FBANC Mentorship Program

FBANC 2023-2024 Mentorship Program

FBANC’s Mentorship Committee invites you to sign up for our mentorship program!  In this year’s FBANC Mentorship Program, which will run from September 2023 - June 2024, we will be pairing law students with two local attorneys eager to guide and inspire you. Each FBANC Mentorship family will have  a seasoned attorney (with 6+ years of legal practice), a junior attorney (0-5 years of experience), and a law student.

The goal of the program is simple: to match members of the Filipinx legal community with energetic law students sharing similar professional aspirations or academic interests. Attorneys serve as role models, offer academic and career advice, and guide others as they develop important professional networks.

Law students will benefit from the dual mentorship of FBANC’s junior attorneys and seasoned lawyers. Junior attorneys offer valuable insights, having recently faced the challenges law students encounter, from coursework to the bar exam. Their practical guidance aids students in navigating internships and transitioning into practice. 

Additionally, junior attorneys also benefit by being mentored by FBANC’s seasoned attorneys as they navigate their legal career. Their mentorship of a junior attorney is an opportunity to pass on knowledge and contribute to the next generation's development, by sharing the intricacies of legal practice, effective advocacy, and long-term success strategies. 

We strive to offer our program participants a diverse blend of wisdom, fresh perspectives, and boundless possibilities by approaching a tri-partite mentor-mentee relationship.  As a “family,” you'll explore your career aspirations, create a dynamic mentor-mentee relationship, conquer the challenges of the legal profession, engage in meaningful discussions, and foster invaluable connections.

Why become a mentee with FBANC 43? FBANC's Mentorship Program offers a supportive community for our members, fostering personal and professional growth. We aim to make a transformative impact by mentoring individuals at all stages of their legal careers.

Why become a mentor?  Reflect on your journey as a law student and/or your early years of practicing law. We all remember the turbulent waters of our early legal careers and how mentors guided us. None of us reached our goals in isolation. A mentor's modest investment of time can yield a lifetime of profound rewards, not just for the mentee but also for the mentor.

Making an extraordinary difference takes just a few phone calls, emails, and shared meals. By becoming a mentor, you become a cornerstone of a thriving and socially conscious Filipinx legal community. You have the power to cultivate lasting friendships and expand your professional network, enriching your own life in the process.

Embrace this opportunity with open arms, for it's never too late to embark on the transformative journey of mentoring. You hold the key to unlocking the potential of future legal luminaries and making an indelible mark on the world. Your mentorship is a beacon of hope and inspiration for generations to come.  

How to sign up

If you are interested in participating in the FBANC 2023-2024 Mentorship Program, please select the applicable link below.

For Law Students and Junior Attorneys (Mentees), please find the link here.

For Seasoned Attorneys (Mentors), please find the link here.

Events for 2023-2024

In addition to the Mentorship Program, the FBANC Mentorship Committee will put on an in-person event with the FBANC Social Committee on October 21, 2023, and will host its student-led Komunidad Conference in February 2024. Additional Mentorship events may be found on our website. 

Notes

Mentors are expected to make themselves available to meet with students (virtually or in-person) several times during the course of the 2023-2024 program.  Mentees are encouraged to proactively reach out to their mentors throughout the program and keep them updated on progress and questions.  FBANC strongly encourages mentors and mentees to touch base in a virtual or in-person meeting at least every month.

COVID-19

COVID-19 has made in-person events challenging. Attendance at in-person events is optional. If you prefer remote participation, you can utilize tools like Zoom or phone calls for the mentorship program. Your comfort and safety are our top priorities.

Questions?

Please reach out to mentorship@fbanc.org. You can also reach out to the Mentorship Committee Co-Directors Jamie Martinez (jamiemartinez@fbanc.org) and Ryan Manuel (ryanmanuel@fbanc.org)

Thanks for considering participating in the FBANC Mentorship Program!