Mentorship is one of the most rewarding aspects of my career. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of guiding young lawyers and professionals as they navigate their early careers, make career decisions, and build their professional identities. But mentorship doesn’t only happen in boardrooms, offices, or conference rooms. Some of the most meaningful lessons I’ve shared—and learned—have happened outside the office, on the playing field, at community events, or even during informal recreational activities.

I’ve come to believe that recreation—sports, community gatherings, and other non-work environments—provides a unique and powerful space for mentorship. It’s in these settings that young professionals learn lessons about teamwork, resilience, ethics, and leadership that are often just as important as legal knowledge or technical skills.

Learning Through Play

I’ve always valued sports and recreational activities as a way to balance the intensity of a legal career. Over time, I realized that these environments also offer incredible opportunities for teaching and mentoring. When young professionals join in—whether it’s playing a casual game of soccer, participating in a charity run, or helping organize a community event—they encounter challenges that mirror professional life.

Sports, for example, teach discipline, strategic thinking, and adaptability. You learn how to handle setbacks, adjust your approach, and keep pushing forward. These lessons are directly applicable to law and business. I’ve seen young lawyers who struggle with negotiating complex contracts or presenting in front of clients gain confidence after leading a team in a recreational setting. They learn to communicate under pressure, think quickly, and work collaboratively—skills that carry over to the office in a very real way.

Building Trust Outside the Office

Mentorship isn’t only about teaching skills—it’s about building trust. Some of the most honest conversations I’ve had with mentees happened outside the formal office environment. Whether we’re coaching a youth sports team together or volunteering at a community event, those informal settings allow people to let their guard down.

Young professionals feel more comfortable sharing concerns, asking questions, and seeking advice when the setting is relaxed and supportive. Recreation removes the hierarchy and allows relationships to grow organically. It’s easier to discuss career challenges, personal goals, or ethical dilemmas when there’s laughter, shared effort, and common purpose outside of work pressures.

Teamwork and Leadership Lessons

One of the greatest advantages of mentorship through recreation is the chance to teach leadership in action. In a game or team activity, leadership isn’t theoretical—you see it unfold in real time. You learn to motivate others, delegate responsibilities, resolve conflicts, and celebrate successes as a group.

I’ve noticed that young lawyers who participate in team-oriented recreational activities often become more effective collaborators in their professional roles. They are more attuned to others’ strengths, more willing to listen, and better able to inspire confidence in those around them. These qualities are invaluable in law, where collaboration and trust underpin every successful client relationship or corporate transaction.

Instilling Ethical and Professional Values

Recreation also provides a natural way to instill ethics and professionalism. Sportsmanship, fairness, and integrity are emphasized in games and competitions, just as they are in law. Young professionals quickly see that cutting corners or disregarding rules has consequences—not just for themselves, but for the team.

Mentorship in recreational settings allows these lessons to resonate in a personal, memorable way. When I watch a young attorney advocate for a teammate who made a mistake on the field, I see the same sense of fairness and accountability translate to how they approach clients, colleagues, and professional responsibilities.

Mentorship Beyond Skills

Another benefit of mentoring through recreation is the opportunity to address personal growth. Work can be stressful, and young professionals often face pressure to perform perfectly in every task. Recreation encourages balance, resilience, and perspective. It teaches that setbacks aren’t failures—they’re learning opportunities. It encourages risk-taking, creativity, and confidence in a supportive environment. These qualities strengthen both professional performance and personal well-being.

I’ve often reflected on how these lessons mirror my own upbringing. Growing up in Miami as a Cuban-American, I learned the value of perseverance, teamwork, and community through informal settings long before law school. Recreation shaped not only my character but also my approach to leadership and mentorship.

Making Mentorship Accessible

For lawyers and professionals interested in mentoring young talent, incorporating recreational activities can be simple but impactful. Organizing sports games, volunteering for community events, or even hosting informal outings can create spaces where learning and growth happen naturally. The key is to approach these opportunities with intentionality: observe, guide, and provide feedback, while allowing mentees to experience challenges and develop independence.

It’s also important to be inclusive. Recreation should be a tool for engagement, not exclusivity. Activities should welcome diverse backgrounds and skill levels, reflecting the collaborative and equitable environment we strive to create in the professional world.

Mentorship doesn’t end at the office door. Some of the most enduring lessons I’ve shared and witnessed with young professionals have occurred outside traditional settings—on the field, in the community, and during recreational activities. These moments cultivate teamwork, leadership, ethics, and resilience, while also building trust and deepening relationships.

For young professionals, these experiences offer not only skill development but also perspective, confidence, and a sense of belonging. For mentors, they provide an opportunity to guide, inspire, and shape the next generation in ways that extend far beyond legal knowledge.

I’ve found that blending mentorship with recreation is more than a strategy—it’s a philosophy. It reminds us that professional growth is holistic, that learning happens everywhere, and that investing in people outside the office often returns the greatest rewards.