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Welcome to the CLEO Mentoring Network!
Charter Program Sponsor:
Click here to download the CMN color brochure.
If this isn’t your first time visiting, to go directly to the CMN log-in page!
CMN FAQs
Shared FAQs
Why did CLEO establish a mentoring program?
Ensuring that our students develop beneficial relationships with CLEO alumni and members of the legal profession is of paramount importance to our organization. In addition, well-structured mentoring programs can produce positive results in the areas of leadership development (nourishes leadership potential and emboldens existing leadership capability), diversity (often helps in the professional advancement of capable women and minorities) and elsewhere.
Are there any participation fees involved?
At this time, there are no fees for either mentors or protégés to register and participate in the CMN. As a non-profit, we are appreciative of all monetary and in-kind support given to the organization. If you are interested in becoming a corporate supporter and/or individual contributor to CLEO, please click on the “Interested in becoming a partner?” link above for more information.
How do I register to become a mentor or protégé?
Easy! Just click on the appropriate button above and follow the prompts. You shouldn’t experience any issues, but if you do, just contact us at cmn@staff.abanet.org and we’ll be more than happy to assist!
How are mentor-protégé pairings made?
Mentors and protégés are matched via a patented “bi-directional algorithm” utilizing a variety of different criteria including, but not limited to: gender, academic affiliation, practice area/career interest, geography, etc.
Is there a strict communication/activity schedule mentors and protégés must adhere to?
No. Because we understand the “time restraints” that are already placed on future CMN mentors and protégés, we anticipate that the time commitment from both ends will typically be no more than 1 hr/week. That said, it is expected that both mentors and protégés always give it their absolute best to keep any appointments/meetings that are made in advance out of respect for each others schedules.
Is there a pre-determined length of time that a mentor-protégé relationship has to last?
Not per se, however, because this mentoring program is geared towards our CLEO law students and pre-law scholars, we think it’s ideal for “official” mentoring relationships to begin at the beginning of a given academic school year and conclude at the end of it. Then, should the mentor and protégé both share a desire to extend the relationship beyond this point, than that would not be a problem and could be done outside of the CMN.
Protégé FAQs
Does a student have to be a registered CLEO participant (Fellow, Associate, Affiliate or Pre-Law Scholar) to get a mentor through the CMN?
Yes. You must be a registered (and “active & engaged”) CLEO participant to be paired with a CMN mentor.
As a CLEO participant, do I have to join the CMN as a protégé?
No. At all times, participation in the CMN from both a mentor and protégé perspective is strictly voluntary and, as stated elsewhere, at no cost to either party. We do, however, expect that if you are paired with a mentor, via the CMN or otherwise, you carry yourself in a professional manner befitting the excellent reputation CLEO has earned throughout its 40-plus year history.
Is the CMN intended to help protégés find employment?
Not specifically. However, when job opportunities do arise out of a CMN mentoring relationship, we would definitely like to hear about it to help better promote the network to future participants. Additionally, information related to internships, externships, scholarships, etc. is posted on our CLEO diverCITY Network website under the student page.
Mentor FAQs
Who can be a CMN mentor?
To be a CMN mentor, an individual must be a licensed attorney in good standing with his or her respective state bar and have a genuine interest in increasing the level of diversity within the legal profession.
What is expected of me as a CMN mentor?
What we ask of all our mentors is to impart the wisdom and knowledge they have gained during their time spent in the legal profession and in law school on our protégés. Additionally, we ask that you give generously of your time in interacting and corresponding with protégés.
Are mentors expected to meet with protégés face-to-face?
As stated in the response to one of our “Shared FAQs,” CLEO understands and respects the minimal free time that the majority of our mentors have to devote to causes outside of their primary employment. So while, from time-to-time, we will be facilitating “in-person” CMN events, all program participation from both parties is strictly voluntary.
How many CMN protégé relationships can I have at any one time?
While there is not a “set limit” for the number of protégés a mentor can have, because each protégé coming in to the program expects to regularly correspond with their mentor, we ask that a mentor not take on more protégés that his or her schedule will reasonably allow time for.
(You can also view and download a .pdf version of the FAQs by clicking here)
Hey! Do you know of any diverse pre-law students seeking guidance as they make the life-changing decision of whether or not to attend law school? If so, definitely let’em know that we will soon be opening up the CMN to our CLEO College Scholars! Visit cleoscholars.org to learn more about this and all of our many other helpful pre-law programs!
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