Page 77 - ACTL Journal Win24

“Greg was very interested in hearing what I was looking for in the mentoring relationship. I explained how interested I am in litigation and that I just wanted to hear about his work. And his journey as a litigator and how he became comfortable with the tasks of litigation. He was very helpful and shared a lot of insight and good tips.”
“I was paired with Steve Patton. He was responsive, easy to talk to and ask questions, and invited me to see oral argu- ments at the 7th Circuit - you could just tell he really cared about helping me! Steve invited me out to lunch, we talked on the phone ... for me it was the perfect amount of men- toring/contact during the busy summer.”
“While in law school I never got a chance to intern at a big law firm but the mentorship program is now allowing me to see what it is like to be an associate at a big law firm. I also get to learn from my mentor’s experiences. This pro- gram has been very helpful and I hope it continues.”
“The ACTL SJIP program exceeded my expectations. The mentoring program was definitely the highlight of my ex- perience – to be able to learn and connect with such an ex- perienced lawyer was invaluable. The program really helped me learn about myself + my interests, while being guided through the Chicago landscape of lawyers through an ex- perienced, respectful, and respected lawyer. This program should definitely continue, especially as more lawyers from the ACTL choose to become mentors.”
“I benefitted a great deal from the ACTL summer men- toring program. I feel better prepared for my 2L year and for my 2L summer, when I will be working as a summer associate at a big law firm. Thank you so much for putting the program together and running it.”
“This program provided me an opportunity to spend quality time with a fantastic mentor. Even when he didn’t know how to help me, he provided me with valuable contacts.”
“I have a great mentor from this program, and one my fa- vorite highlights of my 1L summer, which I’ve been sharing with my family and friends, is getting to see and hear from Nadine Youssef about working as an attorney at Disney.”
The Fellows who served as mentors found the experience just as rewarding. They expressed the view that the pro- gram enhanced the brand of the College with the next generation of trial lawyers and with the judiciary. Un- doubtedly, the Summer Judicial Internship Mentoring Program advances our Immediate Past President’s vision that the College should become more relevant to its mem- bership and the community.
The Mentoring Committee is now working hard to make the College’s mentoring program even bigger and better next year. This year, the Committee is led by its new Chair Elizabeth Wright, with Vice Chairs Price and Anderson, and Immediate Past Chair Siffert. The Committee hopes that the College’s mentoring program will become one of the permanent jewels in the College’s crown. The Committee is grateful to the College and the Foundation for their tremen- dous support – both in terms of encouragement and fund- ing. Next year, we hope that state committee chairs again will enthusiastically say “yes” when the Committee calls for help in recruiting Fellows to serve as mentors.
Kimball Anderson Chicago, IL
WINTER 2024
JOURNAL 76