Years ago, my husband and I were sitting in a sports bar in Cabo San Lucas when we struck up a conversation with the man next to us. His name was Lieutenant Jason Pierce of the San Jose Police Department.
He was sitting with a table of much younger men. They were attentive and clearly connected to him in some way. When we asked about them, he gave a surprising answer.
“These young men are my legacy.”
A few years earlier, he explained, the department had recognized the need to strengthen its pipeline of diverse officers. Instead of waiting for candidates to appear, Lt. Pierce traveled to New York and recruited promising young men from the police academy there. He told them that if they came to California, he would help guide them through the recruiting, application, and hiring process.
They trusted him and followed him.
Then he did something that stayed with me.
He remained involved.
He helped them get settled in San Jose. He encouraged them to share housing at first so they could build financial stability. He talked with them about saving money, contributing to their 401(k)s, working hard, and building stable lives.
He took responsibility for helping them succeed. He even used his own timeshare points to bring them to Cabo for a week of reflection and connection.
That kind of commitment reflects something that sometimes grows out of mentorship.
Mentors offer advice, perspective, and encouragement. Those relationships are invaluable. Many of us can point to mentors who helped us see possibilities we might not have seen on our own.
Sometimes mentorship grows into something even more powerful: sponsorship.
Sponsors use their own credibility to create opportunity. They make introductions. They advocate. They open doors and help someone step through them.
For people building careers, the difference can be life changing.
I have been thinking about that story again recently as I settle into my new role as Dean of Lincoln Law School of San Jose.
Many people who serve their communities eventually feel drawn toward the law. First responders, including police officers, firefighters, and EMTs, often bring something the legal profession needs more of: practical experience, judgment, and a deep understanding of the communities they serve.
Lincoln Law School has long been a place for working professionals. Our evening program allows people to continue serving their communities while preparing for a legal career.
One of the traditions we are strengthening at Lincoln is mentorship. Many of our students are now paired with practicing attorneys who help them navigate law school and the early stages of the profession. Over time, some of those relationships naturally grow into sponsorship, as experienced lawyers begin opening doors for the next generation.
Applications for our Fall 2026 class are now open. If you are curious about Lincoln, you can learn more about the program on our admissions page (www.lincolnlawschool.edu/admissions/ ).
If you are a first responder who has ever considered law school, we would be glad to talk with you about whether Lincoln might be a good fit. San Jose deserves lawyers who understand the community from the inside. Many first responders already do.
And if you ever have the opportunity to sponsor someone the way Lt. Pierce did, take it.
You may change a life. Someone might even call you their legacy someday.
