Mentoring Programme

A difficulty often experienced by women lawyers, even those who have been working in the profession for some years as well as women who are new to the legal profession, is a lack of contacts with whom to discuss their options, career direction, and any work problems. Put simply, women lawyers often lack mentors.

To assist our members with this issue we operate a mentoring programme. We link up more experienced lawyers with less experienced lawyers including new graduates and law students.

The relationship, once established, can be whatever the mentor and mentee want. Some pairs simply meet regularly for lunch, others have a more formal career development focus.  On occassion mentors have provided on-going support to mentees who are facing serious employment issues.  Like any relationship it is important to be open about each person's expectations and to be honest about what each person can realistically provide for the other.

Once you join the scheme you will receive a booklet containing practical guidelines for developing the relationship.  There is also some general reference material.

If you are interested in joining the mentoring programme contact Antoinette Bessier: AntoinetteB@tdsl.co.nz.

PLEASE NOTE THAT WE ARE REVIEWING OUR MENTOR SCHEME THIS YEAR.  INPUT FROM MEMBERS WOULD BE VERY USEFUL. PLEAE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ANTOINETTE BESSIER WITH ANY FEEDBACK.