The Maryland State Bar Association Young Lawyers had our orientation today. We went sailing in the Inner Harbor of Baltimore. It was a great way to begin our bar year. Here is a video recapping the day:
http://youtu.be/2C0aHgDNA9g
Here is a funny sailing video from the classic movie “What About Bob” that really sums up the general enthusiasm for the day.
“What About Bob” Funny Movie Clip
I had the distinct pleasure of having a 2 hour breakfast the other day with Maryland’s Dan Clements, a prominent Plaintiff’s attorney in Baltimore. In short, volunteering is good on a personal level as well as a professional networking level. Here are some takeaways from the breakfast where we talked about being active in the community and volunteering or doing pro bono work for various groups.
If you join a group remember to be known as a someone “who does what they say they are going to do.” So many times in volunteer organizations people have good intentions and say “Yes” they will be able to do something and then don’t do it. “No” is a better answer than saying “Yes” and not doing it. Also, remember if anyone ever gives you a hard time in one of these associations, turn to them, look them in the eye, and tell them “I’m a volunteer.” That will shut them up quick.
Simple, yet effective concepts: Be reliable and don’t say you can, when you can’t.
Does anyone else have any practical tips for lawyers on getting active/participating with bar associations, specialty groups, rotary clubs, church groups or any other community groups?
Just got back from an enlightening, productive, and fun networking event at Nick’s Fish House and Grill in Baltimore, Maryland.
It’s enlightening to hear from other similar practitioners regarding what works for them and what does not work for them.
It’s productive to network with other practitioners in different practice areas in order to refer cases to each other when the time comes.
Finally, it’s fun to have a beer and meet some good people.
I included the lyrics to the Cheers TV Show Theme Song below. A lot of it seems to ring true for small firm lawyers…
Cheers,
Scott MacMullan
(“The Scottish Guy Named Scott” who is a general practitioner.)
(Where Everybody Knows Your Name…and what area of law you practice.)
Making your way in the world today takes everything you’ve got.
Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot.
Wouldn’t you like to get away?
Sometimes you want to go
Where everybody knows your name,
and they’re always glad you came.
You wanna be where you can see,
our troubles are all the same
You wanna be where everybody knows
Your name.
You wanna go where people know,
people are all the same,
You wanna go where everybody knows
your name.
Making your way in the world today
Takes everything you’ve got;
Taking a break from all your worries
Sure would help a lot.
Wouldn’t you like to get away?
All those night when you’ve got no lights,
The check is in the mail;
And your little angel
Hung the cat up by it’s tail;
And your third fiance didn’t show;
Sometimes you want to go
Where everybody knows your name,
And they’re always glad you came;
You want to be where you can see,
Our troubles are all the same;
You want to be where everybody knows your name.
Roll out of bed, Mr. Coffee’s dead;
The morning’s looking bright;
And your shrink ran off to Europe,
And didn’t even write;
And your husband wants to be a girl;
Be glad there’s one place in the world
Where everybody knows your name,
And they’re always glad you came;
You want to go where people know,
People are all the same;
You want to go where everybody knows your name.
Where everybody knows your name,
And they’re always glad you came;
Where everybody knows your name,
And they’re always glad you came…
Seems like I always have my best networking success with a friend of a friend. It also seems like my own friends always have better success with my connections than they do with me directly. Maybe this is because we know each other too well. Maybe this is because we are worried that it will hurt our friendship if anything goes wrong with the situation. I feel like the best connections are the clients that become friends. They always bring the best referrals. But it seems like it is tougher in some ways to make your friends your clients. (I think a lot of this depends on what kind of sensitivity the matter deals with and how trusting your friendship is.)
What do you think?
I had the pleasure of representing the Severn School Alumni Board at the recent Board of Trustees meeting. Headmaster Doug Lagarde is steering the school in the right direction. Alumni networking event this summer to be announced shortly by the school.
I’m “Freezin for a Reason” on January 26th. I’ll be a “plunger” on team Maryland State Bar Association. The President of the Maryland State Bar Association, John Kudel, and his executive board are all going to take the plunge with me to benefit Maryland Special Olympics.
