Digital Networking^[1]

Social media interactions can sometimes be superficial with users engaging in shallow interactions, seeking likes and shares rather than substantive dialogue. However, social media can also be a powerful tool for networking and professional growth.

Traditionally, building a legal team involves recruiting and interviewing lawyers and law school graduates, but Akiva Cohen, a trial lawyer at a small New York firm, used a different approach: he recruited his team via Twitter, now known as X. Cohen was an active participant in discussions about legal cases on Twitter. Among the participants was Kathryn Tewson. Despite her lack of legal training, her analysis and arguments impressed Cohen, who encouraged her to pursue paralegal training with a promise of employment.

Cohen recognized the potential in these Twitter interactions, which provided a real-time look at how individuals think and argue. He also recruited Dylan Schmeyer, a lawyer who had left the profession but demonstrated his legal skills on Twitter. This unconventional method proved effective, revealing talents that traditional hiring practices might overlook.

Eventually, Cohen expanded his team to six lawyers and three support staff. All except one of them were people Cohen had met through Twitter. Cohen’s experience underscores the power of digital networking in professional environments. This approach is particularly relevant in today’s increasingly digital world, where traditional boundaries and processes are constantly being redefined.