Running legal like a business: Legal Operations

A couple of week ago, Vialegis and the Institute for Company Lawyers (IBJ) co-hosted an enlightening webinar, featuring guest speaker Pieter Gunst, CEO of Legal.io. Pieter provided invaluable insights into the evolving landscape of Legal Operations.

For those still uncertain about the meaning of Legal Operations, here is a brief clarification:

Legal Operations involves the management and improvement of both daily operations and long-term strategies within a legal department or organization. It utilizes data-driven methods to simplify procedures, boost productivity, cut expenses, and ultimately improve the quality of legal services. The objective of Legal Operations is to clear internal hurdles that obstruct the Legal Counsels’ workflow.

It is therefore important that these professionals possess a legal background complemented by skills like project management, data analysis, and effective communication. Moreover, expertise in operational, financial, and technology management is crucial.

Missed the webinar? Don't worry, here are our five key takeaways from the session:

1. Data-driven optimization: In-house departments frequently underutilize data and metrics. Lead your organization by strategically leveraging data, which is crucial for informed decision-making in Legal Operations. By identifying bottlenecks, streamlining processes, and optimizing resource allocation, legal professionals can enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve service delivery.
    
2. Managing headcount and budgets: It's crucial to incorporate individuals with strong financial backgrounds into the team. Too often, legal teams operate without a clear understanding of their financial landscape. Hiring professionals with financial expertise to develop forecasting models can enhance predictability and cost efficiency, potentially resulting in significant cost savings.
    
3. Strategic partnering for business success: It is advantageous to cultivate sustainable relationships with external partners that closely align with the specific business needs of your company. In this way, the right talents and expertise can be attracted to enhance your internal capabilities. It is advisable to critically evaluate whether the external partner you are collaborating with remains relevant to your company, or if the collaboration is primarily based on personal relationships. Additionally, it is wise to regularly consider whether certain tasks can be handled internally to operate cost-effectively.
    
4. Continuous improvement and innovation: Embracing a culture of innovation is critical for staying ahead in the dynamic legal landscape. Streamline manual operations, digitize physical tasks, and enhance efficiency and quality by strategically implementing technology solutions. By challenging the status quo, experimenting with new technologies, and embracing change, legal departments can enhance agility, adaptability, and overall effectiveness.
    
5. Building a thriving team culture: Last but not least, assemble your team with a long-term vision in mind. Ensure a diverse and complementary mix of profiles, and empower your employees through training, skill development, and a healthy corporate culture.