One of the biggest challenges for solo and small firm attorneys isn’t practicing law. It’s building a steady pipeline of clients. While marketing plays an important role, some of the strongest and most reliable referrals come from other attorneys. A trusted referral network can help you grow your practice, develop new relationships, and ensure clients are connected with the attorney best suited to meet their needs.

We put our heads together to brainstorm a few ideas about how the ACBA can help you build a referral network that lasts.

Be Visible in Your Legal Community

Referrals rarely come from attorneys you’ve never met. They come from colleagues who know you, trust your work, and remember you when the right case comes along.

Attending bar association events, educational programs, and networking receptions gives you the opportunity to build genuine relationships with attorneys across a variety of practice areas.

How ACBA can help: With unlimited networking events included in many membership levels, ACBA makes it easy to regularly connect with attorneys throughout Alameda County and the Bay Area. Join us on 7/23 at our Summer Reception at Nido’s Backyard!

Get Involved in a Practice Area Section

Your strongest referral sources are often attorneys who practice in areas complementary to your own.

By participating in a section, you’ll have opportunities to:

• Build relationships with attorneys who share your interests.
• Learn about emerging legal issues.
• Participate in listserv discussions.
• Volunteer for leadership opportunities.
• Become known as a resource in your field.

Over time, those connections often become referral relationships.

Attend CLE Programs

Continuing legal education isn’t just about earning MCLE credit! Every MCLE program is an opportunity to meet attorneys with similar clients and ask thoughtful questions. MCLE programs are free with your ACBA membership – take advantage.

Give Referrals Before You Ask for Them

Networking works best when it’s based on generosity. When you encounter a legal matter outside your practice area, refer clients to attorneys you know and trust. Over time, those attorneys are more likely to think of you when they receive matters that fit your practice.

Build Your Reputation

Attorneys refer work to lawyers they trust. That trust comes from consistently demonstrating professionalism, responsiveness, and subject matter expertise.

Consider:

• Speaking at CLE programs.
• Writing articles.
• Serving on section committees.
• Volunteering for bar association leadership.
• Participating in pro bono programs.

Each of these activities increases your visibility and credibility within the legal community. Contact Valerie Lescroart at valerie@acbanet.org for more ways to get involved.

Stay Connected Between Events

Networking doesn’t end when an event is over. Connect with attorneys on LinkedIn, congratulate colleagues on professional achievements, and check in periodically with people you’ve met.

Be an Active Member of Your Bar Association

The most successful referral networks are built through ongoing participation rather than one-time introductions. By becoming involved with your local bar association, you’ll have regular opportunities to meet attorneys from different practice areas, serve alongside respected colleagues, and stay connected to your legal community. Whether you’re attending section meetings, volunteering on a committee, participating in networking events, or serving in a leadership role, every interaction helps strengthen your professional network.

Building Relationships That Last

A successful referral network isn’t built overnight. It develops through meaningful relationships, consistent engagement, and a willingness to help others succeed. At the Alameda County Bar Association, we’re committed to helping attorneys build those connections. Through networking events, practice area sections, MCLE programs, volunteer leadership opportunities, and our vibrant legal community, ACBA provides countless opportunities to expand your professional network and grow your practice.

Whether you’re launching a new firm or looking to strengthen an established practice, the relationships you build today can become your strongest source of referrals tomorrow.

Ready to expand your network? Explore ACBA’s upcoming events, join a practice area section, or learn more about the benefits of membership at ACBA today.