Summary of Survey Results from 2006 Pilot
Survey Response Rates
The Commission on Professionalism administered Internet-based surveys to participants of the pilot phase of the Lawyer to Lawyer Mentoring Program. Participation in the surveys was voluntary and results were anonymous unless a lawyer chose to provide contact information at the end of his or her survey. The survey response rate was 53 percent.
How Participation in Mentoring Benefited New Lawyers
- 92 percent said they are better equipped to deal with ethical and professionalism considerations in their daily practice
- 91 percent said their standards had been raised or reinforced
- 91 percent said they learned about legal customs
- 87 percent said they were better lawyers because of the program
- 87 percent said they have more practical knowledge about the practice of law
- 85 percent said they are better prepared for the practice of law
- 74 percent said they built collegial relationships with other members of the bar
- 51 percent said that their participation contributed to an increase in job satisfaction*
New Lawyers' Endorsements
- 92 percent would recommend the program to other new lawyers
- 91 percent would recommend to another lawyer that they choose their mentor as one of their mentor nominations
- 87 percent said program met their goals
Benefits to Mentors
- 75 percent of mentors said that participation contributed to an increase in job satisfaction*
Materials
- 86 percent said that the questions and suggestions for discussion were helpful
- 79 percent rated the worksheets as excellent or good
- Only 4 percent said they did not refer to the worksheets in their discussions
- 44 percent said the book of worksheets was too burdensome (In response to this concern, curriculum materials for future participants will be accessed by a PDF download instantly customized to each mentoring pair's Mentoring Plan.)
Completion Rate
- 95 percent of mentoring pairs in the May 2006 group completed the program
- 94 percent of mentoring pairs in the November 2006 group completed the program
Continuing Mentoring Beyond the End of the Term
- 96 percent of mentors said they believed they would maintain a relationship with their new lawyer after the term concludes*
- 92 percent of new lawyers said they believed they would maintain a relationship with their mentor after the term concludes*
* Indicates that this question was asked only of November 2006 participants
Positive Feedback from End of Term Surveys
From New Lawyers
- "The mentoring program was a great experience and [I] would recommend it to any new lawyer."
- "The reason I chose this [program] was to meet with a successful attorney and ask questions that I might not have the opportunity or comfort level to ask. This experience far exceeded my goals because I got to meet and got to know a very high level attorney, with lots of experience, ask questions and see how a lawyer balances work with the rest of his or her life. I am quite surprised that more new attorneys did not take this option, especially after you see the list of mentors who signed up."
- "The interaction with my mentor proved to be invaluable. I learned excellent lawyering skills."
- "[My mentor] pointed out ways of doing things and problems I had never considered, and would never consider, because of [my] lack of experience."
- "I highly recommend this program. So much so that I think it should be mandatory."
- "In addition to covering the required and suggested topics, [my mentor] went out of his way to include me in bar and community activities, which was much appreciated [.]"
- "[My mentor] was great. I will still meet with him once a month after the program is completed."
- "My mentor was fantastic. She helped me so much. She is a warm and caring person who exudes professionalism."
- "I learned more about the community aspect of being a lawyer. You don't just sit in your office and nail out cases. You are part of a community and I think my mentor helped me see that."
- "My mentor was extremely helpful to me as I dealt with a difficult and unprofessional coworker this year."
- "My mentor gave great advice on how to further my career and get more out of my job. Without him, I doubt I would be happy [at the workplace]."
- "My mentor took helping me very seriously, and affirmed my value as a professional, when I was doubting myself."
- "I think there's so much to learn as a new lawyer that wasn't taught in law school, about handling clients, handling your workload, time management, private life, that I could use my mentor's feedback on all of these matters. And, I definitely feel like I have used and will use [this knowledge] as I progress in my career."
From Mentors
- "Overall, really well done and it is easy to see there was a lot of thought put into this before it was done. Congratulations and keep it going."
- "I think that the organization was wonderful, the materials were outstanding, and although the notebook was bulky, it is a gold mine of helpful and very valuable information. It is a terrific program."
- "The program is extremely valuable and I would be honored to participate again, in either an outside or in-house mentoring program. I am a member of a group convened by Capital University Law School to improve legal education and believe that programs like this go a long way towards bridging the gap between school and the profession. Thank you."
- "It reminds me how wonderful it has been to be an attorney and how proud I am to share my experiences with the next generation."
- "Revisiting the fears/anxieties of a young attorney has forced me to be reflective of how I approach my practice. It's also made me realize how I don't necessarily do what I preach."
- "My mentee was feeling exactly the same trepidation, fear, and discomfort that I did when I was a young lawyer. It gave me a good feeling to help him realize that this was a natural - and even an important part - of becoming a lawyer, and in bringing him to the realization that that feeling will pass as he gains experience in his areas of practice."
- "[Participating] [h]elped me feel that I was doing more than just my job each day, but helping someone else to hopefully get more out of their career."
- "I found myself being reminded of the importance of ethics and professionalism, of treating 'law' as a profession, not a business, and [of] the personal satisfaction of being able to share my experiences while helping someone else."
- "I think I learn as much as the mentee because I rethink the reasons why or why not I do things and if what I am doing works currently, no matter how well something worked in the past."
- "I am very glad I did this and would love to do it again."