Within the four walls of a classroom, we are taught statutory interpretation, how to apply the laws to hypothetical fact patterns, policy and historical implications of law, and much more. Our professors do their best to impart the importance of real-world application of legal concepts, but within a semester, there are limitations to our understanding outside the classroom.
The Philadelphia Bar Association Tax Mentorship Program, now in its second year, attempts to fill this gap between law in practice and law in the classroom. The program matches students enrolled in tax classes at Temple and Villanova law schools with tax lawyers working in the Philadelphia area. The students have the unique opportunity for informal and honest conversations with those working in tax. While some students are already certain they want to practice tax law, others, like myself, hope to understand what working in the practice actually entails and what skills are necessary to succeed. As a mentee in the program this fall, the experience was invaluable. I was matched with a woman who shared an honest account of her experiences, good and bad. From our talks, I gained valuable insight into what working in “big law” is actually like.
For most law students, the best opportunity we have to ask questions about projects, work-life balance, and office culture is during the interview process. Through the mentorship program, I could be frank about my concerns without considering how they would impact my hiring prospects. My mentor graciously answered my questions about balancing her personal life with work obligations and what her day-to-day looks like. Like countless other law students, I often feel anxious at the prospect of a high-pressure job working at a firm. Especially in a complex and male-dominated field like tax, I often wonder if I am cut out for the job. Due to fear and embarrassment, most of us are afraid to confront these worries and instead experience isolation and apprehension due to these insecurities. Chatting with my mentor, I was surprised to learn she felt similarly as a student and only with time came to understand that she was intelligent, qualified, and a valuable team member.
Programs like the PBA’s for tax mentorship have countless benefits. But for me, two stand out. The most commonly repeated is the unparalleled chance to learn what practice is like straight from practitioners. The other, and one that’s rarely mentioned, is how students can dispel feelings of inadequacy by building community.
I gained so much from these conversations, but I was left wondering why professionals with so much on their plates sacrifice their valuable time to mentor students. When I asked a few mentors, their answer was simple. Most credited their success to mentors who helped them along the way and provided support in a career path that can be daunting. Luckily, many professionals realize the benefits of mentorship programs and hope to pay it forward. These mentors hold the door open for students and junior attorneys and provide an indispensable service. I hope the Philadelphia Bar Association continues to expand with similar mentorship programs in other practice areas.
BIO: Therese Gildea (LAW ’23) is a Content Editor for the Temple 10-Q.