Starting a career in the law can be a daunting experience. To many potential and actual entrants and for those not ‘in the know’, the complexity of the educational and recruitment process is a significant barrier to making it in the legal profession. In addition, many near-qualified and qualified lawyers are faced with difficult decisions and obstacles as their careers develop.

SAL is committed to increasing socio-economic diversity and to merit-based career development in the law. In that context, the SAL Mentoring Scheme has been set up to enable our members, whether they be solicitors, barristers, trainee solicitors, pupils or law students, to tap the wisdom and experience of those who have ‘made it’ in the law. The Scheme is able to assist both potential new entrants to the profession as well as experienced practitioners.

WHAT IS A MENTOR?

A mentor is a lawyer who has passed his or her academic legal qualifications and is either fully qualified or on a recognised training programme (either a training contract or pupillage). All of our mentors understand the challenges and difficulties of getting a ‘foot in the door’ of the legal profession and they have each managed to overcome those obstacles.

HOW WILL I BENEFIT?

A mentor is able to offer the wealth of his or her experience to his or her students. This can manifest itself in many different ways which range from assisting with career decisions to simply being a friendly ear.

For mentors themselves, the benefit is immediate and tangible. Assisting and guiding fellow lawyers, or potential lawyers, in their careers is both a rewarding and satisfying experience.

HOW DOES THE SAL MENTORING SCHEME WORK?

The SAL Mentoring Scheme puts candidates in touch with the mentor on our books who most closely matches their requirements. We have devised separate forms for mentors and candidates, which you should complete and send to us. We will then allocate candidates to mentors according to the information they have given. The Scheme is entirely confidential and mentors do not report details of their candidates to the SAL Committee or to anyone else.

We are not prescriptive on the contact between mentors and candidates Mentors and candidates can simply chose the direction of the relationship. However, we have set out guidelines for the Scheme and it is a condition of the Scheme that all those who apply to join agree to comply with the guidelines.

Mentors are giving up their time to assist their candidates and we ask all candidates to remember that.

WHAT DO I DO NOW?

If you need a mentor or if you feel that you can give up some time to be one, please complete the appropriate form which can be found on our website.

LINKS

Mentor Terms

Mentor Application

Mentee/Student Application Form