LinkedIn for Lawyers: Building Your Presence — From Silent Supporter to Active Participant
Blog Post
Helping Lawyers and Law Firms Build a Confident Presence on LinkedIn
For lawyers, relationships have always been at the heart of business development. But where those relationships take shape has evolved. Increasingly, your network—clients, colleagues, and referral sources—isn’t just found at conferences or client lunches, but on LinkedIn.
For law firms and their marketers, this shift brings both challenges and opportunities: how can you help busy lawyers use LinkedIn effectively, even if they’re hesitant to post or unsure where to begin?
The good news is that being successful on LinkedIn doesn’t require daily posts or endless scrolling. It starts with being intentional, consistent, and present—even quietly.
This blog focuses on that first stage: building your presence. Whether you’re a lawyer looking to take the first step or a marketing professional helping your team grow more comfortable on the platform, these strategies will help turn passive use into purposeful visibility.
Level 1: The Silent Supporter
“I have a LinkedIn account, but that’s about it.”
Every lawyer starts here. You’ve created a LinkedIn profile, log in from time to time, and may scroll through your feed without interacting. While this is the quietest stage, it still holds real value, especially if your profile represents you well.
At this stage, your profile is your presence. A well-written bio, professional photo, and up-to-date experience section signal credibility, even if you’re not posting or engaging. Colleagues, clients, and potential referrers are still looking you up, and your profile should tell a clear story about who you are and what you do.
If it’s been a while since you’ve updated your page, start there. Small improvements can go a long way toward building trust. From your headline and summary to your skills and contact information, everything should reinforce your professionalism and reflect your current practice.
Not sure where to start? Read our recent blog, Why Every Lawyer Needs a Strong LinkedIn Profile (and How to Get Started), for practical tips on creating a profile that makes the right first impression.
Once your profile feels current and authentic, spend a few minutes each week simply observing:
- Who in your network is posting?
- What types of content do you find valuable?
- What types of content do you see have the most engagement in your network?
- Which firms and organizations are active in your field?
You’re not just scrolling — you’re learning how LinkedIn works for your profession and preparing to engage more intentionally.
How to build visibility at this stage:
- Like firm content. When your firm shares a client win, media feature, or new blog, click “like.” This is a simple way to extend the post’s reach and signals pride in your team’s success.
- Follow clients, peers, and alumni. Staying connected to your network keeps your feed relevant and helps you spot opportunities to engage.
- Spend 10 minutes a week scrolling your feed. You don’t have to post to stay informed. Reading what others in your field are discussing is an easy way to stay current and visible.
Even light engagement puts your name in front of your network, reminding clients and contacts that you’re active and accessible. For marketers, encouraging firmwide participation at this level is a low-effort, measurable first step toward broader brand visibility.
Level 2: The Active Participant
“I’ll like, comment, and share—but I’m not ready to write anything.”
Once a lawyer is comfortable being visible, the next step is interaction. This is where LinkedIn begins to feel less like a platform and more like a conversation.
At this stage, you’re still not expected to write posts or long articles — but you’re starting to show up in the feed. Sharing content from your firm, colleagues, or trusted industry sources is a simple, effective way to stay visible and demonstrate involvement in your practice area.
Ways to participate meaningfully:
- Like and comment on firm updates. A simple note like “ Proud of our team for this recognition ” can go a long way.
- Share firm news and insights. Highlight cases, community initiatives, or thought leadership that reflect your team’s strengths.
- Engage with colleagues’ content. Congratulate someone on a professional milestone or respond to an article they’ve shared.
Each interaction signals that you’re engaged, approachable, and invested in your professional community. These are small steps that keep you top of mind with your peers and clients alike.
For marketing teams:
Encourage consistency over frequency. Setting small, realistic goals—like two comments or one share per week—helps lawyers build comfort and routine while naturally expanding their reach. Consider providing sample captions or prompts to lower the barrier to participation and keep engagement authentic but manageable.
Building a Culture of Engagement
The most effective law firms on LinkedIn aren’t just posting from the firm account—they’re building a culture where individuals participate.
When lawyers engage with the firm’s content, it creates an authentic amplification effect. A single post can reach exponentially more people when partners, associates, and staff interact. More importantly, it personalizes the brand. Clients and referral sources don’t just see a logo—they see the people behind it.
Tips for firm marketers:
- Share weekly reminders of new firm posts for lawyers to engage with.
- Create short “LinkedIn tip” emails or internal posts to guide participation.
- Recognize and celebrate lawyers who are active online, it encourages others to follow suit.
LinkedIn Success Doesn’t Have to Mean Posting Every Day
Many lawyers hesitate to use LinkedIn because they assume it’s all about posting thought leadership or self-promotion. The truth is that visibility starts small. Every like, comment, or share contributes to your presence and builds familiarity with your network.
The goal at this stage isn’t perfection—it’s participation. When lawyers consistently show up, even in small ways, it sets the stage for future thought leadership and creates lasting visibility for both the individual and the firm.
Ready to Strengthen Your Firm’s LinkedIn Presence?
At Cubicle Fugitive, we help lawyers and law firms build authentic, effective strategies for LinkedIn and beyond—from optimizing profiles to developing firmwide content plans.
If your firm is looking to strengthen its digital presence or guide lawyers in developing their personal brands, we can help.
Contact us to learn more.