The Art of Email
How to Write an Email That Opens Doors
January/February 2026
Download This Article (.pdf)
A new year brings new possibilities—but opportunities rarely arrive uninvited. You have to put yourself out there, and how you do it matters. A clumsy networking attempt can sometimes do more harm than good.
This month’s article looks at one of the most effective networking tools for law students and new lawyers: cold emailing. This might sound simple enough—after all, we send countless emails every day—but there’s an art to crafting an email that opens doors to new professional opportunities.
Whether you’re hoping to grow your network or land your dream job, the best practices below will help you build a solid foundation of email etiquette. Master these basics, and you’ll be ready to make a great first impression every time you hit “send.”
1. Humanize your email.
Start and finish your email with the proper greeting and closing. I’ve seen many emails that start with “To Whom It May Concern” or “Ms. Chopra.” These salutations are not only incredibly formal (and unnecessary) but also create distance between you and the recipient. On the flip side, “Hi there!” or “Hey!” come across as too casual in a professional networking context. As a default, address the recipient by their first name, unless they have an honorific like Judge or Professor.
Networking emails are meant to establish a new relationship, so strike a friendly but professional tone. If you were referred to your contact by a mutual connection, be sure to mention that person by name early—it creates immediate credibility. And if that mutual friend makes an introduction, respond on the thread by thanking them for the introduction and putting them in BCC so you don’t clog their inbox.
2. Show your appreciation.
A little courtesy goes a long way—be sure to use words like “please” and “thank you” where appropriate. Keep it natural and sincere; overdoing it can sound forced. The goal is to sound polite and appreciative, not demanding or entitled. Remember: the person you’re reaching out to is taking time out of their day to read your email and potentially help you out. Acknowledging that can make a big difference.
3. Do your research.
Flattery will get you everywhere, but insincere praise will get you nowhere. Be intentional with your outreach, and make sure you and the recipient of your email know why you’re reaching out to them. If you’re reaching out to a partner at a firm, mention a specific case they worked on or a practice area they’re known for. If you’re connecting with someone from your law school, reference something meaningful about your shared experience. Generic emails that could be sent to anyone feel lazy and are often ignored.
4. Be concise and don’t bury the lede.
This is critical. Don’t ramble on or write a whole backstory before getting to your request. Get to the point, and get to it quickly. As a rule of thumb, the recipient should be able to open the email on their phone and not have to scroll down to understand what you’re asking for. Your email should be a few short paragraphs at most.
5. Pay attention to your subject line and attachments.
Your subject line is your first impression—it should be clear, short, and specific. “Networking inquiry” is vague; “Summer Associate Interest—[Your Name]” is clear. If you’ve referenced an attachment in the email, check and double-check that you’ve attached it. Nothing is more embarrassing than sending an email saying “as you can see in my attached résumé” and there’s no attachment. Pay attention to the file size so you don’t clog your recipient’s inbox. Also, make sure to appropriately label your files so it’s something like “Nyssa P. Chopra—Resume 2025” instead of “Resume.” Unless requested otherwise, send attachments as PDFs whenever possible to avoid any formatting issues that could make your materials look unprofessional.
6. Keep your personal and professional emails separate.
Unless there’s a reason to use your work email, it’s usually better to send networking emails from your personal account. Think of your professional emails as semi-public—if you’re reaching out about another job, assume your current employer could see it. Using your personal email account also ensures you’ll still have access to your networking emails if you change jobs.
7. Check, double-check, and triple-check your spelling, grammar, and tone.
Did I spell the person’s name correctly? Did I attach the file I mentioned? Is everything properly formatted? Did I check for any spelling/grammatical errors? How is my message coming across—do I sound entitled or am I being respectful of their time? Would I be embarrassed if this email was forwarded to a partner or made public? Is my request/ask crystal clear? This last check is especially important. One typo in someone’s name or a grammatical error can cost you an opportunity. Read it out loud if you have to.
8. Respond in a timely manner.
If your contact is gracious enough to write you back, you should respond to their email within 24 hours (ideally, within a few hours). If you need more time to craft your response, at least acknowledge receipt and let the person know that you will get back to them as soon as you can. This shows respect for their time and keeps the momentum going.
Final Thoughts
Email might feel like a small thing, but it’s often your first—and sometimes your only—impression. The person on the other side of that email doesn’t know you yet. They don’t know your work ethic, your creativity, or your drive. What they see is the care (or lack thereof) that went into those few paragraphs.
I’ve opened thousands of emails over the years. The ones that stand out aren’t always from the most accomplished people; they’re from people who show up intentionally. They spell names correctly. They’re respectful of my time. They ask specific questions. They follow through.
These small details compound. One thoughtful email leads to a conversation. That conversation leads to a connection. That connection opens a door.
In a profession built on relationships and reputation, email etiquette isn’t just about politeness—it’s about professionalism, respect, and strategic thinking. It’s how you demonstrate that you’re someone worth knowing, someone worth investing in, and someone who gets it.
As you begin (or continue) your networking journey this year, remember this: you’re not just writing an email. You’re writing your first impression. Make it count.
Explore This Issue
Supreme Court Resolves Circuit Split in Reverse Discrimination Cases
Labor and Employment Law
By John M. Husband
