Elevating an Industry: Transforming Mentoring at NSW Law Society
with Zarin Tasnim
NSW Law Society
Mentorloop Impact Award Winner 2024
"We reach out to a lot of different committees, a lot of different people. Whether that's from different backgrounds, different genders, different practicing areas, different age groups - our mentoring program is open to starting from students who are in their last year of studies, all the way to professionals who are almost to that stage of retiring."
The Challenge: Tracking and Measuring Impact
Before using Mentorloop, one of the main challenges we faced was a lack of tools to track the progress and performance of our mentoring program. We had no clear way of visualising how well the program was going, whether intervention was needed, or if the program was achieving its intended impact.
Without a way to measure outcomes, it was difficult to identify areas for improvement or ensure we were delivering value to both mentors and mentees.
Building a Supportive Professional Community
Our mentoring program has had a transformative impact on the legal community. It provides a platform where mentors and mentees can connect, learn, and grow together. For mentees, it’s a valuable opportunity to learn from experienced professionals in their field, gaining insights, guidance, and practical advice to improve their skills and career outlook. Whether they share similar backgrounds or practice areas, mentees benefit from mentors who help them navigate the complexities of the legal profession.
"For mentors, this is also an amazing platform because not only is this a community service for them, but they are able to reflect back on their journey and what they think they could have done better when they were new into this profession."
By guiding young lawyers and helping them develop, mentors help strengthen the profession as a whole. This culture of sharing and learning is at the heart of our mentoring program and supports the legal community in creating a stronger, more connected future.
Ensuring Equal Access and Opportunity
Ensuring equal access to the mentoring program is a top priority for us. We actively promote the program to a wide and diverse audience, reaching out to different committees, age groups, genders, and practice areas. From students in their final year of law school to professionals nearing retirement, the program is open to all.
We take special care to encourage participation from underrepresented groups, ensuring that everyone—regardless of background—has the opportunity to be part of the program. Our current gender ratio is close to 50-50, and we continue to focus on expanding opportunities for diverse participants across the legal profession.
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Cultivating a culture of mentoring, collaboration and mutual growth
"One of the values of the Law Society of New South Wales is to create a culture of continuous learning and growth. And I think the mentoring program fits very well within that value."
Our mentoring program aligns perfectly with this goal, fostering an environment where members support each other’s educational and career development. By bringing together experienced professionals and those just starting their careers, the program encourages collaboration and mutual growth.
We’re always looking for ways to improve the program, gathering feedback from committees and participants to ensure it meets the needs of our members. We also provide training and resources for both mentors and mentees, ensuring they have the tools to make the most of their mentoring experience.
Future Plans: Expanding with Mentorloop Features
Looking ahead, we’re excited to take full advantage of Mentorloop’s features to further enhance our mentoring program. One of our key plans is to implement Group Loops—a feature that will allow us to create specialised networking groups within the program. These groups could focus on participants from diverse backgrounds or those who share similar challenges, providing a space for them to connect, share experiences, and support each other.
In addition to our one-on-one mentoring matches, we believe Group Loops will be particularly beneficial for minority groups who may feel isolated in their field. Creating a community where they can exchange ideas and learn from one another will take our mentoring program to the next level.
I think the best part about utilising Mentorloop is it has so many useful features that we can use to further enhance our existing program.
With Mentorloop’s support, we’re confident that these additions will enrich the mentoring experience for our members and continue to foster a culture of growth, inclusivity, and professional development.
Zarin Tasnim
NSW Law Society
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The whole culture of guiding one another and sharing insights with one another and being able to connect and being able to help each other, is a great initiative that ultimately helps our organization and our profession as a whole.
Zarin Tasnim,
NSW Law Society
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