Grow as a lawyer or give back as a mentor

The value of mentorship in the legal profession may be hard to quantify, but its importance is indisputable.

Talk to almost any leading lawyer and they will be able to cite at least one person who took an interest and helped them advance in their career. Research backs up the anecdotal evidence, with 75% of executives pointing to mentoring as playing key roles in their careers. That same study showed that 59% of those who received development support were now, in turn, supporting others.

Mentorship is a time-honoured tradition in law that contributes significantly to competency, confidence and connection for lawyers pursuing a demanding but rewarding career path.

Through mentorship, lawyers are able to:

• gain advice, encouragement and inspiration;
• build vital relationships and skills;
• uncover new ideas and possibilities;
• and obtain guidance on how to navigate the legal workplace, achieve their goals and move their careers forward.

The mentor can act as a sounding board and through role-playing or attending events with your mentor, you can practice skills such as interviewing, networking, making arguments, leading presentations, or meeting with clients.

In addition to helping mentees achieve their professional goals and generally advance in their careers, there are many specific occasions in which their advice and coaching can come in handy, including when a mentee is looking to:

• Explore new career opportunities
• Change practice areas or settings or make lateral career moves
• Overcome conflicts with managers, colleagues or clients
• Build their network
• Make tough decisions

In addition to the satisfaction of paying it forward, mentoring allows you to:

• share your knowledge and experience with others;
• develop your leadership, coaching and communication skills;
• and learn from your mentee who may have useful perspectives, experiences, abilities – or even an affinity in certain emerging areas, like legal technology – to share with you.

If you’re open to ‘reverse mentoring’, the relationship can serve you in your own professional growth and day-to-day practice.

The following video leads you through building a profile.

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The following video takes you through the mentor-search process

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• Compliment them on an aspect of their career/profile that impresses you.
• Tell them why you think they would be an ideal mentor for you.
• Be respectful of their time: keep your message brief and ask for a short preliminary meeting.

If you would like to follow up on your invitation, briefly re-iterate your interest and excitement and make it as easy as possible for them to say yes.

Through MentorCity, you can:

• send messages in real time,
• book meetings and track hours/number of meetings,
• set availability,
• join meetings,
• set goals, and
• complete a mentoring agreement and program evaluation.

View this video to find out more about how to manage the relationship in the platform

The gist of the meeting will be determined by the goals laid out in the mentorship agreement, but the format might be:

• Establishing rapport and sharing progress updates
• Taking part in a mentoring activity
• Summarizing the conversation and action items
• Scheduling next meeting

Mentors and mentees will work out a meeting frequency that works for them when completing the mentorship agreement at the outset, but the minimum meeting requirement is 30 minutes per month for a 6-month mentoring relationship.

Tips for mentees include:

• Set the agenda and be prepared
• Practice skills in-between meetings
• Keep mentoring relationship on track
• Send progress updates
• Dig deep by responding and reflecting
• Ask questions about their experiences
• Be receptive to new ideas and feedback
• Be positive
• Stay focussed

Tips for mentors include:

• Lead back-and-forth conversations
• Listen
• Share experiences and stories
• Ask questions, don’t provide answers
• Check-in
• Connect to people and resources
• Provide constructive feedback
• Follow the mentee’s lead
• Develop mentoring confidence

Discussion Topics

Find a listing of sample discussion topics, here.

• Tips for Mentors
• Tips for the Mentee
• Managing a Mentoring Relationship - Practice Pro