Search

Tiered Community Mentoring Program kicks off sixth year

Thursday, Oct. 30, 2014
Article Picture
Participants of the MBA's Tiered Community Mentoring Program met at the John Adams Courthouse on Oct. 24.

The Massachusetts Bar Association's Tiered Community Mentoring Program entered its sixth year with a kickoff event at the John Adams Courthouse on October 24. Mentor-mentee teams heard from several speakers, including former U.S. Senator William "Mo" Cowan, now of counsel to Mintz Levin.

MBA President Marsha V. Kazarosian welcomed both mentors and mentees, and conveyed the importance of mentoring in professional development.

"Any lawyer will tell you that he or she could not have gotten to where they are today without some help along the way," said Kazarosian. "For many, that help was in the form of a mentor, whether it was a senior attorney, law school professor or bar association volunteer."

Cowan, now of counsel to Mintz Levin, spoke about how failure played a key role in his career. While a student at Duke University, he flunked a chemistry exam which made him rethink being a pre-med major and exposed him to other academic disciplines where he excelled.

"All my success is because I have failed," said Cowan. "Your failures are nothing more than the seasonsing that will make your success taste all the sweeter."

After the speaking portion, program participants met with their teams before making their way to the State House for a special tour of the newly renovated office of Governor Deval L. Patrick.

The MBA's Tiered Community Mentoring Program provides high school, undergraduate and law school students access to legal professionals, an understanding of the legal profession and an awareness of the career opportunities available. Participating schools are New Mission High School, Roxbury Community College, Northeastern University and Suffolk University Law School.