Women’s Bar Association Mentorship Program officially kicks off year two

October 25, 2019 By Caroline Ourso

After a successful first year, the Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association has continued its mentorship program for another year and is still looking for inexperienced attorneys and law school students interested in joining the program. Pictured are members, including Hon. Richard Montelione (left), Hon. Connie Mallafre Melendez (front row, third from left) and Hon. Heidi Cesare (sixth from right), who attended Wednesday’s interest meeting in Brooklyn Heights. Eagle photos by Caroline Ourso

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The Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association (BWBA) brought together a group of law students, new lawyers and more seasoned practitioners, including three judges, on the top floor of the Brooklyn Bar Association Wednesday night during an event whose purpose was to create fruitful mentor/mentee relationships.

The BWBA kicked off the second year of its mentorship program that night as part of an effort to attract new and younger members to the bar association. Wednesday night’s meeting drew a couple of dozen mentors and mentees, who got a chance to meet with each other and see who is compatible.

The six-month program, chaired by BWBA members Natoya McGhie, Carrie Anne Cavallo and Madeline Kirton, is open to “law school students and newly admitted attorneys (under five years)” who are seeking professional guidance from those with more experience practicing law.

From left: Madeline Kirton, Natoya McGhie and Carrie Anne Cavallo are spearheading the second year of the BWBA’s Mentorship Program.

“This is a learning experience, especially when you’re a new attorney,” said Cavallo, adding that while the program was mainly developed to help younger attorneys find their footing, the mentors benefit from the process as well.

Justice Richard Montelione, a mentor, agreed with Cavallo, offering up his own experiences during the first year of the program as examples of how he felt it benefits both parties.

“You go from talking about the latest music, which I know nothing about, to profound issues of the day and what the law can do for all of us,” said Montelione.

Danielle Ciraola, a local attorney who also participated in the first year of the program, remembered her experience fondly.

“I really value the program,” said Ciraola. “[My mentor] was really there for me, and I think we’ll always have a relationship.”

Ciraola admitted that there were some nerves at first, but said that the committed members of the BWBA have made a sincere attempt to step into their mentorship roles.

“There were some points in the beginning where I was unsure how to approach her because she was a judge,” Ciraola added with a chuckle. “But she really took the time to be involved with me.”

Cavallo, the immediate past president of the BWBA, said that she was also intimidated a bit when she struck out on her own after law school, but that it was programs similar to this that helped dissipate that initial fear.

“You have normal conversations with judges and realize they are just regular people,” Cavallo said. “Eventually, they become your friends.”

So far, the BWBA’s mentorship program has only attracted female mentees, and only a handful of male mentors, but Cavallo noted that the program is open to all. She encouraged male attorneys looking for mentors to reach out to the BWBA.

“My entire career has benefitted from mentors,” McGhie said. “I’ve tried to pay that forward by offering as much guidance as I can to those who are coming up behind me. We’re always looking for more mentees. It’s not too late for people who might read this to reach out to us.”

Attorneys and law school students interested in getting involved in the mentorship program should send applications, including a resume and a 500-word essay, to [email protected] by November 20.