Like any other profession, Houston-based lawyers rely on networking. As one example of lawyer marketing, professional networks are all about building rapport and developing mutually beneficial relationships. The more you network, the easier it is to establish and differentiate yourself.
Whether you work at a law firm or corporation, networking is also a great way to secure new business and advance your law career. If you currently practice in Houston, or are considering relocation opportunities there, here’s how to build a more effective career network.
Professional Organizations
Perhaps the obvious place to start, professional organizations are a great way for lawyers to network with others in the industry. While these groups can put you in direct communication, there are requirements you must meet in order to join them in many cases. Attorneys in the Houston legal market enjoy career-enrichment opportunities through these professional organizations:
State Bar of Texas
With over 100,000 members, the State Bar of Texas is the largest lawyer network in the Lone Star State. As a lawyer or other legal professional joining the Texas Bar provides you with year-round training, networking, CLE and socializing opportunities.
Houston Trial Lawyers Association 
Boasting some of the most talented litigators in the state, the Houston Trial Lawyers Association (HTLA) is dedicated to supporting the local community and its corporate partners through educational events, monthly CLE luncheons, after-hour socials and annual golf outings.
Houston Bar Association 
Founded in 1870, the Houston Bar Association (HBA) boasts 11,000+ members. The HBA’s mission is addressing the professional needs of Houston-based lawyers by promoting various activities, including law-related or high-impact projects that benefit the local community.
Texas General Council Forum 
The Texas General Council Forum promotes in-house corporate leadership throughout the state by building relationships, exchanging best practices, and sponsoring strategic programming and networking events. There are currently 650+ general and senior-level management members representing over 450 companies in the TGCF network.
Houston Young Lawyers Association 
Open to lawyers aged 36 or under, those with less than 5 years of practice experience and law students, the Houston Young Lawyers Association (HYLA) provides professional opportunities for members to learn, lead, network and serve.
Hispanic Bar Association of Houston 
The goal of the non-profit Hispanic Bar Association of Houston (HisBA) is the advancement of Hispanics in the legal profession. HisBA also seeks to empower members of the local Hispanic community through fundraisers, social activities and scholarships for Houston-based high school and law school students.
Association of Legal Administrators 
As the local chapter of a national organization, the 200+ members of the Houston Association of Legal Administrators (ALA) include law firm and corporate legal department managers. The ALA’s mission is improving the management quality in legal service organizations through education and knowledge sharing.
Legal Marketing Association 
The nationwide Legal Marketing Association (LMA) network provides a forum for Houston-based consultants, venders, lawyers, marketers from industries outside the legal profession, and marketing students to connect and share information.
Houston Intellectual Property Law Association 
Houston Intellectual Property Law Association (HIPLA) members are intellectual property lawyers, patent agents and law school affiliates from the Houston area. The HIPLA’s mission is promoting the development and understanding of intellectual property law through CLE opportunities and amicus briefs.
Houston Association of Legal Professionals 
Membership in the Houston Association of Legal Professionals (Houston ALP) is open to paralegals, law office administrators, legal assistants and other legal professionals. Affiliated with state and national ALPs, Houston’s chapter provides members with career-enrichment and networking activities including CLE seminars and conferences, NALS-certification programs and monthly membership meetings.
Houston Paralegal Association 
The purpose of the Houston Paralegal Association (HPA) is to promote the advancement of Houston-based paralegals by providing them with educational and professional development programs. The HPA also offers its members networking opportunities through social events and activities scheduled throughout the year.
Industry Nights and Informal Groups
In addition to joining a professional organization, other ways for legal professionals in Houston
to network in a more casual setting include industry nights and informal groups. One prime example of the latter is Houston Lawyers Meetup, where members connect after hours by participating in community outreach events, earning CLEs, and, more importantly, just having some good old-fashioned fun!
Online Spaces and Discussion Forums
Online communities are another way to promote lawyer marketing. LawyerSmack.com is a popular networking platform for legal professionals in Houston because it provides a safe and secure online space for open and honest discussions. LawyerSmack.com also offers attorneys a forum for sharing problems and brainstorming solutions.
Social media groups and chat rooms are also popular digital networking tools for lawyers, but since most aren’t very private, you may not even know that the boss is reading your posts!
Networking in Houston During a Job Search
As a lawyer seeking career-advancement opportunities in Houston, the time to establish and cultivate your professional network is before starting a job search, not after. Confidentiality and discretion are of the utmost importance, while finding the right position based on your qualifications and experience can be challenging.
At Momentum Search Partners, we use our established recruiting networks to help many of Houston’s prestigious law firms and corporations find, screen and hire some of the brightest attorney candidates out there. While working out of our Houston office, we excel at matching candidate strengths with employer needs while partnering with well-established clients.
If you value availability, confidentiality and professionalism in a Houston legal recruiting agency, contact our Houston-based legal headhunters today.