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[quote=Anonymous]I'd like some perspective from more experienced lawyers. I'm a junior associate at a medium-size law firm. I am a sociable introvert, I'm never shy, and I always felt like I could talk to people easily - until law school.

Law school reminded me strongly  of fraternity/sorority life in college, which I did not take part in. I hate drinking, I'm not loud or high energy and I don't like late nights. But this was the main way law students seemed to socialize at my law school, and it seems to be a heavy part of my firm culture too. Both law school and law firm life are characterized by loud, extroverted, heavy drinkers, a very "bro" atmosphere. I'm generally a confident and friendly guy so I've managed to maintain a sort of cordial neutrality with my colleagues and former classmates, and I made a couple really close friends in law school, but I'm concerned about the networking opportunities in the future for lawyers like me.

I can't relate to most of these people, not the way I could easily befriend people in college. What does that mean for my future when it comes to getting referrals and all the other advantages that come with networking? My more social, extroverted, fratty classmates have solid connections through law school and their new firms or government jobs because their form of socializing "clicks" with the mainstream environment.

I guess I just want to hear from other lawyers who felt similarly out of place in the party atmosphere and extrovert-centric world of our profession. Did you have a smaller circle of law school friends? Did it ultimately hinder or not affect your professional and social life? How do people like us succeed?[/quote]

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