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About the OnRamp Fellowship

The Problem

The Problem

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.

Once these lawyers exit the workforce, it’s not easy to get back in. Since organizations usually hire and advance experienced professionals based on seniority and tenure, it’s difficult for a returning lawyer and their potential employer to know where the returner fits into the traditional structure upon re-entry. And, in most law firms, it is virtually impossible for experienced lawyers to re-engineer their practices because of the rigid billable-rate structure that is typically tied to years of experience. This structure forces skilled lawyers who are not a fit for their current practice area to change jobs or exit the profession for other opportunities.

Because of the re-entry and retooling challenges, there is an untapped pool of experienced high performers who have a strong desire to return to and advance in the legal and financial services industries.

In a market that remains tremendously competitive for top talent, leading organizations cannot afford to overlook this unique collection of highly talented, diverse professionals. So, how do organizations identify and recapture this incredibly valuable asset?

The Solution

The Solution

The Outcomes

The Outcomes

The end result is a high performer who returns to the workforce with upgraded skills and experience, additional contacts, an excellent reference, and a renewed ambition to serve clients. In turn, the legal profession and individual organizations benefit by engaging with a previously untapped pool of high-performing talent and, hopefully, increased gender diversity in the mid-to-senior level ranks.

To date, OnRamp has matched 120+ returning lawyers—1/3 of whom are attorneys of color—to leading law firms and legal organizations for one year, paid Fellowships. 89% of Fellows who completed their year-long internships have received offers to join legal organizations after the Fellowship. Many Fellows have gone on to make partner at top law firms or take on senior roles within legal departments.

Important Dates

I am very excited to begin my job at Pfizer. I know I couldn’t have gotten here without OnRamp, and I hope one day to be fortunate enough to help other women lawyers succeed in their re-entry journey.

– Geeta Oberoi Tholan
OnRamp Fellow

Powered by Diversity Lab

The OnRamp Fellowship, powered by Diversity Lab, benefits participants and fellows alike. Whether you’re a law firm or legal department looking to advance inclusivity in the workplace, or you’re a potential applicant, we’re here to help foster success.