The First ‘Returnship’ for Women Lawyers
Ever Launched in the Legal Profession
Why did she leave?
How do we know she’s really ready to
come back?
Can she hit the ground running?
Where will she fit in our advancement and
compensation scheme?
Why did she leave?
How do we know she’s really ready to
come back?
Can she can hit the ground running?
Where will she fit in our advancement and
compensation scheme?
Can she hit the ground running (and
eventually advance at the firm)?
• Rigorous Screening
o Candidates: (1) Skills/Personality Assessments, (2) Writing Test, (3) One-Hour
Screening Interview and (4) Developmental Reference Check
o Law Firms: Culture Assessment & Bright Spot Study
• Real Work, Feedback & Internal Champions
• External Training & Support
o
o
o
o
Career Counseling
Training in Negotiations, Business Development, Client Service, etc.
Unlimited Online & Live CLE
Monthly Cohort Meetings
LSAC Successful Lawyering Study
 Intellectual & Cognitive
o Analysis and Reasoning
o Creativity & Innovation
o Problem Solving
o Practical Judgment
Conflict Resolution
o Negotiation Skills
o Able to See the World Through the
Eyes of Others
 Research & Information Gathering
o Researching the Law
o Fact Finding
o Questioning & Interviewing
Client & Business Relations –
Entrepreneurship
o Networking and Business
Development
o Providing Advice & Counsel &
Building Relationships with Clients
 Communications
o Influencing and Advocating
o Writing
o Speaking
o Listening
Working with Others
o Developing Relationships Within the
Legal Profession
o Evaluation, Development, and
Mentoring
 Planning and Organization
o Strategic Planning
o Organizing and Managing One’s
Own Work
o Organizing and Managing Others
(Staff/Colleagues)
Character
o Passion and Engagement
o Diligence
o Integrity/Honesty
o Stress Management
o Community Involvement and
Service
o Self-Development
Source: Shultz and Zedeck 2008
Skills/Personality Assessment
Adapted from MDQ Report; Lawyer Metrics 2012 CLI Presentation
Ross Legal Writing Assessment
Constructs –
•
Syntax
•
Expression
•
Usage
•
Free Writing
•
Composite
Source: Ross Guberman
Sample Question:
Each of these false statements __________
makes me wonder whether I can trust you.
1.
2.
3.
4.
suggests that you’re operating in bad faith, which
suggest that you’re operating in bad faith that
suggests that you’re operating in bad faith which
suggest that you’re operating in bad faith which
Source: Ross Guberman
2014 OnRamp Fellows
Sheila Bridges
Cooley, Business Litigation, San Francisco
6-year Hiatus
Dora de la Rosa
Sidley, Real Estate, Los Angeles
12-year Hiatus
Dana Glenn
Hogan Lovells, Corporate, D.C.
8-year Hiatus
Heather Hewitt
Baker Botts, Corporate, Houston
15-year Hiatus
Mary Klumpp
Cooley, Trademark, D.C.
18-year Hiatus
Yvette Lanneaux
Baker Botts, Corporate, New York
6-year Hiatus
Mimi Ophir
Sidley, Global Finance, New York
16-year Hiatus
Lori Trujillo
Sidley, Corporate, Tech/Patent, Los Angeles
6-year Hiatus
Pamela Zdunek
Sidley, Global Finance, Chicago
20-year Hiatus
The Initial Expectations & Outcomes
Expectations (January)
•
•
•
•
•
5,000 website views
Maybe 50 applicants
4 placements
Expand by 5 or 6 firms
What else?
Actual Outcomes (Sept.)
•
•
•
•
•
•
15,000 website views
170+ applicants
9 placements
30+ firms interested
20+ news stories (NYT)
Clients offered to help
The First ‘Returnship’ for Women Lawyers
Ever Launched in the Legal Profession