In the face of uncertainty in the legal profession, the Boston Bar Association has enhanced its mentoring programs for Massachusetts lawyers and law students.
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The BBA has three active mentoring programs right now for those in the legal profession to join as mentors and mentees:
- Law School Graduate Mentoring, which they’ve run since 2008,
- Family Law Mentoring, newly launched this year, and
- Active Duty Military and Veterans Forum Mentoring.
Law School Graduate Mentoring
As explained on the BBA’s blog (with emphasis added),
The 2020 Law School Graduates face unprecedented barriers to entering the legal profession and the BBA rolled out an expanded mentoring program to help in this time of transition. The expanded mentoring program consists of two forms of mentorship: Bar Coaching and Career Transition Coaching. You can learn more about the programs here.
We have already successfully matched nearly 40 pairs of mentors and mentees who are meeting regularly (virtually, of course). Mentors and mentees alike are benefiting from the program. Some early feedback we have received on the program so far includes: “The conversation [with my mentor] was very helpful and motivating. She helped me think through some important study habits and offered some guidance and insight that was very productive.” Another participant remarked, “I found [my mentor] exceptionally kind and willing to help, which was very nice and very welcome. I am grateful for this program this year, since the future seems so uncertain. Thank you so much for administering it!”
If you are interested in signing up to receive a mentor, you can do so by completing this sign-up form.
Those seeking to participate as a mentor can sign up here.
RELATED RESOURCE: LCL | Mass LOMAP’s resource hub for New Lawyers in Massachusetts
Family Law Mentoring
As explained on the BBA’s blog (with emphasis added),
This year, the Family Law Section launched a new pilot mentoring program that matched experienced family law practitioners willing to offer guidance to new lawyers practicing, or considering practicing, family law. Mentors offer newer lawyers guidance on topics like: networking and business development skills, resume writing or interview prep, professionalism, general information regarding the Boston legal community and what it’s like to practice family law here. To date we have matched 16 pairs of mentors and mentees who are connecting regularly.
If you are interested in signing up to receive a mentor, you can do so by completing this sign-up form.
Those seeking to participate as a mentor can sign up here.
Active Duty Military and Veterans Forum Mentoring
As explained on the BBA’s blog (with emphasis added),
The BBA remains committed to service members, and those that support them, in the legal community. The BBA’s Military & Veterans Mentoring Program connects students, or those new to the Boston area or legal practice, with more senior members that share their unique perspective: they are, were, or advocate for, our service men and women. Over the last few years of the program we have supported as many as 55 matched pairs of mentors and mentees, we currently support 22 pairs of mentors and mentees that meet regularly, and we are always looking to make additional matches for this one of a kind program.
Mentees of this program benefit from guidance on resume writing, interview prep, learning about Boston’s legal community, as well as the aspects of mentoring that can only be found in this forum: transitioning from the military to a legal career or how to balance both military and civilian lives.
If you are interested in signing up to receive a mentor, you can do so by completing this sign-up form.
Those seeking to participate as a mentor can sign up here.
BBA Bar Dues Assistance Program
The BBA states on its website that it “strives to make membership affordable to as many attorneys as possible.” You can submit a request to waive a portion of your dues here.
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