Why should you get a mentor as a law student?

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"While it is wise to learn from experience, it is wiser to learn from the experiences of others. “ - Rick Warren
The best way to learn how to navigate any clerkship/job application process is to learn from those who have "been there, done that".

Whilst you can learn valuable things from a firm's recruitment team, former clerks or partners at a networking or careers event, these events often do not provide the "safe space" that a 1-on-1 mentoring relationship tends to offer.  


I personally found it beneficial to have a mentor who was a BigLaw lawyer and had done a clerkship to bounce thoughts and ideas off. 

What could you ask of a mentor?

You might ask a mentor to:
  1. Identify areas for development as a job applicant
  2. Identify job, networking and professional development opportunities 
  3. Review and provide feedback on your resume and cover letters
  4. Assist with your interview preparation (including informing you of common law firm interview questions and facilitating practice interviews)
  5. Provide their first-hand knowledge of the application and interview process for seasonal clerkships and graduate programs
  6. Provide their first-hand knowledge of practice groups, types of legal work (transactional, litigious/disputes or regulatory/advisory), the realities of legal practice and what law firms and partners look for in a clerk candidate or graduate
  7. Provide guidance on suitable areas of practice and potential career paths (e.g. private practice, in-house, government, the bar, etc.)
How can I find a mentor?
  • Formal mentoring programs
  • Professional networks - lawyers whom you have a professional relationship with by reason of networking events, LinkedIn or otherwise
  • Personal networks - friends and family members
Examples of formal law student mentoring programs:


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