Pathways to Law Mentoring Program — Nebraska Legal Diversity Council

Purpose of the Mentoring Program

The Pathways to Law Mentoring Program seeks to leverage the resources of our prestigious partnering organizations to assist law students whose intersectional identities are underrepresented in the practice of law with fostering supportive student/attorney relationships, aimed at creating pathways to inclusive access to the practice of law in Nebraska. Mentors will share wisdom, guidance, experiences and information about the legal profession with an emphasis on professional and career goal-setting, networking, navigating the legal profession, and professional development.

Program Highlights

● Linking law students with a Nebraska attorney mentor;

● Program formally runs for the duration of the academic year; however, mentor and mentee may continue their mentoring relationship organically and informally after the school year ends;

● Mentoring relationships will be fostered by the two individuals but programming support will be provided by NLDC;

● We welcome mentors from across the state and across practice areas and job titles;

● We provide guidelines and best practices for a positive mentoring relationship;

● We provide networking opportunities throughout the year and a kickoff event to spark the connection.

Expectations

Meaningfully engage in a mentoring communication via in-person meeting, virtual meeting or phone call at least once monthly during the nine month period of the program at mutually agreed upon times and in a manner that works for both mentor and mentee. These communications can take place in person, via phone, or via email. It would be ideal for mentor and mentee to meet in person at least once, but that is not a strict requirement of the program. Mentoring relationships should follow all established program guidelines, best practices and boundaries.

About NLDC

Nebraska Legal Diversity Council (NLDC) is a statewide, collaborative impact, nonprofit organization founded in 2021, which seeks to diversify the legal profession in Nebraska through the creation of access to law school and law practice for underrepresented and marginalized populations who are interested in joining the profession. NLDC is led by Shawntal Mallory, Executive Director, who is a first-generation law school graduate, practicing attorney, adjunct law professor, and diversity and inclusion practitioner. The work of NLDC is supported by a unique collaboration of (19) founding organizational partners including the bar association, Nebraska’s two law schools, and numerous prestigious law firms, organizations and corporations.

Mentor Application

Name

First Name

Last Name

Address

Address 1

Address 2

City

State/Province

Zip/Postal Code

Country

Phone

(###)

###

####

Where did you attend law school?

Place of employment

Current role/title

Number of years in practice

What type of work do you do/primary practice area? Are you a member of the bar in good standing? If not, please explain. If retired, please indicate.

Do you identify with any identity you’d be comfortable disclosing that is underrepresented in law school/ law practice?

Have you ever mentored anyone before?

Why are you interested in participating in this program?

Are you interested in mentoring a certain type of student (i.e., race, disability, nontraditional, veteran, LGBTQIA+, gender-specific, first-generation, etc.)?

Please indicate any specific areas of interest, concern, or preference that may help us make the best possible match for you with your mentee.

Your personal interests, hobbies, volunteer work in the community, law related affiliations, pro bono interests, etc., are all important in making a great match. Please note any items you feel would be helpful.

Availability for kickoff event on Tuesday, April 25, 2023 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.?

Yes

I understand the commitment I am making to the NLDC Pathways to Law Mentoring Program and to my mentee and pledge my full participation.

Please type your full name

Date

YYYY

Mentee Application

Name

First Name

Last Name

Address

Address 1

Address 2

City

State/Province

Zip/Postal Code

Country

Phone

(###)

###

####

Undergraduate College of University

Year of Undergraduate Graduation

Undergraduate Degree

Undergraduate Major/Minor

Law School Currently Attending

Anticipated Law School Graduation Year

Are you a:

Traditional Student

Non-Traditional Student

Are you in a joint degree program? (specify)

Place of employment (if any, including internship or clerkship), include role/title

Do you identify with any identity you’d be comfortable disclosing that is underrepresented in law school/ law practice?

Have you ever been mentored before?

Why are you interested in participating in this program?

Are you interested in being mentored by an attorney with a certain type of lived experience (i.e., race, disability, nontraditional, veteran, LGBTQIA+, gender-specific, first-generation, etc.)?

Please indicate any specific areas of interest, concern, or preference that may help us make the best possible match for you with your mentor.

Your personal interests, hobbies, volunteer work on campus and in the community, law related affiliations/ law school affinity groups, interests, etc., are all important in making a great match. Please note any items you feel would be helpful

Availability for kickoff event on Tuesday, April 25, 2023 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.?

Yes

Please write a statement (maximum of 500 words) about why you would like to participate in the NLDC Pathways to Law Mentoring Program and why you think mentoring is important.

Please limit your response to 500 words or less.

I understand the commitment I am making to the NLDC Pathways to Law Mentoring Program and to my mentor and pledge my full participation.

Please type your full name.

Date

YYYY