DLA Piper announces launch of Legal Mentor Network

DLA Piper is pleased to announce the launch of the Legal Mentor Network, a nonprofit organization focused on providing young lawyers and law students with free mentoring services. DLA Piper is the only law firm to serve as a founding sponsor of the Network.

The Legal Mentor Network began with a LinkedIn post in which Perkins Coie partner Brian Potts shared a decades-old rejection letter from his firm. After receiving an influx of requests from young lawyers and students hoping to speak with him about his career, Potts reached out to his connections in the industry to see if others would be willing to informally share their advice and experiences.

Over the last two years, the Legal Mentor Network has helped facilitate over 1,000 mentorship connections, matching law students and newly admitted attorneys with mentors in their geographic area and preferred field of legal practice. More than 250 practicing lawyers from across the country banded together to participate, including lawyers from large and small law firms, corporations, government agencies and nonprofits.

As a founding sponsor, DLA Piper is pleased to support the establishment of the Legal Mentor Network as a nonprofit organization, which will enable it to begin implementing a larger, formal nationwide mentoring program.

“We are thrilled to see the Legal Mentor Network formalize its efforts to establish connections between young lawyers and those who have years of experience and guidance to share,” said DLA Piper partner Matt Schwartz, who was one of the first lawyers to answer the call for mentors and now serves as senior advisor to the Legal Mentor Network. “As the Network grows its reach across the country, it will continue to play a huge role in the development of the next generation of lawyers, and it’s an honor to be able to serve as a resource and sounding board for those who are just starting out in their careers.”

“Many young lawyers and law students are the first in their families to pursue a legal career, and having access to a mentor who can answer their questions and help them navigate the early stages of life as an attorney is invaluable,” said Lenora Ausbon-Odom, DLA Piper’s chief talent development and inclusion officer, who serves on the board of the Legal Mentor Network. “We are proud to support the Network and its efforts to help young lawyers find their footing in the industry by fostering these vital connections.”