The program is designed to help students develop their professional identity and character formation through lasting relationships with these lawyers and judges. The program aims to pair each participating law student with a legal professional who (1) practices in the state where that law student intends to practice; and (2) specializes in the practice area most aligned with that student’s interests.
The mentorship opportunity provides a uniquely valuable experience for students to glean practical and personal advice from practicing attorneys and judges, and the consensus from the mentors is that the benefit is a mutual one. In a recent study by the American Bar Association, recent law school graduates cited having a mentor as an important driving factor for career satisfaction and also noted the important benefits provided by a mentor program such as advice, guidance, and support.
Since its inception in February 2013, CEFLER has had almost 500 mentors in the program, with 130 attorneys and judges participating in 2016-17 alone. That first academic year, 9% of the law student body participated as mentees compared to 45% of the student body who participated last academic year 2016-17.
Since the beginning of this academic year, CEFLER has received many applications from new students who want to participate in the program. As we begin the pairing process, we look forward to learning of the positive experiences both mentors and mentees enjoy from the program this year.
Click here to view past mentee testimonies >
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