Mentorship Program Happy Hour Pairs Chicago Chapter Mentors & Mentees

The Federal Bar Association (FBA) Chicago Chapter officially launched its Raising the Bar Mentorship Program with a well-attended mentorship program happy hour on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at the Chicago Bar Association’s Winston & Strawn Presidents’ Room. Designed to connect law students and early-career attorneys with experienced professionals in the Chicagoland legal community, the program runs from Fall 2025 through Spring 2026. It represents a cornerstone of the Chapter’s commitment to fostering professional growth and collaboration.

Sponsored by Seyfarth Shaw LLP, Kaplan Law Firm, Miller Shakman Levine & Feldman LLP, Hamilton & Hennessy LLC, and O’Malley & Madden P.C., the event drew mentors, mentees, and members of the FBA Board of Directors for an evening of conversation, introductions, and insight into how mentorship continues to strengthen Chicago’s federal bar.

Introducing the 2025–2026 Raising the Bar Mentorship Program

The Raising the Bar Mentorship Program serves as a bridge between generations of attorneys, pairing law students and new lawyers (within their first three years of practice) with established practitioners who can offer perspective on courtroom practice, career development, and professional identity. Through this initiative, participants gain not only practical advice but also opportunities to become more engaged in the FBA and the broader federal legal system.

The mentorship program's happy hour provided an engaging start to the year-long cycle. Attendees gathered from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., enjoying refreshments before hearing welcoming remarks at 5:45 p.m. Chapter leaders emphasized the importance of mentorship as a defining feature of professional success—one that builds confidence, promotes ethical practice, and encourages community within the legal profession.

At the event, mentors and mentees met their assigned partners for the first time, discussed expectations, and planned their initial follow-up meetings. Each pair is encouraged to meet at least once every other month, either virtually or in person, to ensure steady engagement that fits the realities of busy schedules.

Below are the lists of this year’s participants, who together represent a wide range of practice areas and experiences across Chicago’s legal community:

Mentors

• Sheri Mechlenburg

• Alejandro Ortega

• Erica Achepohl

• Megan O'Malley

• Elizabeth Barton

• Maria Baldini-Potermin

• Tony Garcia

• Chris Stetler

• Kristine Argentine

• J. Bryan Wood

• Maria de las Nieves Bolanos

• Samantha Swartz

• Frank A. Citera

• Sydney Snower

• Eddie Feldman

• Diane Smason

• Melissa Hart

• Grayson Sang Walker

Mentees

• Breanna Lozano

• Lauren Smith

• Analyse Pena

• Noemi Bartolo

• Shannon Cervantes

• Thomas Nguyen

• Giana Galle

• Madeline Domenichella

• Xinzhe Zuo

• Denis Milchev

• Jackson Girard

• San-Der Liao

• Tony Eyer

• Katherine Pearson

• Abhishek Ramaswami

• Jeffrey Grinde

• Wendy Jeter

• Danielle St Amand

This year’s cohort comprises attorneys from law firms, government agencies, and corporate legal departments, as well as students from leading Chicago-area law schools, including Northwestern, Loyola, DePaul, and UIC Law. Their collective diversity ensures a program rich in both professional expertise and personal perspective.

Mentorship Program Happy Hour Strengthens Chicago’s Legal Community

From the outset, the mentorship program's happy hour emphasized the program’s dual mission: to cultivate one-on-one relationships and to fortify the broader FBA community. The event’s relaxed format allowed mentors and mentees to engage in open, candid conversation—an essential foundation for trust and practical learning.

Participants discussed early-career challenges, including managing caseloads, maintaining professionalism under pressure, and finding career direction in an evolving legal market. Mentors shared lessons from their own experiences navigating federal practice, clerkships, and transitions into leadership roles.

Many mentors also used the evening to introduce mentees to colleagues and encourage attendance at future FBA events. These connections are expected to carry forward through additional programming, including mid-year check-ins and optional CLE sessions designed to complement the mentoring relationships.

Sponsors played a key role in making the evening possible. Their support reflects a shared recognition that professional development initiatives strengthen the legal community as a whole. By underwriting program costs, these firms ensure that mentorship remains accessible to all members—particularly students and new lawyers who benefit most from such opportunities.

Continuing Growth Through Mentorship and Federal Bar Association Involvement

The Raising the Bar Mentorship Program follows a structured yet flexible timeline, running through May 2026. While the official program ends in spring, participants are encouraged to continue their relationships beyond that date. Many past pairings have developed into lasting professional friendships and collaborations that extend well beyond a single program year.

Throughout the cycle, mentors and mentees are urged to meet regularly and participate in Chapter events. In doing so, they gain not only the tangible benefits of mentorship—career guidance, skill development, and expanded networks—but also a stronger sense of belonging within the Chicago legal community.

The Chicago Chapter’s leadership continues to stress that mentorship is not just a service to new lawyers but an investment in the integrity of the profession. By encouraging open dialogue and fostering relationships across experience levels, the Chapter reinforces values of civility, inclusion, and lifelong learning that define the Federal Bar Association’s mission.

A Strong Launch to The Inaugural Raising the Bar Mentorship Program

The mentorship program's happy hour successfully launched another year of the FBA Chicago Chapter’s Raising the Bar Mentorship Program, pairing mentors and mentees in meaningful partnerships that will develop over the months ahead. Through shared stories, professional advice, and genuine connection, participants are already laying the groundwork for a supportive and engaged network of federal practitioners.

As the 2025–2026 program unfolds, these mentorships will continue to strengthen the Chapter’s foundation, ensuring that Chicago’s federal bar remains a community rooted in collaboration, service, and excellence. To stay involved with networking and CLE opportunities, explore the Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter’s upcoming events!