Mentor Information

A mentor is an advisor, trainer, and teacher. A good mentor is both a good person and a good lawyer. In the legal arena, a mentor is someone who is able to guide a new attorney in the practice of law, give him or her instructional advice about local laws and customs, and help the mentee to grow personally, as well as professionally.

Situational Mentors-
- Seasoned lawyers who would like to provide mentoring services, but are not in a position to participate as a traditional mentor can now register to be available for single topic telephone conversations. The mentor will identify 1) topics for which he or she is willing to talk with a new lawyer and 2) how often he or she would be available. Participants have the advantage of a limited time commitment, but they are encouraged to pursue traditional mentor/mentee relationships where they naturally develop.

Traditional Mentors-
- Experienced lawyers who would like to ensure the next generation of lawyers is competent and professional may enroll in the traditional mentor program. The mentor will identify particular areas in which he or she has expertise in order to match the mentor with a mentee who has goals which are reflective of the mentor's experience. Mentors will help the mentees through current issues of concern in the profession, approaches to ethical dilemmas, career goals, types of legal practice, law practice management issues, and how to achieve a work-life balance.

Criteria for Mentors-
- Minimum of five consecutive years of active practice as a lawyer, or alternatively, a total of ten years of experience in the practice of law
- No record of disciplinary action on file with the NC State Bar
- For mentors participating exclusively in the Situational Mentorship program, a willingness to commit at least an hour of time per month for one year for the purpose of responding to calls from new lawyers
- For mentors participating in the Traditional Mentoring program, a willingness to devote whatever time the mentor and mentee together determine to be appropriate to accomplish the goals they have collaboratively set.