Social acumen isn't a soft skill – it's essential for lawyers and should be part of legal education
Too many law students are told that networking is essential but left without clear guidance or practical tools. As a result, they either avoid it or approach it with discomfort. That’s a missed opportunity, especially for first-generation students or newcomers to Canada, who often lack inherited connections. We need to reframe networking as a skill to be practised, not a personality trait you either have or don’t.
I’m an internationally trained lawyer from Brazil. When I arrived in Toronto, I didn’t know many Canadian lawyers. Inspired by the 75th anniversary of U of T Law, I set myself a challenge: speak with 75 legal professionals in a year. These weren’t formal interviews. They were short conversations, often over coffee or Zoom, with alums, professors, and practising lawyers.
What I learned should be obvious but often isn’t: most lawyers are happy to share what they’ve learned if you ask respectfully. And you don’t need a polished resume or elevator pitch. You just need curiosity, kindness, and courage to start.
The profession constantly talks about the value of mentorship yet offers little structure for students to build those relationships. We create clinics and writing programs, but networking remains informal and intimidating. That’s why law schools, bar associations, and even firms should rethink how they support early career professionals in building their networks. One lawyer I spoke with said, “The greatest takeaway from law school isn’t just what you learn – it’s who you learn it with.” Mentorship shouldn’t be left to chance.
Here’s what I suggest:
When I finished my “75 Conversations Project,” I had built more than a network. I had built confidence, insight, and purpose. Some chats turned into mentorships. Others led to work. Most just taught me that building a legal career starts by showing up, listening carefully, and asking thoughtful questions. One lawyer shared a simple but powerful reminder: “Put the work in, be confident in yourself, and remember that your classmates are your future colleagues.” This shift in mindset helped me see networking not as a task but a shared journey.
But the part that surprised me most was that the more I reached out, the more I realized that networking wasn’t just about getting ahead; it was also about belonging. Every conversation strengthened my sense of belonging in the profession. It reminded me that no one builds a legal career alone and that support, guidance, and encouragement often come from people who were once in your shoes.
Beyond everything else, many conversations I had brought up a significant and maybe obvious point: Professional growth and new opportunities often come from relationships. Several lawyers shared how connections helped them land new jobs, return to Toronto from other jurisdictions, receive client referrals, or be invited to speak and share their ideas at events and guest lectures.
Networking needs to start in law school through genuine relationships, but it can’t end there. It’s something we build and carry forward throughout our careers. This isn’t about extroversion. It’s about access – access to guidance, access to opportunity, and access to the unspoken rules that often shape careers. If we want a profession that values diversity, we can’t keep telling students to “just network.” We must recognize that, for many, that’s like being handed a tool without instructions.
I believe we can do better. Networking should not be left to chance, luck, or personality. One lawyer I spoke with emphasized this well: “As you go into practice, remember to keep people at the centre of everything you do.” The legal profession is built on relationships; we must help students make them earlier and more intentionally. It can be structured, supported, and taught like legal writing. It starts with one conversation. And with the proper support, it can change everything.
