National

With the legal year back in full swing, thoughts of law students, recent graduates and lawyers will turn toward consolidating and advancing steps in their legal and professional careers.

HAL Mentoring Committee Chair Maria Barbayannis has recently written to all mentors and mentees who participated in the 2017 program as to their interest in participating in 2018.

The Mentoring Committee has considered the feedback with a view to making further improvements to the 2018 program.

Ms Barbayannis detailed the many benefits for mentees:

• Gaining insight and knowledge about the legal profession, including its challenges;
• an opportunity to build a professional relationship and networks;
• guidance on achieving professional goals; and
• identifying factors affecting career development and opportunities.

For mentors, Maria said, there are many personal and professional benefits including:

• being viewed as a professional role model;
• exposure to ideas and perspectives that may apply to your own practice; and
• reflection upon your own achievements and practices.

The 2017 HAL Mentoring Program involved more than 50 participants, and Maria expected interest to increase again this year.

Past participants have commended the mentoring program for opening up career options, and offering measured advice on negotiating the demands and challenges faced by lawyers, irrespective of their experience.

Although some mentees had considerable experience in particular areas of the law, they had found the program invaluable to broaden their experience and deal with the inevitable challenges faced by the profession.

Those interested in participating in the program, and who have not already registered, are encouraged to complete the mentoring form at this link.