Introduction
According to Webster's Dictionary, a mentor is a trusted
counselor or guide, tutor, or coach. A protege is a person
protected or trained, or whose career is furthered by, a person of
more experience, prominence, or influence. A mentor is available to
answer a protege's questions about the practice of law. Mentoring
continues a practical legal education that law school does not
provide. It gives lawyers of all ages and levels of experience
access to expertise not otherwise available to them. Unlike
traditional mentoring programs, the Ginsburg Inn mentor groups are
designed so all members of the group may benefit from the
experience, regardless of the amount of time the attorney has been
practicing. Proteges may have a fresh point of view on a problem or
issue, and the groups will open up a dialogue on the practice of
law and the common situations lawyers face. All mentoring group
members bring unique and valuable talents to this process.
Goals
Our overall goal is to provide opportunities for development of
attorneys' legal knowledge, skills, and professional
relationships.[1] More specific goals include: sharing professional
values; addressing ethical concerns; addressing practical concerns
and problems; assisting with transitions into practice and while in
practice; teaching; promoting bar involvement and positive
relationships among bar members; improving service to clients;
improving the public's perception of the legal profession.
Mentor Group Meeting
Each mentor group meets about once a month to ensure the
mentoring program meets the goals. The meetings need not be formal
and can take place in virtually any setting and at any time.
Conducting the Mentor Program
A. Mentor groups have been assigned by the
mentoring committee. The list of the assignments can be found in
the Ginsburg Inn handbook. We have formed the mentor groups by
dividing each pupilage team into two groups. Each group will be
assigned one contact person from the mentoring committee. This
contact person will act as a resource person who will answer
questions. This contact person will not be a member of the mentor
group.
B. A list of recommended topics and activities
will be provided, but mentor groups are encouraged to come up with
their own topics to meet their own needs. We suggest that you set
meetings at least once a month, but you are welcome to meet more
frequently. The meetings need not be formal and can take place in
many settings, such as lunch, at a bar function, in a practice
setting (such as a law office or courthouse), or in a recreational
setting. You also may wish to plan activities that do not involve
the entire mentor group.
C. The focus of the mentoring program is
professional, and the program is not intended to provide counseling
unrelated to the law or legal profession. While members are
encouraged to give guidance as to the nature, type, and location of
practice, the Mentoring Program is not to be used as
recruitment.