Finding a Mentor at W&M Law
The start of law school can be an overwhelming time. You’re not just meeting new classmates and professors; you’re also learning how law school classes work, how to study law and how to succeed come exam time. With so much to figure out, having a good mentor to show you the ropes can be invaluable. Luckily for students at William & Mary Law School, there are many ways to find a mentor here.
First of all, there are the legal research and writing fellows. Each 1L section is paired with its own fellow, a 2L or 3L who teaches their 1Ls how legal citations work and assists in simulations for the Lawyering Skills class. These fellows can be unbelievably helpful resources in helping new law students navigate 1L and beyond. When I was a 1L, my fellow set up a panel of her friends to talk to us about different exam preparation methods, offered insight on course selection and provided advice about the job search. To this day, she still reaches out to check in and hear about how we’re doing.
Fellows aren’t the only mentors at William & Mary. Many clubs also have formal mentorship programs. As a 1L, I got a mentor through the Public Service Fund; in the two years since then, I’ve been a mentor to 1Ls through the Student Bar Association (the law school’s student government). These mentorship programs often involve efforts to match people based on shared interests or experiences.
There are also opportunities to connect with W&M graduates. The Co-Counsel Program matches current students with alumni who can share their experiences and advice. Additionally, 1Ls participate in a mock interview early in the spring semester with an alumnus, who can provide advice on interviewing technique and strategies as students jump into the summer internship search.
Between relationships with fellows, club mentorship programs and opportunities to connect with alumni, there’s no shortage of ways for 1Ls to meet mentors at William & Mary Law. And as these mentors pass on their advice, law school starts feeling more manageable by the day.