Women in Leadership Mentoring Programme

The Law Society’s Women in Leadership Mentoring Programme matches solicitors with experienced mentors to advance their careers, build confidence, clarify career goals and develop their leadership potential.

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The refreshed programme runs over six months and forms part of the Law Society’s wider focus on leadership development and high performance across the profession. It brings solicitors together to reflect on career direction, strengthen professional capability and take practical action towards their next steps.

Further details will be provided to successful applicants.

Applications now open

Applications are now open for the next cycle of the Women in Leadership Mentoring Programme.

The programme will include up to 50 mentor–mentee pairs. We will make matches based on participants’ objectives, professional experience, preferences and availability. Where demand exceeds capacity, eligible applicants may be placed on a reserve list.

Applications close on Friday 25 September 2026.

Submitting an application does not guarantee a place or a match.

Why apply?

Becoming a mentee gives you the opportunity to:

  • Advance your career through focused mentoring.
  • Clarify career goals and identify practical next steps.
  • Build confidence in professional and career decisions.
  • Develop leadership potential and professional presence.
  • Gain perspective from an experienced solicitor.
  • Take part in leadership and development activity during the programme.
  • Explore future learning and development opportunities across the Law Society.

By becoming a mentor, you can:

  • Share your professional experience, perspective and leadership insight.
  • Give back to the profession and shape the next generation of women leaders.
  • Develop your mentoring, listening and leadership approach.
  • Encourage reflection, goal-setting and practical action.
  • Reflect on the decisions, transitions and experiences that have shaped your own career.
  • Build a purposeful professional relationship with a solicitor developing her next step.
  • Contribute to the Law Society’s wider leadership and high-performance agenda.

How the programme works

The programme offers a structured process for both menteers and mentors.

  1. Apply as a mentor or mentee by Friday 25 September 2026.
  2. We review applications and identify suitable matches using participants’ objectives, experience, preferences and availability.
  3. Successful applicants complete onboarding. New participants must complete required self-paced learning before the programme begins.
  4. Mentors and mentees attend mandatory online training on 14 October 2026.
  5. We confirm mentor–mentee matches and issue programme information.
  6. Mentoring begins in late October 2026 and runs as a formal six-month cycle.
  7. Participants reflect on progress and future development through interim and end-of-cycle surveys.

Who can apply?

Mentees

Female solicitors who are qualified members of the Law Society may apply to be mentees. Applicants should normally have at least two years’ post-qualification experience. We may consider applications from solicitors with less experience where they demonstrate clear mentoring objectives and readiness to engage fully with the programme.

The programme offers a one-time mentee opportunity.

Mentors

Mentors will normally have at least 10 years’ post-qualification experience and relevant leadership experience. Previous mentoring experience is valuable but not essential.

The programme welcomes mentors from private practice, in-house, public-sector and other legal roles. Mentors may also bring relevant leadership, coaching or professional-development experience.

What participants say

Mentee experiences

“My mentor provided thoughtful advice, encouragement and practical insight that helped me navigate important career decisions with greater clarity and confidence. The experience strengthened my confidence, decision-making and networking skills.”

Patricia Nitschke (Mentee)

“Meeting with my mentor challenged me to reflect on my development, progress my skills and move beyond my comfort zone—all in an encouraging and supportive way.”

Gillian Cooney (Mentee)

“With my mentor’s support, I learned to recognise the skills I already had and apply them with greater confidence in my professional life. The experience helped me take on greater responsibility and develop my leadership skills.”

Mentee

“This process has made me step back and look at my career in a different way due to the careful questions my mentor has asked me, which is just what I need.”

Mentee, 2024

Mentor experiences

“Serving as a mentor on the Law Society’s Women in Leadership Programme has been a highly rewarding experience. I have been impressed by the exceptional female talent across the profession, and it has been an honour to support mentees as they advance their career goals.”

Sinéad Meany (Mentor)

“The value of mentoring is not simply in imparting knowledge or being the expert. It is about creating a safe, objective space in which a mentee can work through her own goals, recognise her potential and identify practical next steps.”

Mentor

“It was an opportunity to give back to the profession while gaining insight into the experiences of younger solicitors. It was very rewarding to see my mentee’s confidence grow, and I learned from her perspective too.”

Mentor

“This is my fifth-year mentoring. I find it a hugely valuable and rewarding experience.”  

Helen (Mentor)

Frequently asked questions

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Apply now

Applications are now open for the next cycle of the Women in Leadership Mentoring Programme, closing on 25 September 2026.

Queries

If you have any queries about the programme, please contact solicitorservices@lawsociety.ie. 

Blackhall Place, Dublin 7
+353 1 672 4800

© 2026 Law Society of Ireland