When the Foundation’s Pro Bono Director Sophia Chang first signed up for the Supreme Court of Ohio’s Lawyer to Lawyer Mentoring Program, she was fresh out of law school and eager to gain the advice and support of a seasoned attorney. Now that Chang is established in her career, the roles have reversed; she generously donates her time as a mentor, paying forward the help she received.
“It’s important that new attorneys have someone they can go to with the tough questions,” Chang said. “I enjoy sharing with my mentees what I have learned along the way.”
One of her mentees, Tricia Young, took an unconventional path to becoming a lawyer. When her daughter left for college, Young realized a long-held dream and applied to law school. After graduating from DePaul University College of Law during the pandemic, she established a solo practice in Columbus with a focus on advocating for underserved communities.
Changing careers in mid-life hasn’t been without its challenges. Young joined the mentoring program hoping to get practical support and encouragement as she navigated the transition to owning a practice.
“I wanted to learn from someone who was doing the work that I was passionate about, and I also wanted to learn from someone that looked like me,” Young said. “The mentoring program was an opportunity to connect with another woman of color, to learn not just about practicing law, but all of the unspoken things that go along with being a woman and minority in this space.”
The two women hit it off at their first meeting, beginning a relationship that has proved long-lasting and mutually beneficial. In Young, Chang found a new volunteer for the Ohio Justice Bus, a mobile legal office that provides free civil legal help to underserved Ohioans. As the managing attorney for the Bus, Chang saw Young’s passion for giving back was a natural fit for pro bono service.
“It’s been a pleasure watching Tricia grow as an attorney,” Chang said. “It’s so crucial to build a community when you’re a new lawyer. I am happy to offer that support to Tricia just as others have offered it to me.”
Visit the Ohio Justice Bus for a complete list of clinics and to volunteer. For more information on the Lawyer to Lawyer Mentoring Program, visit the Supreme Court of Ohio’s website.