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.