Professional Mentoring Program
MLaw Programs is currently in the process of launching a Professional Mentoring Program. This program will be for students in the Justice and Legal Thought Program as well as students in the Law and Society Minor. The program will offer MLaw students the opportunity to establish a mentoring relationship with a legal professional. Mentors will help MLaw students identify and fulfill professional goals while fostering the highest levels of ethics and professionalism. Through these interactions, alumni participates can serve the profession and the community. Students will gain new perspectives and insights into issues related to civility, ethics and professionalism.
How the program works
- Entering students will be matched with a mentor during the first year of their respective program and may remain in the program until their graduation. Matches are based on criteria such as, but not limited to, the student’s area of interest and geographic connections.
- Participants are asked to interact at least twice per academic semester. Schedules permitting, participants are encouraged to communicate and/or meet as often as they like.
- Mentoring can take place via e-mail exchanges, telephone conversations, lunch meetings, coffee breaks, and videoconferencing. Mentors and students will have an opportunity to interact in person at specific events in certain locations.
- Participants will receive a copy of the Professional Mentoring Program Handbook, which explains the program guidelines, goals and expectations.
- While the program is designed to help students develop into successful professionals, it is not intended as an employment program. Mentors are not expected to hire students.
Interested in becoming a mentor?
Sign-up
If you are interested in mentoring a MLaw student please send an e-mail to mlawprograms [at] umd.edu with "Professional Mentoring Program" in the subject line.
About Our Mentors
Our mentors are legal professionals who volunteer their time and expertise to help students in MLaw Programs develop into future members of the legal community. While mentors may live in the DC metropolitan area and its surrounding communities, legal professionals from all geographic regions are encouraged to participate in the mentoring program. To maintain the relationship, long-distance contact with students may be accomplished by email, telephone or video conference.
Eligible mentors must be in good standing with their state bar associations and any other relevant professional boards. Good standing refers to the maintenance of any necessary licenses, or if the mentor’s work does not require a license, the absence of any disciplinary action by any relevant professional review boards.
