Mentoring Goals, Agreement, Plan Development, Worksheets
This Mentoring Plan was formulated to facilitate two outcomes: education as to professionalism issues; and development of a mentoring relationship. The ideal result will be the fulfillment of educational and relationship goals for both the mentor and new lawyer.
The development of the Mentoring Plan begins with a face to face discussion between the mentor and new lawyer about goals and expectations. During this first meeting, the mentor and new lawyer shall examine and sign the Mentoring Agreement and develop and sign their Mentoring Plan.
The mentor is responsible for scheduling their first meeting. Either mentor or new lawyer may initiate meetings thereafter. During this first meeting, the mentor and new lawyer are encouraged to discuss their preferences regarding how they would like to schedule their future meetings. It is also important for the new lawyer and mentor to discuss their expectations regarding meeting, accessibility, communication.
In order to develop a meaningful personalized Mentoring Plan, the new lawyer should think about specific goals for the mentoring relationship. Keeping in mind that a goal is something that one wants to achieve, the mentor and new lawyer may discuss the following statements to help determine the goals for the mentoring program. The new lawyer should address:
I am most interested in the following activities and experiences listed in this Mentoring Plan...
Regarding personal and professional development in this next year, I want to achieve...
I need to know more about...
I want to strengthen the following skills...
In five to ten years, I see myself doing...
Bearing in mind that a person at the beginning of his or her career may lack perspective to identify skills that should be sharpened or to set other development goals, the mentor is encouraged to also address issues:
Activities and experiences in this Mentoring Plan that I wish I had participated in during the first year of my practice are...
Other than substantive legal knowledge, the skills most central to being a successful legal practitioner are...
The lessons I learned the hard way are...
The best tips about professional development that I learned are...
All mentors and new lawyers are required to sign an agreement that defines the parameters of the mentoring relationship and limits potential liability. A Mentoring Agreement shall be signed by the mentor and new lawyer at their first meeting.