We consider these lists as jumping off points – feel free to add and expand your own ideas and let us know what did and didn’t work for you. As with any other relationship, the partnership becomes strengthened and enriched through time, communication and commitment.
For Mentors
- Encourage your mentee to remain an active member of the Guild. Too many recent graduates from law school let their membership lapse and we hope that you will be a link in helping keep these new members connected to the organization.
- Respond to your mentee’s contact as soon as possible, ideally within several days. Initiate or schedule conversations with your mentee regarding interests and questions they might have about being new to the legal profession.
- Invite your mentee to Guild events, including the annual meeting, Spring Fling, committee meetings, parties, etc. Call your mentee a week before each Guild event to invite him/her to go with you (or without you if you’re not going) and introduce them to folks.
- Consider contributing to help cover mentee’s expenses for various Guild functions, including the annual convention.
- Find out what area of law they are particularly interested in and introduce them to people working in that area (at events or just arrange for a lunch meeting).
- Invite your mentee to CLEs, programs, lectures and fundraisers that may be of interest to her/him.
- Invite your mentee to depositions, trials, client meetings or other events or activities related to work that may be of interest to him/her.
- Train to be legal observers together and/or attend demonstrations together.
- Invite your mentee to lunch, dinner or coffee once a semester. Stay in touch with the mentee even if you do not hear back from him/her regularly.
- Call just to check in, asking how they are doing in school or at their job and if there is any way you can help.
- Let the Mentorship Committee know if you would like an additional mentee or if your current mentee is unresponsive or not working out.
For Mentees
- Contact your mentor as soon as possible after receiving her/his contact information, ideally within a week.
- Take initiative and stay in touch – be sure your mentor has accurate contact information for you.
- Call to get together or just to touch base. Other ideas and possibilities will develop when you do.
- Let your mentor know your interests and goals in law school and after you graduate.
- Ask your mentor about: law school classes, professors, the bar exam, topics for papers, surviving as a progressive lawyer with post-school debts, Guild activities, potential work contacts and other opportunities.
- Attend events with your mentor such as Guild functions.
- Go to lunch or dinner with your mentor.
- Ask your mentor if s/he would address the Guild chapter at your school or has recommendations for other speakers.
- Invite your mentor to events at your school or work.
- Ask your mentor if s/he is going to a Guild event/meeting so you can go together.
- Find out if there is some deposition, trial, client meeting, etc. that it might be possible for you to attend.
- Let the Mentorship Committee know if your current mentor is unresponsive or not working out.
Comments? Questions?
Email us at nextgen at nlgnyc.org.