Is it okay to network from Employment Page of firms? Forum

[Anonymous User]

I know where I will be attending law school and was looking at local firms and was thinking about emailing some of the people (associates and partners if it is appropriate) and trying to network a little while I am in town till the fall. I will be attending a lower t14 on the opposite side of the country and would like to return if possible and figure this is a good way to make contacts.

I would not be aggresive by any means, and would ask about their jobs and their time at the law school I will be attending. As I have no contacts/family in law at all, I was hoping to start networking now.

Is this appropriate or absurd? I feel like I am gunning, but really I am just a nice calm guy and wanna know about my future and hopefully make some meaningful contacts.

[cinephile]

You're not supposed to post in this forum as a 0L

[Anonymous User]

I saw the 0L thing, but this doesn't deal with "Ask a Law Student" as compared to employment/networking. Feel free to move it, if it fits better else where.

You can also view this for a 1L that is in their first semester. I just want to know networking etiquette and timelines.

[cinephile]

So ask a law student about employment and networking in the ask a law student forum

[Jessep]

I think it's fine to reach out to these folks. I did something similar through my undergrad alumni association when I was in law school and found it really helpful to talk to lawyers about their career paths and hear about their day to day. My only recommendation is do not be aggressive about asking to meet in person (offer to have coffee if they have time or via email or phone if easier), and I would not recommend asking for a job outright. If you click and they like you, keep them in the loop when you are applying for jobs.

[atcushman]

You're not supposed to post in this forum as a 0L

its also a sweet use of anon

[BuckinghamB]

You're not supposed to post in this forum as a 0L

This. But to answer your question, that's completely fine. Worst case scenario is that they don't email you back. I cold-emailed a couple attorneys back home and they were extremely cool about it -- got a free lunch, too. Just make sure there's some kind of connection to the person you're emailing (e.g. same undergrad, went to your future law school, practice area interest, etc.). Makes it a little less awkward IMO.