ACA Mentorship Program
We are in the process of developing an Apprentice Mentorship Program for Members of the ACA. Once activated, our membership program would connect willing experienced ACA member attorneys with less experienced attorneys for mentoring and training.
Benefits of Mentorship
Mentoring helps attorneys at all levels advance their careers; from lawyers-to-be, to new lawyers, to seasoned attorneys seeking to expand their practice or renew their vigor in practicing law.
More than simply passing on information and advice, mentors impart lessons on the art and science of the practice of law. Mentees acquire crucial skills and intelligence more quickly and in a more meaningful manner.
The mentor-mentee relationship becomes an active partnership based on the sharing of experiences and insights. The mentor is a trusted advisor and facilitator, helping to pass on vital knowledge to the young or less experienced lawyer. The mentee becomes a proactive and equal partner in the process.
Mentor and mentee work through problems and discuss opposing views. They explore ideas and abilities and discuss attainable objectives. A great mentoring partnership fosters competence, wisdom and work/life balance.
Reaffirm a Culture of Mentoring
Law Schools are relatively young in the history of lawyers. For hundreds of years, lawyers were trained through apprenticeship and mentoring. We believe apprenticeship and mentoring are as important today as they were historically. The ACA believes that the legal profession would be better served if more lawyers apprenticed. We hope that the ACA Apprentice Mentorship program is one way that the ACA can support the rich history of apprenticeship in law.
Legal Acumen through Mentorship
Law Schools teach students legal concepts or “how to think like a lawyer.” But, Law Schools do not teach, or train students, how to practice law. Many lawyers graduate from law school and begin the practice of law with no experience and no guidance; as a result, these young lawyers make mistakes or commit malpractice. Helping consumers and lawyers find competent attorneys is one of our goals. One of our other goals is professional development, and our apprentice membership program helps advance ACA goals including fraternity and professional development.
Through our Apprentice Mentorship program, we partner those attorneys seeking a mentor with those attorneys who want to be a mentor.
Pay It Forward: Become a Mentor
If you would like to help move this mentorship program forward by volunteering to be a mentor, please send an email to the ACA at info@americancollegeofattorneys.org
