Law360, “New Fellowship Program Targets Returning Women”
Four BigLaw firms have signed on as the first backers of a new fellowship program designed to help women lawyers who took time away from their careers to transition back to the profession. The four firms participating in the OnRamp Fellowship, Baker Botts LLP, Cooley LLP, Hogan Lovells and Sidley Austin LLP, will consider applications for a wide range of practice areas in 15 cities starting this spring.
Applying lawyers are required to have three years professional experience and have been on hiatus for at least two years. Firms will pay their fellows a $125,000 stipend, with benefits, for a one-year, full-time contract. About 35 career development and other experts are also volunteering support for fellows.
The program, modeled after so-called returnship programs offered at companies such as Goldman Sachs & Co. and Sara Lee Corp. is intended to provide a legal career re-entry, as well as help firms stop the “leaky pipeline,” for women associates who have seen their ranks dip in recent years.
OnRamp’s first-year pilot program is expected to include between five and 20 fellows, depending on the applicant pool and firms’ hiring needs. Though successful OnRamp fellows aren’t guaranteed a job, they can apply for standard firm positions, and will have references and other support for their next stage.
The application and interview process must be completed by February 28, with fellows starting work in April or May.
For additional information, please visit the website.