The Atlanta Lawyer April/May 2019 | Page 15

behavior). Segal knows two stu- dents who received job offers at the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Founda- tion Winetasting. They happened to meet an attorney who needed some research performed. Segal notes, “You never know when a conversation is a job interview. The offer happened because the students were fully present.” Kodish and Segal report that one common question asked is how to break away from an overly long conversation at an event. They suggest implementing the following call to actions: “I’m getting a drink. Would you like for me to get you something?” “I see my friend across the room. It’s been lovely talking to you.” “I’m going to let you go. I know you’re here to meet other people.” After the event, follow up with your favorite attendees and make ad- ditional plans. Remember that attorneys are extremely busy and measure their time in six minute increments. Your follow up offer should be something convenient and beneficial to the attorney. In- stead of “can I pick your brain?” consider asking if you can take a walk or engage in some other activ- ity that the attorney already has on the schedule. You may be able to assist the attorney with a Section, community program, committee, or pro bono project. 2. Become Golden Retriever- active in one or more Sections. The Atlanta Bar has 22 Sections representing areas of practice: the Atlanta Council of Younger Lawyers, Bankruptcy, Business & Finance, Construction, Corporate Counsel, Criminal Law, Dispute Resolution, Elder Law, Environ- mental and Toxic Tort, Estate Plan- ning and Probate, Family Law, Intellectual Property, International Law, Judicial, Labor and Employ- ment, Litigation, Public Interest Law, Real Estate, Sole Practitioner/ Small Firm, Tax, Women in the Profession, and Workers Compen- sation. Review the Board of Direc- tors for Sections of interest to you and write to Board members and see if they need help planning up- coming events. https://www.atlan- tabar.org/members/group_select. asp?type=13861 3. Get involved in a community program. You could support the community by getting involved with Atlanta Santa, Minority and Diversity Clerk- ship, Secret Santa, or the Summer Law Internship Program. https:// www.atlantabar.org/page/505 4. Join a Committee. Atlanta Bar committees focus on a variety of important issues, includ- ing fundraising for the Atlanta Bar Foundation to diversity and inclu- sion in our profession. As a recent graduate, you would be a welcome addition to the Law School Out- reach Committee, comprised of law students, attorneys and law school liaisons. law school grads. And yes - help- ing someone find a job is a salu- tary form of networking. Review available positions and sign up for alerts here: http://l.ga.atl.associa- tioncareernetwork.com/Common/ HomePage.aspx 6. Get thee to a CLE. As a Georgia Bar member, you must attend a minimum of twelve hours of education per year. You can find programs based on your interests by visiting the Atlanta Bar website. You can meet and interact with at- torneys at live events or schedule a videotaped program to watch with friends. https://www.atlantabar. org/page/A1 7. Write for The Atlanta Lawyer. The Atlanta Lawyer (which you are reading now) is published digitally six times a year. You are welcome to submit an article about a favorite restaurant, book review, lifestyle/ wellness, recent case law/rulings, advancements in the legal industry, post-law school life, or more. Want to help a busy colleague or prospective employer? Ask if you can co-author an article. 5. Use the Career Center. The Career Center can help you find a job or provide job information so you can help one of your fellow The Official News Publication of the Atlanta Bar Association THE ATLANTA LAWYER 15