In his recent article for the Daily Journal, partner Jim McManis takes a broad view of a lawyer’s duty to mentor by reviewing some examples of mentors, including the first possible mention of a mentor in Homer’s Odyssey. Jim theorizes there have been mentors as long as there have been old people and young people. He then describes the qualities of his first mentor, Judge Jack Komar.
“Most lawyers are busy people, and the only feedback often given to junior attorneys is returned work product, marked up without explanation,” says Jim. “Young lawyers need to feel comfortable to knock on a partner’s door and ask for more, and get it.”
Jim concludes that mentoring is a privilege and a duty that all lawyers share, essentially a debt owed to the lawyers before them and to the profession itself.
To read the full article, visit the Daily Journal. (subscription required)