Mentor Program

Mentors do not have to be active CBA members to volunteer for the program. Mentors can volunteer for the program for as many years as they wish.

Mentees must be active CBA members in the law student category. Criteria for CBA law student membership:

• A person enrolled in undergraduate studies in law at a recognized Canadian law school;
• A Canadian citizen studying at a recognized foreign law faculty;
• A person who has been accepted to pursue NCA accreditation; or
• A person who is enrolled in full-time studies required by a law society, in order to be called to the bar in Canada.

Due to the volume of matches made, and in order to balance the needs of the law students and volunteer mentors our program is not "self-serve", and participants do not select their mentor/mentee. We encourage all participants to provide as much detail in their intake forms as possible, which allows the CBA Alberta team to make meaningful matches that will bring the most value to each match.

Participation in mentor programs benefits both the mentees and volunteer mentors. 

Mentees are able to connect with and receive valuable advice from seasoned lawyers, who can provide insight and ideas to help develop a career path, while building confidence. Mentees will have the opportunity to make connections in the legal community, and develop skills such as interviewing and navigating the legal workplace.

Volunteering as a Mentor provides an opportunity to play a meaningful role in the life of a law student, while developing leadership, coaching and communications skills, growing professionally, and learning from mentees by hearing their perspective and insights.

The purpose of the mentor program is not about employment, and while mentors may provide guidance on applying and interviewing for summer or articling positions, the role of the mentor is not to help the mentee secure articles.

The onus is on mentees to initiate contact, take the lead, schedule meetings, and set goals and desired outcomes for the mentor relationship. Mentors are there to provide guidance and advice. The program is largely self-guided so it is up to the matches to determine when and how frequently they connect.

If your mentee has not made contact within a week of matching or if you are having trouble communicating with your mentor or mentee, please contact your CBA Alberta Mentor Program Coordinator at members@cba-alberta.org

Once matches are confirmed, the program runs until the end of June of the following year. However, many mentees and mentors stay in touch for many years after the formal mentor relationship has ended.

Mentors can volunteer for the program as often as they wish.

Mentees are eligible for the Mentor Program so long as they are law student members of the CBA.

As the program is largely self-guided, participants are welcome to meet as frequently as they wish. Feedback from participates indicates that the majority of the matches meet every 4 - 8 weeks throughout the duration of the program.