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VACDL mentor program is continuings to grow

While Virginia criminal defense attorneys struggle with those complicated fee waiver forms and skeptical judges, many of them are taking time out to help their newer colleagues. The Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys reports a surge in applications for its award-winning mentorship project. What’s more, the VACDL is looking for even more participants for its program.

With court-appointed lawyers coming under increased scrutiny and oversight, it can be intimidating to join the ranks of those who represent indigent criminal defendants. While training is available in the form of seminars and workshops sponsored by the Virginia Indigent Defense Commis-sion, the VACDL program offers personal guidance.

Under the program, a less-experienced lawyer or even a veteran returning to the fray can get matched up with an experienced Virginia criminal attorney to discuss cases, plan trial strategy, or generally get advice on how to navigate the system.

According to assistant federal public defender Carrie Grady of Richmond, the program is probably most beneficial for newbies in rural parts of Virginia. In smaller cities and towns, there is less likely to be a network of criminal defense attorneys to confer with.

VACDL member Margaret Nelson of Lynchburg acknowledges that it sometimes can be tough to match up a mentee with a mentor in a rural community. Nevertheless, she says, “If the mentee agrees, we match with a VACDL attorney in another part of the state who can help.” Nelson points out that with e-mail, cell phones, and the VACDL’s listserv, distance is not a barrier to getting good advice.

The VACDL mentorship program began in 2005 with grant money from the Virginia Law Foundation. Ten training programs around the state helped get everyone ready. In two years, about 40 mentor/mentee relationships were established. In 2007, the Virginia State Bar recognized the program with an Award of Merit.

The program now is supported exclusively by the VACDL, so members are turning to the grassroots to get the word out to those who might benefit. “We ask our members to be mindful of young lawyers when they see them in the courthouses because personal contact is best way to give information,” said Nelson.

An application and a set of guidelines are available at the group’s Web site, http://www.vacdl.org/.

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