A Different Kind of Mentorship Program

Are you/were you in the top third of your class?  Did you make law review?  Do these sound like familiar questions that you are asked in your search for legal employment? 

Do you feel compelled to pursue BigLaw employment, as if that is the only path towards success?  Sometimes it might feel that way based on the messaging from your law school (or other sources).  It may come as a surprise, but two thirds of law students (and eventual practicing lawyers) are not in the top third of their law school class, and the majority of them do not make law review.  A legal career in BigLaw is perfectly admirable if it fits your needs and satisfies your goals.  But, what other options exist? 

APABA-MD is committed to investing in our future leaders.  Our members work in government practice (i.e. judges, prosecutors, and administrative law judges) and in private practice (small, mid and large firms).  We want to see you succeed in your legal career!   We offer a mentorship program for law student members and newly barred Maryland attorneys (even experienced attorneys who are recent Maryland transplants), and we take a non-traditional approach to mentorship.   The days of pairing one mentee with one seasoned attorney mentor for one year are over! 

A mentee who is interested in receiving mentorship through APABA-MD will begin his/her journey with a seasoned attorney “Navigator,” who will schedule an initial meeting with the mentee.  This is an opportunity for the mentee to share his/her legal interests, desired career path, needs, and questions/concerns about the practice of law. 

After the initial meeting, the Navigator will endeavor to connect the mentee with other seasoned attorneys based on the mentee’s interests and needs.  If a mentee expresses interest or would like to learn more about civil litigation at a mid-size to large law firm (for example), the Navigator will work to introduce the mentee to a civil litigator so the two can schedule a meeting (or Zoom call) to discuss the practice (the good, bad and the ugly).  If the mentee would like to have a seasoned attorney review a resume or cover letter, the Navigator will work to connect the mentee with another seasoned attorney to assist with that review.  The mentorship would continue as long as the mentee is an active member of APABA-MD. 

The mentorship relationship develops with many seasoned attorneys and is intended to achieve two important objectives: (1) it gives the mentee multiple perspectives about the practice of law; (2) it builds the mentee’s professional network by connecting him/her with many seasoned attorneys (as opposed to being committed to one mentor for one year in a traditional mentorship program).  The mentorship grows organically based on the mentee’s needs and outreach.   

If you would like to participate in the mentorship program, please become an active member of APABA-MD and also complete the form here.  Once your membership is activated, a Navigator will contact you and schedule an initial meeting.