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Member Information : Member Services : Mentoring
Mentor Program
Nebraska State Bar Association
635 S. 14th St.
P.O. Box 81809
Lincoln, NE 68501
The History
Past President, David S. Houghton, appointed the Mentoring Task
Force in the Summer of 1996 and charged them with developing a plan
to implement a mentor program. The Task Force decided to establish
a Mentoring Committee responsible for developing and implementing
the NSBA mentor program.
The Program
Most successful lawyers can identify one or more lawyers who have
helped them become better practitioners. These mentors have guided
their proteges through the often turbulent waters of law practice.
Increasingly, however, traditional patterns of mentoring, in firms
and communities, are threatened by the economic pressures and other
realities of modern life and the practice of law. As a result, the
Nebraska State Bar Association has recognized the importance of
an organized mentor program for the positive professional development
of lawyers.
The Goals of the Mentor Program
- identifying lawyers with three years of experience or less who
should be encouraged to participate in the program
- sharing professional values
- sharing a common professional culture
- addressing ethical issues
- discussing substantive legal issues (without giving specific
legal advice)
- addressing practical concerns and problems
- assisting with transitions into practice and professional development
while in practice
- teaching
- promoting bar membership and positive relationships among members
- reducing lawyer discipline
- improving service to clients
- encouraging participation in the bar
- improving the public's perception of the legal profession
If you are an attorney with five years or less of experience
you may contact Rick Allan at the NSBA 402-475-7091, ext. 46
or 800-927-0117 with any questions or issues relating to the
above set forth goals. Also as a member of the NSBA you may also
make us ot the SCOPE program (Seek Out Counsel
of Professional Expertise). You may access SCOPE by also contacting
Rick Allan.
The Protégé
The inquiring attorney is any member of the Nebraska State Bar Association
who has practiced law for three years or less.
Attorneys who have practiced five years or less are encouraged
to attend as many sessions as possible of the NSBA Best
Practices Seminar Series.
Check with the NSBA for updated information about the
Best Practices Seminar sessions.
Benefits to a Protégé
- the prospect of assistance with substantive, procedural, and
practice management matters
- enhanced connection to the bar
- the opportunity to develop an informed sense of realism about
the practice of law and fuller insights on professionalism and
professional culture
- access to meaningful education
- the opportunity to use the Mentor Program as a vehicle for communication
to the bar leadership about professional concerns
- the specific opportunity to help refine the Mentor Program for
future proteges
For additional information please contact:
Rick Allan
Nebraska State Bar Association
P.O.Box 81809
Lincoln, NE 68501-1809
402-475-7091, Fax 402-475-7098
800-927-0117
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