VABAW Mentorship Program
Mentorship has long been a cornerstone of VABAW's mission. Through meaningful connections and professional guidance, VABAW has supported attorneys and law students as they navigate their legal careers. In 2026, we are excited to expand our Mentorship Program to include undergraduate students who are interested in the legal profession.
The VABAW Mentorship Program pairs attorneys, law students, and pre-law students with experienced VABAW attorney mentors. Mentors will provide guidance, support, and insight throughout the academic year, helping mentees build professional connections and navigate the path to and through the legal profession. While the formal commitment is for one academic year, we hope these relationships will continue to grow and flourish throughout your careers.
To participate as a mentor or mentee, please complete the mentorship questionnaire and attend the VABAW Mentorship Mixer, hosted by Stritmatter Law, on October 8, 2026, to meet your mentor or mentee. The deadline to join is September 28, 2026.
For assistance or questions, please contact VABAW Mentorship Committee Chair, Ronnie Nguyen, at veronika@ksplaw.com.
Mentee Responsibilities:
We look forward to providing a safe and collaborative environment for your ongoing legal journey. Our goal is to assist you with insights, advice, and potential opportunities to move forward with becoming a member of the legal profession. We ask the following from our students in order for them to get the most out of VABAW's Mentorship program:
Reach out to your mentor after the Mentorship Mixer to schedule your first meeting.
Meet with your mentor at least twice during the length of the mentorship period (October 2026 to October 2027). Additional communication is encouraged!
Prior to your first meeting with your mentor, determine your three four main goals for your mentorship relationship and share them with your mentor.
Be open to new opportunities and suggestions that your mentor provides to you!
Mentor Responsibilities:
Thank you for agreeing to be a mentor to interested students. You will be matched based on the questionnaire and receive your pairings by VABAW's Mentorship Mixer.The student will reach out to you after the Mentorship Mixer in order to schedule your first meeting. We ask the following from our VABAW Mentors:
Mentor your student(s) for the calendar year (October 2026 to October 2027)
Meet with your student(s) one-on-one or in a group setting (if applicable) at least twice during the length of your mentorship.
Advise and share information about your practice, your path to your current role, and other professional insights.
Make suggestions for coursework, extracurricular activities, networking opportunities, and work experiences for your student(s).
Remain engaged and available to your student(s) during your mentorship period.
Our hope is that your mentorship relationships will create connections that help guide students with their personal goals, explore fields of interests, and gain a better understanding of what legal practice is like. We look forward to building meaningful connections and strengthening our legal community together.