Mentoring
We recognize the full significance of mentoring in an attorney’s career. Though the days of formal legal apprenticeships have ended, informal and formal mentoring remain the primary avenues through which associates in law firms learn their craft, develop business and are promoted to equity partnership. We acknowledge that this process often occurs organically, but not as easily where similarities in background do not exist. In order to remedy this gap, Locke Lord has implemented a pilot Mentoring Program for lateral and diverse associates in some of our offices. All participants undergo formal training in order to ensure that they have the proper tools to develop a successful relationship. Training is also specifically conducted to bridge gaps which exist when mentoring across differences.
In 2007, the Firm launched a group mentoring trial for its female associates. Associates have the opportunity to meet with all female partners, outside of the office in small groups. Static groups of associates will benefit from rotating meetings with two to three partners at a time. In this manner, associates will receive mentoring from a variety of successful attorneys and have occasion to naturally develop bonds which will hopefully lead to one-on-one mentoring relationships.
We have pledged to further refine our pilot Mentoring Programs in accordance with the results of a detailed satisfaction survey of participants and each office’s individual needs.