Downtown reception a big draw
by Shane Hopkins-Utter

This year, the CBA B.C. Branch and UBC Faculty of Law Career Services Office hosted the annual Mentorship Reception at the Law Courts Inn in downtown Vancouver on the evening of October 25th. The event was a tremendous success with over 150 people in attendance. Many lawyers appreciated the convenience of the new location of the reception, which in the past was held at the Cecil Green House at UBC. Some took the opportunity to give their mentees a brief firm tour, or to meet with them for dinner beforehand.

Mary Anne Bobinski, Dean of the UBC Faculty of Law, spoke briefly of the benefits of the program, and thanked the mentors for welcoming law students into the legal community and for providing them with insight into the practice of law. Kaila Mikkelsen and Kerry Parker Smith, Director and Associate Director of the UBC Career Services Office, both of whom were actively involved in the Mentorship Program, were also in attendance. Several student volunteers from the UBC Articling Committee also assisted at the event.

Marika Giles, Young Lawyers’ Representative, CBABC Executive Committee, presented two prestigious awards at the reception to students who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievements and who have served both the law school and their communities. The first, the CBA B.C. Branch Award, was presented to Jennifer Lau, Law III. Jennifer O’Leary, Law II, was the recipient of the CBA Finance Services Award. Also in attendance from the CBA B.C. Branch were Caroline Nevin, Executive Director, Joanne Silver, Director of Stakeholder Relations, and Jennifer Weber, Branch Member Services Manager, who co-ordinated the CBA’s involvement in the program.

This year also marked the first time the UBC Faculty of Law First Nations Legal Studies Program was involved in the Mentorship match. First Nations lawyers and students were offered an opportunity to be matched. Jennifer Duncan, Advisor of the First Nations Program, assisted in matching five students with mentors, and hopes to attract larger numbers next year.

As those who have participated in the Mentorship Program can attest, there are many benefits enjoyed by both the mentors and mentees. Not only does it provide both with the opportunity to gain a new perspective and appreciation for the practice of law, but it builds a long-lasting professional relationship and network with future colleagues.

There were 177 students who participated this year, and 170 mentors, several of whom volunteered to mentor two students. While the program is run primarily to introduce first-year students to the practice of law, a large number of second- and third-year students also participated in the program this year.

As the UBC CBA Student Representative, I would like to thank all of the lawyers and students who participated in the program this year and who attended the Mentorship Reception. I urge you to follow-up with your mentors and mentees soon, and suggest that you stay in touch throughout the year to arrange casual meetings over coffee or lunch where you can continue to build your relationship. If you have any questions, concerns, or feedback about the Mentorship Program, please feel free to contact me, Shane Hopkins-Utter, at ubc.cba.mentorship@bccba.org.

Shane Hopkins-Utter, UBC/CBA Student Representative

This article was published in the December 2007 issue of BarTalk and is subject to the copyright by the British Columbia Branch of the Canadian Bar Association, 2007, all rights reserved.