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 & 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 FellowsSheila 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
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