There are so many skills useful to the practice of law that you don't learn in law school -and socializing is one of them. Lawyers are not known for being a social and fun-loving bunch, and many of my friends bemoan the semi-required networking events you start to encounter in law school. However, I often enjoy them, and have found that there are lots of ways to meet people in your field of practice and make valuable connections, regardless of your interests.

This summer, I have had the pleasure of attending a variety of events - some, sponsored by the Boston Bar Association (BBA), are panel discussions composed of lawyers from different firms and organizations, speaking on issues such as representing clients on death row, and the role of politics in the practice of law. Others are events like the Lawyers Have a Heart run (check out our team photo below! I ducked out before my appearance in a headband could be memorialized in print), or the Corporate Challenge, where firms round up groups of eager summers and associates to raise money for charity events. Finally, there are the more classic, and decedent, social events. Last night, for instance, a group of us went to the Justice Is Sweet event. Hosted by the BBA, this annual event is a fundraiser in the form of a dessert and wine buffet. There were, yes, chocolate fountains in which to dip strawberries and marshmallows. Pretty ridiculous! And delicious.

Even though these events sound silly, or indulgent, they actually are a great opportunity to meet other people in your field, to raise money for good causes. It’s a chance to spend time with your co-workers in a lower stress situation, and to see the people that you may spend the next few decades encountering in court! Obviously you don’t have to be best friends with everyone who just happens to be a lawyer, but having cordial relationships with those who will be your work community is a great bonus and makes an often stressful career that much more enjoyable.