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Networking 101: Building Your Brand in Intellectual Property

KimberMarie, a white woman with brown hair, wears a white shirt and green jacket and is smiling.
KimberMarie Faircloth

One thing that most law students and attorneys will tire of hearing is “network, network, network.” People often say that “who you know” is critical to your success, and this is because it tends to be true. Of course, professionalism, respect and know-how are of equal importance, but often, who we know gets us in the door so we can show off everything else we have to offer. 

The NCBA IP Section is hosting its 2026-2027 kickoff event, “Building Your Career in Intellectual Property,” on September 24 (remember to RSVP). To prepare, we are sharing some networking advice for law students looking to break into IP and for IP attorneys building their personal brand. 

Create Your Personal Elevator Pitch

This is something we should all update and practice regularly. To create your personal elevator pitch, answer the questions people will be wondering when you meet them for the first time: 

  1. “What problems do I solve?” 
  2. “What do I hope to achieve through networking?” 
  3. “What services or qualities make me unique?”

Distill your answers into a brief introduction and then practice it. The only way to ensure it feels organic in real time is by practicing in private. Do not force a persona; speak in a way that is natural to you. Having a personal elevator pitch comes in handy for informational interviews, new client introductions or in-person networking events.

Be sure to also consider your audience. If you are attending an IP networking event, then you do not have to explain your work in the same way you would to a new client. It is also important to be human. Just because we became attorneys does not mean we leave our personalities at the door. So mention things you like to do outside of school or work if it comes up.

Once you cultivate your story, make sure your LinkedIn profile matches. What is the bare minimum? A professional profile photo, a catchy, informative headline, and updated work experiences (with descriptions that highlight results, not just what was done) are a good starting point. Posting on LinkedIn does not have to be complicated: treat it like a professional diary. It should grow with you. Some great content pillars for attorneys include recent wins and lessons learned, things you do outside of work (that you would be comfortable sharing) and commentary on a current event that overlaps with your practice area.

Shoot Your Shot

At some point in networking, you will need to shoot your shot. Many people have very bold opinions about receiving cold emails and DMs. You could listen to one person’s advice and send a “short and sweet” intro email to someone who wants more details. The next day you might write a longer introduction to someone who is busy and just wants you to get to the point. This is the risk we run with shooting our shots. Shoot them anyway. 

So long as you remain respectful and professional, do not hesitate to reach out to people. The worst they can do is reject the invitation or ghost it completely. The more you reach out and make connections, the less ghosting and rejecting feels like a personal attack. 

A few more tips: 

  • Adding notes to LinkedIn invites can be helpful but is not always necessary. However, if it is someone you do not know, briefly explain why you hope to connect. 
  • Introduce yourself after connection invites are accepted. Something as simple as: “Hi! Thanks for connecting. How are you?” can go a long way.
  • If you are attending a networking event, post about it and see if you can determine who might be attending. Send out warm introduction messages and let them know you look forward to chatting. 
  • During the event, make note of people you meet: Did they mention a sports team they like, children in summer camp or a pet they just adopted? Make a note of details like these because it is kind to remember people (and people like being remembered). When you follow up with them, reference those details to start the conversation. 
  • Everyone says they despise small talk, but I hate to break it to you: small talk is vital to getting a good conversation started. Go beyond just asking “what do you do?” and follow up with “any exciting projects you’re working on lately?” It is usually the follow-up questions that make small talk fall flat.

Repetition is key to building confidence and a network. The more you shoot your shot, the better you get at it. Approach each DM, phone call and meeting as if you were meeting up with a friendly colleague. Maintain professionalism, but do not treat it like a job interview and always keep in mind there is another human on the other side.

What Gets Measured Gets Managed

For those of you with goals like landing an internship, finding a job or building a book of business: measure your efforts. Every person you meet goes into your digital rolodex. Track when you last talked with them, where they work and any other interesting details from your conversation.

Every three to six months, send a note checking in. Rinse and repeat: connect, engage and follow up. Relationships and reputations are not usually built overnight. If you keep showing up, leading with kindness and respect and striving to help people solve problems, you will eventually wake up to a network filled with opportunities and people you genuinely enjoy.

Join Us For More Advice

If the topics in this blog interest you, please join us from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Bar Center on September 24, 2026, for a panel discussion featuring IP attorneys representing a wide range of career paths. Panelists will discuss their current roles, the journeys that brought them there and the wide-ranging opportunities available to those pursuing a career in IP. Whether you’re a law student exploring a future in IP or a current practitioner looking to expand your network, this event is a great opportunity to learn, ask questions, give back and build meaningful connections within the IP community.

The panel will also include a Q&A and networking-focused discussion, offering attendees the opportunity to ask questions and hear practical advice about building meaningful professional connections. 

As part of our Dress for Success initiative, attendees are also encouraged to bring gently used, professional clothing and accessories to donate. Every blazer, pair of shoes and handbag can help someone feel prepared and confident for their next interview or career opportunity. Donation bins will be available at check-in. The items most needed include plus-size work attire (sizes 18 to 22), XS work attire (sizes 0 to 2), shoes (size 10 and up), and interview- and work-appropriate handbags, briefcases and portfolios (no company logos).