Mentoring as a Building Block for Disability Inclusion in the Workplace Jared Hager, Perkins Coie LLP ABA National Conference on the Employment of Lawyers with Disabilities May 2012

Mentoring A developmental partnership for sharing knowledge, skills, information, and perspective to foster the professional growth of another

The Mentor Teacher Coach Guide Catalyst Advocate The Mentee LearnerDecision maker Initiator

Firm Benefits Training and Professional Development Performance, Productivity, and Profitability Recruitment, Retention and Promotion Leadership Reputation Satisfaction Culture of Inclusion

Four Principles Principle 1:Mentoring is Personal Principle 2:Mentoring Can Be Informal Principle 3:Mentoring Is More than Work Principle 4:Mentoring Is a Two-Way Street Source: Harvard Business Review, January 2008

Mentor Responsibilities Help set career goals Supervise work and give feedback Check in and check back Be a confidant

Mentee Responsibilities Take initiative Set goals Be prepared Respect and understand time constraints Follow up regularly; stay engaged

Perkins Coie's Building Bridges Program Mentor Pairing Based on Preference Ranking Individual Development Plan AEC Process –Mentor role in process –Debriefing statement & meeting –Partnership signals & promotion process Workload Management Committee Work & Leadership Billing Practices & Law Firm Economics

Takeaways Firm structure uniquely demands and supports mentoring Mentoring is especially important for diverse lawyers, including lawyers with disabilities No one-size-fits all program

Thank you!