Alumni

Mentor Program

Developed in 2008 with the Career Services Office, the Mentor Program matches current second, third and fourth-year Touro Law Center students with practicing alumni. This unique program is designed to help students understand how to succeed in law school and provide the guidance of an experienced attorney who can help them build a rewarding legal career. 

Students benefit from the insights of mentors who understand, through first-hand experience, the issues and concerns students face while participating alumni get to maintain contact with their law school and have the satisfaction of having contributed to the education of future lawyers.

This is not a job placement program. Students are informed that the goal of this program is not to gain employment but to facilitate relationships between students and alumni as well as provide a learning experience. 

To become an alumni mentor or find out more, please call 631.761.7063 or e-mail alumni@tourolaw.edu.  

How the Program Works

Students are matched – as closely as possible – with alumni mentors based upon the student’s interests, geographic preference and the alum’s area(s) of practice and location. Each match is for one year, beginning in the fall semester.

  • Mentors and mentees are provided with the other’s contact information
  • A mutually agreed upon form of communication between the mentor and mentee should be established, subject to the availability of both parties. Primary means of communication typically are by phone or e-mail.
  • Students are responsible for keeping up the lines of communication.

At the conclusion of the program, you may be asked to complete a short survey and evaluation form to help identify successes as well as areas of improvement for the program.

Suggested Guidance for Mentors

  • Learn about your student mentee – what do you know about him or her? What would you like to know that will make it easier for you to work with your student mentee?
  • Consider what your student mentee might want to know about you – what might interest your student mentee about the nature of your practice or how you got started in the field?
  • Coach your student mentee on how to cope with the pressures of law school as well as prepare for a successful legal career. Help him/her identify how to establish priorities in allocating time.
  • Provide advice based upon your personal experience during and after law school.
  • Provide a professional perspective for students.
  • Provide frequent feedback and suggested improvements or changes.

Suggested Mentoring Activities

There are a number of ways for a student mentee and alumni mentor to participate in the program. While mentors are free to offer mentees assistance in whatever way they choose, here are some suggestions:

  • Meet for breakfast, lunch or dinner
  • Invite student mentee to your office
  • Take your student mentee to court to witness a proceeding
  • E-mail correspondence, letters or phone calls are excellent means of communications for out-of-town mentors and students
  • Share sample pleadings and forms
  • Offer guidance with course selection
  • Critique your student’s resume
  • Conduct a mock interview
  • Discuss your area(s) of practice. Share your opinions about your field of law or work environment
  • Introduce your student to colleagues who are working in fields outside your area(s) of expertise
  • If your student is from out of state, offer tips on fun places to go and things to do in the New York area
Be available to field questions and concerns about law school, exams and career decisions
See our brochure for more information.