There is little question that effective mentorships can profoundly benefit a professional’s career, including a lawyer’s career. Mentors provide mentees with advice and lessons not formally taught in school or on the job, constructive criticism and a safe space to vent about workplace concerns and frustrations. Yet, while mentorships are important, they are not enough. In order for a professional to ascend to the pinnacle rank of his or her chosen field—especially if that professional is a female or minority—there is another essential component that is less commonly understood and more determinative of the endpoint of one’s occupational journey: a career sponsor.

Most lawyers have at least one mentor. Many of us have several, all valuable in their own rights for their own unique experiences and perspectives. Many law firms have formal mentorship programs and expressly encourage lawyers at all levels to participate either as mentors or mentees. In contrast, few lawyers understand what a career sponsor is, and fewer still truly grasp the difference between a mentor and a sponsor.