CBA Record May-June 2024

THE YOUNG LAWYERS SECTION

beyond the traditional practice of law. My investigations ranged from traditional white-collar crimes to complex interna tional terrorism. I traveled to war zones and did undercover work. I even taught new agents firearms qualifications. My familiarity with the law and its interpre tation as both an attorney and prosecu tor made me a stronger FBI special agent. It also gave me the opportunity to tell future generations of attorneys that this was a viable and rewarding path that some likely had never considered. As a mentor, exposing the next generation of lawyers to these types of jobs outside their “normal” gave me great satisfaction. CO: How has mentoring, past and present, shaped your views on the legal profession? AS: On more than one occasion as a mentee, when I sat down to chat with my mentor, I would ask myself, “What could they possibly be getting out of the exchange?” I, as the mentee, didn’t have much to offer the mentor. Nonetheless, the mentor continued to meet with me, to provide advice, and sometimes, to just listen. Now, with the tables turned, I have

a better understanding of why someone would mentor. For the past three years, I’ve had the privilege of mentoring law students from some of Chicago’s finest law schools thanks to the CBA-YLS Mentoring Program. Each student has a youthful enthusiasm for the law. They are excited about their future and convey that excitement through their questions and energy to learn. That enthusiasm and excitement is contagious. After each ses sion, I recognize how lucky I am to love what I do and to share that passion with others. Mentoring reaffirms my commit ment to the practice of law and to making the practice accessible for all. CO: What are some additional impres sions of the mentoring program? AS: Mentoring allows one to get intro spective. In the blink of an eye, 25 years of my professional life have passed. While I have many miles left in the tank, men toring has made me stop and reflect on my path. During my monthly meetings over the last three years, I shared stories about my journey with my mentees, often highlighting the role a mentor played in a direction I chose to go in my career. After

each session, I’ve tried to take a moment to express gratitude—an email, a Linke dIn message, or even a silent prayer—to those mentors who helped shape who I am. As many studies have shown, “practic ing gratitude helps people feel more posi tive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.” (“Giving Thanks Can Make You Happier,” Har vard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School, August 14, 2021.) CO: What advice would you give to others about the CBA-YLS Mentoring Program? AS: Whatever one’s motivations, men toring is a rewarding experience for both mentor and mentee. Any opportunity to share time, knowledge, and take a genu ine interest in another member of your profession is an opportunity well worth taking. The CBA-YLS Law Student Career Immersion Mentoring Program provides an accessible, structured format for mentoring and is a convenient vehicle for attorneys to give back to the profes sion (and the professionals) that have given them so much.

ANNUAL YLS FUNDRAISER A SMASH!

Thank you to the members of the legal community that came out to the Young Lawyers Section Annual Fundraiser, 40 Years of Love. Over $20,000 was raised in support of the CBA Lawyers in the Classroom Program. Thank you to our spon sors: Goldberg Kohn, Stinar Gould Greico & Hensley, Elrod Friedman, CBA Insurance Company, Tomasik Kotin Kasserman, Parrott, DiSilvestro & Associates, Latimer LeVay Fyock, Romanucci & Blandin LLC, Brant Hickey, Riley Safer Holmes & Can cila, HSPRD, ADR Systems, and Baker Hostetler.

CBA RECORD 37