HNBA National Law Student Mentorship Program

The Hispanic National Bar Association’s (HNBA) National Law Student Mentorship Program seeks to connect law students with practicing attorneys in student driven relationships to share professional guidance, practical knowledge, and essential skills that can help students succeed in law school and better understand the legal field.

The program provides mentees the opportunity to gain insight into the legal profession from experienced attorneys working in different practice areas, settings, geographical regions, and who can share personal experiences with the mentee.

Mentor/mentees can connect about career goals, the day-to-day realities of a legal practice, different types of practice, how to successfully join a legal work environment, career networking, job search strategies and skills, work-life balance, and more.

National Law Student Mentorship Program Guidelines

The HNBA will match mentees with mentors who are experienced attorneys who can provide different perspectives and share experiences regarding career goals, day-to-day realities of a legal practice, different types of practice, how to successfully join a legal work environment, career networking, job search strategies and skills, work-life balance, and more.

1. 1. Mentees should reach out to their mentor via email after they have received their matches to introduce themselves briefly.
   2. Mentors and mentees are generally expected to meet in-person or virtually (camera on) at least once a semester or once a calendar quarter, though the nature of the meetings will be at the participants’ discretion.
   3. Participants are encouraged to make contact by email, phone, or in-person/virtual meetings, as appropriate.
   4. Mentors and students should discuss a variety of topics, including strategies for finding and selecting a job, but mentors are not expected to provide job leads.
   5. Effective mentor-mentee matching is critical. If a match is not effective or productive, a new match will be made upon a Mentee or Mentor request.

How do I Enroll?

✓ Apply here to be a Mentor!

✓ Apply here to be a Mentee!

Recommended Mentoring Activities

Meeting #1: Virtual or in-person Cafecito, lunch, HNBA/VIA Annual Convention or Corporate Counsel Conference, or a state bar association event.

• • During your initial meeting, participants should exchange contact information, learn about each other’s interests (e.g., classes enrolled, current employment, or career goals), and agree to be in contact within the following month.

Check-in #1: Call or e-mail (2-4 weeks after initial in-person or virtual meeting)

• • Through this call or e-mail, mentees may request professional advice (e.g., resume review, study techniques, job interview advice, or substantive questions about firm work). This communication should also set up the next time that participants will meet in person.

Meeting #2: Virtual or in-person Cafecito or lunch

• • The purpose of this meeting should be to follow up on any essential requests for assistance from prior communications (e.g., review and discuss draft resume, discuss a substantive firm or office issue, or practice interview questions).

Check-in #2: Call or e-mail (2-3 weeks after 2nd in-person or virtual meeting)

• • Mentees should contact the mentor to follow up on the results of the prior meeting.
  • Mentees should report to mentors on the resolution of subject of prior discussions (e.g., exam result, interview result, or substantive project at the firm).

How to Connect With Your Mentor

Finding time for a busy law student and working lawyer to connect can be tricky, but these tips should help you develop a good mentoring relationship:

• • Connect with your mentor via LinkedIn and initiate monthly contact with your mentor by DM, phone, or email. Don’t wait for your mentor to contact you.
  • If you’re both local, schedule in-person meetings with your mentor at the outset, so you will have dates reserved well in advance.
  • Schedule any phone calls with your mentor in advance to reserve a mutually convenient time to talk.
  • Use school-sponsored and local professional events as a reason to meet.
  • Use Skype or Google Hangouts to “meet” with a long-distance mentor.
  • If you happen to be planning a visit to a mentor’s home turf, try to schedule an in-person meeting.

Questions to Ask Your Mentor

Even though you should have the freedom to ask about the academic and professional issues that are important to you, the following basic questions are a great place to start.

• • How is what I am learning in school different from what it will be like practicing?
  • How did you become a [insert practice area] attorney?
  • What is a typical work day like for you?
  • How do you work/life balance or prioritize mental health?
  • What types of cases/projects are you currently working on?
  • If I am interested in [insert practice area], what can I do to make myself an attractive candidate for employment by the time I graduate?
  • Can you suggest law school classes I should take to be successful in [insert practice area] and on the bar exam?
  • Can you recommend any professional organizations that might be useful for me to join?
  • Did you work while you were a law student? If so, where?
  • How did you get your first job after law school?
  • Can you review my resume (and/or cover letter)?

