The CPA is proud to welcome you to our Mentorship Program, in which we match members looking to expand their knowledge and further their careers by learning from each other. We believe there is no substitute for experience, but mentorship provides the opportunity for each participant to gain experience by learning about the journey of an experienced paralegal and getting answers to questions pertinent to their practice area. Studies show that mentorship provides more leadership opportunities, creates happier staff members, and improves organizational performance in firms.

 The CPA Mentorship Program will group students in a paralegal studies program, legal professionals not currently working as paralegals, or active paralegals with less than five years’ experience with a paralegal who has more than five years’ experience. Students in a paralegal studies or legal studies program will be able to join a group mentorship program with their peers as fellow mentees, mentored by the CPA Board. A max of ten mentees will be accepted for 2025.  Working professionals will be paired in one-on-one mentorship partnerships.  A max of five pairs will be accepted for 2025.

All active members of the CPA are welcome to participate in the mentorship program. Members will be assigned as a mentee or mentor depending on their status and years of experience. The program runs from May 2025 through December 2025, and participants must be active members in good standing for the duration of the program. Participants must be over the age of 18. Members may apply for the role of mentee or mentor; however, they may be asked to participate in the program in a role other than that for which they applied at the discretion of the CPA board.

Mentees are paralegal students, legal professionals working in a non-paralegal (or an equivalent) role, and working paralegals with less than five years of experience. Mentees can work in any practice area and work as in-house, private practice, or freelance paralegals. Mentees must be willing to commit to the full term of the mentorship program and to do monthly check-ins with their mentor. These can be held in person or virtually, to be decided upon by the mentor and mentee collaboratively. 

Student elegibility requirements are as follows:

• The candidate must be a student of the College of DuPage or Loyola University; and 
• The student must be enrolled in a paralegal studies or legal studies program for Spring 2025 and Fall 2025, and must be registered for at least one paralegal/legal studies class. The student is not required to be enrolled in any classes for Summer 2025.

To be a mentee, please fill out this information and email it to julianne.dibenedetto@gmail.com.

Full Name:
Phone Number:
Best Email Address:
Preferred Method of Contact:

• School name and major:
• Anticipated graduation date:
• What area of law are you most interested in?
• Why are you interested in becoming a paralegal?

If you are currently employed in the paralegal field:

• Employer Name:
• Years of experience:
• Area of law:

Mentors are working paralegals (or an equivalent role) with more than five years combined experience. Mentors do not need to have had that experience at the same firm/company but must have performed the duties of a paralegal for at least 80% of their time in that role. (Paralegal duties can include, but are not limited to, management and organization of case files, drafting of legal documents, conducting research, and assisting with trials). Mentors can work in any practice area and work as in-house, private practice, or freelance paralegals. Mentors must be willing to commit to the full term of the mentorship program and to do monthly check-ins with their mentee. These can be held in person or virtually, to be decided by the mentor and mentee collaboratively. Mentors must also be willing to commit to three check-in meetings with a CPA board member during the term of the mentorship. Mentors must also commit to having a prepared topic/activity for the monthly meeting with their mentee prior to the meeting date. If a mentor needs ideas for topics or activities, they can email mentorship@chicagoparalegals.org.

To be a mentor, please fill out this information and email it to julianne.dibenedetto@gmail.com.

Full Name:
Phone Number:
Best Email Address:
Preferred Method of Contact:

Employer Name (Firm Name or Solo Practitioner Name):
Years of Experience:
Area of Law:

Have you participated in a mentoring program previously? If so, what worked well? What didn’t work well?
Why do you continue to work as a paralegal? What are some aspects you like? What are some aspects you do not like?

Please attach a copy of your resume for our review