Esquire 36 needs you

Posted: 11:50 am Fri, August 31, 2012
By Barbara L. Jones

Brent Routman

You experienced lawyers reading this:  Remember starting out as a lawyer? It was intimidating to walk into a social event and you were afraid to ask a question because you’d look stupid?  That situation is the target of the MSBA’s Esquire 36 initiative, to match new lawyers with lawyer “coaches.”

Former MSBA President Brent Routman said that after a very successful first year in 2011, the program is now accepting applications from 2012 graduates wishing to participate. The deadline to apply is Sept 7 and it can be done online here.

The MSBA is also looking for lawyers to serve as experts or coaches.

Experts agree to spend a few minutes on the phone answering quick questions. The MSBA is seeking experts in a host of­­ areas, including but not limited to substantive law areas, geographic practice alternatives, small firm, public interest, or government practice, representing special populations including veterans, professionalism, networking, the politics of the practice, the business of the practice, or debt management.

Coaches work in teams or individually with the graduates to assess their needs and hook them up with the experts.  It’s not intended to be a mentoring program so not a lot of intense time is expected of coaches, Routman said.

This is your chance to be an official expert.  Contact Nancy Mishel at nmischel@mnbar.org or 612-278-6331.