Implementation Plan and Program Rules
Participants complete at least nine hours of mentoring during the course of at least six in-person meetings. The mentee and mentor should schedule these meetings at times and places most convenient for them. Some mentees and mentors find it easiest to schedule meetings that include breakfast or lunch rather than meeting in an office setting. The Commission on Professionalism has authorized participants in the December 2020, May 2021, and November 2021 mentoring groups to complete their meetings requirement by video conference.
The mentoring term lasts approximately 11 months.
Mentees who successfully complete Lawyer to Lawyer Mentoring will fulfill their New Lawyers Training requirement, provided that they also receive three hours of classroom instruction on professionalism, office management, and client fund management, which is required of all new attorneys. Mentors will receive 12 hours of CLE credit, which includes 2.5 hours of attorney conduct. There is no cost to mentors or mentees who participate.
Participants must complete all activities selected as a part of their Mentoring Plan. Participants are required to have a discussion about substance abuse and mental health issues, as well as a discussion of pro bono service.
Lawyer to Lawyer Mentoring does not require any journaling or submission of written work. However, the following must be completed by all participants:
- Mentee Application or Mentor Application
- Mentoring Agreement
- Mentoring Plan
- Mid-term and End-of-Term Surveys
- Certificate of Satisfactory Completion
To be most effective in their new role, mentors receive training at a mentor orientation. Mentors are strongly encouraged to attend this training in person and will receive additional CLE credit for their attendance. In the alternative, mentors may view the orientation program online. Mentees are sent an orientation packet to review.
The Implementation Plan explains in great detail how the program will operate and outlines the program rules. Participants are not required to read this plan, as the orientation program and materials will explain how the program works.
| For new lawyers admitted in May 2022: | |
| New Lawyer Applications due | July 8, 2022 |
| Mentoring Term begins | Aug. 1, 2022 |
| Mentoring Plans & Mentoring Agreements due | Sept. 2, 2022 |
| Mentoring Term ends & Certificate of Satisfactory Completion due | June 30, 2023 |
| For new lawyers admitted in November 2021: | |
| New Lawyer Applications due | Jan. 14, 2022 |
| Mentoring Term begins | Feb. 1, 2022 |
| Mentoring Plans & Mentoring Agreements due | March 1, 2022 |
| Mentoring Term ends & Certificate of Satisfactory Completion due | Dec. 30, 2022 |
| For new lawyers admitted in May 2021: | |
| New Lawyer Applications due | July 9, 2021 |
| Mentoring Term begins | Aug. 2, 2021 |
| Mentoring Plans & Mentoring Agreements due | Sept. 1, 2021 |
| Mentoring Term ends & Certificate of Satisfactory Completion due | June 30, 2022 |