Senior Verizon in-house legal leader Patrick Flaherty says he’s benefited from having informal mentors since he joined the wireless carrier more than two decades ago. Some who counseled him over the years have moved on to other companies, but he still reaches out.

“Having mentors to talk to has been and continues to be incredibly important,” said Flaherty, who believes mentorship is integral to the growth of junior lawyers, especially those new to the in-house space.