Welcome to AABANY’s 2025-2026 Mentorship Program!

AABANY’s Mentorship Program provides support, advice, and networking opportunities to aid both mentors and mentees in their professional and personal development. Each mentee is matched to a mentor who will serve as a teacher, role model, and resource to the mentee. By way of one-to-one relationships and Mentorship Program events held throughout the year, the program will provide the structure to advance professional growth and networking skills of both mentors and mentees. Mentors and mentees may come from any level of experience and practice area, but all must be AABANY members.

Our Mentorship Program is different from other programs by focusing on not only practice areas but also personal interests when matching mentors and mentees. By doing so, we hope to facilitate long-lasting relationships that are compatible personally as well as professionally. In order to participate in AABANY's Mentorship Program, you must be an AABANY member.

If you are a past participant, please feel free to sign up for a new mentee or mentor. However, we encourage you to maintain your current relationship with your mentee or mentor as well.

Candidates must submit only one mentor or mentee application; dual applications will not be accepted. However, if you are interested in serving as both a mentor and mentee, first submit an application for the primary role you wish to serve and then contact the Co-Chairs of the Mentorship Program directly to advise of your interest in the other role. Should the opportunity arise, we will use our discretion to assign certain interested candidates to both mentor and mentee roles in order to further the objectives of the broader Mentorship Program.

Applications for mentors and mentees for the 2025-26 Mentorship Program was open from August 25, 2025 to September 19, 2025. Mentee applications are now no longer being accepted.    

Mentor-mentee matches will be sent out via email during the last week of September 2025.

Questions? Please direct them to Emily Chen at emily.chen@kirkland.com and Gary Yeung at gary.yeung@srz.com, Co-Chairs of the Mentorship Program.

Mentee Responsibilities and Expectations

By participating in this program, the mentee agrees to comply with the Mentee Guidelines available HERE. Additionally, we strongly recommend that the mentee:

• Initiate contact with the mentor
• Meet with the mentor face-to-face a few times over the course of the year
• Follow-up with the mentor by email/phone and keep the mentor informed of progress/difficulties
• Inform the mentor of any interest in specific legal practice areas
• Take ownership for their own mentoring process and career development
• Be willing to learn and accept feedback from the mentor
• Be open to the mentor’s suggestions and make a good effort at implementing them
• Be appreciative of the mentor’s time and support by being punctual, courteous and responsive

Mentor Responsibilities and Expectations

By participating in this program, the mentor agrees to:

• Meet with the mentee face-to-face a few times over the course of the year
• Follow up with mentee(s) as needed
• Acquaint the mentee with their practice of law
• Provide support, advice, and constructive criticism to build the mentee’s skills and confidence
• Establish ground rules with the mentee (e.g., best methods of contact)
• Encourage the mentee to contact them with any questions or concerns
• Introduce or make the mentee aware of resources, opportunities, and other attorneys that may be able to further the mentee's career development