Networking, ew. But whatever you call it, getting to know lots of great and powerful people opens more doors than spending countless late nights at the office. We’ve curated the best ways to get in there: From fun charities to owning LinkedIn to scoring a date for the firm social

34-41. Milk LinkedIn

Christina Polano, an associate at Thomas Gold Pettingill LLP, joined LinkedIn because the partners at her firm recommended it. The network is the go-to social networking site for lawyers to engage with colleagues, clients and potential employers. We asked a team of experts to analyze Polano’s profile to advise her on how she can make the most of LinkedIn.

34. Picture perfect
Polano’s profile needs a photo. People with photos are seven times more likely to have their profile viewed, says LinkedIn spokesperson Danielle Restivo. And a photo helps establish a sense of trust.

35. Write a killer headline
Don’t just say you’re a lawyer, as Polano did. It’s vague. People searching for a particular kind of lawyer aren’t going to find her. She specializes in civil litigation and insurance litigation; this should be emphasized at the top.

36. Hit the minimum
Restivo recommends a minimum of 50 connections for the network to have its full effect. “It’s not just the people you know, you already know them; it’s the people they know, and then the people that those people know,” she says. “That’s where the magic happens.” With 90 connections, Polano is doing well. More is even better, but don’t add just anybody. “If someone is a huge liability and you never want to be the person who introduces them, don’t accept their connection request,” advises Alexandra Samuel, director of the Social and Interactive Media Centre at Emily Carr University in Vancouver.

37. Sum it up
In the summary section, Polano should write a keyword-rich summary of her experience and specialities as a lawyer (hot words: regulation, insurance coverage disputes, mergers and acquisitions, compliance, arbitrations).

38. Be complete
People with past positions listed on their profile are 12 times more likely to be viewed for potential opportunities, says Restivo. Polano has listed her previous employment, but she could improve things by adding details, like the cases she’s worked on and publications she’s authored. She could also get recommendations from clients or partners, past and present. At least three is ideal.

39. Be URL friendly
Polano can create a custom URL that’s searchable, concise and looks good on a CV. It’s free and easy: go to “Edit Profile” and choose “Edit” next to the public profile URL. “We recommend firstnamelastname (or christinapolano) when you customize,” Restivo says.

40. Be a Joiner
Polano gets high marks for joining industry groups — key to expanding your network.

41. Google yourself
Information on your LinkedIn profile should never conflict with what turns up on a Google search of your name — so be honest. The web always knows.

42-53. Use your free time wisely

Volunteering doesn’t pay — so it better damn well be for a good cause. We’ve scoured charities to find who’s the funnest (and most networking-rich) of them all

Get artsy

• Power Ball
• AIDSbeat
• Soulpepper Theatre Company

Turn a new leaf

• Not Far from the Tree
• Ecojustice
• Canadian Environmental Law Association

Street legal

• Ontario Lawyers’ Assistance Program
• Law Help Ontario
• The Association in the Defence of the Wrongly Convicted

Playing Games

• Bay Street Hoops
• Run for the Cure
• Right to Play

54. Be a Kick-Ass Board Director

Sitting on a Board for a notfor- profit will give you new connections and also require you to work your contacts. we talked to a stellar lawyer to find out how it’s done

Joining a board is a serious commitment, says Mitch Frazer, a partner at Torys LLP and a long-standing board member for major notfor- profits like North York General Hospital Foundation. An effective board member is passionate about the cause, dedicates about one to 10 hours a week to the organization — and comes packing skills. If you are being recruited for your legal expertise, make sure the higher-ups at work are aware that you will be providing legal advice.

As for bringing home the tax-free bacon? “Fundraising is not so much a legal skill as a people skill,” says Frazer. “There’s nothing wrong with telling people what you do.” He doesn’t advise approaching clients directly about a cause, “but you can make sure they know about your involvement in a charitable board.” Frazer asked his firm’s social committee to hold its Family Day event at the Ontario Science Centre, where he is a board member. And he invites clients to fundraising events for the charities whose boards he sits on. “Lots of people are looking to contribute to charities — this gives them an outlet.”

55-58. Hook up

Love life dried up? No fear, Precedent’s guide to dating examines alternatives to making googlie eyes with the smokin’ redhead at Ki after work

Service: eHarmony.ca
The goods: This online dating site matches you with like-minded partners based on a personality test.
Fee: $240 for a yearly membership. Up to $60 for a one-month membership.
The verdict: You’ll get multiple matches with fellow young professionals daily, but correspondence is timeconsuming — and unbillable.

Service: ItsJustLunch.com
The goods: Sets up dates for busy professionals and has an interview screening process.
Fee: A six-month “Young Professionals” package begins at $1,495 — plus lunch.
The verdict: A unique way to meet a hottie in your area code minus the millions of emails that can come with online dating.

Service: The gym
The goods: From your basic GoodLife Fitness to the Adelaide Club up to the luxe Toronto Athletic Club.
Fee: From $60/month at GoodLife, $79/ month at Adelaide Club, $125/month for a TAC young executive membership.
The verdict: Hit the club mixers or classes to meet prospects. If you don’t find a date, at least you’ll get fit.

Service: Pay for it, or get paid to do it
The goods: Whatsyourprice.com lets guys with “high standards” pay for the privilege of a date with a “hot girl.” (What?! Was the feminist movement a dream?)
Fee: Prices are determined by negotiation between the couple, ranging from $20 to over $200 per date.
The verdict: Fans argue the site makes the realities of dating transparent. We say, skip this site and go Dutch.

59. When to Bring a Date

Before you bring that hot thang you picked up at the club to a work function, think again, says Sandra Rosier, Precedent’s etiquette columnist. First things first — make sure you’re actually invited to the event with a date, as many functions are members only.

If so, you should have a pretty good idea of how this person will behave in a social situation. “The fact is that an inappropriately dressed and loud date at a law function could do some serious damage to your reputation,” says Rosier.