Giving Back
Paying It Forward Through Mentoring by April L. Bogle
A
pril Ross 11l knew she wanted to serve the court. She just didn’t know whether employment law or criminal law was the best path until her mentor, Rich Escoffery 95l, literally led her through the courtroom door. “Rich was insightful about how to market myself, gave me the big picture and always helped me get to the next step,” Ross says. A top student from San Francisco with plenty of confidence and charisma, Simon Snyder 11l has everything going for him — except East Coast contacts who could help him find a job in energy law. He so impressed his mentor, Della Wagner Wells 86l, she is “calling in her chips” to arrange meetings with her most important connections. “I know I have someone who is completely in my court and whom I can rely on to do whatever reasonably is possible to help me,” Snyder says. “That is such a comfort.”
A genuine interest in making the relationship work is essential, say mentors and mentees. “It’s reciprocal,” Snyder says. “The more you are interested in them, the more they are interested in you. It’s great to have someone so supportive in your court.”
a genuine interest in making the relationship work is essential.
Wells, a partner at Alston & Byrd llc in energy finance law, arranged meetings for Snyder with prominent energy attorneys in Washington, D.C. “The best I can do is make sure he has the opportunity to speak with people about how they got where they are going,” she says. Mentors and mentees agree that appropriate expectations are critical. “Don’t expect a job out of it. It’s about relationships and advice,” says Ross, who encourages mentees “to be assertive in the first contact, stay on top of it and prepare a list of questions in case things get awkward in the conversation.” Escoffery, a partner at Elarbee, Thompson, Sapp & Wilson llp in labor and employment litigation, appreciates Ross’ approach. “When you have someone who wants to be actively involved, the mentor gets as much out of it as the student.” simon synder 11L discusses his summer rich escoffery 95L talks with his mentee plans with his mentor della wagner april ross 11L about changes since his He took Ross to lunch with his wells 86L. student days. mentor, federal Judge Gerrilyn Brill A strong mentoring program is the “cornerstone for 75l, in the courthouse cafeteria so Ross could rub elbows students to connect with the world of practice and the platwith other judges and attorneys. Escoffery also suggested form that sends them on their way,” says Gregory L. Riggs she consider the district attorney’s office as a step to run79l, associate dean for student services and community ning for a judgeship and encouraged her to apply for a engagement. “We want the program to bring students and clerkship. alumni together to enrich the student experience, to help Ross will spend the summer working at the Fulton discern their path and to help prepare them for success.” County District Attorney’s Office and interning at Taylor To strengthen the program, Riggs held focus groups and English llp. Snyder continues networking along the with students and alumni in the fall. A few enhancements East Coast. But one thing is certain, they appreciate the resulted: help they’ve received and understand its value. • First-year students sign up during the second semester, “Della had someone help her, so it’s a ‘pay it forward’ making the mentor-mentee match more effective. kind of a thing,” Synder says. “When I’m out of school, I • Matches are based on concentrations within practice will feel obligated — and happy — to give back.” areas, requiring students to complete a form that drills down to specifics. April L. Bogle is the director of public relations and • Mentor guidelines suggest activities and provide a information for the Center for the Study of Law and process for providing feedback. Religion at Emory. 28
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