Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming various sectors including the legal profession, reshaping not just how lawyers work, but also how they network. Throughout my career, I’ve made networking a priority. It has played a critical role in creating opportunities, staying current in the profession, and expanding my horizons and points of view. Now, as president of the State Bar of Michigan, I’m excited to explore — and share — some of the ways AI can take attorney networking to the next level.

AI can play an important role in streamlining existing networking efforts, identifying key opportunities, and building the reputation necessary for leadership. AI doesn’t replace the traditional methods of networking; it enhances them, making connections more efficient, data-driven, and targeted.

In this context, integrating AI into networking strategies can accelerate career advancement and create new pathways to leadership roles. Whether within a law practice or the broader legal community (e.g., bar associations), AI tools provide innovative ways to identify and connect with influential individuals, deepen relationships, and increase visibility — critical factors for securing leadership opportunities.

AI AND NETWORKING IN YOUR LEGAL PRACTICE

Enhancing networking efficiency

Traditionally, networking in a law practice involves attending events, meeting people through referrals, and nurturing relationships over time. There’s nothing like shaking new and familiar hands at events big and small. While these practices are still essential, AI can amplify their effectiveness. In Michigan, for example, we have no shortage of events we can attend, from large annual events like the SBM Great Lakes Legal Conference to small events held by local bar associations or Bar sections.

So, what to attend? AI-driven tools can assist lawyers in identifying influencers whether within their firm, the legal community, or related industries. Also, AI platforms can analyze vast datasets to suggest valuable connections based on shared practice areas, goals, or professional trajectories.

Take, for example, something as common as LinkedIn’s AI-driven recommendations or legal-specific platforms such as Avvo, Justia, and Martindale-Hubbell that can track individuals’ activities, interests, and accomplishments and use that information to suggest personalized opportunities to network with key players. Those targeted approaches eliminate the inefficiencies of traditional networking methods and provide a clearer path to building the right relationships, allowing attorneys to optimize where to direct their networking efforts and save otherwise wasted time in efforts that would not yield the same value.

Building a leadership reputation

Networking is not just about connecting with people; it’s about creating a reputation as someone capable of taking on leadership responsibilities. I can attest to the importance of developing a reputation for thought leadership, a common stepping stone toward acquiring leadership roles. It’s another area in which AI can help legal professionals. There’s a dizzying amount of information coming at us these days, so much that it can be difficult just to stay current, let alone take the role of a thought leader pushing things further. By analyzing data from legal publications, conference presentations, and blogs, AI can identify trends, emerging topics, and key areas of expertise that align with a lawyer’s interests. These insights allow for strategically focused networking efforts on topics and groups that can bolster one’s reputation in those areas.

For example, say AI identifies a growing interest in data privacy law. An attorney could then attend related events, write articles, or join relevant committees — actions that increase their visibility as a thought leader. Networking at events or contributing to discussions about these timely issues positions them as an expert in the field, which can naturally lead to leadership opportunities in their practice. In this way, AI acts like a personal assistant, saving you time by gathering, crunching, and synthesizing data to allow you to focus on the most important work.

Data-driven career pathing

AI tools can offer valuable insights into career progression. The path to leadership can be complex and murky, but by analyzing patterns in career trajectories whether within one’s firm or across the broader legal industry, AI can offer specific steps toward leadership positions. These tools can identify the skills, networking activities, or experience necessary for advancement, providing actionable advice based on data-driven analyses.

Moreover, AI can also identify gaps in a lawyer’s current network and help them strategically expand their connections with people who can advocate for their leadership potential. This includes identifying rising stars and behind-the-scenes leaders within the firm or those with influence in related industries (such as finance or tech) with whom relationships could be valuable for future advancement.

AI AND NETWORKING IN THE BAR

Pathways to leadership

Networking within bar associations can significantly impact a lawyer’s path to leadership positions such as serving as a committee chair, on the Board of Commissioners or Representative Assembly, or even as president.

Much like in a law firm, career advancement in a bar organization often depends on connecting with the right people, building a track record of service, and staying informed about upcoming openings for leadership roles. AI-powered platforms can sift through large amounts of information — such as a bar’s event calendars, leadership updates, and committees — to help lawyers spot opportunities for involvement that align with their professional goals.

For example, AI can scan public bar association records to track upcoming elections for board positions, formation of new committees, or changes in leadership that could open doors for ambitious lawyers. Networking through these events and positions while using AI tools to stay updated on leadership opportunities can help lawyers become key figures in their bar association.

Strategic networking with key figures

Networking in bar associations is not just about attending events; it’s about connecting with members who hold positions of influence or are actively involved in decision-making processes. In other words, there’s networking and there’s networking well. AI can help lawyers identify these key individuals by analyzing professional profiles, published works, leadership histories, and other data points available within a bar association or online platforms to optimize networking efforts.

For example, AI-driven tools such as relationship management software can track the activities of influential bar leaders and offer recommendations on when and how to approach these individuals for networking. It’s still up to you to show up and do the work, but AI can help you identify opportunities to build relationships whether it’s through social media, bar events, or smaller, targeted gatherings. Through the meaningful relationships a lawyer builds, bar leaders can become mentors and advocate for their advancement into leadership roles.

Enhancing bar engagement through data

Active participation in bar activities can significantly elevate a lawyer’s profile within the legal community, and AI can provide a deeper understanding of effective engagement. By analyzing historical data on bar events, committee involvement, and individual engagement metrics, AI tools can help lawyers identify the most influential bar committees and activities that will increase their visibility. It can also help lawyers tailor their contributions to issues that matter most to bar leadership, making their involvement more impactful.

AI-driven insights can guide lawyers in choosing the right time to offer their services to a committee or propose initiatives that could advance their careers. By showing commitment to the broader legal community, lawyers can position themselves as an ideal candidate for future leadership positions ranging from committee chairmanships to board membership and beyond.

AI, ETHICS, AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

While AI offers many opportunities for improving networking and advancing to leadership roles, ethical considerations must always be at the forefront. In the legal profession, client confidentiality and integrity are paramount. AI tools must be used responsibly. Lawyers should ensure that AI tools comply with privacy laws, protect sensitive information, and avoid any ethical conflicts.

Moreover, AI should enhance — and not replace — the human aspects of networking. Authenticity, trust, and personal rapport remain essential in building meaningful relationships. We’ve still got to shake those hands. But with AI, we can make sure we’re shaking the right ones at the right times, cultivating an ideal and genuine network.

CONCLUSION

Artificial intelligence isn’t going anywhere, and I hope Michigan attorneys utilize it to expand their networks, grow their careers, and help to elevate the profession as a whole. AI’s integration into networking and leadership development provides significant opportunities for legal professionals to do just that. Whether in a law firm or within a bar association, AI can streamline the process of identifying key connections, recognizing leadership opportunities, and building the reputation necessary for career progression. Lawyers who embrace AI tools can enhance networking efficiency, improve their visibility, and position themselves as leaders within their practice areas and in the broader legal community.

Again, it is crucial to remember that AI is just a tool — true leadership still requires the human qualities of collaboration, empathy, and vision. But when used thoughtfully, AI can empower lawyers to build the connections and reputations they need to achieve leadership roles, propelling them toward greater professional success.