5 Ways to Find a Legal Mentor and Build the Relationship (Full Transcript)

[00:00:00] Speaker 1: How do I even get a mentor? What questions should I be asking them? How often should we meet? Hi, I'm Jordan Turk, attorney and director of education at Smokeball, a legal technology company. And I help lawyers, hopefully, save a little of their sanity and have a better relationship with work. I know, lawyers, overworked and stressed? No way. But here we are. Now, part of having a better relationship with the practice of law can many times mean finding a mentor. A great mentor can expand your knowledge base, network on your behalf, and be a constant source of support. But that's easier said than done. So, here are five tips for seeking out a mentor for your legal career. Number one, just ask. Just go and ask someone to be your mentor. You won't know until you try. If there's an attorney in your area whom you admire, ask if you can take them out to lunch or coffee, or bring something back to their office and visit with them. This does work. Number two, attend your bar events and join your local Inn of Court. Inns is kind of tailor-made to provide mentorship opportunities because typically, you get paired with seasoned attorneys and judges who are all there to impart their wisdom. Number three, sit in the courtroom and observe the really good attorneys. If you're wondering how to find the really good attorneys, I recommend approaching the judge on a break and asking them if there are any good trials or hearings coming up. Send the attorneys who you admire an email after trial, telling them your thoughts, and ask if they would be available for a lunch. Tell them you aren't looking for a job, you just want to learn. Number four, don't expect the mentor to be the one setting up meetings or checking in frequently. That's on you, especially at the beginning. At least once a month, make sure you're updating your mentor, whether it's by email or maybe you're meeting with them, and ask them relevant questions. Remember, valuable relationships get built over time. Number five, know what you bring to the table and know why an attorney would want to mentor you and invest their time and energy in you. You are smart, you are driven, you are hungry for knowledge. Show it. All right, y'all, that's it for now. Subscribe for more Lawyer to Lawyer tips.