Being a Mentor in the Legal Field

There are many aspects of being an attorney that expand beyond a courtroom. As a leader of the community, there is a special need to be a good example for others in the field and for the general public. By showing professionalism in every part of life, an attorney can naturally elevate themselves into a role model to assist future clients and the field in general.

A Chance to Give Back

Now that you have graduated from law school, passed the bar, and established your own practice, there is much more work to be done. As you put down roots, assist clients, and gain experience, there comes a time to give back. Think back to the important figures that assisted you to get to the present moment. Whether it was a professor in prelaw, a judge that you worked under, or a particularly helpful former partner, there should be inspiration for aiding other attorneys.

This is part of the reason that I decided to write these columns-- they allowed me to use my experience as a way to help those coming along the same path. Putting up a shingle isn't easy and often only gets more difficult from there.

There are thousands of students in prelaw and law programs that are looking to make the world a better place and make a living. There are many recent graduates that are often in need of a helping hand. By volunteering to mentor some of these green attorneys-to-be, you can make a mark with your experience.

There are several ways to do this. One would be to set up a mentoring or internship program with your firm. This way you can get assistance in research and new blood while also training an attorney to build themselves up. Furthermore, there are programs in some law schools and undergraduate colleges to accept short term interns or to volunteer. Organizing a group of new attorneys to share advice and experiences can also help build up the collective knowledge of the organization.

There are many avenues to aid those that will form the foundation of next generation of attorneys. Every attorney can choose the role that they will play.

Michael Ehline is the lead attorney for the Ehline Law Firm PC and an expert in car accident liability. His Los Angeles based practice is among the leaders in community development and cooperation between firms. He also serves as president of the Circle of Legal Trust, which aims to improve the quality of service for clients and foster continued education among attorneys.