“Truthfully, I went into law school not wanting to be a lawyer and not wanting to practice,” she recalls. “It wasn't until I actually got to the practice that I realized how different it was than what I expected, different than what you think of as the private sector, or what you see on TV.”
Today, as a JurisMentor in the Common Law Section, she is helping first-year student Renee Ferguson navigate that same space of possibility, but with something she herself did not have at the time: a mentor.
On March 8, for International Women’s Day 2026, the theme Give to Gain emphasizes the power of reciprocity and support. When we give generously — our time, knowledge, networks — opportunities multiply. Sherhols and Ferguson’s mentorship story brings that message to life.
Giving Forward
JurisMentor (formerly Legal Links and Bridges) began in 1997 and has grown into one of the most developed mentorship programs in the country. It provides students with the opportunity to interact with members of the legal community through mentoring. Sherhols has been involved in JurisMentor on and off since 2015. Her motivation is rooted in gratitude.
“I came to law school as a second career. Through both careers I've been really lucky; people have been so generous with their time and have proactively reached out to take on a mentorship role with me,” she says. “Those relationships have made such a big difference in my own career.”
For Sherhols, mentorship allows her to pass on the generosity that shaped her own journey.
But what she has discovered is that giving does not diminish; it multiplies.
“I really see these types of mentorships as collaborations — as a two-way exchange,” she explains. “I gain so much from our discussions; I learn things and Renee challenges my way of thinking. So, in this way, giving enriches my own perspective and perceptions of the world and the field.”
Each conversation with Ferguson leaves her energized — and optimistic about the future of the profession.
“Every time I leave a conversation with Renee, I learn something new… and it makes me really excited about the future of the legal profession.”
Gaining Confidence
For Ferguson, a 1L in the English Common Law Program, mentorship arrived at a critical moment. Like many first-year students, she felt the quiet pressure to define her future immediately.
“I felt like I needed to know what I wanted to do in law right away,” she says. “Speaking about this with Sarah helped assure me that I could continue to keep an open mindset and allow for many possibilities in my career.”
Though she is still unsure what she wants to do in the future, Ferguson says “it’s really valuable to hear about all the possibilities of where I could go with my career. Connecting with [mentors] who are practicing in different areas of the law, and who have different backgrounds... makes the concept of being a lawyer so much more tangible. You hear about the ins and outs of practice, rather than only learning law from textbooks and classrooms.
“The more experiences I get, the more likely I am to find the things that I'm really interested in.”
Beyond Numbers
Both women are clear that advancing gender equality in law requires more than representation alone.
“We can’t really say that there's necessarily true gender equality… until all women are included and respected,” Ferguson reflects, emphasizing the importance of intersectionality in the profession.
“We need to continue to work on recognizing all of the different factors that intersect with gender discrimination, such as Indigenous identity, race, disability... and be aware of how these things impact people's experiences, either in law school or in the profession.”
Sherhols agrees. “It’s about more than just numbers,” she says. “The next step, in terms of continuing to make progress on gender equality is that intersectionality piece.”
Mentorship, they suggest, is one way to build that more inclusive future. By creating space for guidance, encouragement, and inspiration, mentorship becomes a quiet but powerful form of collective advancement.
The impact does not end here. Ferguson already sees herself paying it forward. “I find it so rewarding to be able to pass on those little pieces of advice,” she says. “I definitely see myself paying it forward.”
In that commitment, the circle continues.
To learn more and get involved, please visit the JurisMentor Program website.