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3 Approaching someone to be their mentor causes anxiety for most students, so make it easier on them by being friendly and approachable. "Open up the relationship and open up the trust," says Holmes Skinner. "Sometimes sharing personal anecdotes or personal information can really make the mentee feel a lot more comfortable than asking questions and putting themself out there." In her experience as a mentor, she says establishing an authentic friendship is the best way to connect with mentees. Although it's up to the mentee to make the initial contact with a potential mentor, the mentor should also take an active role in establishing the structure and tone of the relationship. There's a power differential between mentees and mentors, says Wolters, so oftentimes mentees are hesitant to ask questions. "Law students and articling students might not always ask the critical questions they want and they're burning to ask. So it's really up to the mentor to help probe that relationship," she says. Put the mentee at ease 5 4 Maximize the benefits Mentorship is a two-way street. Mentors should consider what they can offer a mentee and what they want out of the relationship as well, says Wolters. "Mentorship is often a more reciprocal relationship that it may appear, especially in situations where people are already working at the same company," wrote Sandberg. "The mentee may receive more direct assistance, but the mentor receives benefits too, including useful information, greater commitment from colleagues, and a sense of fulfillment and pride." Also, mentors can learn a lot from mentees, says Wolters. For example, law students often have new techniques or different ideas that can benefit your practice. Just as mentees have specific goals in mind, you should also consider what you want to gain from the relationship. Invest in your mentee The best kind of mentor is one who invests in their mentee's development. A good mentor will provide advice, show you the ropes, and introduce you to new networks, says Garcia. If done right, a mentorship can last a lifetime, says Lightstone, so you want to ensure you are committed to your mentee and make time for them. "The strongest relationships spring out of a real and often earned connection felt by both sides," wrote Sandberg. ■ a of Canadian LegaL news daiLy BLogn [ www.canadianlawyermag.com/legalfeeds ] pD Daily up ates s major court ruling News RouNdup events Powered By Canadian Lawyer & Law times C A N A D I A N Law yer 4 students fall 2013 17

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