1. How does the program work?
The program is aimed to fill some of the gaps of traditional law school education. It focuses on introducing law students to the practical aspects of being a lawyer through real world activities and a mentor’s personal insight and guidance. The program requires the law student to perform some requirements alone and some requirements with your mentor. Also, the program is flexible, enabling the law student to pick his or her own mentor and tailor the program’s criteria to his her own interests.

2. What students are eligible to participate in the program?
Any law student is eligible upon membership to the ABA’s Law Student Division and GPSolo. Membership to LSD is $25.00. Law student membership to GPSolo is free.

3. Do I have to be a member of the ABA and GPSolo?
Yes. See FAQ #2.

4. Who’s eligible to be a mentor?
Any licensed attorney is eligible to serve as a mentor, including law professors and judges. The mentor does not need to be a solo practitioner or a member of a small firm. Rather, you are free to choose a mentor practicing in your legal area of interest and in your practice setting of interest. Moreover, your mentor does not need to be an ABA member and/or a GP|Solo member.

5. How do I find a mentor?
Since any attorney can serve as your mentor, utilize all your resources. Contact previous or current legal employers, and inquire as to their willingness to assist you in the program. See your Career Services Office for local attorneys who may have shown interest in volunteering their time. Call a local judge’s office to determine if a judge is interested. Ask your favorite law professor to be your mentor. Lastly, don’t forget personal friends and contacts who are lawyers. If you cannot find any attorneys willing to serve as your mentor, as a last resort you may contact Alan Fowler, Chair of the GP|Solo Law Student Mentoring Certificate Program, and he may be able to find local ABA members in the area who could volunteer their time. However, you have the ultimate responsibility of finding a mentor. GP|Solo will try to help, if needed, but we are not responsible for pairing any law student with a mentor.

6. Will you pair me up with a mentor?
No. See FAQ #5 for more information on finding a mentor.

7. Does my mentor need to live and practice in my local area?
No. This is part of the flexibility of the program. If your desired mentor lives and/or practices outside your local area, you may still pursue the program. You will have slightly less supervision by your mentor and some of the program’s requirements will require long distance discussion and communication, but if you and your mentor don’t mind, neither do we. What’s important is that you find a mentor with whom you’re comfortable so that you may experience the full benefits of the program.

8. How long does the program take to complete?
That’s up to you. In light of traditional time constraints upon law students and lawyers respectively, we recommend that you meet with your mentor one to two hours a month. We also recommend that you try to complete one to two requirements of the program a month. However, you are free to complete the program at any pace that you and your mentor see fit.

9. What do I need to do to start the program?
First, you need to join the ABA’s Law Student Division, if you haven’t done so already. The cost is $25.00. Second, you must join GP|Solo as a Law Student member. Next, register with the program and view the program’s requirements. Find an attorney agreeable to serving as your mentor. Then, complete the program at your own pace.

10. What do I do when I’ve finished the program?

Download and complete the certificate program’s application. Then, email the application to Alan Fowler, Chair of the GP|Solo Law Student Mentoring Certificate Program.

11. What do I receive when I complete the program?

Materially, you’ll receive a paper certificate commemorating your accomplishment, and the ability to list such certificate program completion on your resume. More importantly, you will have developed a personal and professional relationship with an attorney, and you will have learned invaluable lessons about the legal profession and the practice of law.

12. Is someone going to track my progress?

Nope. Neither are we going to double-check your completed paperwork to make sure you’ve done all that you’ve said you’ve done. The program is based on the honor system. We feel this program ultimately belongs to you, and you’ll get as much out of it as you want. No one will track your progress and make sure you’re on path.

13. Is there a deadline to complete the program?

Not really. You can take as much time as you want. We recommend that you complete the program prior to law school graduation, so you can feature this great experience on your resume and share it with potential employers.