Many students don’t think about networking until they need a job. To make meaningful connections, you need to start early. As an articling student, I receive requests for coffee chats weekly from law students. In this article, I break down my top tips for networking as a law student to help you stand out in this competitive market.
Maintain Regular Contact
To make new connections, you should maintain regular contact with people you meet. If you met at an in-person event, message the lawyer after the event. Many students contact me and ask for advice on how to find an articling position. Following the discussions, they do not update me to inform me if they received an offer. Those who do this stand out, and I am more likely to remember them. I recommend providing career updates throughout the year or following any important milestones such as any awards won, papers published, or conferences attended.
Do Not Ask for a Referral Right Away
Some students ask me whether my company is hiring within the first ten minutes of meeting me. While coffee chats can be a tool to help you get a job, I strongly advise against asking for a referral in the first meeting. This puts the other person in an awkward position and makes the connection feel less genuine. It is difficult for me to refer someone for a job right away because I have not worked with them before or know them very well. Instead, I recommend using the first meeting to ask questions about the individual’s experience. You can ask them how they found their current position, what type of law they practice, and exciting projects they have worked on. Many lawyers may ask whether you have an articling position secured. If someone informs me that they are still looking for articles, I usually send them any job postings I hear about. Once you establish rapport, people will be more likely to refer you for a job if a position eventually opens at their organization.
Use Social Media to Your Advantage
Social media can be a great tool to make new connections and maintain current ones. Try to post content that is relevant to lawyers and other law students. For example, if you are interested in employment law, posting a case comment or article about a topic in this area is likely to get noticed by lawyers in this space. They may reshare your article, comment on it, or contact you directly if they like it. If you previously had a coffee chat with a lawyer and they see your post, they will be reminded of you and your interests. My recommendation is to keep your posts short and professional.
Connect with Your Classmates
I found my summer fellowship through joining a student club. Summer of 1L was approaching, and I still did not have a job secured. I reached out to another executive on my team and informed her of this. She previously worked with a non-profit organization and provided me with an individual to contact. I ended up completing a fellowship with this organization and gaining hands-on experience, which was very beneficial going into 2L. Many students in your class may know someone hiring or can refer you to someone for a coffee chat. Lots of people are happy to make new connections at school, so just reach out.
Conclusion
Networking does not result in instant connections or immediate job offers. This is a skill you will need to regularly practice and put time into. Opportunities may come up unexpectedly, but having an established network keeps you top of mind. As a final note, practice gratitude and thank people for their time. This may seem minor, but sending a thank-you email is one of the easiest ways to stand out.
About the Author
Hanaa Ameer-Uddin is an Articling Student at Mercedes-Benz Financial Services Canada and the Chair of the OBA’s Student Section Executive. She graduated from the University of Ottawa’s English Common Law program in 2025. In her free time, she enjoys staying active and trying new coffee shops in Toronto.
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