hi fellow law gals! my junior associate mentee is going to trial for the first time (multi-week jury trial!!!) and i’m curious what small gifts/gestures would be most appreciated? i’ve been loading her up with coffee gift cards and encouragement but lmk if there are any other things you would have loved to receive during the stress of trial. thx!

I’m not a litigator so don’t know what would be helpful as to gifting. But you sound like the best mentor ever! Your mentee is fortunate you’re in her corner.

That’s so kind! Caffeine and snacks for sure, a mini first aid kit, sticky notes or a fun pen. To the extent the trial is local and you can be a gopher for forgotten supplies, printer cartridges, etc., make the offer, so the trial team doesn’t have to think about it

What she might need most is someone who will check in periodically on how she’s holding up, and be a sounding board if she needs one. The hardest part of being a junior is not having enough experience to know what to expect - and even though her instincts are probably pretty good, it’ll help if she has someone she can talk things through with who isn’t on the trial team and is totally on her side. And if you proactively check in on her, she doesn’t have to worry that she might be bothering you with too many questions.

Make sure she’s carving out some time daily to recharge - not just by getting enough sleep, but also by having some self-care rituals to help fight fatigue. Some people like yoga or a run/brisk walk, for example - but whatever works best for her to take the edge off the constant stress.

Maybe help her figure out in advance her self care plan and give her tips on how to enforce those boundaries - women especially can be terrible at that! (Even very senior/experienced women attorneys!) In my experience, even the most aggressive/demanding partners know that a bit of time for self care daily improves performance - and will respect that time, especially if she makes it clear she needs it to stay on her game the rest of the time. You can’t be at your best if you don’t look after your physical and mental health.

When you check in with her during the trial period, mostly keep it brief over email/text, but offer to talk over the phone as well. Maybe set up a specific time for a catch up call, again so she doesn’t worry about “bothering” you. That’ll help you get a better sense of how she’s *really* doing, listen to her download the good the bad and the ugly of the trial so far, and resist the urge to offer a lot of advice unless she asks for it. Even if she does ask, maybe get her to tell you what she thinks she should do - then reinforce all of her good instincts, and help her learn to trust herself! And of course, if she is just LOVING trial and finding she’s naturally awesome at it, then cheer her on and know you are part of her success!

Sorry for the long reply - but you’re an amazing mentor to be thinking about how to help your junior associate get through this big career milestone. Just knowing you are in her corner is going to be invaluable!

You’re doing enough for her. Take care of yourself.

I can tell you what got me through trial as a junior was hotel wine, caffeine eye patches and gummy candy

This is so nice!! I had my first trial last year and this is what I would want. Snacks (both the kind you take to the courthouse like bars or nuts and something for the hotel or home). Uber Eats or door dash gift card is nice for meals when you get back and don’t want to think about meals. And my mom gave me a few sheet masks which was just a nice way to unwind!

You are a girls’ girl and I love that for you AND your mentee - maybe a dinner out to celebrate when she’s through it!