It is vital to get connected to the legal community wherever you desire to practice. There are a number of ways to get connected. The easiest and probably best way to do this is to join your local bar associations and get engaged with their related student groups on campus.
Kansas City is fortunate to have a fantastic and very active bar association, the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association (KCMBA). Student memberships are free and you can also attend all CLEs free of cost (except for your lunch). The KCMBA also has a number of sections and committees that serve members in a variety of practice areas. For example, there are sections for business law, criminal law, family law and federal practice. In addition, every recent grad should join the Young Lawyers Section – they host events for young lawyers that address issues specific to your demographic. It is also the perfect opportunity to build networks with people with similar interests and goals. Likewise, the Missouri and Kansas Bar Associations are great resources for information about the legal fields and practitioners in those respective states.
HG.org is a great resource for a comprehensive list of bar associations across the United States and for listings of the associations for various practices of law. Looking into practicing in St. Louis? Check out The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis (BAMSL). Or, if you’re looking in Springfield, Missouri, be sure to look into the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association. From Estate Planning to Health Law and Criminal Defense, the networks are out there for you to find. Get connected NOW to the bar associations in your area of interest. You have nothing to lose by getting linked in early!
Many of the law school’s student groups often partner with these larger outside associations. The Association for Women Law Students (AWLS), for instance, is allied with the Association for Women Lawyers (AWL). It’s not just about connecting with the bar associations; it pays to get engaged now with the student groups. Check out RooLaw at the Student Organizations tab to see where you can get involved.
Once you find a bar association and/or student group that meets your needs and goals, get involved! These groups are always in need of volunteers and it is a great way to meet people in the practice area you want to be in. Not sure how to start? It’s easy! Go to happy hours, CLE events, and networking events. With the hustle and bustle of law school, and classes, and journals, and x, y, and z, it is easy to sideline these “extra” activities; in the end, however, it is often those “extra” activities that help pave the way for your career path. Make the investment and it will pay off!
Tagged: bar associations, job search strategy, networking, resources
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