Let me say up front that I was skeptical. I'm talking about those programs aimed at helping women ­reenter the legal profession after a long hiatus. You know the spiel: Women often drop out to raise a family, and the profession should give them a chance to get back in the saddle.

Nothing wrong with that, but I wasn't totally sold. First, I wondered what masochist would want back into law, particularly at a law firm. Second, I questioned whether this was the best use of our resources to promote women, given the immense effort it would take.

Apparently, there are lots of masochists out there—and they're on a roll. Diversity Lab's OnRamp Fellowship just celebrated its fifth anniversary, and it's logging noteworthy results.

Consider these milestones: the program has 81 fellows (current and alums) to date; 86% of fellows who completed the program have received job offers in law firms or corporations; and 32 firms and eight companies have signed on to take fellows, and the list is growing (in 2014, only four firms participated: Baker Botts, Cooley, Hogan Lovells and Sidley Austin).

Granted, these are not huge numbers. Putting a few dozen women back into law is a drop in the ocean of female lawyers who've left the profession. Yet, you have to applaud OnRamp for steadily building the program and creating an impressive track record.

One big reason for OnRamp's success is it's an extremely comprehensive program. Candidates go through an ­exhaustive process, including behavioral interviews and assessments of skills (legal writing and oral presentation) and academic background (dust off that transcript). Then, if the candidate is lucky enough to be picked by a firm or company for the yearlong fellowship—only 20% of applicants are selected—more rounds of training and mentoring follow.

Unlike other programs for returnees that are six- to eight-week internships, this one lasts a whole year. "You can't do a deal or work on a case for a few weeks and do meaningful work," says Caren Ulrich Stacy, OnRamp's indefatigable founder.

The program's duration gives fellows a dose of reality about returning to law.  Endless vetting, constant coaching and a yearlong commitment—curious dabblers need not apply. But there's also handholding, and that's what sustains the women.

"Confidence is a huge thing," Stacy says. "There are points along the road where they need reassurance that they belong."

By the end of a fellowship, Stacy says, the women have achieved that. The proof of this confidence? Once they get an offer from their firm or company, they're able to negotiate for a higher salary. "They all get pay raises and the majority are paid much higher, in the middle to senior rung," Stacy says. (Fellows get an annual stipend between $110,000 and $160,000.)

To the women who've been given another shot at rejoining Big Law or the legal group of a major company, the answer is a resounding yes. Kathy Herman, who left practice to care for her ailing parents, says most firms and companies wouldn't give her a look despite her 20-plus years of experience. Herman, a former fellow at Blank Rome who's now an associate at the firm, says, "OnRamp enabled me to tell my story in a way that legitimized my choice to step away from practice."

What's undeniable is that everyone associated with OnRamp—participants, employers, coaches and mentors—is out to prove that these women aren't done, and that they can still kill it. How can anyone not cheer them on?

Contact Vivia Chen at [email protected] or @lawcareerist.