GUIDELINES FOR MENTORS
What is the Purpose of the Pathway to the Profession Mentor Program?
The Pathway to the Profession Mentor Program will serve as the vehicle to build mentoring relationships between incoming YLS members and established CBA members. Mentoring is the way to improve collegiality and provide a network with other members in our bar community. The mentoring program will promote various discussions, such as career advancement, how to balance work/life, solo networking, or client development that may not otherwise be shared by in-house law firm mentoring programs and, simply, to allow a forum for new attorneys to seek frank advice from experienced attorneys. The mentoring program will also encourage and foster the advancement of young lawyers as leaders within The Chicago Bar Association and throughout the legal community at large. How Will I Be Matched with a New Lawyer Mentee?
You will be matched with a new lawyer based on either your similar practice areas of the law, similar interests or geographic location. The CBA will host an evening reception in the Fall to provide an opportunity for mentor pairs to meet in person. How Much Time Will I Have to Commit?
Mentoring does not require a large investment of time. A typical mentor spends only about one hour a month in formal dialogue with his or her protégé, and can fold mentoring moments into short conversations in between meetings. The time commitment is small and designed to be convenient for both you and the mentee. Your time is valuable, so participants will be encouraged to communicate with each other on a monthly basis by e-mail or phone, whichever medium is more convenient.
In addition, mentors and mentees will be invited to quarterly events at the CBA designed specifically for the Pathway to the Profession program, such as MCLE programs. What Do I Do as a Mentor?
Your own experience may answer this question. Mentors are those who have had a beneficial influence on you, whether personally or because of something they wrote or did that taught you valuable lessons. If you improved your own performance because of someone else’s example, know that your example, in turn, can help another.
To that end, the CBA will assist you in establishing a sound mentoring relationship. The CBA will host a Mentor Training Program before you are matched with your mentee. You will you will also receive an e-mail encouraging you to communicate with your mentee to discuss a provided topic, such as surviving as an associate, taking on a pro bono case, how to develop a client base, and other issues not discussed in law school. You will also be encouraged to introduce your mentee to CBA committee meetings, CBA leadership opportunities, seminars, community projects or other events at the CBA. At the end of year, the CBA will host a leadership luncheon for the participants to discuss their experiences, learn how to get involved in the CBA on a leadership level, fill out a program evaluation, learn about pro bono opportunities, and more. It is important that you treat communications with your mentee with confidentiality. Limits of the mentoring relationship must be recognized. For example, the purpose of the program is not for you to directly help your mentee find a job; rather, you would be invaluable in helping the mentee with job related decisions and developing career paths. Other limits to consider and discuss with your mentee include time commitments, communications and seeking legal advice or answers the mentee is otherwise expected to perform at his/her place of work. At your first meeting, you should:
o set goals with the mentee that specifies what will be accomplished by the relationship
o discuss with the mentee what constitutes fair and appropriate expectations from the relationship
o establish when and how a mentee can contact you
o invite the mentee to a CBA committee meeting
o establish confidentiality by assuring your mentee that all communications will be confidential
o discuss a no-fault conclusion if the relationship is no longer productive How Do I Qualify?
o CBA Mentors must have five years of practice experience.
o CBA Mentors must have been a CBA member for at least three years, or a member of a participating bar association.
o Retired judges may participate as CBA Mentors. What are the Benefits?
As a participant in the Pathway to the Profession Mentor Program, you will be invited to attend a complimentary ethics program, the hour(s) of which can be applied toward your four hour MCLE ethics requirement.
More importantly, your efforts as a mentor will have a positive rippling effect on other lawyers and bring you many personal rewards. In fact, you may become a mentee yourself when it comes to seeking advice about new technology that a new lawyer would be eager and happy to share. Additional Guidelines for Mentors:
1. Initiate monthly communications with your mentee.
2. Introduce your mentee to other CBA members.
3. Exchange ideas rather than lecturing.
4. Share "war stories" to help your mentee learn from your good and bad experiences.
5. Consult with members of the Mentoring Program Committee if you are unsure about any aspect of your advice or mentoring relationship.
