McManis Faulkner Partner A.J. Bastida wrote an article for the Jan./Feb. 2025 issue of The Bencher, the official magazine of the American Inns of Court, discussing several tips to navigate mentorship.
“Guidance from a mentor can be life changing, especially for those who do not have someone in their family or inner circle to provide that personal or professional guidance,” A.J. states at the beginning of his article. He discusses eight key qualities that he often finds in positive mentoring relationships, including active listening, a personal investment, and, most importantly, empathy.
A.J. concludes, “Whether you have 50 years of experience—or none—everyone has knowledge and perspectives that can be valuable to others. When everybody has something to offer, anybody can be a mentor if they put the time into it.”