When I ask you who your mentors are, who comes to mind first? A law professor? A parent? A former boss? Unsurprisingly, my mentors have included all of these, but my definition of a mentor also includes people whose examples have become a part of who I am, even if I never had the opportunity to meet them. Firms, local bar associations, and professional associations may have formal mentoring programs, which can be very worthwhile, but you can start today on a much smaller, more personal scale, in person or online. I try to learn from every colleague, client, opposing attorney, and judge, as well as from every book I read.
Think of it as recruiting a little help to be better at what you’re already doing. And I am not just talking about learning more about a substantive legal topic—it could be organization, or how to use a particular app, or how to manage time and stress. You may think that lawyers are too busy and overwhelmed with the actual practice of law to think about these topics, but that thinking leads to missed opportunities, including the opportunity to learn how to be a little less overwhelmed.