6. Understand the Pathway to the Profession Mentor Program is intended to provide general assistance, but it is not a means to provide mentees with answers to case specific questions or to protect mentees from their own professional responsibility.
7. Do not accept employment as co-counsel, or accepting referrals from your mentee. You are cautioned to take appropriate steps to avoid even the appearance of the existence of an attorney/client relationship with the mentee’s clients. It is appropriate, however, for you to provide your mentee with names of other attorneys who could act as co-counsel or to whom cases may be referred.
8. Understand that you are not required to provide career assistance or recruitment advice to your mentee.
9. Understand that either party may terminate the relationship at any time.
10. Understand the program is designed to last one year; however this period may be extended upon mutual consent. Who do I contact if I have any questions or concerns?
You should contact Jenni Bertolino at the YLS by e-mail jbertolino@chicagobar.org or phone 312-554-2031.
GUIDELINES FOR MENTEES What is the Purpose of the Pathway to the Profession Mentor Program?
The Pathway to the Profession Mentor Program will serve as the vehicle to build mentoring relationships between incoming YLS members and established CBA members. Mentoring is the way to improve collegiality and provide a network with other members in our bar community. The mentoring program will promote various discussions, such as career advancement, how to balance work/life, solo networking, or client development that may not otherwise be shared by in-house law firm mentoring programs and, simply, to allow a forum for new attorneys to seek frank advice from experienced attorneys. The mentoring program will also encourage and foster the advancement of young lawyers as leaders within The Chicago Bar Association and throughout the legal community at large. What Can I Expect as a Mentee?
The CBA will do its best to match you with a seasoned attorney either based on either your similar practice areas of the law, similar interests or geographic location. The CBA will host an evening reception to provide an opportunity for mentor pairs to meet in person. At the initial introduction, your and your mentor are encouraged to set the parameters of your relationship and identify whether your communications will take place by e-mail, phone or both. You can expect your mentor to contact you at least once a month to discuss various topics, including law office management, how to develop a client base, taking on a pro bono case and courtroom experiences. You should feel free to ask your mentor questions about other topics. CBA mentors will be asked to introduce you to CBA committee meetings, CBA leadership opportunities, seminars, and the benefits of belonging to the CBA. At the end of year, the CBA will host a luncheon for you to discuss your experiences, learn how to get involved in the CBA on a leadership level, fill out a program evaluation, learn about pro bono opportunities, and more. Who Can be a Mentee?
Any CBA member, admitted to the bar, who has practiced law less then five years. Who are Mentors?
CBA Mentors must have five years of practice experience and have been a CBA member for at least three years or a member of a participating bar association. What Do I Do as a Mentee?
1. Respect your mentor’s time -- mentors serve on a voluntary basis.
2. Understand that your communications with your mentor are confidential.
3. Do not ask your mentor to provide professional services to your clients, to serve as co-counsel or refer cases.
4. Do not discuss case specifics with your mentor, or ask your mentor for any legal research or legal advice.
4. It is not appropriate to ask your mentor to assist you in finding employment opportunities. Instead, ask your mentor to help you make career decisions or formulate career paths.
5. Ask questions of your mentor regarding law office management, how to develop a client base, taking on a pro bono case and courtroom experiences.
6. Consult with members of the Mentoring Program Committee if you are unsure about any aspect of your advice or mentoring relationship.
7. Understand the program is designed to last one year; however this period may be extended upon mutual consent.
8. Establish a relationship with your mentor--attend a CBA/YLS committee meeting or community service project together.
9. Understand that either party may terminate the relationship at any time.
Who do I contact if I have any questions or concerns?
You should contact Jenni Bertolino at the YLS by e-mail jbertolino@chicagobar.org or phone 312-554-2031. |