If networking feels awkward, even at a senior level, you’re not the problem. Most lawyers and legal marketers have been taught a version that actually makes real connection harder.

In this mini episode of So Much To Say: A Legal Podcast For People, Megan Senese challenges the way networking is typically framed in the legal industry. The version that says you need to work the room, prove your value, and leave with something to show for it.

That version doesn’t just feel uncomfortable. It makes real connection harder.

This episode offers a different approach. One rooted in curiosity, generosity, and the understanding that networking isn’t about what you get. It’s about how you show up and how you make people feel.

Who this is for:

Lawyers and legal marketers who feel awkward or drained at networking events
Professionals who leave conferences feeling like they didn’t “do enough”
Anyone who believes they’re bad at networking
People under pressure to turn every interaction into ROI
What you’ll take away:
You’re not bad at networking. You’ve been taught a version that doesn’t work
Why even experienced professionals still feel uncomfortable at events
How the pressure to “get something” undermines connection
What shifts when you approach networking with curiosity instead of expectation
Why people remember how you made them feel, not what you said

A different way to approach your next event:

Reach out to people you know will be there before you arrive
Let people know you’re attending and invite connection in advance
Focus on meeting people, not making something happen

Want more tips and insights? Connect with us!

You don’t need to be someone else to be good at networking. You just need to connect.

stage helps lawyers and legal teams rethink business development through a relationship-first approach: one that feels natural, sustainable, and effective over time.

Learn more about stage
Connect with Megan Senese
Connect with Jennifer Ramsey

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