Are you a current law student or junior attorney interested in sports and entertainment law? Are you a seasoned legal practitioner looking to help guide the next generation of upcoming lawyers?

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The Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association ("BESLA") Young Lawyers Division ("YLD") is proud to launch the BESLA YLD Mentorship Program which provides opportunities for second-year law students, third-year law students and/or junior attorneys (less than two (2) years out of law school) to be matched with mid-level or senior attorneys in a field of media, entertainment, sports or related industries. BESLA YLD will match up to ten mentees with ten mentors. Applicants will be selected based on availability and the criteria of the program.

 

The mentors and mentees that apply and participate in this program must adhere to the program guidelines, which can be found below.

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The following eligibility requirements must be met for an applicant to qualify for consideration as a mentee:

1. Must be currently enrolled at or graduated from an ABA accredited law school*;

2. Must be in their second-year or third year of law school if the applicant is a law student;

3. Must be less than two (2) years out of law school if the applicant is an attorney;

4. Must have or have graduated with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale);

5. Must demonstrate a clear case on how the requested mentorship will enhance career growth and engagement in the BESLA community;

6. Must commit on a monthly basis to a one (1) hour meeting (virtually or in-person) with their designated mentor for one (1) year. Upon acceptance, mentee will be asked to sign a letter of commitment;

7. Must have a demonstrated interest (through coursework, extra-curricular activities, or work experience) in the entertainment, media or sports industry; and

8. Must agree to provide feedback mid- and post-program on the mentorship program.

*Mentees that are selected will be asked to provide an official transcript to prove eligibility.

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The mentors that participate in the program are expected to adhere to the following guidelines:

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1. Communicate with assigned mentee at least a minimum total of one (1) hour a month virtually or in-person;

2. Clearly communicate advice or guidance;

3. Show empathy when listening to your mentee and providing advice;

4. Connect their designated mentee with others who can help them grow in areas the mentor may not be an expert in;

5. Share stories not just advice; mentees learn best through stories, and they encourage a strong relationship; and

6. Must agree to provide feedback mid- and post-program on the mentorship program.

 

The application process for BESLA Young Lawyers Division’s mentorship program is comprised of one phase for mentor applicants and two phases for the applicants that are applying to be mentees. mentees. The first phase requires mentee and mentor applicants to fully complete and submit their application by February 29, 2024. Mentee applicants must submit their application online by the provided deadline. Mentor applicants will submit by completing the online form. The mentee applicants selected to continue will advance to the second phase. During the second phase, an interview will be conducted with prospective mentee applicants. Mentees that have been selected to be in the program will be notified no later than 9:00pm EST on May 10, 2024.