The CBABC Women Lawyers Forum (WLF) Mentoring Committee is pleased to announce that we are in the seventh year of the very successful Mentoring Program.

The objective of the Mentoring Program is to facilitate mentoring relationships for women in the legal profession and is a significant way for women lawyers to support other women continuing and flourishing in the practice of law.

Any woman lawyer or articled student in British Columbia who is an active CBA and WLF member may participate in the CBABC WLF Mentoring Program. Mentors may be practicing, non-practicing or retired members of the Law Society of British Columbia. There is no minimum number of years of call to be a Mentor. Often younger lawyers make great Mentors because they remember more vividly the struggles of those closer in experience to themselves. Peer mentoring is also encouraged between senior lawyers.

Mentoring pairs are encouraged to meet once a month for at least one hour, either in person or over the phone. The mentoring partnership will last formally for a period of one year, although the parties may continue their mentoring relationship beyond one year if they choose to do so.

Benefits of participating as a Mentor include:

• Developing better leadership, management and communication skills
• Learning about attitudes, interests and values of other lawyers
• Participating in shared learning
• Gaining personal support from the Mentee
• Leaving a legacy by giving back to the profession and helping to ensure that increasing numbers of women lawyers continue to practice law
• Having fun!

As of January 1, 2010, it will be possible for Mentors to receive up to six Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Credits for mentoring one individual, and up to 12 CPD Credits for mentoring two individuals, subject to any conditions that the Benchers consider appropriate. Details can be provided by the Law Society of BC, including how to register for mentoring related CPD Credits.

Join a great group of other supportive and interesting women who are giving back to and involved in our profession.

The deadline for enrolment in the 2013 Program was December 5, 2012.

If you would like more information on the CBABC Women Lawyers Forum Mentoring Program, please contact Co-Chair Dana Turner-Ryan dturner@smithsip.coma or Co-Chair Melinda Voros at mvoros@cfmrlaw.com.

Ode to Mentorship from a Middle Aged Mother of Teens by Carmel Wiseman

Mentoring Program
Orientation Video

View Art of Communications Workshop
The Mentoring Program of the CBABC WLF with the financial support of the Law Foundation of British Columbia is pleased to provide the following video taped Art of Communications Workshop as part of our ongoing support to women lawyers throughout British Columbia. The workshop took place on April 2, 2008 in Vancouver and is part of the training for mentors and mentees in the Mentoring Program. Please consult a link below to view the workshop.

Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Mentoring Program Guidelines
Click here to read the guidelines for participation in the CBABC WLF Mentoring Program.