Mentoring is an incredibly rewarding experience that plays a valuable role in your personal and professional development, helping you build a fulfilling and successful career.
Our 2024 Mentoring Program is open to all those wishing to share their knowledge, skills and experience to help one another develop and grow, from students seeking advice on how to begin their career right through to those nearing the end of their practice.
As a mentor, you have the ability to develop your leadership, coaching and interpersonal skills, gain a fresh perspective from younger members of the profession and the opportunity to impact the career development of another person positively.
As a mentee, you will have the opportunity to increase your network, gain insight from a more experienced practitioner and build confidence in your areas of practice by developing skills to map and achieve career goals.
Participation and matching will depend on suitable mentors applying, and therefore a match is not guaranteed. Successful matches will be announced in late March. Please see key dates for more information.
Jump to: Eligibility | Key Dates | Pricing | Responsibilities | Resources | FAQs
2024 Program:
Applications are now open for the 2024 Mentoring Program. Register here.
2024 Key Dates:
| 29 January |
Applications open |
| 29 February |
Applications close |
| 20 March |
Matches announced |
| Late March |
Training sessions |
| 29 March |
Program commences |
| Mid December |
Program concludes |
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply, you must meet the following criteria:
Mentors
- Member of the Law Society of NSW;
- Have held a practising certificate for two or more years.
Mentees
- Member of the Law Society of NSW;
- Student participation is limited to students in their penultimate and final years of study.
The commitment between a mentor and mentee is one meeting per month (virtual or in person).
*If you have any queries about eligibility, please contact the program coordinator at mentoring@lawsociety.com.au
Pricing
There is a registration fee of $75 (inc GST) for mentees only*. There are no fees for mentors as they are volunteering their time.
Payment will be processed after submitting your online application. We will be in touch to secure payment before announcing your matched mentor. If we are unable to match you with a mentor, you will not be required to pay your admission fee.
*As part of the Law Society's Indigenous Reconciliation Strategic Plan, the fee will be waived for Indigenous mentees.
Responsibilities
Mentees
As a mentee, you are responsible for establishing the path you would like to follow during the mentoring process. The main aim of the mentoring relationship is to help you determine your broad career and personal development goals and define a plan to help you follow them through. You are responsible for driving the relationship, setting the agenda and arranging the meetings with your mentor. You need to take a proactive role in shaping the relationship with your mentor by:
- Understanding what you want from the mentoring relationship and communicating your goals and aspirations clearly to your mentor
- Setting aside time for the mentoring process, being flexible with meeting times and locations and keeping all scheduled appointments with your mentor
- Responding to your mentor's feedback in a timely manner
- Being honest with your mentor about your challenges and weaknesses
- Always displaying professional behaviour
Participation and matching will depend on suitable mentors applying, and therefore is not guaranteed.
Mentors
A mentor is a guide, a friend and a resource who derives satisfaction from helping others succeed. Your role as a mentor is to inspire, encourage and support your mentee and contribute to their professional and personal development by:
- Committing to at least one hour of support per month for your mentee
- Setting aside time for the mentoring process and honouring all appointments you've agreed to with your mentee
- Checking-in with your mentee regularly via phone, email or face-to-face
- Keeping any information they share with you confidential
- Establishing open and honest communication and a forum for idea exchange that fosters your mentee's creativity and independence
- Helping to build your mentee's self-confidence and offer encouragement when needed
- Providing honest and timely feedback and ensuring there are plenty of opportunities for your mentee to ask questions and talk about any concerns they may have
- Above all, listen
Participation and matching will depend on suitable mentees applying, and therefore is not guaranteed.
