Brandeis Mentor Program
The Brandeis Mentor Program offers first-year law students opportunities to meet and learn from experienced legal professionals. The goal of this program is to match law students with professional mentors who will serve as their role models and advocates throughout the law school experience. Whenever possible, students will be paired with mentors who practice in an area of law for which the student has an interest, or with an attorney who shares experiences and/or interests. This initiative connects students with local attorneys, regional programs and national opportunities that make the journey through law school, more exciting and valuable.
The Brandeis School of Law recognizes the powerful positive effects of mentoring for students and young professionals. All first-year students have the opportunity to engage with professional mentors through this program and are assigned an upper-class student advisor as part of the Success Skills Group (SSG) program.
How does the program work?
All first-year law students and local legal professionals are encouraged to participate and should complete the Brandeis Mentor Program Application. Program administrators will use application answers to assign a mentor to each student applicant. A brief virtual Orientation session will bring all participants together to clarify expectations and provide a brief forum for discussion.
Each mentor/mentee pair will meet regularly, in-person or virtually, throughout the academic year. Mentors will share knowledge and experience about topics ranging from how to successfully manage law school, to embracing the rewards and challenges of practicing law.
Expectations
1. Students are responsible for contacting their mentor within one-week. In this first contact, students should invite their mentor to the Orientation session, introduce themselves and provide contact information and general availability for meetings.
2. Each mentor and mentee will determine the best schedule for their work/life balance, with the expectation that there will be contact at least once per month.
3. Some suggested topics for discussion: adjusting to law school, study methods, issues of current concern to the profession, the mentor’s approach to professional ethics and civility, career goals, types of legal practice, law practice management, and overall wellness within the law school and workplace environments.
4. When possible, mentors can offer opportunities for their student to observe the law in practice, by shadowing them to virtual or in-person meetings, attending court appearances, participating in state Bar functions, or observing other law-related events.
5. This is an obligation which lasts the entire school year. Both mentors and mentees should respond promptly to communications from each other and from law school administrators coordinating the program.
If you have any questions about this program, please email the Brandeis Mentor Program.
