CBA Record

CLE & MEMBER NEWS

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Three Mentoring Programs T heCBA is pleased toannounce three Mentoring Programs to enhance your professional development. Group Mentoring Program. This pro- gram groups new lawyers (5 or less years) with more seasoned lawyers (8 or more years) to foster the exchange of ideas, promote professional networking and tackle career challenges during a year- long program. Mentoring groups meet once per month to discuss a wide range of topics including professional & career development, networking, law office man- agement matters, time management skills and techniques, communication strategies, ethics, civility, diversity and inclusion and work/life balance issues. Mentee applica- tions are accepted for select mentoring groups until those groups reach capacity. The group mentoring program will begin a new application cycle in the summer of 2017. Please note that the group mentor- ing program is not accredited for Illinois MCLE credit. Attendance is for the benefit of the participant. Lawyer-to-Lawyer Mentoring Pro- gram. In this program, sponsored in partnership with the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professional- ism, experienced attorneys (6 or more years) are matched with newly licensed attorneys for a year-long mentoring pro- gram. Participatingmentors andmentees will receive 6 hours of Illinois professional responsibility Illinois MCLE credit upon program completion. Attendance at the orientation session and eight subsequent in-person meetings between the men- toring pair is required to complete the program and receive Illinois MCLE credit. This lawyer mentoring program creates opportunities for experienced lawyers to guide new lawyers in developing the practical skills and judgment to practice in a highly competent manner and to instill the ethical and professional values that

characterize excellent lawyers. Registra- tion for the lawyer-to-lawyer mentoring program opens in November of each calendar year. A mandatory orientation for mentors and mentees takes place at the CBA in January of each calendar year. Alliance for Women’s Mentoring Circles. Designed to benefit women of all ages and in all stages of professional development. Juniormembers learn from thosewithmore experience, andmid-level and senior attorneys gain an invaluable opportunity to hone management skills, build relationships and develop referral networks. Under the traditional rubric of mentoring, experienced practitioners give and junior apprentices take. But in the AFW’s Circles, each member is both a mentee and a mentor. Each Circle is made up of 6 to 8 practitioners of varying levels of experience, and from different practice areas. The Circles allow women to discuss many of the same issues at the heart of the AFW’s mission: professional development, networking, and work-life balance. The Circles offer a smaller, private forum, which allows each group to tailor solutions and strategies for their mem- bers. Circle discussions might touch on, for example, the balancing act of a new mother, the decision to change practice areas or a firm’s promotional practices. They meet at least four times a year but some meet as often as once a month .If you are interested in becoming amember of aMentoringCircle, you shouldbe aware of the time commitment. We ask that you only sign up if you arewilling to commit to attending regularly, and staying in touch with the Circle. The benefits of the Circles can only be achieved if each member of a Circle is dedicated to making it a success. For more information on any of the above, visit www.chicagobar.org/Mentor- ing or call 312/554-2052.

Register for a Seminar Today 312/554-2056 www.chicagobar.org

Attention Law Student Members It’s time to renew your membership. Most law student memberships are valid throughDecember 2016 unless you recently joined or prepaid dues for your entire law school term. Be sure to check your membership card for your expiration date. For only $12 a year, there is no better way to jump-start your legal career. Law student membership offers you many ways to learn about the actual practice of law through free seminars, networking events, practice area committee meetings, career resources, and more. Learn what they don’t teach you in law school! Questions regarding renew- als–call Kayla Bryan at 312/554-2135 or email kbryan@chicagobar.org. Important Note to Law School Graduates: If you have already been sworn in, please call or email Kayla or note this on your statement and return it by fax 312/554-2054 or mail. And be sure to take advantage of our free one year membership offer for new admittees. If you did not receive a letter outlining this offer, call 312/554-2133 or sign- up online at www.chicagobar.org. Unfortunately, your law student membership will not automatically transfer to a regular membershipnor can you convert this online

14 NOVEMBER 2016