A Mentor Moment with Jeff Kahane, KC
“That fear of not being perfect or fear of not succeeding… often stands in the way of something very amazing. Even if you ‘fail’ but you learn something from the experience, it is not a failure at all!”
Jeff Kahane, KC joined the Law Society’s Mentor Connect Program in 2016 and the Mentor Express Program in 2019.
Q: Tell us a bit about your current mentoring relationship:
A: “I had a few touching ones. We have stayed connected. I had a recent one where the direction I encouraged, was to start his own firm. He was a self starter and entrepreneurial. He did and is doing amazing already!!! Occasionally he touched base with little practical things (like picking a photocopy machine) to trust account best practices. He was keen, excited, and keeps me up-to-date on his milestones.”
Q: How long have you been involved in mentorship?
A: “For the law society… for years before the program started on an unofficial basis. I remember the first time one of my old mentors reached out to me with mentee type questions. It really made me feel good that I could return the favour! In general, I have been mentoring since about grade 9. I am also a mentor for my old high school and each year I work with students in or planning to go to law school. I find it very rewarding.”
Q: What do you enjoy the most about your role as a mentor?
A: “Meeting new people and hearing about their background and experiences, then seeing their growth as the years move forward. One of my non-law mentees (she started a candy business as a 20-year-old) has now moved to the US and has a huge plant producing her candy treats!“
Q: What do you hope your mentee takes away from working with you?
A: “That law can be so fun! Rewarding! And to always run with your heart and ideas! That fear of not being perfect or fear of not succeeding (ironic that the fear of opposing things has the same negative impact) often stands in the way of something very amazing. Even if you “fail” but you learn something from the experience, it is not a failure at all!“
Q: What have you learned from working with your mentees?
A: “That we can always learn to do better, be more efficient and take a moment to look back and see and celebrate the growth over the years. Also, it is a reminder to never get complacent in what you do and it lets me see all the fun in my day to day again. It is like when I drive to the mountains with a friend from Ontario who has never been west. You get to see the amazingness of it all over again through their eyes.“
Q: If another lawyer is thinking about becoming a mentor, what should they know beforehand?
A: “DO IT!!!! Don’t hesitate! It makes such a big difference to someone and only is a good thing for you too! We all need to lean on someone at some point and to be able to give back to the profession that allows us to help people, and make a good living is a gift right back to us!”
The Law Society of Alberta offers Mentor Moments to acknowledge the contributions made by volunteer lawyers in their mentorship programs and to encourage other Alberta lawyers to consider participating. Read more Mentor Moments.
We do not attempt to verify mentors’ statements in their Mentor Moment profiles and the opinions expressed are solely their own. The Law Society of Alberta does not endorse any individual profiled or contents provided.