2026-2027 HCBA-YLD Mentor-Fellow Program Application

This fall, the Hillsborough County Bar Association and HCBA Young Lawyers Division are launching the YLD Mentor-Fellow Program, a structured eight-month experience designed to connect experienced practitioners with motivated young lawyers. Running from October 2026 through May 2027, the program will create space for candid conversation, meaningful professional development, and relationships that we hope will continue long after the formal program ends.

We invite experienced attorneys to serve as mentors and eligible YLD members to apply as fellows. Applications for both mentors and fellows are open now and close on September 25, 2026.

Please complete this online form so we can pair you with the best possible match. Your responses are used only for matching and program administration.

More information about the Mentoring Program is online at: www.hillsbar.com. Contact YLD Mentor-Fellow Program Co-Chairs, Hillary Thornton (hthornton@mcintyrefirm.com) and Valeria Obi (vobi@cocacolaflorida.com) with questions.

Join us as we reconnect across generations, learn from one another, and build an even stronger Hillsborough County legal community.

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1. I am applying to be a:

Mentor (experienced attorney)

Fellow (young lawyer seeking a mentor)

Contact Information:

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2. Full Name:

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3. Florida Bar No.:

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4. Email Address:

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5. Phone Number:

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6. Firm/Office/Organization:

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7. Job Title:

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8. Year Admitted to the Bar:

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9. Law School/Grad. Year:

Practice Setting/Areas:

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10. Practice Setting:

Private firm – large

Private firm – mid-size

Private firm – small / solo

Government – prosecution

Government – defense

Government – civil / agency

In-house / corporate

Judiciary / clerkship

Public interest / legal aid

Other (please specify)

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11. Primary Practice Area(s) (check all that apply):

Civil Litigation

Criminal Law

Family Law

Business / Corporate

Real Estate

Estate Planning / Probate

Labor & Employment

Personal Injury

Insurance

Bankruptcy / Creditors’ Rights

Intellectual Property

Immigration

Appellate

Government / Administrative

Environmental / Land Use

Health Law

Tax

Construction

Other (please specify)

Matching Preferences:
We try to honor preferences where possible, though matches depend on the pool of participants.

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12. Would you prefer to be matched with someone in a similar or different practice setting/area?

Similar to mine

Different from mine

No preference

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13. Preferred meeting format (check all that work for you):

In person

Virtual / video

Phone

Mix / flexible

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14. Is there anything specific you are hoping for in a match (e.g., a particular practice area, a mentor who has changed practice settings, someone with trial experience, shared interests)?

Goals & Areas of Focus:

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15. Which areas are most important to you for this mentoring relationship? (check up to 4)

Career development & advancement

Work/life balance & wellness

Networking & relationships

Practice-area knowledge

Courtroom / advocacy skills

Legal writing

Business development / clients

Leadership

Negotiation

Transitioning practice settings

Board certification

Community / pro bono involvement

Judicial Aspirations

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16. In a few sentences, what do you most hope to give or gain from this program?

A Few More Questions:

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17. For Mentors Only: I have at least a few years of practice experience and am willing to meet monthly through May 2027.

Yes

Does Not Apply to Me

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18. For Mentors Only: How many fellows are you willing to mentor this year?

Open to More

Does Not Apply to Me

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19. For Fellows Only: I am an HCBA Young Lawyers Division member (or will join before the program begins):

Yes

Does Not Apply to Me

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20. For Fellows Only: I understand that, as the fellow, I am responsible for scheduling our monthly meetings and completing the assignments.

Yes

Does Not Apply to Me

Commitment:

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21. By entering my name below, I confirm my commitment to participate actively in the Mentor-Fellow Program from October 2026 through May 2027, to meet monthly, to attend program events when able, and to maintain the confidentiality and professionalism expected of all participants.

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22. Date Submitted:

Enter Your Date Submitted Below

Date

2026-2027 HCBA-YLD Mentor-Fellow Program Application

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* 1. I am applying to be a:

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* 2. Full Name:

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* 3. Florida Bar No.:

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* 4. Email Address:

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* 5. Phone Number:

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* 6. Firm/Office/Organization:

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* 7. Job Title:

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* 8. Year Admitted to the Bar:

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* 9. Law School/Grad. Year:

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* 10. Practice Setting:

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* 11. Primary Practice Area(s) (check all that apply):

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* 12. Would you prefer to be matched with someone in a similar or different practice setting/area?

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* 13. Preferred meeting format (check all that work for you):

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* 14. Is there anything specific you are hoping for in a match (e.g., a particular practice area, a mentor who has changed practice settings, someone with trial experience, shared interests)?

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* 15. Which areas are most important to you for this mentoring relationship? (check up to 4)

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* 16. In a few sentences, what do you most hope to give or gain from this program?

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* 17. For Mentors Only: I have at least a few years of practice experience and am willing to meet monthly through May 2027.

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* 18. For Mentors Only: How many fellows are you willing to mentor this year?

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* 19. For Fellows Only: I am an HCBA Young Lawyers Division member (or will join before the program begins):

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* 20. For Fellows Only: I understand that, as the fellow, I am responsible for scheduling our monthly meetings and completing the assignments.

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* 21. By entering my name below, I confirm my commitment to participate actively in the Mentor-Fellow Program from October 2026 through May 2027, to meet monthly, to attend program events when able, and to maintain the confidentiality and professionalism expected of all participants.

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* 22. Date Submitted:

1. I am applying to be a:

2. Full Name:

3. Florida Bar No.:

4. Email Address:

5. Phone Number:

6. Firm/Office/Organization:

7. Job Title:

8. Year Admitted to the Bar:

9. Law School/Grad. Year:

10. Practice Setting:

11. Primary Practice Area(s) (check all that apply):

12. Would you prefer to be matched with someone in a similar or different practice setting/area?

13. Preferred meeting format (check all that work for you):

14. Is there anything specific you are hoping for in a match (e.g., a particular practice area, a mentor who has changed practice settings, someone with trial experience, shared interests)?

15. Which areas are most important to you for this mentoring relationship? (check up to 4)

16. In a few sentences, what do you most hope to give or gain from this program?

17. For Mentors Only: I have at least a few years of practice experience and am willing to meet monthly through May 2027.

18. For Mentors Only: How many fellows are you willing to mentor this year?

19. For Fellows Only: I am an HCBA Young Lawyers Division member (or will join before the program begins):

20. For Fellows Only: I understand that, as the fellow, I am responsible for scheduling our monthly meetings and completing the assignments.

21. By entering my name below, I confirm my commitment to participate actively in the Mentor-Fellow Program from October 2026 through May 2027, to meet monthly, to attend program events when able, and to maintain the confidentiality and professionalism expected of all participants.

22. Date Submitted: