Taking the Stress Out of In-Person Networking

February 26, 2025

Whether or not you thrive in competitive industries can depend on many factors. In the legal industry, networking is one of them.

In today’s post-pandemic age of virtual meetings, virtual events, and even virtual doctor’s appointments, networking has started to look a little different. There are plenty of online virtual conferences, seminars, and meet & greets for legal professionals to attend.

But what about in-person events?

There are just as many in-person networking events to attend, and in our virtual age they pack an even more powerful punch than online events. A Forbes study showed that 85% of people who attended in-person networking events felt it allowed them to build stronger, more meaningful relationships.

While there are clearly benefits to in-person networking, and no shortage of opportunities, what would be the deterrent from participating?

Well, it’s no secret that legal professionals, and lawyers specifically, experience anxiety at a very high rate including social anxiety. This paired with the pressure that can come with networking in the legal industry can make it feel too intimidating to try.

So, we want to offer a few ways to combat the anxiety around networking in person, so that you can leverage this powerful tool which is also good for your own mental health and connection to your community.

 

  1. Attend events that aren’t law-related. Practice makes perfect, and low-stakes practice is best when just getting started. Dip your toes into social gatherings by starting with something fun and stress-free.Find groups in your area that are meeting up to partake in things you’re interested in; you can even take a friend! Try a book club at your local bookstore or library, or maybe a running club put on by your town’s rec center. MeetUp is a great resource for this very thing. And some of the most powerful professional connections are made in social settings where the prime motivation isn’t professional advancement.

  1. Make casual connections first. You don’t have to go to the biggest events in the city to successfully network. Making casual connections can be just as influential and a lot easier. You may meet some attorneys in your day-to-day life, or even in one of the interest groups you decide to join. Making these causal connections and speaking with people in the industry one-on-one with little to no pressure is great for someone who isn’t great in large, high-pressure settings.

  1. Work your way up to the in-person events with virtual ones. Yes, the point is to reap the benefits of networking in person, but that does not mean virtual events are entirely fruitless. Try some virtual legal events first, but don’t simply be a spectator. Challenge yourself by turning your mic on and making yourself heard. Engage in conversation while you have the ability to turn your camera off after. This makes great practice for speaking in front of people.

  1. Have a set intention before diving in. There is a purpose to networking, and knowing what that purpose is for yourself can make things easier. Keeping your eyeon the prize gives you something to focus on, giving your mind little time to spiral and cause internal panic. Write down one thing you want to take away from the event, the name of someone you want to speak with, or a challenge for yourself, like the number of people you want to simply introduce yourself to.

  2. Ask Questions: Dale Carnegie’s classic advice in How to Win Friends and Influence People still rings true today: become genuinely interested in other people, ask them questions about themselves, and be a good listener. This is good advice for life generally and in networking situations can be a great way to break the ice and ease your own anxiety about speaking.

In-person networking can be fun and doesn’t have to be a chore. With some practice, you can master the act of networking both online and off. Happy networking!