Women's Network blog series: Lenore Rice

 

Building a Network that matters

When Natasha Adamson and I first spoke about starting our own law firm, we were not just sketching out a business plan, we were articulating a shared belief.  Legal services, we felt - like most of our profession - should be delivered with integrity, clarity, efficiency and a personal touch.  We came from established practice, with systems and standards we developed and respected but starting fresh meant letting go of legacy and building something that felt truly ours. Founding a firm wasn’t just a professional milestone; it was the beginning of something purposeful and freeing.

The early days were humbling. There is something refreshingly raw about starting from scratch: no name recognition, no safety net.  What we did have, however, was conviction and a fantastic network of support around us willing us to succeed.  We quickly learned that success in law demands more than legal expertise.  It calls for strategic thinking, financial resilience and the right connections.  And while our vision gave us direction, the real force behind our progress was the people who backed us every step of the way.


Women in Business NI

As I began shaping my next chapter, I soon realised that the connections I had made through Women in Business NI were more than just a professional network. They became relationships I could lean on during the vulnerable early stages of starting up - offering coaching, mentoring and ears to listen.  Through that network, I also found practical help: insurance and banking contacts who delivered with urgency and IT support and other contractors who delivered and genuinely wanted us to succeed.

Over the years, that network has grown to include accountants, financial advisors, tax specialists and wealth managers, that is professionals who not only share insight but actively refer work. These relationships were not built overnight; they were built on trust, shared values and a mutual commitment to delivering thoughtful client-centred service.  That kind of network does not just support your business, it strengthens your reputation.

The WIB Resilience Programme gave me the tools to rebuild with purpose and winning a Mentor Award through WIB NI two and a half years ago was a turning point.  It affirmed my voice, expanded my confidence and opened new doors I had not imagined at the time.


From Mentoring to Movement

That award led me into the Law Society’s mentoring steering group, where I found a new kind of community, one rooted in shared values and quiet generosity.  It was there I connected with former President Brigid Napier and solicitor Margaret Magennis, both generous with their time to others and to me. We shared a commitment to championing women in law.  Brigid’s leadership helped spark the LSNI Women’s Network, which has become a space where women support each other, lead with purpose and reconnect, including those returning to practice or redefining their path.

Claire McAleer chairs the network with a kind of honest ease and, that tone matters. She speaks plainly, listens generously and creates space for real conversations.  It is what makes the network feel like a place you can show up as you are, open to anyone who needs it and welcoming to those finding their way back into the profession.


Family

It is not just my own connections that have helped along the way – family members have strong networks too. Their contacts have sparked ideas, opened doors and offered support when I least expected it. It is a simple reminder that support can come from unexpected places and sometimes the people closest to you are the best connectors.


Beyond Business Cards

In professional life, we often attend events to network for opportunity, be it new work, visibility or growth. But I believe the real magic happens in the bonds we build.  Those quiet check-ins, shared challenges and the unexpected collaborations. You never know when you will need to call on someone or when they will call on you.  That kind of mutual generosity is what carries us through the hard days and lifts us on the good ones.


What My Network Taught Me

Networks are not just about introductions or LinkedIn connections.  They are built on trust, consistency and the kind of support that shows up when it matters.  From mentors and peers to family and professional associations, my journey has been shaped by people who offered insight, solidarity and belief.

Not every space works for everyone.  What matters is finding the spaces that feel right for you. The ones where you can show up as your true self, contribute and grow without having to shrink yourself to fit in.


My takeaway: networks matter!

Not just for who you know, but for who stands with you when it counts.

  • If you are starting something new, returning to practice or finding your voice again - call on your network.
  • Choose spaces that feel right for you, not ones that you shrink to fit in.
  • Build relationships that offer trust, consistency and mutual support.
  • And if you want to expand your network or offer your time to others, join and participate in networks like the LSNI Women’s Network - a genuinely safe and respectful environment for connection and growth.