Your next professional connection could start with two minutes by the coffee machine.

Susan Van Dyke, founder of Lawyer Launcher, joins Tanya Martinez-Gallinucci, Executive Director of the Office for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging, New York City Bar Association, on Building Belonging, a podcast from the New York City Bar Association and its Office for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, to unpack networking, mentorship, and the unspoken rules of a legal career.

Susan and Tanya explore how to build a community of mentors, colleagues, and future clients through curiosity, listening, and finding ways to be helpful. They discuss why networking can feel uncomfortable even for extroverts, how brief “micro moments” can lead to meaningful relationships, and what it looks like to take responsibility for your professional growth.

You’ll also hear how a successful litigator worked through his anxiety about small talk with a few simple, practiced questions. Whether you’re entering law school, starting at a firm, or strengthening your professional relationships, this conversation offers practical ways to find your people and keep those connections growing.

Lawyer Launcher links:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/lawyerlauncher/
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@lawyerlauncher/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@LawyerLauncher-BTB/
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/susanpvandyke/

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Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Building Belonging & ALI
01:22 Meet Susan Van Dyke
04:50 Seeing the Bigger Picture Inside a Law Firm
06:08 Trust, Leadership & Belonging
07:23 The Gap Between Law School and Practice
10:02 Why Mentorship Needs Better Communication
12:01 Taking Responsibility for Your Career
14:09 Building Your Circle of Mentors
15:20 Adjusting to Life Inside a Law Firm
16:43 Introducing Lawyer Launcher
18:24 Law Firm Economics & Career Development
19:51 Making the Unspoken Rules Explicit
20:21 When Networking Feels Uncomfortable
22:55 Bringing Curiosity to New Connections
24:40 Networking Through Helpfulness & Listening
27:01 Finding Your People
29:36 Making the Most of Micro Moments
31:58 Turning Brief Conversations Into Follow-Ups
34:23 Helping a Senior Lawyer Get Comfortable With Small Talk
36:04 Connecting Legal Pipeline Programs & Resources
39:04 Learning From Different Voices in the Profession
40:08 Building Relationships Over Time
41:19 Closing Remarks

Opinions expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of the New York City Bar Association.