Making Connections is Never a Bother
How to maximize internal networking this summer
One common anxiety I hear from summer associates when I encourage them to interact with people in their firm or legal organization is that they are afraid of being a bother. And that concern is fair. After all, they are new and unsure. Plus law firms are full of busy people with billing targets and back-to-back calendars.
But here’s the reality: connecting with attorneys one-on-one is not just allowed—it’s expected. And the people who do it (and better yet, do it well) almost always have a better summer, build deeper relationships, and walk away with a stronger sense of what kind of legal career they actually want.
As Wilson Sonsini partner Myra A. Sutanto Shen put it:
“The summer is your best opportunity to meet people across the firm and really learn about what they do. Even if you know you want to do XYZ, meeting people across the firm is an invaluable part of the summer program.”
And don’t just focus on partners or practice leaders—some of the most valuable conversations you’ll have will be with associates one or two years ahead of you. They remember what it was like to be in your shoes. They’ll be more candid about the day-to-day, the learning curve, and the hidden expectations no one writes down. They can tell you what surprised them when they started full time, how they approached their first assignments, and what they wish they’d done differently during their own summer. That perspective is more immediately relevant than the 20-year view from the corner office. Plus they have fewer people asking them to meet!
Here’s my suggestions: commit to internal networking. Aim for lots of one-on-one interactions, not in a gamified “collect them all” way, but in a way that gives you a range of perspectives. The goal is to learn, to listen, and to build organic relationships. The reality is that most lawyers won’t say no to coffee or lunch unless they’re truly swamped, and if they do, they’ll probably offer a better time. It is their job, but they won’t do it if they aren’t asked. You’re not imposing—you’re participating. If no one reached out, these conversations often wouldn’t happen. Be the one who reaches out.
Finally, make the most of these interactions. Don’t waste your time. Don’t waste theirs.
I recommend you start with light prep: read their firm bio, scroll through recent matters or LinkedIn posts, and figure out what is one thing you can learn from them during your conversation. Then bring a few specific questions. Not boilerplate ones—genuine questions you care about. Try: “What’s one thing you wish you knew before starting?” or “What does your day look like?” or “How has your practice changed in the last few years?” Even better: try to ask one question that you know they are the best person to answer! And remember, this isn’t a monologue. It’s a conversation. Share what you’re interested in, what you’re curious about, and where you’re hoping to grow.
Finally: follow up. Send a short thank-you email. When someone gives you their time its a gift and it matters. Acknowledge it. And if the conversation sparked something meaningful, don’t let it end there. Keep in touch. Set a reminder to follow up later—especially if you come across something relevant to what you discussed. Not every coffee will turn into a lifelong mentorship. That’s not the point. The point is that you can learn a lot from a short conversation—and one coffee along the way will turn into lifelong mentorship, you just won’t know which one.
Keep standing out,
Jonah
