RSVP for summer receptions! Even if you are focused on public interest, these receptions can be a great opportunity. Remember, many of the attorneys that are currently at firms may have worked at public interest or government agencies. Additionally, many attorneys you will meet at these receptions do pro bono work alongside the public interest attorneys of which you are looking to connect! Finally, networking is a soft skill that improves as you gain more confidence and attend more functions. Legal markets in every geographic are generally close-knit and making connections with other members is never a bad thing.