Lawyer to Lawyer Mentoring

The Chicago Bar Association is a sponsoring organization of the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism's Lawyer-to-Lawyer Mentoring Program. The mentoring program creates an opportunity for experienced lawyers to provide professional guidance and share their judgment and skills with lawyers in their early years of practice. 

When is the CBA's Lawyer-to-Lawyer Mentoring Program offered?
Our program is offered on an annual basis, with each cycle starting in January.
Read below to determine if you qualify and to learn how to apply. 

Do I qualify for the program?
To qualify as a mentee, you must:

• complete the program within the first 5 years of practice in IL
• be registered as active on the IL ARDC Master Roll
• sat for the Illinois Bar Exam, OR submitted a Rule 705 admissions application

To qualify as a mentor, you must:

• have practiced law for 5 years or more
• be active and in good standing on the IL ARDC Master Roll
• have never been disbarred or suspended in any jurisdiction

What are the program requirements?
Visit 2Civility's Program Toolkit webpage for all relevant information and program materials. 

How do I apply?
Applications should be submitted through the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism's 2Civility website.  Select The Chicago Bar Association from the drop down menu of sponsoring organizations.

• Click here to apply as a mentor.
• Click here to apply as a mentee.

How do I confirm I've been paired with a mentee/mentor?
Shortly after applying, applicants will receive a confirmation email from the CBA that their application has been received. The CBA attempts to match each applicant with a mentee/mentor, but due to the large volume of applicants each year, cannot guarantee a pairing. Applicants will receive an email confirming that they have been paired at least 1 week before the orientation session. 

Can I receive CLE credit for participating?
The Lawyer-to-Lawyer program is accredited for Illinois MCLE Credit.  Upon completion of the CBA's year-long program, attorneys may receive six hours of professional responsibility MCLE credit. Visit 2Civility's CLE Credit & Completion Attestation webpage for more information and to apply for CLE credit at the conclusion of the program. 

Why participate in the Lawyer-to-Lawyer Mentoring Program?
Watch this interview of mentor Cathy Cupp and mentee Grant Ossler, conducted by the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism. Cathy and Grant discuss how mentoring has helped them weather job changes and expand their career prospects as well as an attorney's obligation to pass the torch to the younger generation. Cathy and Grant participate in the Commission's mentoring program through the Chicago Bar Association. 



Questions?
Please contact Emily Anderson at eanderson@chicagobar.org with any questions regarding the status of your application or the CBA's Lawyer-to-Lawyer Program.