07/08/2026
It’s the case at any large law firm or big government legal office, or at least it used to be, that every new associate attorney is paired up with a more experienced senior attorney as part of a formal mentorship program. Mentors are supposed to help their mentees develop their legal skills, conform to firm culture, and, over time, build their own book of business.
Formal mentorship programs look good on paper. In reality, though, they are increasingly failing new lawyers.
Perhaps in eras past when people started at one firm and stayed their entire careers there was more incentive to invest in individuals. Now, with the mentor, mentee, or both almost sure to depart at some point for greener pastures, it’s understandably more difficult to commit.
Formal mentorship programs look good on paper, but in practice, they may not be so great.