Big Law Attorneys Share Why Mentoring Matters: Part Two

In the second part of our “Why Mentoring Matters” series, two attorneys from opposite sides of the country share details of their special bonds with former mentors and thoughts on what makes mentorship most effective and meaningful.

Paul, Weiss litigation partner Liza M. Velazquez, in New York, shares how as a mentor, she encourages her charges to “stretch” and take charge of challenging situations. She urges them to question everyone—even herself—and notes that she may learn as much from her mentees as they learn from her. “Great mentorship requires effort and willingness on both sides,” she writes.

And litigation partner Andrew Wong of Dechert LLP, in Los Angeles, discusses how his mentor’s informal question in an office chat early in his career prompted self-examination that led him to take important career steps. “Through his question,” he says, “he was the one who really forced me to confront my future and what I needed to do. “

Click on the attorneys’ names below to read their stories of how being a mentor, or receiving that kind of coaching or guidance, has played a significant role in their lives and careers.

• Paul, Weiss Partner Liza V. Velazquez (New York)
• Dechert Partner Andrew Wong (Los Angeles)

Then, join us again next week for our third installment of “Why Mentoring Matters.”