Questioning Mentors
By Most new lawyers fall into one of two types. The first type knows that, although they worked hard and learned a lot in law school, they know very little about the actual practice of law. The second type consists of those who not only know everything but will also tell you they know everything. But no matter how great a new attorney is (or thinks he/she is), a new attorney can always benefit from the advice and guidance of a mentor.
In my experience, finding a good mentor and being a good mentor usually start with something lawyers are quite familiar with – asking the right questions.
“Why’d you do that?”
Although this question is often followed by a “don’t do that again,” this initial question is a great way to start a mentor-mentee relationship. For new lawyers, one of the best things about a mentorship is not just avoiding pitfalls in the practice of law but having someone who will listen to you and respect your use of professional skills, even if the mentor eventually explains how you were wrong. Be willing to talk with new attorneys about their reasoning and why they made certain choices. Then show them how to improve or the correct way to execute a task. Showing that initial respect and concern will open the door for mutual trust and respect, which will lead to a great mentor-mentee relationship.
“How about trying this next time?”
This question is similar to the prior question, but I included it to highlight a very important point – a teachable moment does not have to be an embarrassing moment. I have often heard that embarrassing young lawyers is a part of “the experience” of being a brand-new lawyer. However, how you advise a mentee can make or break the trust in a mentorship. Further, teaching through embarrassment is more likely to send a message about who you are, one in which your colleagues will hear much louder than any message you are trying to send to and about the mentee.
“Do you have a minute?”
Access is an asset. New lawyers understand that experienced attorneys are busy. This question is our way to gauge your availability and your willingness to help. A few minutes of a mentor’s time may knock your schedule off for a bit, but that time can change a new lawyer’s perspectives on a case and their career.
“How do you handle it all?”
Throughout law school, students hear about the elusive “work-life balance.” New lawyers are trying to figure out how to balance all the things they want to do with all the things they need to do. This applies to lawyers with and without families, the married and the single ones, the introverts and the extroverts. When new lawyers ask you about how to handle life, we need to vent, and we need to know we are not alone. We are looking for compassion and understanding, not a concrete answer.
“Would you like to join me?”
New lawyers are just that – new! We do not have much experience doing many of the practical skills that will be required of us as our legal careers progress. Allowing us to “tag along”– to come with you, to observe, to help prep, to work with you – gives us the opportunity to expand our skill set with guidance from someone we trust. It is a combination that helps us grow our knowledge, career, and confidence.
With all the education lawyers must obtain, the best lessons often come standing in a back hallway of a courthouse, soaking up the wisdom of a mentor. I implore experienced attorneys to ask these questions and to recognize when these questions are asked. These questions can create mentorships and can change the course of a whole generation of new lawyers.
MaryJane Richardson was born and raised in Lumberton and is the daughter of Herbert L. Richardson, a district court judge, and Patricia Richardson, a teacher of academically gifted students. MaryJane is an alumnus of UNC Chapel Hill (B.A. Political Science), North Carolina State (Master of Public Administration), and Campbell University School of Law (Juris Doctor). After obtaining her law license, Richardson began her legal career as an Assistant District Attorney in Hoke County in 2016 and now works with the Robeson County District Attorney’s Office.
Although Richardson spends most of her days practicing criminal law, she enjoys seeing how administrative law impacts the daily lives of all people through her work with the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Speech Pathologists and Audiologists and as a council member of the NCBA’s Administrative Law Section.