January 2008

In This Issue:

• Thoughts on Mentors as Life Coaches
• Mentoring Resources Are Out There, Just a Click Away
• Do You Have A Mentoring Story You’d Like To Share?
• Meet and Greet with the Mentees
• Sandra Crawford – The Mentor

Thoughts on Mentors as Life Coaches
By James A. Hansen

At the ISBA Annual Meeting I spent time working in the mentoring booth answering questions and handing out materials.  One of the most frequent questions was "What do I need to do to be a mentor?"  Of course, I handed out the application that is needed for any ISBA member to become a mentor.  You must fill out the application and show proof of insurance, much like a driver's license.  However, beyond that not much else is required.  There is no test like receiving a driver's license. 

In fact, the beauty of being a mentor lies in part on the freedom to craft the mentor-mentee relationship as you may see fit.  After receiving contact from the mentee, the mentor is pretty much given a blank canvas to paint the picture of the relationship.  I think this is one of the strongest selling points about becoming a mentor through the ISBA.  There are no strict controls or regulations governing the way in which you must proceed. 

The mentor chooses how much he or she is involved.  Obviously, the more involved the more worthwhile the relationship.  The main criticism we have been receiving involves the lack of contact from the mentor after the mentee makes the initial step.  If you choose to be a mentor, please take the commitment seriously. If contacted, be as responsive as possible.

In today's age there is much discussion on "Life Coaches".  I had no idea what a "Life Coach" was, did or how one becomes such a person.  So, I did a little research and found that a life coach is one that assists clients to determine and achieve personal goals. In searching various websites such as www.findyourcoach.com  and www.mylifecoach.com, it appears that the common theme that leads people to a life coach begins with the following questions:

• Are you stuck in a rut?
• Do you feel stressed out?
• Are you tired and feel unsuccessful?
• Are you disorganized and worried?

The International Coach Federation defines coaching as, "[P]artnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential."  www.coachfederation.org  I must admit that when I read that definition it sounds remarkably similar to the mentoring program at ISBA.  All mentors should be working with their mentees in a thought provoking and creative process that inspires mentees to maximize their personal and professional potential. 

The beauty of the mentoring relationship is that, to a large extent, it is driven by the dedication of the mentor and mentee.  If the mentee is not receiving responsive and critical feedback, guidance and support from the mentor then the relationship will most likely fail.  If, on the other hand, the mentor is providing dedicated support, guidance and direction both the mentor and mentee should receive the gratification of a worthwhile relationship.

Mentoring Resources Are Out There, Just a Click Away

The State Bar of Georgia Standards of the Profession Committee offers a “Transition Into Law Practice” program that is similar to ISBA’s Mentoring Program. 

Pages 20 through 25 of the Georgia Handbook offers a model of a Mentoring Plan of Activities and Experiences.  http://www.gabar.org/public/pdf/tilpp/7-G.pdf
This is a checklist for the Mentor and offers suggestions, like “Escort the beginning lawyer on a tour of the local courthouse(s) and, to the extent practicable, introduce him or her to members of the judiciary, court personnel and clerks of court.”  After each suggested activity or experience, there is a completion date box to be marked.  This offers the Mentor a comprehensive list of suggestions to enhance the mentoring experience.

Topics range from:

•  Introduction to the Legal Community
•  Introduction to the Community at Large
•  Introduction to Law Office Management
•  Working with Your Client

The Supreme Court of Ohio has a similar set of forms for Mentors and Mentees available for review at http://www.sconet.state.oh.us/mentoring/forms.asp

The sample worksheets above are tools to help both the Mentor and Mentee understand the process and may be used as a starting point at your first meeting. You can review the entire list and determine what the Mentee feels he or she needs or wants the most. 

Do You Have A Mentoring Story You’d Like To Share?

If you ever experienced an inspirational mentoring moment that you’d like to encourage others to either serve as a mentor, or sign up to become a mentee, please feel free to forward your story to us.  Your story can be a paragraph long or a page long.  It can be serious or light hearted.  It can be about a formal mentoring situation or an informal one.  As long as you think it may inspire, we hope you’ll take a few moments to write it down and share it with others.  E-mail your story to slane@isba.org.

Meet and Greet with the Mentees
By Peter Rotskoff, Litigation Group Manager, ARDC

Although the ISBA Mentoring Program is primarily an internet based program, some mentors and mentees meet with each other on a regular basis.  Where geographic distances permit, the Committee encourages such meetings and encourages both mentors and mentees to suggest face to face discussions and activities wherever possible.  Listed below are some activities and discussion topics for mentor-mentee meetings.¹

• Bar Meetings – take the mentee to a bar association function and introduce him or her to other members.
• Courthouse Visits – if the mentee is newly admitted or new to the area, take the mentee to the local courthouse and introduce him or her to the judges and court personnel.
• Office Visits – invite the mentee to your office to discuss and demonstrate proper law office management systems.  Show the mentee how office systems operate for phone calls, billing, client files, tickler systems, record-keeping, etc.

Some topics for discussion between mentor and mentee may be better suited for an in-person meeting rather than internet or telephone contact.  Some of these topics are listed below:

• Business Development – talk to the mentee about how to properly develop business and keep current clients informed and happy.  Discuss appropriate and inappropriate ways to solicit business and how to determine whether or not to accept a new client.  Talk with the mentee about the issues surrounding leaving a firm and properly withdrawing from cases.
• Malpractice/Grievance Traps – have a discussion with the mentee about ways to avoid malpractice claims and ARDC grievances.  This discussion will necessarily include a discussion of proper client communication and law office management.
• Mental Health/Substance Abuse Issues – Unfortunately, lawyers are disproportionately likely to suffer from mental health and addiction issues.  Talk with the mentee about the importance of balancing career and personal life and the resources (such as the Lawyers Assistance Program) that are available if the mentee or a mentee’s colleague or supervisor has an addiction or mental health issue.

We hope that both mentors and mentees will suggest in-person meetings wherever possible and that you will use some of the suggested activities and discussion topics discussed herein.

Sandra Crawford – The Mentor
By Valerie Lipic

Sandra Crawford has a thriving, legal practice and all of the time constraints, responsibilities and stress that accompany it.  So why is it that she has chosen to devote up to eight hours a month for the past three years to mentoring newer members of the legal community?  She says that she does it because she is “spreading the word by preaching.”  She hopes that her advice inspires other attorneys to model themselves by her example and thereby improves the legal community.  Moreover, Crawford knows first-hand the benefits of receiving good mentoring on her practice, and she wishes to return the favor.   

Crawford mostly communicates through e-mail with mentees.  However, Crawford often takes out additional time from her schedule to meet in person with mentees and has several mentors with whom she has established long-term, professional relationships.  While most of the mentees seek out Crawford for advice as to the business-related aspects of practicing solo, she also finds that much of her role involves serving as a sounding board so that the mentee can thoroughly think through an issue.  In this capacity, she assists the mentee by pointing him or her in the right direction. 

Crawford specializes in real estate and construction law, family law and family law alternatives, and collaborative practice, including mediation and alternative dispute resolution.  Crawford received her license to serve as a mediator in 1994 from the Center for Conflict Resolution and also is a Fellow in the Collaborative Law Institute in Illinois and International Academy of Collaborative Professionals.  

ISBA Standing Committee on Mentoring 2007-08

Illinois State Bar Association
424 South Second Street, Springfield, IL 62701
217-525-1760 Fax: 217-525-9063
slane@isba.org