Lake County Bar Association

The Lake County Bar Association Lawyer to Lawyer Mentoring program strives to provide a resource to lawyers with questions regarding substantive law, office economics and management, and professional conduct.  The program is centered around training modules established by the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism and qualifies for professionalism and basic skills CLE credit.

The Lawyer-to-Lawyer Mentoring Program is open to all qualifying Illinois-licensed attorneys, whether you are a solo practitioner, an attorney at a firm, corporation or law department or a lawyer seeking a position. To get involved in the Lake County Bar Association mentoring program, complete the mentor or mentee application below.  Attorney qualifications for new lawyer and mentor participation in a Commission-approved mentoring program follows.

New Lawyer Qualifications

Rule 795(d)(12) requires that completion of the mentoring program “occurs during the first three years of the new lawyer’s practice in Illinois.”  As a practical matter, this means that in order to complete a one-year long program within the first three years of practice, the new lawyer must begin the program no later than two years after being admitted to the Illinois bar. A new lawyer seeking to participate in the mentoring program and earn the professional responsibility credit must meet the following minimum standards:

• Be admitted to practice in Illinois no more than two years prior to the date of beginning the program;
• Be registered on the Illinois ARDC Master Roll of Attorneys as active; and
• Practice law in Illinois or intend to practice law in Illinois.

New lawyers participating in the LCBA Mentoring program will gain:

1. Encouragement, support and affirmation;
2. The opportunity to explore new ideas and alternatives;
3. Contacts with new individuals about groups and individuals that can aid her/him in their career development;
4. Stimulus to challenge her/him to achieve new goals and the confidence to try;
5. The LCBA Mentor program does not contemplate mentors rendering professional services to their mentees.

Mentor Qualifications

The success of any lawyer mentoring program depends upon experienced and dedicated lawyers who are willing to commit the time to serve as mentors so that they may personally convey the core values and best practices of the profession to new lawyers. In order to be effective, lawyer mentors shall value teaching and counseling new attorneys in the development of professional habits and strive to improve the legal profession through their mentorship. Mentors should possess superior interpersonal skills and the ability to facilitate quality discussions about the best practices and highest values of the legal profession. A lawyer seeking to serve as a mentor shall meet the following minimum standards:

• Be registered on the Illinois ARDC Master Roll of Attorneys as active and in good standing;
• Be admitted to practice law in Illinois for not less than six years;
• Never have been suspended or disbarred from the practice of law in any state or jurisdiction and have no formal disciplinary complaint pending.

If you have questions or would like additional information, feel free to reach out to the identified administrator of the program or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , ILSCCP Deputy Director, or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it at the Lake County Bar Association who will be happy to assist you and help you get involved.

MENTORING  PROGRAM  LINKS

Mentor volunteer registration

Mentee registration

Mentoring Plan

Mentoring Resources 

CLE Application