Guidance for the Next Generation of Lawyers
Practical training and honest mentorship to support new lawyers, grounded in legal practice and teaching.
Mentorship for Lawyers and Support for the Firms They Serve
for New Lawyers
Every decision the new lawyer makes needs to be shaped by a clear sense of purpose. Your journey has been anything but ordinary. Through every step, focus on staying true to your values, making space for thoughtful, lasting work and achieving your personal goals.
for Law Firms
This website began as a passion project and has evolved into something more. Simple ideas, strong relationships and lasting impact. Law firms that support mentoring benefit all their lawyers, whether or not they participate in any formal program.
for Mentors
Not surprisingly, mentors often receive more than they give in a mentor relationship. Being a mentor sharpens skills and allows passing insights on about law practice to the next generation.
Meet JB Burtch
Jack W. Burtch, Jr. has practiced labor and employment law for many years, working in large, mid-sized, and small firms throughout his career. He has also served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Richmond School of Law since 1994, where he teaches Negotiations and Client Counseling.
JB has mentored generations of law students and new lawyers, helping them navigate the transition from law school into practice with confidence and sound judgment. He has been recognized throughout his career for both legal ability and professional integrity, including listings in Martindale-Hubbell, Best Lawyers in America, and Virginia Super Lawyers. He was inducted into the Virginia Lawyers Hall of Fame and received the Richmond Bar Association’s Professionalism Award in 2025.
Practical guidance for new lawyers
Raising the Bar
The Mentor Guidebook for New Lawyers
A practical companion for lawyers entering the profession, offering clear guidance on the skills that shape a successful legal career.
Published Work
Insights, observations, and reflections on the realities of legal practice, informed by decades of experience and the ever-changing landscape of the legal profession.
Personal Assistance
Schedule a Conversation with JB.
Whether you're navigating your early career or facing a specific challenge in practice, you can reach out for a conversation grounded in real-world perspective.
Why Mentorship
Today, a law school degree and bar membership open the door to a profession almost unlimited in scope. Even at a time when the practice of law is challenged, there are certain foundational principles the successful lawyer needs to absorb. The quicker that happens, the greater the new lawyer’s advantage.
Contact JB
A one-on-one discussion about mentorship, law practice, and navigating the early years of your career.