Blueprint for Using Mentoring to Improve Your Practice
Mark C. PalmerProfessionalism CounselIllinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism
Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism
Blueprint for Using Mentoring to Improve Your Practice
Mark C. Palmer, Professionalism Counsel
Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism
@2CivilityMP
four generationsin the workplace
Traditionalists (1926-1945)
Baby Boomers (1946-1964)
Generation X’ers (1965-1979)
Millennials (1980-2000)
Generation Z (2001-???)
Greatest Gen.Brown 1913-1924
Silent Gen.(1925-1945)
Baby Boomers(1946-1064)
Gen. X(1965-1979)
Millennials(1980-1999)
Gen. Z(2000-present)
Greatest Gen.Brown 1913-1924
Silent Gen.(1925-1945)
Baby Boomers(1946-1064)
Gen. X(1965-1979)
Millennials(1980-1999)
Data from CNN
Inclusive Leaders | Future Workplace
2Civility|Future Workplace
Gen. Z(2000-present)
Greatest Gen.Brown 1913-1924
Silent Gen.(1925-1945)
Baby Boomers(1946-1064)
Gen. X(1965-1979)
Millennials(1980-1999)
ability status
race
ethnicity
income level
marital status
parental status
gender identitysexual orientation
gender
religion
national origin
Lawyer-to-Lawyer Mentoring Program
2Civility
The Current Picture
• 31 statewide formal mentoring programs now in operation or in pilot phase
• 23% mandatory (GA, NV, NM, OR, SC, UT, WY), 77% voluntary
• Some, but not all, accredited for CLE
Lawyer-to-Lawyer Mentoring Program
2Civility
The Current Picture
• Illinois:- Voluntary program - Professionalism-based Curriculum- Offering 6 hours PR CLE
Year-long termAt least eight meetings
FOR NEW LAWYERS:
• Effective transition from student to lawyer
• Learning nuances of practice from experienced professional
•Better connecting to the legal community
Benefits of Mentoring
Lawyer-to-Lawyer Mentoring Program
2Civility
FOR EXPERIENCED ATTORNEYS:
•Connecting with next generation attorneys
• Enhanced understanding of technological innovations
•Renewal of purpose and pride in the practice of law
Benefits of Mentoring
Lawyer-to-Lawyer Mentoring Program
2Civility
…this is Reverse Mentoring!
FOR THE PROFESSION:
•Passing on to new attorneys the highest aspirations of the profession
•Promotion of values of civility, integrity and professionalism to next generation of lawyers
Benefits of Mentoring
Lawyer-to-Lawyer Mentoring Program
2Civility
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
1995-1999 2000-2004 2005-2009 2010-2014 2012-2015
Serious Disciplinary Sanctions on SC Lawyers Admitted 5 Years or Less
The Bottom Line
Why? Serving Firm, Clients, Profession
Client (& Employee) Demand
How? Structure + Flexibility
Buy-In
Firm Culture
Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism
Mark C. Palmer
@2CivilityMP
2civility.org