MENTORING TOPICS 

Professional Life 

• Business of law 

• Case management and the practice of law

• Challenges in the workplace

• Courtroom culture and practice

• Ethics

• Interacting with adversaries and civility

• Job search, networking, and interviewing

• Lawyering as a second career

• Setting up a law practice

• Specific areas of law, e.g., bar advocacy, criminal, family, government, housing, non-profit, probate, real estate.

• Strategies for advancement

• Transitioning to a new area of law

Individual Well-being

• Addiction and recovery

• Creating community and reducing isolation

• Diversity, equity, and inclusion

• Identity

• Mental health 

• Microaggressions and bias

• Racism and discrimination 

• Resilience

• Stress management

• Wellness and self-care

• Work-Life balance

GOAL SETTING EXAMPLES

Attorney Connect

Mentee has been in solo practice for less than a year and is feeling isolated and stressed.

Long-term goal: Develop a plan to address stressors, reduce isolation, and improve well-being.

Short-term goals: Discuss and clarify stressors. Identify systems, activities, and/or individuals to provide support and community, including connections to local, affinity, and specialty bar associations, among other communities. Develop strategies to overcome perceived obstacles to accessing support.

Mentee, first in family to attend higher ed, has recently passed the bar, and is seeking employment.

Long-term goal: Familiarize self with the job search process for attorneys in MA.  

Short-term goals: Discuss challenges, needs, and gaps. Get advice on job searching, networking, and interviewing. Identify systems and/or individuals to provide additional support and discuss the possibility of finding a longer-term mentor.

Mentor Connect

Mentee has been a bar advocate for several years and is thinking of moving to a new area of law. 

Long-term goal:  Decide if transitioning to new area of law is best, and if so, develop course of action.  

Short-term goals:  Discuss career goals. Consider pros and cons to remaining a bar advocate.  Brainstorm alternative legal careers and their benefits and challenges.  Network with individuals in careers under consideration. Decide on a path and develop action plan to get there. 

Mentee has been in a small firm for two years and is experiencing challenges with their supervisor. 

Long-term goal: Understand and gain strategies for managing issues with supervisor. 

Short-term goals: Discuss challenges with supervisor.  Consider strategies and approaches that have been tried and their results. Brainstorm ideas for handling challenges in the moment and long term.