By Attorney Erum Kistemaker
As someone who has spent years building a legal practice, I’ve seen how invaluable true mentorship can be—especially for new attorneys. But lately, I’ve noticed a growing disconnect: young lawyers eager for mentorship, but not necessarily ready to show up for it.
Mentorship is not just giving advice. It’s taking the time—often unpaid and outside billable hours—to teach, guide, correct, and invest in someone else’s growth. And it works best when that investment is met with presence, commitment, and humility.
Remote work has its place, but foundational training in a legal career requires more than a Zoom link. It requires watching how client meetings unfold, how strategy is discussed in real time, how office culture shapes professional development. You can’t absorb that through a screen a few hours a week.
To the next generation of lawyers: we want to help you grow. But help us help you—by showing up, being present, and understanding that mentorship is a two-way street.
