Breaking the Ice: Craft Food & Beverage Club offers low-pressure legal connections

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Networking is a scary word for some, Corey Kobbervig, a Minneapolis-based employment attorney, concedes. That’s why he leads a more casual approach to building connections in the legal community through the Hennepin County Bar Association‘s Craft Food & Beverage Club.

Kobbervig, who has been practicing for 12 years, joined the club early in his career, when it was known as the Craft Beer Club.

The group’s name changed to the Craft Food & Beverage Club in January. That reflects a broader focus on different types of beverages, including non-alcoholic ones, and food, to expand the club’s appeal and make it more accessible.

“It’s not stuffy,” Kobbervig said. “You don’t have to dress up. We’re usually a small enough group where we can sit at a table and enjoy a meal. We don’t have to talk about law necessarily. We can talk about other interests, like travel, although sometimes networking does happen organically.”

With an entrepreneurial spirit, Kobbervig has been a solo practitioner for most of his career.

“I can pick my clients, make my schedule,” Kobbervig said. “I can say no. That’s sometimes the most important thing in this business.”

He’s taught several continuing legal education programs on starting a solo practice.

The most important consideration, he said, “is to establish a schedule and plan time for yourself, including vacation and time off for physical and mental health.”

He also recommends seeking co-counsel roles to learn from experienced attorneys and share some costs and work on cases. Clients benefit from the synergy of different firms and lawyers collaborating.

The Craft Food & Beverage Club meets next at 5:30 p.m. on April 15 at noa Minneapolis restaurant. It’s open to all lawyers and law students. Kobbervig appreciates hearing from those who plan to attend, so he knows how many to expect.

Name: Corey Kobbervig

Title: Managing partner, Kobbervig Law

Education: B.A., sociology; J.D., University of St. Thomas School of Law

Q: Best way to start a conversation with you?

A: Just say hi and introduce yourself or comment on a shared interest. I’m pretty friendly.

Q: Why law school?

A: I was always interested in law. I worked in politics between law school and undergrad and became even more interested in it after working on the U.S. Senate recount in 2008. That was the Franken versus Coleman race. It was probably one of the most fascinating Minnesota elections in recent history.

Q: What are you reading?

A: “Unreasonable Hospitality,” by Will Guidara. It’s the book the show “The Bear” was based on. It’s about giving people more than they expect. I think there are lots of applications to the practice of law.

Q: Pet peeve?

A: When people are rude, cliquey or dishonest. I value honesty, directness and inclusion.

Q: Best part of your work?

A: When I’m able to help a client get a positive result they likely could not achieve on their own.

Q: Most challenging?

A: There are several challenges in running a small practice, including managing schedules, maintaining work life-balance and bringing in new clients.

Q: Favorite activity away from work?

A: I love to travel, get outside, run, bike, kayak. Try new restaurants. Visit the orchestra or other concerts.

Q: Where would you take someone visiting your hometown?

A: Probably walk around one of our beautiful parks, like Minnehaha Falls.

Q: Legal figure you admire?

A: Al Gerhardstein. He’s the father of my law school classmate and a civil rights lawyer from Ohio. He was instrumental in the Obergefell case. He’s in Minnesota filing civil rights suits on behalf of those wrongfully detained by [the Department of Homeland Security].

Q: Misconception about your work?

A: That it’s easy or quick. On TV, lawsuits are served and filed one day and go to trial the next. That skips a lot of the hard work in between, including discovery and preparation.

Q: Favorite book, movie or TV show about lawyers?

A: “Better Call Saul” is a hilariously true-to-life depiction of a new solo attorney struggling to get clients. “Fisk” is another hilarious and accurate show about small firm practice set in Australia.