1.Women in Law Section & Young Lawyers Section 2026 Mentoring Program
The Women in Law Section, in collaboration with the Young Lawyers Section, is pleased to launch its joint 2026 Mentorship Program, designed to provide meaningful, structured mentorship opportunities for early-career attorneys and women across all areas of legal practice, including public service, litigation, government, and in-house roles.
This year’s program continues our commitment to helping newer attorneys bridge the transition from law school to practice by pairing mentees with experienced practitioners who will offer guidance, perspective, and career insight throughout the program. Participants will be matched with mentors whose backgrounds align with their professional interests, including seasoned in-house counsel for those seeking to explore or advance an in-house career path.
Through these mentor relationships, mentees will gain firsthand understanding of the responsibilities, challenges, and rewards of their mentors’ practice areas, receive informal career advice, and build meaningful professional connections that support long-term growth.
We are currently seeking volunteers to serve as mentors and mentees for the 2026 cohort.
This year’s program continues our commitment to helping newer attorneys bridge the transition from law school to practice by pairing mentees with experienced practitioners who will offer guidance, perspective, and career insight throughout the program. Participants will be matched with mentors whose backgrounds align with their professional interests, including seasoned in-house counsel for those seeking to explore or advance an in-house career path.
Through these mentor relationships, mentees will gain firsthand understanding of the responsibilities, challenges, and rewards of their mentors’ practice areas, receive informal career advice, and build meaningful professional connections that support long-term growth.
We are currently seeking volunteers to serve as mentors and mentees for the 2026 cohort.
- Mentees should be women attorneys who have been practicing for no more than six years.
- Mentors should ideally have at least six years of practice experience.
If you would like to be matched with a mentor, please complete Section I below.
If you would like to volunteer as a mentor, please complete Section II on page 3.
Program Expectations – 2026 Cohort
If you would like to volunteer as a mentor, please complete Section II on page 3.
Program Expectations – 2026 Cohort
- Mentor/mentee pairs are encouraged to meet as often as they find helpful, but must meet at least once per month for a minimum of 30 minutes, either virtually or by telephone. Mentees are responsible for scheduling these meetings
- During the first meeting, pairs should discuss and establish key topics and goals that will be most beneficial at the mentee’s current career stage. Mentees may identify additional discussion topics as the program progresses.
- Pairs will attend a virtual welcome reception in Q1 2026.
- Participants agree to provide feedback on their experience when requested by WILS.
- Mentor/mentee pairs will attend the Women in Law Section’s Annual Meeting in January 2027.