Mentoring Scheme

The Group for Solicitors with disabilities often recieves corespondence from Disabled students who wish to pursue a career in the legal profession. The Correspondence recieved often consists of people in pursuit of support. The Group for Solicitors with Disabilities does not provide legal advice: however for a number of years now the group has been in a position where many of its members are willing and able to share experiences and give advice on the issues students face through our Mentoring Scheme.

About Mentoring  

For a law student mentoring can be defined as a one to one relationship in which an individual experienced in the profession (The Mentor) offers their experience to support and encourage the other (The Mentee) to enter and progress in the profession of a solicitor.  Click here for background information on the problems students face. The relationship will often develop at a period of transition for the mentee,for instance during progression from one academic course to another, from an academic course to a training contract and so on.

The Role of a Mentor

A mentor will be able to teach you the "tricks of the trade" which they have learnt through practical experience. Advice can be given on areas of practice, CVs, application forms, application strategy, interview preparation and career progression. A mentor can in effect act as a role model for students, learning how a disabled solicitor copes with the problems of day to day practice can give reassurance, instill confidence and can provide practical guidance whilst providing the student with a confident, informal peer, counsellor and sounding board.   Please click here for information on becoming a mentor 

Applying for a Mentor

If you are a disabled law student and you feel that you would benefit from a mentor please contact GSD to request an application form. Click here for Contact Details You will then be sent a mentoring application via e-mail or post.  The application form asks for basic personal information and the nature of your disability as disability can be visible or invisible and it aids us with the identification of an appropriate mentor. Once we have recieved your application form it will then be used to identify possible mentors from our database. the chosen mentor will then be forwarded your details and will be in touch.