TYLA PRESIDENT’S PAGE NOVEMBER 2022
‘Hello. MY NAME IS
INIGO MONTOYA.’
One of my favorite memes introduces the Inigo Montoya Method for
networking. You begin with a polite greeting, state your name, establish
a relevant personal link, and then manage expectations. The method
originates from Inigo Montoya’s infamous line from The Princess
Bride: “Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father.
Prepare to die.” Other than the death threat, the Inigo Montoya Method
is actually a solid starting point for networking, especially for newly
licensed Texas attorneys looking to build their professional and social
circles.
New lawyers often ask, “How can I best prepare myself for success in
the first year of being a lawyer and set myself up for long-term success
in the practice of law?” When answering this question, not only do I
mention TYLA’s resources for new lawyers, I also emphasize that
developing relationships with other lawyers is one of the best things to
do for “success” as a lawyer, regardless of how one defines that term.
Many young lawyers struggle with making and establishing meaningful
relationships with other lawyers. In my first few years of practice, I
was certainly one of those lawyers. I lacked confidence in myself as a
person and as a professional. I felt that being my authentic self and
being fully out of the closet might hurt my chances with job prospects
and professional advancement. And, I just didn’t know how to do that
“networking” thing.
I’ll never forget a conversation I had with my career adviser at the
University of Texas School of Law, Angélica Salinas Evans, who
recommended that I consider thinking of “networking” as “friend making.”
That advice has always stuck with me. With this advice, I was able to
start thinking of job prospects and professional advancement more as
potential benefits—rather than the goals or purposes—of networking, and
I started thinking of networking more as developing meaningful personal
relationships, rather than merely business relationships. For me, that’s
what clicked.
For young lawyers looking to meet other lawyers, I recommend the Inigo
Montoya Method (minus the death threat, of course). But before jumping
right in, find out who you truly are and discover what you really enjoy.
Then, go find other lawyers who share similar interests. Other lawyers
are also humans generally looking to connect with others. In reaching
out to others and introducing yourself, be polite and try to establish a
personal connection. From there, the “managing expectations” part will
come naturally.
Thanks to Inigo Montoya, the bar for self-introductions is quite low
(especially on the “manage expectations” front). Although there’s simply
no right way to network, young lawyers associations are a great place to
start and to enrich your life and practice as a legal professional. When
it comes to networking, and really anything else, just remember the true
wisdom from The Princess Bride: “Never get involved in a land
war in Asia” and “Never go against a Sicilian when death is on the
line.”
Michael J. Ritter
2022-2023 President, Texas Young Lawyers Association
For more information on TYLA, contact them at tyla@texasbar.com or go to tyla.org.
