The following points are suggested to facilitate a discussion about the new lawyer’s career objectives and ways to achieve them.
- Discuss the article Kathleen Brady, Navigating Detours on the Road to Success, Law Practice Today,March 2005, http://apps.americanbar.org/lpm/lpt/articles/mgt03058.html.
- Discuss the different types of law practice. For example, government or public office, private practice, large firm vs. small firm vs. solo practice, corporate, environmental, judicial clerkships, non-traditional legal positions, legal aid.
- Share with the new lawyer the long-term goals you had as a new lawyer. Discuss how and why those goals changed and/or the successes and failures you had in reaching those goals. Discuss what you have achieved and what career goals you have now.
- Share with the new lawyer how you would do things differently in pursuing your career objectives if you had a chance to start over.
- If the new lawyer is not in the type of practice s/he would like to be in long-term, the mentor should try to introduce the new lawyer to lawyers in the field s/he would like to explore.
- Discuss networking opportunities that would coincide with the new lawyer’s objectives. Discuss the new lawyer’s resume and suggest activities in which engagement would help to strengthen the ability to meet career goals. Suggest other ways for the new lawyer to develop professionally.
- Assist the new lawyer in creating a five-year plan stating career objectives and strategies for meeting them.
Resources:
ABA Career Counsel, http://www2.americanbar.org/careercenter/Pages/careercenter.aspx.
Colorado Attorney Mentoring Program (CAMP) Mentoring Resource Center, https://coloradomentoring.org/mentoring-resources/mentoring-literature.
Colorado Lawyer Assistance Program (COLAP) Resources,http://www.coloradolap.org.