Thomas Muccifori, in addition to being chair of the trade secret protection and non-compete practice at Archer & Greiner in Haddonfield, is hiring chair, and recruiting and retention partner. He first became part of the firm's hiring committee in 1989, when he was an associate. A colleague said: “Over 30 years, Tom has played an integral mentorship role within Archer, providing critical support for many of the firm's Summer Associates and young lawyers, providing guidance on advancing within the ranks and navigating any challenges along the way. He has brought about change for many people, and in doing so has provided others, including female and diverse attorneys, with greater opportunities to develop their careers just as he developed his own career.”

Is the role of mentor one that you set out to take, or you happened into?

I set out to become a mentor. I understood the importance of mentorship, as I was mentored from the time I entered the legal profession by remarkable individuals who took ownership in wanting me to succeed. Through my personal experience, I knew I wanted to pay it forward and give back as a mentor for others.

Why are mentors so important in the legal profession?

Entering the legal profession and adjusting to its complexities and the new environment can be daunting for students and new associates. It is very important for new attorneys to have a mentor who is experienced in the field to show them the ropes, act as a sounding board and to share advice and wisdom. Mentors help young attorneys gain a grasp of the practice of law and put them on a path which enables them to succeed. Mentors are the ones who are there to answer the questions, no matter how basic they may seem, and advise those new to the practice on how to best approach and address problems, concerns and situations that arise.

Good mentors often have learned from good examples. Who are some people who have mentored you?

I was first mentored by my dad, the Honorable Thomas J. Muccifori, and his law partners in the Lomell firm in Toms River, including World War II hero Bud Lomell, who taught me great lessons from the greatest generation, and Robert A. Fall, before and after he became a presiding judge of both the Law and Appellate divisions. Very early on, these great lawyers taught me “sometimes you win, sometimes you learn,” a valuable reminder to watch, listen and learn, advice I have followed as a lawyer and mentor. Following that, I was mentored by former Archer president, the late Edward C. Laird, upon my hiring by Archer as a summer clerk after my first year of law school. Serendipitously, I started as a summer associate the same day as our current president, Christopher R. Gibson, who has for 35 years mentored me and countless other attorneys here on how to be a great lawyer and leader. I've been fortunate to also have many other Archer attorneys, too numerous to list here, serve as mentors for me along the way, and I remain grateful for the mentoring and guidance they each provided.

Law is, for many, more than a full-time job. How does one create time for mentorship?

Creating time for mentoring is truly a difficult task, but it is such an important and rewarding mission that I find a way to make time for it.

How are the business and profession of law changing, and are New Jersey lawyers well-positioned for the future?

The business and profession of law is constantly changing. It moves faster now and is completely transparent thanks to the intersection of law with technology, electronic discovery and social media, not only with respect to my practice area involving restrictive covenants, but across all practice areas. Mentors help young attorneys navigate that sometimes precarious intersection. Also, the business end of the legal practice is evolving, with lawyers constantly trying to give clients the most bang for their buck. New Jersey lawyers are well positioned for the future. We are at the forefront in addressing all the changes and challenges facing the legal profession today and, as always, we stand as a model for lawyers throughout the rest of the country.