Mentoring Programmes are valuable opportunities for career development and progression.
The Law Society has three targeted mentoring programmes, as follows:
- Lawyers Mentoring Programme – Pairing practitioners with senior lawyers for guidance and career development.
- Law Student Mentoring Programme – Pairing law students with emerging practitioners.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Law Students Mentoring Programme – A bespoke programme open to law students in any year of their study.
Application Forms
Flyers
Lawyers Mentoring Programme
Applications for Mentees Now Closed! Mentors are Encouraged to Apply!
The Law Society’s Mentoring Programme for Lawyers offers the participants the opportunity to be paired with a senior member of the legal profession. This allows them to extend their network, receive guidance and advice on career development and pathways, and enhance their skills and knowledge.
The Mentoring Programme for lawyers is open to all financial, Ordinary members of the Law Society.
In the last six years, the number of mentors has increased to reflect a broader cross-section of the profession complementing the very experienced mentors that continue to participate in the programme. The broader base of mentors, including senior women practising in the private and public sector, at the bar or as senior in-house counsel, provides the programme with greater choice when pairing mentees and mentors and thereby enabling the programme to address the increasingly changing legal environment.
The programme utilises the services of an independent Coordinator, with a background in training, facilitation, mentoring and coaching. The Coordinator runs the annual introductory sessions for new mentors and mentees, takes time to get to know new participants and gauge interests in the programme and works closely with the team to make suitable matches – mentee and mentor. The Coordinator keeps in touch with mentees throughout the programme to ensure successful matches are sustained and provides regular reports to the Law Society.
The Mentoring Programme for lawyers receives excellent feedback each year. Please read our mentee’s testimonials for more information.
2025 Mentoring Programme Key Dates
- Applications open on Tuesday, 10 December 2024
- Applications close on Thursday, 20 February 2025
- The Mentee Induction session will be held on Tuesday, 4 March 2025
If you are interested in participating in the 2025 Mentoring Programme, please complete the online application.
For more information please read the flyer here or contact us via email advocacy@lawsocietywa.asn.au or call (08) 9324 8646.
YLC Law Student Mentoring Programme
The Law Student Mentoring Programme pairs young lawyers with current law students to provide guidance and support during the transition from student to law graduate and then to lawyer. For more information, please visit the Young Lawyers Committee page.
To participate you must be a current member of the Law Society. The 2025 Programme is now taking applications and runs from April to November. Applications close on Friday, 14 March 2025.
For all enquiries, contact the Membership Services Team on 08 9324 8692 or email membership@lawsocietywa.asn.au
Mentee Benefits
- Make potentially long-term professional connections
- Improve communication and interpersonal skills
- Identify professional development opportunities
- Set career goals and pathways to achieve success
- Gain a role model
- Opportunity to discuss matters openly and in confidence with young lawyers
- Opportunity to review your CV
Mentor Benefits
- Personal and professional satisfaction
- Give back to the profession
- Share your experience
- Learn from your mentee
- Assisting practitioners/law students with the many challenges and expectations of a career in the law
Commitment of Mentors
- Mentors to attend an information session and meet and greet on Thursday, 10 April 2025 at 5.30pm
- Mentors are suggested to meet one-on-one (in person or zoom) with their mentee approximately every six weeks
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Law Students
This Mentoring Programme is open to any Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander law students in any year of their study of law. This programme offers one-on-one mentoring with a legal practitioner with whom you can discuss your law course and your options and aspirations after graduation. Contact between you and your mentor can be over coffee or lunch or by email if you are a student at a country campus. Mentors are lawyers with an interest in assisting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander law students.
The Programme utilises the services of an independent Coordinator, with a background in training, facilitation, mentoring and coaching. The Coordinator runs the annual introductory sessions for new mentors and mentees, takes time to get to know new participants and gauge interests for the Programme and works closely with the team to make suitable matches – mentee and mentor. The Coordinator keeps in touch with mentees throughout the Programme to ensure successful matches are sustained and provides regular reports to the Law Society.
For more information, please email advocacy@lawsocietywa.asn.au or call (08) 9324 8646.
