"That attorney really knows his/her stuff." Isn't that what we
want our clients, colleagues and referral sources to think about
us? There's a lot that goes into people's perceptions of us and our
practices, but there is one tried and true way to improve our
image: volunteer.
Wait! Hear me out, and consider this proposition. If I told you
that by devoting about two hours a month to interact with
like-minded colleagues and brainstorm, plan and/or help others with
simple legal issues, you would gain credibility, establish an
interesting conversation starter for all future networking
opportunities and position yourself as a leader in the community,
wouldn't you be interested?
We are all familiar with the commonly cited rationales for
avoiding volunteerism: "There's not enough time," "My firm doesn't
let me participate in those things," or "I'm too new to provide any
meaningful contribution." Hogwash. The truth is, volunteering is
easy. Volunteerism can be an efficient way to build credibility
and, accordingly, build business.
It doesn't take that much of your time for you make a meaningful
impact. The majority of the most involved attorneys volunteer one
evening a month for nine months out of the year. If you take on a
more ambitious project, like chairing a CLE, you'll spend more time
on the project, but the responsibility will conclude after the date
of the presentation. Too much? Write an article or sign up for the
Dial-A-Lawyer program. The most important attribute in a good
volunteer is the willingness to help others. You already have that
- you're an attorney. Regardless of your limitations, the
organization for which you seek to volunteer will welcome you with
open arms, readily tailoring a role to match your interest and time
contribution.
If I have I convinced you to give it a try, consider volunteering
for our Law Student Mock Interview Program, which will be piloted
next month with Suffolk University Law School. Fellow LPM Section
Council Member Susan Letterman-White and I are chairing this
impactful new program. Participating law students and recent grads
will get valuable practice interviewing for employment, while we
grow the MBA's relationship with both prospective members and the
law schools. It's a great program and a great opportunity for you
to get involved with minimal time contribution.
Volunteers will devote a total of 30-45 minutes conducting a mock
interview and giving feedback. The interviewee will come to your
office, and we'll give you an interview outline as a guide. All
interviews will be conducted the second half of September; you will
set the interview time and date within that parameter. Interested?
E-mail me at [e-mail dturco], or call me at (617)
657-4878, and we'll get you signed up.
If not, try something else. Get involved and build your
business!
Damian J. Turco is an attorney licensed in Massachusetts
and Florida and the owner of Mass Injury Firm. He serves as the
vice chair of the MBA's Law Practice Management Section Council, is
a member of the Boston Inns of Court and practices primarily in
Boston.