News Archive
Hall Center Mentor Board Connects Students and Alumni
04/23/2021
When IU McKinney Law student Lizzie Ford wanted career advice, she did not have to search long or far for help.
The Hall Center for Law and Health at IU McKinney has an established Mentor Board to connect legal professionals with students. Ford, a 1L, signed up online and, shortly after, was connected to Anna Fiorvento, ’19, an attorney with a practice in Traverse City, Michigan.
Their virtual “coffee chat” was one of 20 connections that took place during the Fall 2020 semester, with more planned for the future.
“My virtual coffee chat was very helpful,” Ford says. “I prepared by researching my mentor on LinkedIn before the meeting. We started the meeting by talking briefly about ourselves, and she then allowed me to ask whatever questions I had.
“She really met me where I was at as a 1L. She answered my questions about starting her own firm and working in the field of health law. In addition, she also discussed tips she had for 1Ls to help them get involved in the field of health law and do well in law school,” Ford says.
Mentors bring a range of practice experiences, including solo practitioners, as well as those from big firms, hospital corporations, health IT and nonprofit organizations.
In addition to connecting students and members of the legal community as mentors, the Hall Center Mentor Board connected volunteers to opportunities for coaching and advising for Health Law Moot Court team and the Indiana Health Law Review. The board also assisted with providing practitioners to speak on panel discussions for Health Law Society meetings.
The 2020-21 board was led by Jennifer Penman, ’17, as president, and Coffee Chat Chair Jacob Butz, ’20.
IU McKinney alumni are now being sought to fill executive board positions, as well as to serve as mentors to students, an experience that Jennifer Strange, ’09, a partner at Drewery Simmons Vornehm, LLP, said was gratifying.
“I joined the Mentor Board because I thought it was a great opportunity to give back to the law school and connect with and serve as a resource to law students,” Strange says.
“The outreach done through the Hall Center, including virtual coffee chats, provides a great way for students to continue to hone their networking skills and stay connected to the legal community during a time when traditional networking opportunities are few and far between. I have been impressed by the students’ optimism and resilience in the face of an unprecedented year,” she said.
To volunteer for the Hall Center Mentor Board, contact Angela Covele, Hall Center Coordinator, at aacovele@iu.edu.
