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Mentoring Across Differences:

A Guide to Cross-Gender and Cross-Race Mentoring

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

A. Study Questions
B. Key Findings

INTRODUCTION

A. The Nature of Mentoring in the Legal Workplace
B. Mentoring and Diversity in Law Firms and Corporations

STUDY OVERVIEW

A. Methodology
B. Study Group
C. Research Team

WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE FINDINGS?

A. Starting and Building Mentoring Relationships
B. Creating Reasonable Expectations for Mentoring
C. Building Trust
D. Communicating About Diversity Issues
E. Motivating Factors in Establishing Successful Cross-Gender and Cross-Race Mentoring Relationships
F. Characteristics of Successful Cross-Gender and Cross-Race Mentoring Relationships
G. Barriers to Successful Cross-Gender and Cross-Race Mentoring Relationships

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MENTEES AND MENTORS IN DIVERSE MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS

A. Recommendations for the Mentoring Pair
B. Recommendations for Mentees
C. Recommendations for Mentors

RECOMMENDATIONS TO EMPLOYERS FOR SUPPORTING MENTORING ACROSS DIFFERENCES

A. Create an Environment Conducive to Cross-Gender and Cross-Race Mentoring
B. Ensure Good Work Experiences
C. Make Good Supervision a Management Imperative
D. Make Performance Expectations Clear and Evaluations Fair
E. Educate all Lawyers about Diversity and Mentoring
F. Provide Mentoring Opportunities
G. Support Networking Opportunities
H. Accommodate Work/Life Needs
I. Conduct Confidential Exit Interviews 

PROGRAM MODELS

A. Establishing a Mentoring Program in Law Firms: Checklist
B. Mentoring Program Design for Corporations and Law Departments
C. Core Training Curriculum for a Mentoring Program

APPENDIX

A. Authors’ Biographies
B. Additional Resources

IN APPRECIATION... MCCA extends its appreciation to the following law firms for their financial contributions in support of the production of this research report. Their support has been critical to MCCA's ability to produce and distribute this valuable resource. It is our hope that this information will empower the many in-house counsel who receive it to better manage their careers and achieve their professional objectives.

Eversheds LLP
Foley & Lardner

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Source: Pew Research Center
The overall U.S. birth rate declined 8% from 2007 to 2010. The birth rate for U.S.-born women decreased 6% during these years, but the birth rate for foreign-born women plunged 14%-more than it had declined over the entire 1990-2007 period.1 The birth rate for Mexican immigrant women fell even more, by 23%.
Source: Pew Research Center
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Source: The Washington Post
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Source: Raise D.C.
In 1779, before his time as president, Thomas Jefferson proposed a law to castrate gay men and to destroy the nose cartilage of gay women.
Source: Washington Lawyer
Pennsylvania was the first state to repeal the death penalty for sodomy in 1786.
Source: Washington Lawyer
In 1924 the Society for Human Rights in Chicago became the country's first gay rights organization. Other organizations such as the Mattachine Society and the daughters of Bilitis, were formed decades later.
Source: Washington Lawyer
In 1962 Illinois became the first state to decriminalize homosexual acts done in private between consenting adults.
Source: Washington Lawyer
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Source: The Pew Research Center
To become a citizen of the US, a legal permanent resident must be at least 18 years; have lived in the US continuously for 5 years; be able to speak, read, write, and understand basic English; pass a background check; demonstrate knowledge of US history and government; swear allegiance to the US; and pay the $680 application fee.
Source: The Washington Post
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Source: U.S. Census Bureau
National Women's History Month dates back to March 8, 1857, when women in NYC factories staged a protest over working conditions. International Women's Day was first observed in 1909, but it wasn't until 1981 that Congress established National Women's History Week, celebrated the 2nd week of March. In 1987, the week was expanded to a month.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
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Source: "Generation Broke: The Growth of Debt among Young Americans."
The average young-adult household spends almost one quarter of every dollar earned on debt payments.
Source: "Generation Broke: The Growth of Debt among Young Americans."
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Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

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