By: Tracey L. Schroeder
In January 2024, the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois, the Illinois State Bar Association’s Women and the Law Committee, and the Chicago Bar Association’s Alliance for Women launched the Mentoring Circles program, connecting law students and early-career attorneys with experienced mentors in a supportive, low-pressure setting.
The program aims to foster authentic connections and long-term relationships between Chicago-area law students, new attorneys, and mentors. Mentees attend for free, and experienced attorneys are encouraged to volunteer as mentors.
The program was developed by WBAI Immediate Past President Whitney K. Siehl, who was inspired by the impact mentors had on her career. Siehl hopes to make the legal journey easier for those coming after her and believes Mentoring Circles provide invaluable guidance and encouragement.
Participants gain career advice, build connections, and share experiences with others at similar career stages. Siehl shared that moments of mutual support—like mentees discussing their nerves about starting new positions—are central to the program’s success.
Mentoring Circles lay the groundwork for longer-term mentoring relationships. After passing the bar, Illinois attorneys in their first five years of practice can participate in year-long mentoring programs, earning CLE credits and further enhancing their legal careers.
The program’s first meeting of the year took place on November 11th at DePaul University, with a robust turnout and extremely positive feedback.
Siehl and program leaders hope that today’s mentees will one day return as mentors, completing the circle of support and guidance.
This article was originally published in the WBAI Winter 2025 Newsletter on page 27.
