Mentors Needed for TU Law Program

The University of Tulsa College of Law is seeking attorneys and judges to serve as mentors to law students.

The mentoring program at the TU College of Law is a joint endeavor of the TU Law Alumni Association, the TU College of Law Office of Alumni Relations, and the Office of Professional Development. Students become eligible for the program after their first semester, which means there are more than 140 newly eligible law students. 

“Our first year students are now eligible to be matched with a mentor,” said Kristine Bridges, assistant dean and director of professional development. “A majority of the class has expressed interest in being matched. It’s wonderful to see that kind of enthusiasm from the students, but it requires us to identify more mentor candidates.”

The purpose of the program is to foster relationships between law students and legal professionals to offer a realistic view of legal practice apart from the academic experience in the classroom. It will also expand law students’ networking opportunities within their area of legal interest.

There is no time requirement for mentors; and a number of resources, such as planned events and mentoring tips, are made available by the law school. Attorneys and judges from outside the Tulsa area are also sought as mentors, as matches can also be made with students who return home for the summer or hope to practice in a particular market.

“Being a mentor is a very effective way for legal professionals to give back,” Bridges said. “An hour spent with a law student can make an immeasurable difference for the student and prove very rewarding for the mentor.”

Heather Rahhal, associate director for law alumni relations, said the mentoring program also offers alumni with a unique opportunity to remain involved with the TU College of Law.

“Alumni who serve as mentors are making a remarkable contribution to their alma mater,” Rahhal said. “They add real value to the students’ law school experience and it serves as further motivation to attend more law school events.”

To find out more about becoming a mentor, please contact Heather Rahhal at (918) 631-3320, or heather-rahhal@utulsa.edu.


ABOUT THE TU COLLEGE OF LAW:
The TU College of Law provides an academically rigorous, yet congenial atmosphere with opportunities for scholarship, leadership and faculty mentoring. Students develop practical skills through participation with student-driven legal journals, award-winning moot court teams, two on-campus clinics and a pro bono program. Joint interdisciplinary degrees include a JD/MBA and JD/MTAX, and unique specialties include energy and environmental law and Native American law. The Mabee Legal Information Center is recognized as one of the nation’s top university law libraries. The TU College of Law is one of the four colleges of The University of Tulsa, which is ranked among U.S. News and World Report’s Top 100 Universities. To find out more, visit: www.utulsa.edu/law.