Networking has always been key to building professional relationships and finding a job. The advent of web-based social media has taken networking a step further. A recent survey found that social networking has the potential to change the business and practice of law over the next five years.
As a legal professional, you can leverage the power of social networking sites to your advantage. Professional networking sites can help you enhance your professional image, expand your network, boost your visibility, build your professional brand and manage your career. These sites allow you to participate in online forums, search for jobs, post and peruse job listings, exchange practice tips, meet other legal professionals and share knowledge, ideas, experiences and opinions.
Ready to get started? Several of the most popular social networking sites include:
In addition to the general social networking sites above, a growing number of online legal social media platforms cater to the legal community. A few of these include:
- Martindale.com Connected - With nearly 30,000 members, Connected is one of the world's largest professional networking communities created exclusively for the legal profession.
- Lawyrs.net - an international law community designed for lawyers and law students.
- LawLink - a site for attorneys in the U.S., Canada, Australia and the U.K.
- Legal On Ramp - a site that connects in-house and outside counsel.
- MyParalegal Space - a social networking site for the paralegal community.
- Pivotal Dsicovery - a new site that caters to litigation support and e-discovery professionals.
- Casemakerx.com - the first professional networking site exclusively for law students.
