Finding your footing as a new lawyer doesn't have to be difficult. Dea Cortney shares how getting involved in the bar has given her career a boost.
.png?Status=Master&sfvrsn=3801523b_1)
By Dea Cortney
I’ve always been a “joiner.” From elementary school through law school, I was the girl involved in every club, sport, committee, event, etc. – you name it, I was on it. So, it should come as no surprise that I got involved in some of the various local, state, and national bar associations when I was still a law student, and then dove in head-first joining boards and committees once I became a lawyer. But why? Aside from the intrinsic value I receive because I genuinely enjoy board and committee work, serving in bar association leadership roles provides excellent opportunities to network with other attorneys, build mentor/mentee relationships, and develop professionally.
Networking
Despite being a self-described “joiner,” I used to be terrified by the word “networking.” Networking conjures up thoughts of standing alone in a large room full of strangers and having to make small talk. But networking can also mean something less formal and not at all scary. I like to think of networking as any activity I am doing that broadens or strengthens my connections with other lawyers or people who could refer cases to me.
I have learned that I sometimes need to just step outside of my comfort zone and network in the room full of strangers. Generally, the nervousness passes and I find myself enjoying the conversation, meeting interesting people, and being glad that I chose to show up in that way.
Joining bar association groups, boards, committees, etc. gives me an opportunity to feel like I am doing something specific and being helpful in a tangible way – and helps me build connections with other lawyers. By coming together with a common purpose, boards and committees often become cohesive units where conversation flows easily, friendships are formed, and the talk doesn’t feel so small. Once I have established a zone of comfort with a base group of people, it becomes much easier to branch out and network with a larger group. That way, the original definition of networking seems more manageable because I got to know a smaller group first.
If you feel this way, try connecting with a smaller group before a larger meeting. For example, the RCBA New Lawyers Section Board of Directors meets for a business meeting prior to each of our monthly happy hours. If you are more of a 1-1 or small group person, feel free to connect with anyone on our board before the happy hour and we would be happy to introduce you around!
On the flip side, though, I have also learned that I sometimes need to just step outside of my comfort zone and network in the room full of strangers. Generally, the nervousness passes and I find myself enjoying the conversation, meeting interesting people, and being glad that I chose to show up in that way. And, the bar provides a ton of fun events throughout the year that won’t feel like traditional networking events such as the annual golf tournament and the Bench & Bar Benefit.
Whether you choose to dive headfirst into a bar association and become super involved or you want to dip a toe in and test the waters, there is something here for everyone.
Mentorship
Bar association membership is a great way to get involved in a mentor/mentee relationship, whether formal or informal. I have certainly met many lawyers over the years through the bar association and other associations that I consider informal mentors because I admire their work, practice, ethics, attitude, style, etc. There are others with whom I have a formal mentor/mentee relationship established through a specific leadership program. I think both types of mentorship are invaluable to a new lawyer. If you are interested in forging a mentor relationship but do not know who you would like to approach, you could try talking to your New Lawyers Section or a committee in your practice area to see if they know anyone who may be interested.
Professional Development
Bar associations at local, state, and national levels provide tons of amazing professional development opportunities throughout the year. Between in-person, online, and on-demand CLEs, courses, workshops, conferences, trial schools, and other offerings on just about every legal topic under the sun, there is no shortage of ways to supplement your existing knowledge and/or pick up some new information. The bar association is a great place to hone skills you might not necessarily use every day – like how to conduct an expert deposition – or get updates on things that may impact you indirectly such as the new cannabis law’s effects on employment law – or things that affect all lawyers such as wellness and work/life balance tips.
Whether you choose to dive headfirst into a bar association and become super involved or you want to dip a toe in and test the waters, there is something here for everyone. I truly believe that, like most things, the more you put into it, the more you will get out of it. I have found that the bar association is a place that provides amazing networking, mentorship, and professional development opportunities all in one – all while being a fun place to serve the legal community.
Dea Cortney is a criminal defense attorney at Sieben Edmunds Miller PLLC where she has worked since she was a clerk in law school. She is a 2020 graduate of Mitchell Hamline. Dea serves on several boards and committees, including the RCBA Board of Directors and the RCBA New Lawyers Section Board. In her free time she enjoys traveling, reading, doing crossword and jigsaw puzzles, and watching true crime shows.