This post is also available in:
English
As is true in most professional industries, many benefits are available to attorneys who opt to join professional networking or advocacy associations. Having your own practice, or even practicing at another attorney’s law firm, is hard work. While you alone may be able to accomplish a great deal, joining a professional networking association or legal advocacy association allows an attorney to tap into a legal resource pool and coalition of alliances he or she may have never dreamed possible. This can be beneficial to your clients, as well as go a long way towards protecting clients’ rights.
Attorney Makes a Difference as President of the NC Advocates for Justice
Elizabeth City, N.C., attorney Danny Glover Jr. has been recognized as one of his state’s top car accident attorneys, having received a 10.0 Superb Rating on Avvo. In addition to all of the legal publications and Continuing Legal Education (CLE) manuscripts in which his writings can be found, Glover’s work has been highly praised by his clients and colleagues.
As he has learned first-hand the benefits of joining professional networking and advocacy associations, Glover values his membership with the N.C. Advocates for Justice (NCAJ), National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers and AVVO. Having been a proud member of the NCAJ for close to two decades, Glover was recently elected president of the organization.
In his experience, he finds that what he (along with the 3,500 members of the NCAJ) has been able to accomplish in recent years far exceeds anything he could have done on his own. In fact, Glover not only believes membership in the NCAJ has been extremely helpful to his clients, but he also credits the NCAJ with organizing meetings and events, where attorneys from all different fields of law can openly converse and gain valuable insight into their own fields of law.
The Value of Developing a Network of Colleagues to Offer Input and Support
While every state has different types of professional peer-based organizations individuals can join to help them develop a network of colleagues capable of providing valuable input and support, not all attorneys avail themselves of these groups. This is unfortunate, particularly due to the fact that neglecting to build a network like this can actually hinder your rate of success as an attorney. It can also deny you many other benefits including:
- Access to expert witnesses
- Assistance with gaining an understanding of certain laws and legal jargon
- Important business connections
- Advocates for legislative changes
- Peer community you can turn to for guidance
- Like-minded associates
- A stronger voice in state legislative issues
- Continuing legal education
- Ability to remain informed about the latest legal developments
- Promotion of your services, through the organization’s directory
If you are a practicing attorney, who has not yet developed a network of colleagues who can offer you input and support when you need it, we recommend you take the time to do so. Research organizations in your area and find those which have similar goals and objectives to yours. The rewards available to you by being part of a professional network and advocacy association are many.