21Aug2017

E1 – Networking – Preparation (Fiction)

This episode is part of the Networking for Lawyers Course.

1: Networking - Preparation (Fiction) - YouTube

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1: Networking - Preparation (Fiction) Study Legal English

1. Virtuous circle (noun phrase)
Definition: Each good thing leads to another.
Example: Networking produces a virtuous circle of opportunities, connections and client referrals.

2. Forthcoming (adjective)
Definition: About to happen or appear.
Example: Please find attached to this email details of our forthcoming meeting.

3. Snowed under (adjective phrase)
Definition: To be very busy. Another way of saying this is ‘to be up to my neck with work’ or ‘I’ve been up to my neck in work’.
Example: I’ve been snowed under at work recently.

4. To fill (someone) in (phrasal verb)
Definition: To update someone, or to tell them information about something. Another way of saying this is ‘to bring someone up-to-date on something’.
Example: Let me fill you in on the latest developments.

5. Trainee (noun)
Definition: A trainee refers to a person who is undertaking some training. A trainee lawyer is a person who has completed their legal studies and is now carrying out a training contract.
Example: I’m a trainee at MMBR Law firm.

6. Training contract (noun phrase)
Definition: A compulsory period, normally two years, of practical training in a law firm for law graduates before they can qualify as a solicitor in the United Kingdom.
Example: Getting a training contract is highly competitive.

7. Business leads/ Leads (noun phrase/noun)
Definition: Potential clients who could purchase your goods or services.
Example: I need to follow up those leads from the conference.

8. Early bird discount (noun phrase)
Definition: A discount which is applied to the cost of something for people who sign up to or register for something earlier than other customers or before a specified date.
Example: If we register for the conference early, we’ll be eligible for the early bird discount.

9. To RSVP (verb)
Definition: French for ‘répondez s’il vous plaît’ and means to respond to the invitation.
Example: I RSVPed to the event yesterday.

10. Clued-up (adjective phrase)
Definition: To know about something or to be up-to-date on the topic. It’s another way of saying well informed.
Example: I feel really clued-up on incorporation after that company law lecture.

11. Briefing paper (noun phrase)
Definition: A concise and precise document which sets out the facts around a particular issue, and can suggest a course of action. It summarises a topic and is aimed at quickly informing people.
Example: Every week I read the firm’s briefing paper to make sure I’m well informed on internal news.

1. Everyone is in the same boat.
Definition: To be in the same situation as someone else.
Example: At a networking event there will be lots of people in the same boat as you; they may be a little nervous and English won’t be their first language.

2. To kill two birds with one stone.
Definition: To do two things at the same time.
Example: At a conference you can kill two birds with one stone, by meeting people and updating your knowledge.

🗒️ About this episode:
Today’s episode looks at how to prepare for a legal networking event. It includes:

Tips on how to prepare.
How to reply to an invitation to attend an event.
A fictional dialogue between two native English-speaking lawyers discussing the forthcoming Real Estate Law Conference.
Explanations of key vocabulary and expressions.

Here are templates to RSVP to a networking event or conference with either confirmation of attendance or declining the invitation.