Meaningful Membership

The LCBA installation dinner was held on June 1, 2023, and I am so thankful to the LCBA members who attended the event and made it a success! The theme of my in- stallation speech was that a rising tide lifts all ships, which is also my personal motto. In our increasingly collaborative and interconnected world the saying resonates more deeply now than ever before. The essence of this phrase lies in the belief that when individuals succeed and grow it has a positive ripple effect on those around them. I challenge everyone this year to make your membership count; attend committee meetings, become a committee chairperson, or attend an LCBA event that you have meant to attend for years but you never have before. The more we all grow professionally and personally the more we all benefit from our LCBA membership.

One powerful catalyst for personal and professional growth is mentorship. Mentorships provide guidance, support and in- spiration enabling mentees to grow and benefit from more experienced individuals. Personally, I have benefited immensely from mentorship, and I hope to encourage others to reach out and pay it forward.

Establishing a mentorship sounds like a daunting task but it isn’t, I promise! In my experience simply begin by asking a person whose skills you admire for tips and suggestions. People love to answer questions about their areas of expertise and are often flattered to be contacted for advice. My first professional mentor was the misdemeanor supervisor at the Lake County Public Defender’s office, Greg Ticsay. I simply sat in his office at every opportunity, asked a zillion questions about trial strategy and listened to countless war stories, and eventually the relationship naturally

BY KATHARINE HATCH PRESIDENT

evolved into a mentorship. I still hear his advice while prepping for every trial: keep it tight and don’t kick any doors open.

An often overlooked and invaluable benefit of mentorship is the candid feedback that a mentor is in the perfect position to provide. However, a mentee must have a willingness to listen and adjust if necessary. Listening is also important for both parties to fully benefit from the exposure to a different viewpoint and alternative approach to various professional and personal dilemmas.

The LCBA membership is flush with leaders of the legal community—not only locally, but statewide. Our membership includes a Supreme Court Justice, three Appellate Justices, over thirty local Judges, and numerous practitioners who are titans in their fields of practice. Not only are they members but they are active members, whether through committee chairmanships, mentoring, or their willingness to participate in a host of LCBA activities. In short, a wealth of knowledge waiting to be tapped. Please emulate their actions and meaningfully participate in the LCBA this year!

It is up to us who have benefitted from mentorships to perpetuate the positive impact by establishing our own similar relationships. By paying it forward, mentees embody the spirt of a rising tide, lifting others and contributing to a culture of growth and development. The LCBA is willing and able to set up members with a mentor and to support the relationship. Simply reach out to the organization at 847-244-3143.