Antitrust Section Mentoring Program

The Antitrust Mentoring Program matches experienced Section members, lawyers, and economists with junior practitioners and students for the ABA and academic year. Participants can also attend a variety of career development and networking programs and join affinity squads to develop additional mentoring relationships.

Apply Here

The application period for mentees has ended. Pairings will be announced by Friday, October 25, 2024.

Participants & Structure

• Mentors - Lawyers and economists with seven years or more of practice, what would you tell a younger person starting in your area of law? You were in their shoes once. Help us guide the next generation of antitrust, consumer protection, and data privacy lawyers and economists.
• Mentees - Lawyers and economists with six years or less of practice and law and graduate economics students, start your career right and learn from the best. Get matched with an experienced antitrust, consumer protection, or data privacy attorney or economist. Section members and non-members are welcome to apply.
• Quarterly in-person or virtual contacts. Optional group gatherings.

Tips for Mentees

• Take ownership of this opportunity and proactively contact your mentor to schedule meetings/calls, at least monthly if possible.
• Agree on discussion topic(s) before your mentoring meeting or call so that each participant can give some thought before connecting. The mentor should follow your lead on what will be most valuable for you and your career.
• Follow up on previous topics and follow through on actions you discuss.
• Try to be open in communications—sharing your background, interests, concerns, and goals will all help your mentor provide the most effective guidance and recommendations and connect you with other potential contacts and mentors.
• Ask questions! No better way to learn from your mentor’s experience.
• Welcome honest feedback. Consider asking your mentoring partner for their assessment of your strengths and opportunities for growth. One way to do this is through a mock interview or review, which can provide structure and valuable practice.
• Focus on “what can be done” rather than complaining about your present circumstances.
• Mentees should keep their mentor’s opinions, comments, and statements confidential.
• Consider your mentor’s advice, but you should ultimately make your own decisions.

Tips for Mentors

• After the initial meeting, the mentee should take responsibility for following up but be proactive in sharing your availability and setting the time/place for additional sessions.
• If your mentee doesn’t offer topics to discuss, ask them whether there are specific topics they would like to go over so that you can make the most of your sessions.
• If needed, try to guide the conversation, and ask open-ended questions to understand better your mentee’s interests and where you can be most helpful.
• Try to be as accessible as possible, provide your mentee with undivided attention, serve as a sounding board, appreciate your mentee’s perspective, and offer encouragement as needed.
• Be a good listener and a good communicator. Enable your mentee to benefit from your experience.
• Push your mentee to try new things and seek to build their confidence.
• Mentors should keep conversations with their mentees confidential.
• Expand your mentee’s network and introduce them to other potentially valuable connections.
• Just as you provide feedback, seek feedback on how to be a better mentor.

For more information about the Antitrust Mentoring Program, contact the Antitrust Membership Committee at [email protected] to the attention of Kevin Wilcock and Jeanette Bayoumi.