I want to be mentored

Mentors have been recruited from among our staff and private bar lawyers across the province.  Lawyers seeking mentorship would be connected to our Roster Manager, who would talk to the Mentee about their mentorship needs, including the specific area(s) of law they want assistance with and whether they are seeking long or short term mentorship.

Types of Mentoring at LAA

Legal Aid Alberta is looking for Mentors to participate in one or both of the following ways:

One–on-One Mentoring: Local rosters of mentors facilitate the establishment of mentoring relationships for lawyers unable to access expert advice from a senior practitioner through informal mentoring or within his/her own firm.

On-line Mentoring: LAA is now hosting on-line mentoring by providing advice by e-mail within a 48 hour time-frame. To ensure quality advice an approved list of mentors will provide peer advice via e-mail to certificate lawyers who submit questions regarding practice and certificate related matters. LAA staff lawyers will receive questions and contact lawyers on the mentor roster to ensure their availability, and forward the question on a rotating basis, to prevent excessive demands on a mentor’s time.

Mentor requirements

• Must have been practicing law for at least 10 years following call to the Bar, and have at least 50% of their practice in the area of law in which they are offering Mentorship. However, putative Mentors with less experience could ask to be recognized as Mentors under special circumstances.  (for example, a lawyer whose practice is focused on Immigration law may be able to effectively mentor with less than 10 years experience).
• Mentors will be confirmed by a Committee (typically by an email vote) composed of Legal Aid staff lawyers.  The purpose of the confirmation is to ensure all Mentors meet the above criteria.

To find our more information or sign-up for the Mentoring program, contact mentorship@legalaid.ab.ca

The Mentorship Relationship

The Legal Aid Alberta Roster Manager will be responsible for identifying a suitable Mentor/Mentee match, and for facilitating the introduction of the Mentor and Mentee by providing appropriate contact information. 

The Mentee would be required to execute a standardized release document and the Mentor and Mentee would be asked to write an agreement (email or written) outlining the terms of their mentorship relationship.  LAA’s only involvement thereafter would be to intervene in the event of any difficulties.

Scope of the mentorship relationship

Mentorship Agreement