matrimonial (or in fact any!) lawyers: i'm a student, what should I be asking my mentor?

[cheritongirl]

I am just about to start on the GDL so am obviously a complete newbie to the Law, but as part of my course I have been a keen bean and gotten onto a mentoring programme that is really for people a couple of years ahead of me (its a PT course). So I have been allocated a mentor who is a matrimonial specialist - and TBH I have no idea what I should be asking him.. I want to look intelligent, enthusiastic and have penetrating questions but I know so little about this area of the Law that I am worried I will look an idiot.
I think I would like to work in family law but its very early days for me yet obviously!
TIA

[olala]

okey dokey.

You could ask about how he thinks the Carter reforms are going to effect legal aid available for care work and legal help divorces.

You could ask him about all the diff areas of family law and what he thinks are the qualities of each:

• private children law - rows between parents basically.
  
• public children law - whgen social services are involved and it is all bloody awful.
  
• divorce - quickie, cheap, sorted.
  
• ancillary relief - the most boring thing known to man. basically going thru other people's bank statements and receipts.
  
  He will not expect you to know much so really don't worry.

[cheritongirl]

thanks olala.. thats a great start!