Why is the ABA Women Rainmakers Committee having such a hard time filling up its October conference for women lawyers?
About once a week for several weeks now, I've thought about writing a blog post regarding this conference for women lawyers. That is, I've been prompted periodically to think about this upcoming gathering because of frequent email reminders from the Law Practice Management Section.
I'm finally blogging about it because I'm struck by the fact that it is apparently so under-subscribed. If that is the case, it illustrates what a King Hall alum was telling me recently -- that women law students and recent law grads too often underestimate the importance of rainmaking. That is, they discount the extent to which they -- as they become more senior and certainly if they are to be made partners -- must bring in their own clients.
Most of you reading this blog aren't under serious pressure yet to attract your own clients (and some of you never will be because of the sectors in which you work), but it's never too early to start thinking about the significance of networking . . .
ADDENDUM: an email from the ABA has clarified to me that there has been a robust response to this conference and that the repeated emails are simply to clarify that space is still available.
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ReplyDeleteI don't dount the importance of rainmaking, but what about those of in the non-profit/legal aid or government sector? Lawyers in these areas don't do traditional rainmaking. However, networking is still critical. Other important skills include: grant writing, legislative analysis, creative group process, and the ability to work in collaboration.
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