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The Application Process for the 2007-08 Alabama State Bar Pilot Project on Mentoring closed as of December 1, 2007.

Applicant mentees must be members of the ASB in good standing and  do not have more than five years membership status as of January 1, 2008.  An ASB member who was admitted to the bar prior to January 1, 2003, counting back five years from January 1, 2008, would not meet the application criteria.

The program is designed to provide support and networking for professional and client development issues.  The program is not intended to provide substantive advice or training in the practice of law.  A maximum of 140 attorney mentees will be selected from the applicant pool and assigned to 30 attorney mentors for 2008.  Each group will consist of eight mentee participants and two volunteer mentors who all live within a 30 minute travel time proximity to each other.  There is no charge for participating.

The 10 members of the ASB Task Force on Mentoring for 2007-08, chaired by Professor Pamela Bucy, Esq., will select 140 participant attorney mentees based upon type of practice, firm size, geographical location and other factors that reflect variations among law practice in Alabama.  The ASB Task Force will select 30 participant attorney mentors on the basis of esteem in which they are held within the ASB and commitment to serve as an active and engaged mentor.

Merits of the Mentoring Program 2007-08

• After the initial pilot program was completed in 2007, the Task Force carefully evaluated the Mentoring
  Program’s results to insure the quality of the mentor/mentee experience and that it meets the
  expectations of the participants.
• Provides support and networking for newly admitted ASB member attorneys (five years or less).
• Fosters relationships to encourage new ASB members to seek and receive guidance on professional,
  legal matters.
• Provide mentor participants, i.e. experienced ASB members, with opportunities to meet and interact
  with new members just starting out.
  
• Increases professionalism and collegiality within the ASB members.
• Increase networking opportunities.
• Sharpen practical skills necessary to compete in today’s legal environment.

The Selection Process
In mid-December, the ten members of the ASB Task Force on Mentoring for 2007-08 will meet to select 140 participant attorney mentees.  The Task Force members will also select 30 participant attorney mentors.  Assignment to mentoring groups will be determined and included in the selection letters to the mentors and mentees.  Those selected for the program should expect notification by USPS mail by the end of December, 2007.

The deadline to submit applications has passed. If you have any questions please contact Marie Updike

2007
During its first year of inception over 305 attorneys applied for 70 positions in the initial pilot program.  Due to the overwhelming success of the program, the number of participants for mentees and mentors will be doubled in 2008. 

2008
The 2008 Pilot Mentoring Program will start sometime after April, 2008. Further details will be forthcoming.

Alabama State Bar Mentoring Program Contact Information:
Alabama State Bar, 334-269-1515
Edward M. Patterson
Director of Programs
or
Marie Updike
Administrative Assistant

Click here to view Photos from the 2007 Mentoring Program