Holiday Networking Events

The holidays can be a great time to connect with the legal community and start building your support system. So, this week we're sharing some basic networking tips from the Culture and Manners Institute:

At a networking event, very rarely will someone take you by the arm and say, "Let me introduce you to the most fabulous people in the room."  Networking takes effort on your part (there is a reason "working" is the root word here). If you see someone standing alone, introduce yourself.  "Hello, my name is (first name, last name)."  The person who introduces himself/herself is more memorable than someone who hangs back and waits to be introduced. When the person offers his/her name, say, "How do you do, (name)?"

When you see a group of people talking, stand outside the group until you hear a lull in the conversation, then step forward and introduce yourself. To keep a conversation going, ask questions of the other person.  People will appreciate you when you take an interest in them. Be the person people want to know from the start. Make eye contact with people in the room and not with your cell phone. Smile -- this shows you are open to communication. Dress so people respect you... not inspect you.  If you show too much skin (you too, Mr. Saggy Britches), the right people will avoid you and the wrong people won't.

Take these tips and put them to use at some the many networking opportunities over the holiday season, a few are highlighted here: 

HBA Securities Litigation & Arbitration Annual Holiday Party

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Brennan’s, 3300 Smith Street, Houston, TX

HBA Labor & Employment Holiday Party Holiday Party

Wednesday, December 3, 2014|5:30 PM-7:30 PM

Irma's Southwest Grill, 1314 Texas St., Houston, TX

HBA Construction Law Section Holiday Party

Thursday, December 4, 2014|6:00 PM-9:00 PM

Brennan’s, 3300 Smith Street, Houston, TX

HBA Oil, Gas and Mineral Law Annual Holiday Brunch

Sunday, December 7, 2014|11:30 AM-2:00 PM

Brennan’s, 3300 Smith Street, Houston, TX

HBA Event 20th Annual Holiday Reception Honoring the Judiciary
Tuesday, December 9, 2014 |5:00 PM-8:00 PM
Downtown Houston Club, 1100 Caroline St., Houston, TX

Animal Law Section Annual Holiday Party
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
BlackFinn American Grille, 1910 Bagby St.

Asian American Bar Association of Houston Holiday Party
Saturday, December 13, 2014|11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
El Tiempo Cantina, 3130 Richmond Avenue, Houston, TX 77098

Houston Intellectual Property Law Association Annual Holiday Party
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Tony’s, 3755 Richmond Avenue (between Wesleyan and Edloe), Houston, TX

Houston Young Lawyers Association Holiday Party
Wednesday, December 17, 2014| 7:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.
The Grove, 1611 Lamar St., Houston, TX

Joint Annual Holiday Party - The Hispanic Bar Association of Houston and The Mexican American Bar Association of Houston

Thursday, December 18, 2014|6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.

Founders Ballroom at The Royal Sonesta Hotel 2222 West Loop South, Houston, Texas 

R.S.V.P. by Wednesday, December 9, 2014 to rsvp2014@hisbahouston.com