CBA Record March-April 2024

THE YOUNG LAWYERS SECTION

Making the Most of Your Mentoring Relationship: How to Be an Effective Mentor or Mentee By Kenneth Matuszewski

M entoring. Just the word can evoke a range of reactions. Many consider it to be the cor nerstone of an effective legal career. Others may consider it a mere buzzword. Regard less of a newer attorney’s feelings about and past experiences with mentoring, they may find themselves transitioning from being a mentee to a mentor in their workplaces and communities earlier than expected. Therefore, newer attorneys must not only know how to be effective mentees but also effective mentors. Be honest with yourself about your goals in being mentored. What spe cifically do you want to learn? Are you looking for a job or to make networking connections? Without taking the time to examine your motivations, you will not be able to build a true and effective rap port with your mentor and get the most out of the relationship. Be proactive. You sought out your mentor for a particular reason, so do what you can to further the relationship. For example, be timely about following up to schedule your next meeting or on action items, like introductions you discussed in a previous meeting. Understand that you can be a mentee at any point in your career. Most attorneys do not stay in the same legal setting or law office during their entire careers. Each legal practice has different expectations, needs, and strategies to succeed. If you are making a transition between settings, recognize that no matter how experienced you may have been in a previous legal sector, you are inexperienced in your new setting. Learn as much as you can from your colleagues in your situation or new environment and be willing to ask ques Mentees: Four Ways to Be More Effective

tions, whether you have been practicing for only a few months or for a few decades. Be open to feedback and be realistic. A good mentoring relationship helps both parties to grow. Sometimes, a mentor may

Remember that you were anxious and uncomfortable when you first started out and that repetition and experience are what made you feel more comfortable as a lawyer. Remember those feelings when

give you tough feedback or criticism. Do not ignore it or be indignant afterwards. Instead, take a step back from the situation and consider why the mentor gave you this feedback. If your mentor truly did not care about you or your growth, they would not have given any feedback. Then, evalu ate whether and how that advice will help your situation. Doing so is the best way to grow as both an attorney and person.

ever you speak with your mentee and give grace. They may not have had any oppor tunities to take part in certain aspects of the legal practice yet. Don’t sell yourself and your abilities short! You may feel you had an uncon ventional career path or are too early in your legal career to give career advice. But if someone asks you for help, then that person thinks you have done something right with your career that is worth emu lating. Accept those invitations to mentor or meet with someone, even if you are a first-year associate or law student. Set the tone of your mentoring relationship early. In your first meeting with your mentee, ascertain their goals

Mentors: Four Ways to Be More Effective

Step into the shoes of your mentee. After many years, certain aspects of legal work may feel like second nature to you. But it’s called the practice of law for a reason.

32 March/April 2024