
• Composition-Diversity matters
  • Networks that include members from diverse sectors are the most beneficial. Think finance, operations, marketing, legal.  All the sectors you or your business collaborates with to do what it does. Geographic diversity is important too regional, national, global.
• Leveraging “Dormant” ties.
  • The research shows that contacts with whom you have not maintained touch over the years are important resources. Studies show that there are unique qualities to these relationships for example university friends may share a bond that endures despite the passage of time and years. When reactivated, they are often extremely helpful.  Reach out and invigorate your ties with former work colleagues, schoolmates, and communities you may no longer actively interact with.

Networking Strategies: Leveraging Groups

Networking in groups can be intimidating, but there are ways to make it easier and more effective. The most important steps you can take are to be intentional and to develop a strategy.

According to a 2023 study by the US-based women’s leadership group Chief, more than 80% of women at the executive level said networking events and groups helped them achieve their career goals.

There are many different types of groups that may be pertinent to your networking.

Group Types:

• Legal Professional Associations & Industry Groups
• Adjacent Industry Communities, e.g., fintech, govtech, regtech, healthtech
• Business eco-system groups, e.g., finance, marketing etc.
• Alumni Networks
• Community Groups, economic development, public interest
• Think Tanks and Universities
• Innovation Entities (e.g., accelerators, incubators, innovation labs)
• Mix of Local, National, International

Each group type holds different benefits. You need to be strategic in evaluating your options. Consider why you will join a group and what you hope to obtain from participating.  Consider specific benefits of different groups. Does it address a gap or weaknesses?  Have potential to strengthen your contacts in a key area?

Before You Commit:  Five Questions to Filter Opportunities

Whether you’re considering joining a group, attending an event, or accepting a coffee meeting, run through these filters:

Networking Strategies: Events

1.Event selection – In-person & Online

Map key industry events for the year

2. Event Preparation:

• Establish Goals
• Research Attendees & Speakers
• Arrange Meetings in Advance

3. During Events

Networking opportunities include Coffee Breaks, Receptions, Breakout Groups

To maximize your effectiveness, consider:

• Connecting with a speaker 
• Approaching someone you identified in advance but didn’t set a meeting with.
• Look for an individual who participated in a breakout session with you. You likely share an interest with them. Deepen the connection. 

Leverage Social Media

• Write about the event. Like posts by other attendees. Monitor the organizers postings and look at who comments. Reach out to others whose comments resonate.

4. Follow-up

Maintain the momentum and maximize opportunities by following up with your new contacts soon after the event.

Networking Strategies: Online Beyond LinkedIn

• Explore a diversity of platforms, Slack, Substack. Engage with online newsletters
• Meeting requests. Reach out to individuals who may be peers, partners, or hold expertise that may be helpful to your venture or professional goals. Request a brief virtual chat. Meeting strategy and follow-up. Make sure you set goals for the meeting and have an agenda for yourself. After the meeting send a thank you note right away.
• Online Events. Online events create an opportunity to connect and network with speakers and participants during and after the event.  Take note of individuals you want to meet. Reach out and let them know you enjoyed their presentation or connect with them on LinkedIn.  Request a virtual coffee. 

Networking 101: Master Interactions

✓Connect

Initiate conversations confidently and establish rapport.

✓Develop a pitch to impress

Clearly articulate who you are and what you seek.

✓Listen actively and show interest

Engage fully, ask questions, and remember details.

✓Reflect & Note Follow-up Items

Consolidate insights and plan next steps to build relationships.

Networking Strategies: You Made A New Connection. Now what?

• Keep the relationship warm

• • Send immediate follow up note

• Do something to help them right away

• • Send an article
  • Forward a LinkedIn post
  • Call an event to their attention
  • Make a connection for them

• Send Check-in notes, set calls, schedule coffees

Supercharging: Effective Management

✓Develop a schedule

Integrate networking into your regular routine.

✓Set weekly goals

1. Maintenance of current contacts

2. Outreach to new contacts

✓LinkedIn Connections

e.g., 5 per week

✓Follow up with new contacts

✓Reflect and Adjust Strategy

Keys to Successful Networking

Networking can be a powerful tool for female founders and other women building the future of law, but it requires strategy and intention. By focusing on building authentic relationships, being clear about your goals, and giving as much as you take, you can create a supportive and effective network that will help you achieve your business objectives.

According to a recent Harvard Business Review Study, (HBR) Women who excel at Networking are:

• Efficient
• Nimble.  You need to think critically about what relationships and connections you need right now to reach your goals and the goals for your business. Your network might be great, but it doesn’t include people you need to help with the tech for your business or your current goals, e.g., building a career in AI governance, you need to be nimble and adjust your networking focus to align with your current needs instead of relying on contacts you already have who may not be able to address them.
• Boundary-Spanning, HBR highlights the importance of connecting with people who have different business functions or sectors and geographies. What types of people are not in your networks but should be?
• Energy-Balanced.  Be energizing to others; excite them with your ideas, knowledge and skills. Show them your value and build trust and support with small gestures.
• Frequent communicators.   A 2023 Chief study found that women who are the most successful networkers are frequent communicators. Chief | No, You Don’t Need to Learn Golf to Advance. Chief’s Study Proves Women Leaders Successfully Network off the Range