Mentor Express Orientation

Whether you are a mentee looking for a port in the storm or a mentor offering to assist, think about the following principles to keep the process moving forward.

• Do not reinvent the wheel. You each have a wealth of experience to contribute and compare. Share your successes but also reveal mistakes you have made in order to learn from them.
• You will not find it in a law library. Much of what it means to practice law professionally and competently will not be found in any law book and cannot be taught in law school. Think about the unwritten rules, the idiosyncrasies of practising and the practical effects of general legal concepts.
• Have the courage to listen. Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak. Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.
• There's no such thing as a dumb question. The practice of law was unfamiliar territory to all of us at some point. No question should be off limits, no matter how inconsequential or obvious. A good mentor will ask and answer questions (lots of them) and will try to create an environment of trust. Mentees, feel free to ask questions too. After all, that is why your mentor signed up for the program.