On Thursday, February 22, 2007, Chicago-area law and pre-law students were taught the value of mentoring relationships at the inaugural dinner for the Muslim Bar Association's (MBA) Student Mentoring Program. The event was held at the Chicago office of Schiff Hardin LLP.
A panel of MBA attorneys briefly described their practices to illustrate the variety of career opportunities available in the legal profession. Additionally, Schiff Hardin partners gave advice and shared their experiences with the students. MBA member Sahar Dar, who is Chair of the MBA Student Mentoring Program, stressed the importance of seeking out mentoring relationships and explained that the dinner was the first in a series of mentoring panels related to career search and development.
The highlight of the event was a visit from Schiff Hardin attorney Patricia Brown Holmes and other members of the Retired Judges Committee of the Illinois Judges Association, including Hon. Shelvin Singer, (ret.), Hon. William Pendergast, (ret.), Hon. Arthur Perivolidis, (ret.) and Hon. Jesse Reyes, who is the current President of the Illinois Judges Association. Hon. Jesse Reyes stressed the importance of students being actively engaged in the legal profession and the great need for diversity.
Following the formal program, the nearly 60 attendees took advantage of the opportunity to meet the judges and attorneys, make contacts and form mentoring relationships.
