The AABA Mentor Program is designed to assist new lawyers
with both the practical and ethical issues facing today's practitioners.
Although today's new lawyers are well versed on the theoretical approach
to the law, few have mastered the practical approach to assisting clients.
Goals of the Mentor Program
Assist
lawyers who have been practicing for fewer than five years in the
practical approaches to the practice of law.
Assist
new lawyers in avoiding the mistakes that their predecessors found
to be "costly lessons to learn."
Advise
new practitioners regarding Anne Arundel policy and procedures, as
well as to assist them in becoming more familiar with the respective
members of the bar and bench.
Advise
new practitioners regarding ethical and professional issues.
Foster
collegial and professional relationships among the members of the
AABA.
Mentor Qualifications
A mentor:
Must
have five years of practice in Maryland
Must
be willing/available to assist a new practitioner by answering questions
relating to his/her practice.
Must
be accessible for brief (approximately 15-minute) conversations with
his/her mentee.
Must
agree not to charge any fee for consultation
Shall
assist in fostering a collegial and professional relationship with
other members of the bar.
May
accept employment as co-counsel with the mentee at the request of
the client and mentee.
Shall
not be required to do any legal research or accept professional responsibility
for any advice given (unless expressly employed as co-counsel).
Mentee Qualifications and Guidelines
The mentee:
Must
be member of the AABA.
It
is suggested that the mentee contact the mentor once a month to discuss
issues and be adequately prepared to address specific concerns with
the mentor at the time of consultation.
Should
not rely solely upon advice given by his/her mentor; rather, the mentee
must make a professional evaluation of all advice received and advise
his/her client based upon his/her professional opinions and assessments.
Must
not divulge the identity of the client to his mentor except if necessary
to avoid a conflict of interest and maintain the professional responsibility
and confidentiality.
Must
not inform his/her client of the consultation or advice given, nor
inform the client of the name of his/her mentor without the written
consent of the mentor.
