The law is a unique profession in which attorneys learn by doing. That distinction makes mentorship a crucial part of any attorney’s success. Meaghan Krupa, recently elevated to Partner in the Corporate & Business Group and Co-Chair of the Women’s Forum at Hinckley Allen, shares how valuable mentorship has been in the development of her legal career and how her clerkship experience and other mentor relationships have shaped the way she supports more junior attorneys.

What do you enjoy about your practice?

I was initially attracted to a transactional corporate practice because it is team-based, often collaborative and, although parties’ interests differ, all parties are ultimately working towards the same goal – getting a deal done. I especially enjoy the relationship-building and counseling aspects of corporate law. As we learn more about a client’s business, the industry it is in, and the business’s objectives and strategy for the future, we can deliver practical, business-oriented legal advice. It is very rewarding to help our clients develop and grow their businesses.

How do attorneys at Hinckley Allen collaborate to provide superior client service?

One of the facets of Hinckley Allen that I really appreciate is how often I work with attorneys based in other offices and specializing in other practice areas. Because we have a robust regional presence and many strong practice areas, it is easy to collaborate with other attorneys and provide a well-rounded representation for our clients. As a transactional attorney, I frequently work with attorneys specializing in other areas of the law, and have found that Hinckley Allen attorneys are driven to collaborate to deliver the best possible results for our clients.

Tell us about the Women’s Forum and your involvement with it.

Among other things, the Women’s Forum provides an opportunity to foster many of the mentor relationships that are already happening organically. My Co-Chair, Michelle Peirce, and I have launched a formal mentorship program that matches three to four attorneys from different offices, practice areas and seniority levels to provide attorneys with additional connections and resources within the firm. We also circulate a quarterly Women’s Forum newsletter to highlight the accomplishments of our colleagues and other events, sponsorships and opportunities that may be of interest, and have added a “member interview” segment to our regular meetings where two members ask each other about their practices, interests outside of work, and advice for others. These opportunities, in addition to the Women’s Forum’s other initiatives, are designed to strengthen connections, foster mentorship, generate cross-selling, and enhance professional development.

What is the value of mentorship for attorneys?

I do not have any other lawyers in my family, so I have always looked to more experienced attorneys for general guidance and career advice. I am grateful for the mentors I have had throughout my career and the positive impact they have had on my personal growth and professional development. Having had such positive mentor relationships throughout my career has motivated me to mentor more junior attorneys. While law school is informative, the law is a dynamic profession and a lot of an attorney’s skill development and growth happens while practicing, which makes mentorship by more senior attorneys a crucial part of the legal profession. We are also able to provide better service to our clients when members of our team are knowledgeable about the transaction and have the tools to develop the necessary skill set. Much of this knowledge and skill-development derives from hands-on mentorship and the ongoing guidance of more experienced attorneys. As a new partner, I look forward to continuing to mentor more junior associates as they develop their skill sets and grow their practices.

How did clerking shape your attitude towards mentorship?

After graduating from law school and before I started practicing, I clerked for the Delaware Court of Chancery. Clerking was a really transformative experience. Not only was I able to observe judicial proceedings involving very experienced attorneys at the beginning of my legal career, but I was able to learn communication, critical thinking and professional development skills from an experienced, well-respected judge who is a great mentor of mine. My clerkship experience helped solidify how I view mentorship and the intentionality with which I have built my practice, and I am forever grateful to have had that experience.