THE JOHNSON COUNTY FAMILY LAW
AMERICAN INN OF COURT
(30466)
_____________________________________
MENTORING PROGRAM
MENTORING POLICY
As a fundamental policy, The Johnson County Family Law American Inn
of Court aspires to promote and foster excellence in
professionalism, ethics, civility, and legal skills and, in
furtherance of this goal, the Inn has developed a Mentoring
Program. The Inn's Mentoring Program assists members in
developing high standards of professionalism based on accepted
principles of appropriate behavior consistent with the legal
profession's core values.
The Mentoring Program addresses the following:
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High competence and legal skills
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Adherence to ethical standards, rules, and obligations
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Appreciation of the importance of civility and professional
demeanor at all times
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The importance of pro bono representation and fostering access
to justice
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The importance of participation in bar organizations at all
levels
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The transmission of professional values and standards to others,
especially less experienced practitioners
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Balancing self interest with the interest of clients, the
justice system and public
interests.
MENTORING PROGRAM
MENTORING COMMITTEE
A Mentoring Committee, which Committee may comprise the Executive
Committee or which may be a separate committee appointed by the
Executive Committee, is responsible for overall administration of
the Inn's Mentoring Program. The Mentoring Committee is
specifically responsible for fostering informal mentoring and for
overseeing Mentoring Groups.
INFORMAL MENTORING
The foundation of the Inn's Mentoring Program is the informal
sharing of wisdom and guidance among Inn members as a routine
product of Inn functions and activities, and it is expected that
all Inn members, especially those with considerable experience,
will tutor and nurture other members.
Informal Mentoring may take place:
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During the regular monthly meetings
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Within the pupilage teams as they meet to plan and prepare their
programs
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In relationships designed for this purpose with scheduled
meetings between wise and trusted counselors and less experience
members
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In small groups that meet outside monthly Inn meetings
All Inn members, regardless of membership level, are expected to
informally mentor other les-experienced members.
MENTORING GROUPS
Mentoring Groups include Mentors and Protégés. Mentoring Groups,
Mentors and Protégés may be selected, added, or formed at any time.
Each Inn year, the Inn Secretary invites Inn members to
request placement in a Mentoring Group, as either a Mentor or a
Protégé. Members serving as Mentors should have significant
experience in practicing family law and generally will be
preeminent members of the Bar. Though Mentoring Groups are
designed primarily for the benefit of Inn members with minimal
practical experience, any Inn member is welcome to participate as a
Protégé. Formal mentoring is conducted within Inn Mentoring Groups
under the guidance of the Group Mentor(s), who are responsible for
the Mentoring Group's activities for the program year. In matching
Inn Mentors, Mentoring Groups, and Protégés, the Mentoring
Committee takes into consideration areas of practice, common
interests and other relevant factors that will facilitate a
successful mentoring experience.
Participation by Inn members in Mentoring Groups is generally
voluntary, though the Mentoring Committee may assign any member to
a Mentoring Group, either as a Mentor or as a Protégé. All
Inn members are expected to participate if requested to do so by
the Mentoring Committee.
MENTORING SCHEDULE
Mentoring
Groups should generally adhere to the following policies:
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Initial Mentoring Group Meeting: An initial
Mentoring Group meeting should be conducted during the period
September through November of the Inn year, addressing such topics
as the Mentoring Group selects.
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Interim Mentoring Group Meeting: An interim
Mentoring Group meeting should be conducted during the period
December through February, following up on the initial session.
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Final Group Meeting: A final Mentoring Group
meeting should be conducted during the period March trough May,
addressing any final issues.
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Additional or Individual Meetings: Additional
group or one-on-one meetings may take place as needed at such times
and locations as the Group Mentor(s) deem appropriate.
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Meeting Location: Mentoring Group meetings should be
convened at such locations as facilitate collegial discussion and
interaction, and the Group Mentor(s) are responsible to host and
defray the costs associated with such Group meetings.
MENTORING PROGRAM EVALUATION
Each Inn Mentoring Group submits to the Mentoring Committee at
least one report summarizing the Group's mentoring
activities. Such reports shall be submitted in the format
prescribed by the Mentoring Committee, and preparation of same is
the responsibility of the Mentoring Group Mentor(s). Prior to
the conclusion of the Inn year, the Mentoring Committee conducts an
overall evaluation of the Inn's Mentoring Program, seeking input
from Mentors and Protégés and using information from group reports
and feedback surveys. The results of the evaluation, which are
submitted to the American Inns, serve as a means for continually
improving the Inn's mentoring program.