Kirk May, of Rouse Hendricks German & May PC, hosting an educational session for the Mentors and Mentees speaking on the topic of “Common Mistakes that New and Seasoned Attorneys Make."

The KCMBA is dedicated to providing resources to its members that will help develop and further their careers.  With this goal in mind, Sara Bruchman, the founding Chair, and Jenny Riedy, the founding Vice Chair, in connection with the YLS Section of the KCMBA launched the Mentor Program (“Program”) in June of 2011.  The Program also recently welcomed to the Board Amy Moore Harris as Program’s Secretary for the 2012-2013 year.  

The 2011-2012 Program began with a welcome reception for all participants at the home of Tom Bender, a former Mentor.  The Program was comprised of group activities and events alternating with informal one-on-one sessions between Mentor and Mentee.

Group activities included: a tour of the Missouri Court of Appeals with a 1 hour Ethics CLE presented by the Honorable Cynthia L. Martin, a tour of Boulevard Brewing Company, a partnership with UMKC’s Christmas in October, an educational gathering hosted at the home of Mira Mdvani to discuss “What I wish I knew when I graduated from law school,” a tour of the Federal Courthouse hosted by the Honorable Greg Kays with a 1 hour ethics

CLE presented by Dean Ellen Suni of UMKC School of Law, an educational session hosted by Rouse Hendricks German & May PC with Kirk May speaking on the topic of “Common Mistakes that New and Seasoned Attorneys Make,” and an end of the year happy hour with the former Mentors and Mentees hosted with the incoming participants.

The Program consists of 15 Mentors and 15 Mentees, comprised of a variety of individuals with varied interests and backgrounds. The Program is designed to assist new attorneys with the practical challenges that they face on a daily basis, and to help facilitate a seamless transition for new attorneys into the legal profession. This Program is intended to complement, not replace, any mentor program currently available to new attorneys.

Through information gained in the application process, the chairs of the Program will pair Mentees, ranging in 0-5 years of experience, with Mentors with at least seven years of experience. Every effort will be made by the selection committee to pair Mentees with Mentors based on the Mentees wants and needs.  As a requirement of the Program, Mentors and Mentees should meet monthly to discuss any questions or concerns that arise throughout the course of the Program. 

Applications for Mentors and Mentees may be submitted beginning May 1, 2012, with a deadline for the application of June 31, 2012. If you have any questions regarding the Program, please contact Sara Bruchman at sbruchman@wbsvlaw.com, Jenny Riedy at jennyriedy@yahoo.com, or Amy Moore Harris at amymooreharris@gmail.com.

Click Here for the application.