Purpose of the Mentoring Program
The Florida Bar YLD Law Student Division aims to have experienced, competent, ethical legal professionals impart their wisdom upon law students who attend law schools in the State of Florida who wish to successfully complete law school, graduate and obtain their J.D., and pass their respective Bar Examination. Thus, mentoring is key to the professional growth of law students who aim to become experienced, competent, ethical legal professionals.
The legal profession has seemingly been resistant to mentoring programs, largely due to the belief that they do not generate revenue. However, legal professionals should consider the fact that mentoring programs may lead to new attorney productivity, ultimately increasing profits and client satisfaction and reducing attrition, errors, and unnecessary costs related to on-going recruitment and other efforts.
Effective mentoring can also give law students confidence in their skills as a law student, and as a future lawyer. As this confidence grows, it is our hope that it will lead to an overall shift in performance during law school, as well as on The Florida Bar Exam. From the perspective of a law student, a Mentor may serve as a way to incorporate practical advice and/or experiences with objectives learned during law school, may contribute to employment, and may assist the student with important skills such as organization, public speaking, and researching and writing.
Roles & Duties of the Mentor
The role of a Mentor for our program is a legal professional who imparts wisdom, ethical character, networking abilities, interviewing skills, and other relevant skills to mold a law student into a competent, mindful attorney. During this exchange, the Mentor is also able to learn from the Mentee, stay current with active practices, and evaluate their own communication skills. An effective Mentor listens first, provides constructive feedback, and spends time and energy connecting with their Mentee.
Ready to sign up to be a Mentor? Apply here: https://students.flayld.org/mentoring-program/. You will receive a confirmation screen and a confirmation email upon signing up and will eventually be contacted by the Mentoring Program Chair, Kirsten Williams.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and Mentor-Mentee pairing emails will begin being sent out March 9, 2018 and will continue on a rolling basis as applications are received.