Transition Into Practice Program: About the TIP Program

The Transition Into Practice “TIP” Program matches one mentor with one mentee, allowing more veteran attorneys to share their wisdom and experience with those who are just starting their careers. Mentees will receive knowledge, advice, and hands on experience they do not get in school. The TIP Program is available statewide to all newly admitted attorneys and experienced Mentors are always needed.

Participation in TIP will be in two categories. Mentees will be required during the year to undertake 11 specific tasks such as attending hearings in various courts and going to a bar function. Additionally, they will meet at least four times during the TIP period with their mentor to go over a myriad of discussion topics to assist with their transition into the practice of law. Mentees and mentors will be provided with an extensive training manual and other mentoring resources to assist in their program.

TIP is available to all new admittees whether you are with a firm, serving as a law clerk, working for the government, or considering practicing on your own. Most importantly, there is absolutely no cost for your participation. There is an Annual TIP Reception for mentors and mentees hosted by the Supreme Court and the Bar Association held in the Spring.

While this program is voluntary you should strongly consider participating in it. For mentees, the time investment will pay great dividends as you move from law school into the practice of law. The LSBA and Supreme Court want to make that transition as smooth as possible and this program is here for you. For mentors, one of the main goals of the mentoring program is not only to impart the wisdom, character, and experience of veteran lawyers to younger attorneys, but to foster friendships and collegiality. It also gives experienced lawyers a chance to give back to your profession. Please consider volunteering to become a Mentor!

Barry H. Grodsky
Committee on the Profession

Justice James T. Genovese
Louisiana Supreme Court

CLE Credit

Mentees will receive 25 hours of MCLE credit for completing the TIP Program (which includes Bridging the Gap), satisfying the CLE requirements for newly admitted active members, and for the second full calendar year following their admission.
View more about Bridging the Gap

Mentors who successfully mentor a new admittee receive 6.0 hours of free CLE credit the first year, and 4.0 hours of CLE credit for subsequent pairings.

Mentee Qualifications:

A newly admitted LSBA attorney;
Any area of practice, any practice type;
Enrollment occurs on a rolling basis throughout the year;
Will have at least one year to complete and must enroll and complete the TIP Program before your MCLE deadline.

Mentor Qualifications:

Must have been admitted into the practice of law for a period of at least ten years;
Must have no record of suspension or disbarment from practice;
Must have a professional liability insurance policy with minimum limits of $100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 in the aggregate; and
Must be of good moral character, willing to voluntarily participate in the program, and commit throughout its term to the obligations and duties of being a mentor.

The professional liability insurance policy requirement is not applicable to mentors who are employed as in-house attorneys, or employed by a governmental unit, or “not for profit” entity. These are the only rules or requirements.

Mentee Enrollment

Mentor Enrollment