Advancing Women In The Law
Opting Back In |
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Are you ready to "on ramp"? That is, are you an attorney who is ready to return to legal practice after leaving law for a year or more to care for your family? Two years ago, the University of California Hastings College of the Law's Center for WorkLife Law (WLL) launched the "Opting Back In" program to help attorneys like you. The program was so successful that WLL decided to expand it by partnering with Lawyers Life Coach, LLC.
Attorneys who have been away from law practice to care for their families for a year or more and want to return to practice.
Special 'Bonus' Calls Will Feature
Participant Feedback and Successes "I recently secured a contract litigation position with a solo practitioner here in Mill Valley! This is exactly what I was looking for and it is thanks to the group that I figured out that while I do want to work I simply can't do something full-time at this time. I have also utilized my networking to secure two other possible opportunities later on down the road. I feel so grateful to the Opting In Program and to the group members for pushing me onward." Caroline J. "I just wanted to share that our call this Thursday will be my last. I will be working with "XYZ" Company (literally my dream company) on a trial basis until December, when they decide whether they want to employ me full-time. While ideally they should have offered me the position I interviewed for to begin with, I understand the need to want to see whether I really fit. In any case, I am over the moon, and intend to give them work-product that makes them LOVE me. I feel very lucky that this opportunity materialized after awhile with our group, because I can see how my confidence and professional presentation savvy have evolved after each successive call, the mentoring of Ellen and Linda, and the guidance of the highly experienced practitioners in our group. For all of this wonderful support, learning, and encouragement I thank you all and wish you the best." Vanessa V. "I have been offered a part-time in-house counsel position for the next three to four months. I will be taking over for their general counsel who is going on maternity leave. I have learned so much from you both and I hope that this job will be my launching pad for future work. Not only will it help to plug the gap in my resume, but I will be learning new skills as well. Once again, thank you for everything that you have taught me, done for me and for helping me get here. I admire you both greatly." Karen B. "Thank you so much for developing this program. It has been tremendously helpful and interesting. The rhythm of the bi-weekly calls is very effective for nudging people into action! And the people on the calls have provided such support to each other, which makes for such a great experience overall." Terri O. "I was able to obtain a part-time externship position at the California Court of Appeal, and of course, I am thrilled. I very much enjoyed participating in the Opting Back In group and I am certain that were it not for the group I wouldn't be in the position I am now. The group taught me to rely on my contacts, kept me motivated, and gave me confidence. I want to thank you for setting up this program and for giving me the opportunity to participate in it. Thank you, thank you, thank you." Sara S. "I have good news for me...I received a great contract offer for one of the companies I have worked with to do their legal work on a contract basis...2/3 time. I have enjoyed working with this group so much. Now that I have accepted this opportunity I am going to focus on making this work for now. I may be back in the future if it does not pan out, but it looks like a great opportunity for me and my family. Thank you for everything and while I am excited to have this position come to me so soon, I am going to miss this group very much. I accomplished much in such a short time due to the focus you provided and got involved and networked in ways I never would have before." Sue M. "I enjoyed my 3 months in the opting-in telephone group, and since I have now successfully opted-in (yeah!), I will be leaving the group. The most helpful aspect of the group for me was the structure and support it provided for the job search process. I also found the tactical and practical information and resources very useful. I am very excited about returning to the practice of law after many years at home. I will be at "XYZ" Law Firm, practicing employment law with public entity clients Thank you very much for the group and your support." Cindy K. "I am now working 3 days a week in a law office. This is my 3rd week. I haven't taken any other steps because I have decided to give this a try before I look into anything else. I am helping an attorney get ready for trial. Much of the work is paralegal work, but that is a perfect place to begin for me, given I have been out of the field for 10+ years. I can choose what hours I work so that it doesn't conflict with my home schedule, the office is within 10 minutes from my house and I can pick the days I work. So far, everything is going well." Jennifer P. In processing [yesterday's] call, I realized how much I had gotten from listening to everyone in the group. At some point or another, I seem to have had almost all of their thoughts and feelings. I also thought that you and Ellen directed the group well, and that your comments and suggestions were very helpful and supportive. Thank you! Opt-in has been fantastic for me-really held me accountable and was exactly the push and inspiration I needed." Tori L. "I have enjoyed working with this group so much... I accomplished much in such a short time due to the focus you provided and got involved and networked in ways I never would have before." Sue M. "The most helpful aspect of the group for me was the structure and support it provided for the job search process. I also found the tactical and practical information and resources very useful." Cynthia C. "I wanted to let you know that I will be opting out of the Opting Back In Program because...I GOT A JOB!! I am so excited about it, and I credit your program with pushing me in all the right ways to get it done. At our last conference call, you and Ellen told me to talk to more people about the estate planning field of law--to not give up on my dream because I had been told how difficult it would be to break into the field. I took that to heart, and called an attorney I know whom I had been meaning to contact for a long time. He is an old family friend, and has a very successful estate planning practice here in Orange County. He agreed to meet with me for an informational interview--I went to his offices the next night. I asked him for advice about whether I should attend more school, or how I could get started--he said I just need a mentor, and offered to hire me, train me and someday make me a partner. (I about fell off my chair!) I will be working for him starting next week--four days a week, four hours a day, which is perfect for my schedule with my kids. I will be on law clerk status until the end of the year (when presumably I will be trained enough to be of some worth to him) and in January I will be put on the letterhead and earn a salary through the firm. It really is a dream come true--I have been (as you know) pretty discouraged about the possibilities of being a 'real' lawyer. I am so very glad that I got on board with you and Ellen--I wanted to quit many times when I felt sub-par to the other attorneys in the group, and when I didn't do my homework! I am so glad I hung in there--thank you for all the great advice, and showing me where and how to dig in. Please give my regards to the rest of the group--maybe they will feel encouraged by my news--if I can do it, anyone can! Thank you for everything." Jenny W.
Read what the California Bar Journal wrote about the Opting Back In Program California Bar Journal These three women hardly sound like they would fear re-entering the job market: Susan Nash: Cal Poly undergrad, Stanford Law School Order of the Coif. Law clerk to Judge David V. Kenyon, U.S. District Court, Los Angeles. Associate, Latham & Watkins. Lecturer, UCLA Law School. Panel attorney, California Appellate Project. Partner, Munger, Tolles & Olson. Marjorie Wallace: UCLA undergrad cum laude, UC Hastings College of the Law. Yale Law School, LLM. University of Pittsburgh, M.S. in Information Science. Law Professor, Duquesne University School of Law. Perez & McNabb business litigation associate. Solo practitioner. Marie Curry: University of Rochester magna cum laude. Harvard Law School cum laude. Associate, Hanson, Bridgett LLP. Yet despite their proven abilities and accomplishments, Nash, Wallace and Curry all sought outside guidance and support - through the UC Hastings College of the Law's Opting Back In Program - when they decided to resume their legal careers after taking time off from the fast track to have more time for their children. "I had a little trepidation about whether I knew enough to come back," said Nash, 52, who has returned to the Los Angeles office of Munger Tolles as counsel representing corporate clients in commercial litigation matters in state and federal courts. "Probably I would have blown the interview," without the help of the Opting Back In program, said Wallace, 56, who took seven years off the career roller coaster to be at home with her daughter. She is now doing plaintiffs' employment law as an associate at the Walnut Creek firm of Nancy Balles.
The Opting Back In Coaching Group meets on the 2nd and 4th Monday of every month.
Fee $150/month for two 90-minute groups/month and occasional bonus calls.
To register and select which group is best for you, please click here.
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