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