Professional Mentoring Program

Professional Mentoring Programat the University of Denver Sturm College of Law

Unlike any other law school in the country, the Professional Mentoring Program at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law offers every first year student the opportunity to establish a lifetime relationship with a practicing attorney or judge. Students and men-tors are matched based on a number of factors, including practice interest areas, and meet in a series of structured, practice-oriented discussions throughout a student’s law school career.

The distinguishing characteristic of the Profes-sional Mentoring Program is structure. Mentors and students meet for specified periods of time to talk about specific topics. In the first year, these topics include legal research, legal communications and ethics. In later years, the discussions become more job focused and in-clude topics like networking and tips for passing the bar examination.

As a student transitions from law school to a professional legal career, the mentor relation-ship that develops during law school provides the student a practical, experienced, personable resource for both practice and personal issues.

Take advantage of an incredible legal tool. Be-come involved in the Professional Mentoring Program.

“Both mentors and students love this program. The mentors like helping to prepare new lawyers. Students appreciate the practical legal skills they learn from their mentors.”

–Michael G. MasseyLecturer & Director of Mentoring Programs

The Mentor’s Involvement

Being a mentor takes less than 12 hours a year, yet mentors have a lifetime effect on the lives of their students. A mentor is a role model, a friend, a listener and an adviser. In the Professional Mentoring Program, each mentor is asked to guide two students through their school careers. Mentors come from a variety of law firms and solo practices and represent nearly all practice areas. They need not be Denver Law graduates.

The following responsibilities are expected from all mentors:

• Participating in seven meetings during the first year. The meetings usually last an hour, take place in the mentor’s office and have specified topics, ranging from legal research to legal ethics;

• Participating in three meetings during the second year. These meetings involve a networking event, such as a section luncheon, and a courthouse tour;

• Scheduling three or four meetings during the third and fourth years with discussions focused on providing job hunting and bar passage tips, as well as preparing the stu-dent for the actual practice of law;

• Attending the annual year-end reception with their students.

Although the Professional Mentoring Program is designed to discuss particular topics at specific times, mentors and students are encouraged to discuss other topics of importance with the students. They often decide to have additional meetings over lunch or coffee at their own discretion.

Professional Mentoring Program

“As a profession, we have an obli-gation to step up to help our law students and newly admitted law-yers. The Professional Mentoring Program is an excellent way in which to satisfy that obligation.”

–Erin Smith, JD’90Norton, Smith & Keane

The Student’s Involvement

Students who participate in the Professional Mentoring Program learn practical legal skills necessary for practice. The program also helps students create a network of professionals which is vital to a successful legal career.

The following responsibilities are expected from all students:

• Have a series of scheduled meetings with their mentors to discuss the practical aspects of practicing law. These meetings take place throughout a student’s law school career and usually are held at the mentor’s law office;

• Have opportunities to meet with their mentors or communicate by email or telephone to discuss aspects of law school, including course selection and summer employment;

• Often secure clerkships and other part or full time employment either from their mentors or with the assistance of their mentors;

• Have an established relationship with a professional who can act as a sounding board on issues commonly encountered by new practitioners, including client representation, career development and law practice management.

“My mentor provided considerate guid-ance and opportunities throughout my four years of law school. His advice and support proved invaluable in my job search, and I’m certain we’ll stay in touch throughout my legal career.”

– Jennifer Yeats, JD’11

Getting Involved

The Professional Mentoring Program currently has approximately 250 mentors and 250 students. The program is expanding from a first year program to a three or four year program, so additional mentors are needed for the academic year beginning in the fall of 2012. If you are interested in either becom-ing a mentor, getting involved in the Professional Mentoring Program as a student, or learning more about the program, visit the program website at www.law.du.edu/mentoring-programs.

University of Denver Sturm College of Law

Get involved with the Professional Mentoring Program today.303.871.6712 2255 E. Evans Ave., Suite 310Denver, CO 80208mentor@law.du.eduwww.law.du.edu/mentoring-programs

“My mentor provided considerate guidance and opportunities throughout my four years of law school. His advice and support proved invaluable in my job search, and I’m certain we’ll stay in touch throughout my legal career.”

– Jennifer Yeats, JD’11

“Before I joined the Professional Mentoring Program, I really didn’t know what a lawyer did and had never been to a lawyer’s office. My mentor invited me to his office, gave me a tour, introduced me to his col-leagues. Now I have a far better understanding of what it means to practice law.”

–William Beck, 1L

University of Denver Sturm College of Law Non-Discrimination PolicyPlease be advised that the University of Denver Sturm College of Law is committed to providing students and graduates with equal opportunity to obtain employment without discrimination based upon race, color, veteran status, religion, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, age or handicap.