CBA Record July-August 2026

Experienced legal professionals carry a special responsibility in this effort. We collectively possess decades of institutional knowledge, practical insight, and professional judgment that cannot be learned in law school and cannot be taught through observational osmosis in the way it once was. Younger profes sionals benefit enormously when seasoned practitioners take the time to explain not only how legal work is done, but why certain decisions are made, how professional relationships are cultivated, and how ethical and strategic challenges are navigated. Too often, mentorship is treated as something that happens organically. While informal relationships remain valuable, rely ing on chance leaves many talented young professionals without guidance. A conversation after a bar association event, an invita tion to attend a hearing or client meeting, a thoughtful debrief, or a regular coffee check-in can make a lasting difference in a young lawyer’s development. These moments should be viewed not as obligations, but as investments in the future of the profession. At the same time, mentorship is not solely the responsibility of experienced attorneys. Young lawyers and law students must also approach mentoring

relationships with intention and initiative. Many senior attorneys are willing to help but may not know who is seeking guidance or how to begin the conversation. Reaching out thoughtfully, asking specific questions, following up, and demonstrating a genuine commitment to growth can transform a brief interaction into a meaningful professional relationship. Indeed, the strongest mentoring relationships are built on mutual curiosity and respect. Experienced attorneys can learn from younger colleagues’ perspectives on technology and evolv ing workplace norms. Younger professionals can gain invaluable insight from the wisdom that only experience can provide. The future of the profession will not be shaped by one genera tion alone. It will be shaped by the willingness of lawyers at every stage of their careers to listen, teach, learn, and invest in one another. Mentorship is not merely a professional courtesy—it is a shared responsibility and one of the most enduring legacies we can leave for those who follow. Nikki Marcotte is a senior litigation associate at Laurie & Bren nan, LLP, where they focus on complex commercial and construction litigation.

The Moses, Bertha & Albert H. Wolf Fund

T he Chicago Bar Association manages the Moses, Bertha and Albert H. Wolf Fund to aid attorneys who reside in or practice law in Cook County and are ill, incapacitated or superannuated. Through the Fund, the CBA provides financial assistance in the form of grants and loans. Eligible recipients also include lawyers in Cook County who receive assistance from the Lawyers Assistance Program and are in need of medical assistance. For more information, contact Beth McMeen, CBA Executive Director, at 312-554-2004 or bmcmeen@chicagobar.org.

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