Why Mentorship Matters
Christopher S. Gontarz, Esq.
President, Rhode Island Bar Association
“By sharing your experience, knowledge, and insights, mentors help mentees navigate the complexities of their area of expertise, allowing them to build confidence and competence while fostering a sense of identity within our profession.”
I had the opportunity to address first-year Roger Williams University Law School students at their orientation, and in preparation of what to speak about, I thought about Scott Turow’s autobiographical book, One L.[fn 1] Would the Socratic method of teaching, as exemplified by Professor Charles Kingsfield in Paper Chase,[fn 2] be on display? The students were spared the Socratic ordeal and were instead welcomed to the start of their legal studies by the Dean. Since we are a unified Bar Association, I took the opportunity to introduce the benefits of membership in our Bar Association. Some of these benefits include access to over twenty-five Bar Committees dedicated to a wide range of practice areas and legal issues; the Public Services Programs where our members dedicate their time to the benefit of our community; our continuing legal education programs where our members generously offer their expertise; the opportunity to read or submit scholarly articles in the Rhode Island Bar Journal, which can establish an attorney as an expert in their field of practice among their peers; and access to Fastcase for legal research. I stressed the importance of the Bar being a community and the numerous career development opportunities we offer.
I shared the following convictions with the students:
“Welcome to the study of law. Our profession forms the bedrock of society. The legal profession embodies specialized knowledge, expertise, ethics and most importantly, commitment.
Our profession transcends the confines of a job; it embodies a dedication to serving society with a high degree of competency and integrity. Unlike mere occupations, which primarily focus on tasks and remuneration, our profession entails a deeper sense of responsibility toward clients. The hallmark of our profession lies in its unwavering commitment to upholding ethical standards.
The Rhode Island Bar Association is more than just a professional organization; it is a community where you can build connections and find support to navigate your legal studies as well as your future career. I encourage you to become a law student member of the Rhode Island Bar Association.”
I encouraged the students to take advantage of the complimentary law student membership we now offer and, as their schedule permits, to attend Bar functions, whether it be a CLE program or a Bar Committee meeting as a non-voting member. I urged the students to check out the Bar website and specifically inquire about the mentor programs we offer so they’re ready to take advantage upon entering the practice. These programs include the traditional mentorship program, where attorneys can be paired with a seasoned member of our Bar for support and advice; or our online attorney resources program, where members can scroll through a list of available mentors to receive timely and direct peer assistance with practice-related questions; and also our Volunteer Lawyer Mentor Program, where members who decide to take a pro bono case can be mentored by a panel member with experience in that particular area of law and with the Bar’s pro bono programs in general.
In order to support these mentor programs, we need participation. I encourage our members to volunteer to be mentors with the Bar Association and share their experiences and wisdom with other members. Mentorship serves as a critical component in professional development, providing guidance, support and encouragement. Being a mentor helps cultivate the next generation of talent who can uphold the standards and values intrinsic to our profession. By sharing your experience, knowledge, and insights, mentors help mentees navigate the complexities of their area of expertise, allowing them to build confidence and competence while fostering a sense of identity within our profession. I was fortunate to be mentored by two lawyers whom I greatly admired, Joe Houlihan and John Lynch. Both shared their expertise and experience with me, and I still remember their sage advice to this day. Mentees benefit immensely from the guidance of seasoned attorneys who can offer real-world insights that extend beyond academic learning. As a mentor, you can share your knowledge but also provide context regarding the responsibilities, challenges, and ethical considerations that define the legal profession. And, perhaps most importantly, through the perspective of my current lens, by being a mentor, you promote a sense of belonging in the Rhode Island Bar Association. An attorney who excels as a mentor is recognized biennially by the Bar Association with the Joseph T. Houlihan Lifetime Mentor Award “for extraordinary commitment to mentoring service as an exceptional role model, and outstanding contributions to the ideals of ethics, civility and professionalism and legal skills.”
During my four-decade career, I have had the privilege to mentor dozens of attorneys. There are reciprocal benefits for being a mentor. Engaging with a mentee is rejuvenating, permitting you to reflect on your own experiences and the lessons you have learned during your career. Mentoring also encourages continued learning to stay up to date with the ever-changing practice of law and allows us to gain fresh perspectives from the newer generation of lawyers.
By being a mentor, not only do you establish your commitment to fostering the growth and success of the next generation of attorneys within the Rhode Island Bar Association, but you also help to ensure our profession as a whole continues to thrive.
Endnotes
1 One L, Scott Turow, Putman, 1977.
2 The Paper Chase, John Osborn, Jr., Houghton Mifflin, 1971.