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 Screeningo 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 & Supporto Career Counselingo Training in Negotiations, Business Development, Client Service, etc.o Unlimited Online & Live CLEo Monthly Cohort Meetings

Intellectual & Cognitiveo Analysis and Reasoningo Creativity & Innovationo Problem Solvingo Practical Judgment

Research & Information Gathering

o Researching the Lawo Fact Findingo Questioning & Interviewing

Communicationso Influencing and Advocatingo Writingo Speakingo Listening

Planning and Organizationo Strategic Planningo Organizing and Managing One’s

Own Worko Organizing and Managing Others

(Staff/Colleagues)

Conflict Resolutiono Negotiation Skillso Able to See the World Through the

Eyes of Others

Client & Business Relations – Entrepreneurship

o Networking and Business Development

o Providing Advice & Counsel & Building Relationships with Clients

Working with Otherso Developing Relationships Within

the Legal Professiono Evaluation, Development, and

Mentoring

Charactero Passion and Engagemento Diligenceo Integrity/Honestyo Stress Managemento Community Involvement and

Serviceo Self-Development

LSAC Successful Lawyering Study

Source: Shultz and Zedeck 2008

Skills/Personality Assessment

Adapted from MDQ Report; Lawyer Metrics 2012 CLI Presentation

Constructs – • Syntax

• Expression

• Usage

• Free

Writing

• Composite

Source: Ross Guberman

Ross Legal Writing Assessment

Sample Question:

Each of these false statements __________ makes me wonder whether I can trust you.

1. suggests that you’re operating in bad faith, which 2. suggest that you’re operating in bad faith that3. suggests that you’re operating in bad faith which 4. suggest that you’re operating in bad faith which

Source: Ross Guberman

Mary KlumppCooley, Trademark, D.C.18-year Hiatus

Yvette LanneauxBaker Botts, Corporate, New York6-year Hiatus

Mimi OphirSidley, Global Finance, New York16-year Hiatus

Lori TrujilloSidley, Corporate, Tech/Patent, Los Angeles6-year Hiatus

Pamela ZdunekSidley, Global Finance, Chicago20-year Hiatus

2014 OnRamp Fellows

Sheila BridgesCooley, Business Litigation, San Francisco6-year Hiatus

Dora de la RosaSidley, Real Estate, Los Angeles12-year Hiatus

Dana GlennHogan Lovells, Corporate, D.C.8-year Hiatus

Heather HewittBaker Botts, Corporate, Houston15-year Hiatus

Expectations (January) Actual Outcomes (Sept.)

• 5,000 website views• Maybe 50 applicants• 4 placements• Expand by 5 or 6 firms• What else?

• 15,000 website views• 170+ applicants• 9 placements• 30+ firms interested• 20+ news stories

(NYT)• Clients offered to help

The Initial Expectations & Outcomes

The First ‘Returnship’ for Women Lawyers Ever Launched in the Legal

Profession