National Mentorship Month is underway, and the WSBA is rolling out informative workshops, a free Legal Lunchbox, free MentorLink Mixers, programs for credit, and more. There’s something for everyone, regardless of your area of practice or years in law. Plan to attend one or more of these events. And, throughout the year, you can use WSBA MentorLink to find a mentorship program that works for you.
- Attend an MCE Legal Lunchbox: Best Practices for Strengthening Your Skills as an Attorney Mentor or Mentee
Tuesday, Jan. 31, Noon-1:30 p.m.
Learn guidelines from Ida Abbott, a leader in the fields of mentoring, leadership and professional development. She’ll be joined by Timothy Jaasko-Fisher, senior director of Curriculum and Program Development at the Civility Center for the Law. Issues covered will include learning to engage in a mutually-useful mentoring relationship and techniques for active listening and learning. Also, learn other ways mentors and mentees can strengthen legal knowledge and advocacy skills. - Attend a MentorLink Mixer: Women in Leadership
Thursday, Jan. 26, Noon-1:30 p.m.
Meet with a diverse mix of experienced women leaders and new attorneys to learn more about relevant topics, and support each other in the legal profession. This MentorLink Mixer is hosted by WSBA MentorLink in partnership with Mother Attorneys Mentoring Association and Washington Women Lawyers. RSVP here. - Take a Self-Directed Mentoring Program for Credit
Beginning on Jan. 1, 2016, MCLE rules changed to approve specific structured mentoring programs for MCLE credit. Instructions are available in the Self-Directed Structured Mentoring Program Guide. Mentoring pairs can also use the new mentorship curriculum to earn mentorship CLE credits. For more information, email mcle@wsba.org. - Learn From New WSBA Mentorship Curriculum
Last summer, WSBA’s Mentorship Program recruited volunteer attorneys to develop worksheets including discussion points, activities, and resources to help guide mentoring relationships. You can use these resources as conversation starters, or to provide structure for the mentor-mentee relationships. - Help Shape Mentorship Programming at WSBA
Would you like to mentor or be mentored on a specific topic? This spring, Mentorship at WSBA will recruit volunteer attorneys to help further develop the new mentorship curriculum. Both new and returning volunteers are welcome.
To learn more, email: MentorLink@wsba.org.
Kelly Nee. Kelly is the programs coordinator for Diversity, Public Service, and Mentorship at the WSBA. She helped develop the new mentorship curriculum as well as other mentorship pilot programs. Before joining the Bar, she worked at the King County Prosecutor’s Office and studied English and political science at Seattle University. Kelly can be reached at kellyn@wsba.org.
