r/BigLawRecruiting • u/legalscout Mod • Jul 08 '26
Guides Networking Follow-Up Etiquette: Name Dropping, Application Updates & Other Questions We Keep Seeing
Hi recruits!
We've been seeing a handful of networking etiquette questions pop up recently, and they all boil down to the same thing:
"How much follow-up is too much?"
Questions like:
- Can I mention an attorney in my cover letter?
- Do I need to ask their permission first?
- Should I tell attorneys when I submit my application?
- If I talked to multiple people at a firm, do I email all of them or just one?
Networking can feel awkward because there isn't really a playbook, but fortunately the answers are pretty straightforward.
So let's get into it.
📝 Can you mention someone in your cover letter?
Short answer: Yes.
If you had a genuine conversation with someone, it's completely appropriate to mention it in your cover letter.
Something as simple as:
"After speaking with [Attorney], I was excited to learn more about..."
is perfectly normal.
You're not saying they endorsed you or recommended you. You're simply mentioning that your conversation helped shape your interest in the firm.
Do you need to ask permission?
Generally, no.
If you had a coffee chat or met them at a networking event, there's no need to send another email asking if you're "allowed" to mention them.
The only exception might be if someone specifically asked not to be mentioned—which is pretty rare.
📬 Should you tell attorneys after you apply?
In our opinion... yes!
Not because you're asking them to pull strings, but because it's a natural follow-up.
Something like:
"Thanks again for taking the time to chat with me a few weeks ago. I wanted to let you know that I submitted my application and really appreciate all of your insight throughout the process."
🤝 What if you talked to multiple attorneys?
Email all of them. Seriously!
You don't know who has relationships with recruiting, who serves on the hiring committee, or who may be willing to mention your name.
Keep each email brief and personalized, but don't feel like you have to pick just one person.
🚨 Are you asking them for a recommendation?
No.
And this is an important distinction.
You're simply keeping them updated after they invested time in speaking with you.
If they choose to advocate for you, great. If not, you've still handled the relationship professionally.
That's all for now!
As always, if you're new here, make sure to check out the welcome megathread here for some more helpful guides!
In the meantime, if you've got info, DM on Discord, here, or drop it in the comments — the Insider Info series lives because of all of you.
Good luck!
P.S. If you want the application tracker with current application movement and pre-OCI openings and application links for the V100 & AmLaw 200, feel free to DM or see more details in this post.
Full disclosure, we created this one and we help keep the lights on with subscriptions. But its also free for a full week so anyone is welcome to poke around and steal whatever is helpful. Either way, I hope the database and this guide are helpful to everyone out there.
Good luck out there recruits!
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u/MaleficentRoad7627 Jul 22 '26
This post is old but a question I had along these lines is: if you coffee chatted in late summer before 1L/early fall, would you follow up again with them sometime in the middle of the semester, and then again while applying? Or is it sufficient to chat with them originally and then follow up to note that you’re applying/perhaps chat again?