The OnRamp Fellowship matches legal departments and law firms with high-performing lawyers who have taken a break from the field. This year-long re-entry program helps legal departments and law firms connect with experienced attorneys and advance inclusivity in the workplace.
Are you a lawyer who has taken a two-plus-year hiatus and has more than three years of post-license legal practice experience in midsize to large firms, corporate legal departments, or government agencies? Visit OnRampFellowship.com to learn more about how to apply to this program. For organizations looking to hire an OnRamp Fellow, see our detailed FAQs.
women lawyers, one-third of whom are lawyers of color, have been placed in Fellowships to date.
of Fellows have received longer-term offers in legal organizations after their one-year Fellowship.
of OnRamp alums have already ascended to leadership, including GC roles and firm partnerships.
legal practice specialties are practiced by OnRamp Fellows.
Hundreds of lawyers take an extended hiatus from practice every year. With significant gaps in their resumes and a fear that they can’t hit the ground running, these lawyers are often not welcomed back when they return.
The OnRamp Fellowship provides a one-year “returnship” opportunity with law firms and legal departments for 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.
Organizations provide job postings, which are published on the OnRamp Fellowship site.
Step 1
Applicants complete the screening process, which includes a series of writing and skills assessments and structured behavioral interviews.
Step 2
The OnRamp team submits candidates to the organizations. Organizations review the applications, interview selected candidates, and then determine whether to proceed with an offer.
Step 3
Diversity Lab supports these lawyers’ year-long Fellowship through mentoring, coaching, structured cohorts, training, and more.
Step 4
The Fellows who do excellent work will conclude the Fellowship with a current professional reference, and if a relevant position is available, the organization can offer a longer-term role.
Step 5
The Fellowship initially launched with four law firms in January 2014. Due to the success of the pilot, the Fellowship has expanded to include more than 50 of the world’s top law firms and corporations, with more than 115 women lawyers — 35 percent of whom are lawyers of color — having been placed with these organizations.
Several OnRamp alums have already ascended to the upper echelons of leadership, including the partnerships at Big Law firms and general counsel roles in corporations.
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.
40+ leading law firms and legal departments hire returning lawyers through the OnRamp Fellowship, including:
Law Firms:
Legal Departments:
If your law firm or legal department would like to diversify its pipeline and access this untapped talent pool of high-performing lawyers or a lawyer looking to return to practice, please reach out to learn more!