Job Search Strategies: more on mentors

Aurora Donnelly is a solo practitioner always looking forward to the next exciting transition.

As I was reading Tiffany’s posting a couple of weeks ago about mentors I realized how grateful I am for the mentors that have been part of my life. They have been tireless in their enthusiasm for my efforts, generous with their time and advice and helpful in making other productive connections.

When I decided to go to law school several friends and friends of friends came forward to help. Over coffee sessions and dinners, we talked about the wisdom (or lack of) of signing up for law school at a mature age, about what it would mean to give up my relatively successful career to date — why do it, how to make it happen. Some of these mentors had themselves had good and bad experiences as lawyers. Nevertheless, they invariably encouraged me to analyze my own situation free of preconceptions and to make the right decision on the matter.

I received boxes of law books and study guides, piles of class notes and study note cards and useful website addresses. I jotted down directions on what to do, how to do it, what was important in sitting for the LSAT’s and in applying for law schools. Most importantly, every one of these mentoring lawyers conveyed to me by attitude and by word, their perception of the value of the profession and the pride they took in being lawyers. They made me feel confident and good about what I was undertaking. There was no way I would fail them by not doing my best.

Now 14 years later, several of these people are still with me. They answer my questions about ethics issues, about where to get forms I need, about how to deal with difficult clients, how to handle referrals. They encourage me take good cases and leave the rest, something I am not always smart about, and how to make the best of my particular talents as an attorney.

This wonderful team I have on my side, made up of “old” and “new” mentors, has saved me many times, by keeping me from making mistakes, by helping me fix the ones I do make, by making me a better lawyer and business manager. They bring me back up when I feel defeated.

I am telling my story because you should be aware that, particularly in the practice of law, being a loner is not the best way to go. Don’t let your professional pride keep you from asking questions, from getting help from the right friends.

Starting even before law school and onward, line up the best team of mentors you can get on your side, through networking, through treating them well, through realizing and letting them know their value. Stay in touch even when they don’t always respond right away. Let them know how much you value their support. Always be on the look out for these special, wonderful people who have the talent and desire to help others and then let them help you.