Whether you’re a law firm or legal department seeking to hire and advance more women, or you’re a woman attorney looking to reenter the workforce, we provide an innovative platform that matches lawyers with year-long paid fellowships, aka “returnships.” Our service is a proven process of preparedness and assessment to ensure rewarding placements for all parties.
gender split at the entry level among large U.S. firms
of partners are women
women left the labor force in 2020
of women trying to return have difficulty finding a career-track position
Hundreds of women lawyers take an extended hiatus from the practice of law every year to raise children and for other reasons. With significant gaps in their resumes and a fear that they can’t hit the ground running, they are often not welcomed back with open arms when they return.
OnRamp Fellowship provides a one-year “Returnship” opportunitiy with law firms and legal departments for women and other returning lawyers to demonstrate their value in the legal marketplace while also supporting their ability to expand their skills, broaden their networks, and accelerate their advancement in law.
Diversity Lab matches experienced, diverse lawyers returning to the legal profession with law firms and legal departments through a science-based process. Once matched, the returners are supported through a year-long Fellowship that includes significant training, coaching, and a cohort of other returners.
Legal organizations post open lawyer roles.
Diversity Lab recruits and screens qualified, experienced returners for the roles.
Participating legal organizations hire Fellows for the year-long Fellowship and Diversity Lab supports their career growth and advancement throughout the year and beyond.
Law firms and legal departments that value experienced, diverse lawyers with nonlinear career paths are encouraged to join this movement to bring returning lawyers back into the profession. Lawyers—including women and other diverse lawyers—who took a two-plus-year hiatus and have three-plus years of post-license legal practice experience in mid- to large firms, corporate legal departments, or government agencies are encouraged to apply.
Currently, 35+ law firms and legal departments are recruiting and hiring returning lawyers through the OnRamp Fellowship. More than 115 women lawyers—30 percent of whom are lawyers of color—have been placed thus far with these organizations as a result. Several of the OnRamp alums have already ascended to the upper echelons of leadership, including the partnership ranks of BigLaw and General Counsel roles in corporations.
OnRamp Fellowship has been highlighted in the media. Read the full coverage here.
In 2021, Diversity Lab introduced OnRamp 200, an effort committed to bringing 200 women lawyers back into the legal profession by 2025. If your law firm or legal department wants to diversify without the hassle of finding prospects with the right skill set, who align with your work culture, let us help you find the perfect match.