Tips to Making the Most of Your Mentoring Relationship

You will get as much out of a mentorship as you put into it, so give the relationship the time, dedication, and respect it deserves.

• • Set clear goals and expectations for the mentorship at the beginning.
  • Follow your mentor’s lead. For example, if they keep their emails professional, stick with that tone.
  • Prepare any questions, discussion topics, and materials you may need in advance and have them with you for your meetings or calls.
  • If your mentor gives you “homework,” like researching a particular industry before your next talk, do it!
  • Always dress professionally when meeting your mentor at their office. (Even if you meet at a coffee shop, business casual is likely the way to go.)
  • Approach your mentor with an open mind—you never know what you may learn from them!

FAQ’s

Who can participate in the program?

➢ HNBA’s National Mentoring Program is open to all HNBA Law student members.

I am interested in participating, but I will be relocating to a different region after law school.  Should I still participate?

➢ Yes, you should. Make sure to note this in your intake form.

Do I have to be an HNBA member to participate?

➢ Yes! HNBA membership is free to law students.  https://www.multisoftevents.com/HNBA/

When will I meet my mentor?

➢ Mentors and Mentees will be matched via email within 30 days or earlier of the Mentee form being completed.

How does HNBA match mentors with mentees?

➢ We match mentee with mentors who are experienced attorneys who can provide different perspectives and share experiences regarding career goals, day-to-day realities of a legal practice, different types of practice, how to successfully join a legal work environment, career networking, job search strategies and skills, work-life balance, and more.

What will be expected of me as a mentee?

➢ You are expected to participate as best as you can and take advantage of opportunities to further the mentoring relationship. Our program’s Guidelines provide additional information on how to fulfill your role as a mentee.

What if my mentor is not a good fit or match?

➢ Please notify the VP of Programs, Su Futuro at vpprogramssf@hnba.com and the VP of Regions at vpregionsaffiliates@hnba.com as soon as possible and you will be rematched.

What if I can no longer continue my Mentee-Mentor Relationship?

➢ Please notify the VP of Programs, Su Futuro at vpprogramssf@hnba.com and the VP of Regions at vpregionsaffiliates@hnba.com as soon as possible.

What should my level of involvement be with my Mentor?

➢ Your level of involvement with your mentor is entirely up to you and your mentor. Please remember that mentors have very busy schedules and that their time is valuable. During your first meeting, we encourage you and your mentor to discuss your expectations for the year with each other, including meeting/discussion frequency, meeting location, and medium for communication.

➢ Be respectful of the time commitment required of mentors and make sure to respond promptly to communications, be punctual to events, and honor all commitments. We hope that at a minimum you will:

• • • • • Add each other on LinkedIn
        • Meet in person or virtually with your mentor once per quarter
        • Participate in group events throughout the year
        • Communicate with your mentor via email, phone, or Zoom periodically as agreed upon by you and your mentor

• What will be expected of me as a mentor?

  ➢ The role of the mentor is to provide advice to mentees related to successfully navigating law school or the first years of employment, starting a legal career, and other professional issues. As such, your availability and commitment to the program is essential to establish a successful mentoring relationship. A mentor should be a good listener, be accessible, provide feedback to the mentee, and be willing to share his/her knowledge. Our program’s Guidelines provide additional information on how to implement your role as a mentor.

  ➢ Your level of involvement with your mentee is to be determined by you and your mentee. We are aware that your schedule is busy, and your time is valuable. We hope that at a minimum you will:

• • • • • • • Meet in person or virtually with your mentee once per quarter
            • Participate in one or more group events
            • Make an introduction to another attorney
            • Invite mentee to one event (virtual or in-person)
            • Allow mentee to shadow for a day
            • Communicate with your mentee via email or phone periodically as agreed upon by you and your mentee, and
            • Provide feedback, guidance, and encouragement to your mentee.