To the lawyer who sees the inefficiencies, the redundancies, the places where technology could change a workflow, and thinks, "There has to be a better way."

If you're a legal practitioner contemplating a move into legal operations, you're not just considering a new job; you're looking at the future of how legal services are delivered. You've spent years sharpening your legal mind, mastering complex arguments, and advising on risk. Now, imagine channelling that accuracy and analytical strength not just into the substance of law, but into the business of law. This isn't a pivot away from your expertise; it's an evolution.

This guide is for you. This is your practical roadmap to becoming a leader in legal operations.

Photo by Piotr Makowski on Unsplash

Phase 1: Think like a business strategist

Your legal training has conditioned you to be an expert in identifying problems and mitigating risk. This is an invaluable foundation. The shift required for legal operations is to build upon this by adopting a business-centric, problem-solving mindset. It’s about moving from asking "What does the law say?" to "How can we deliver this legal service more efficiently and effectively to achieve our business goals?"

Start by observing your current environment with a new lens.

“Where are the bottlenecks?”

“Why does a particular process take so long?”

“How much time and money is spent on routine tasks that could be automated?”

Begin to quantify these observations. This is the seed of an operational mindset, seeing the legal department not just as a cost centre, but as a dynamic business unit ready for optimisation. Immerse yourself in the vocabulary of business operations: strategic planning, financial management, and project management.

Phase 2: Build your core competencies

While your legal background is a significant advantage, you'll need to develop a complementary set of skills to truly excel. The great news is that many of these are natural extensions of what you already do well.

• Financial acumen: Legal operations professionals are deeply involved in budgeting, forecasting, and managing legal spend. Start by seeking to understand your current department's or firm's financials. Take online courses in business finance or accounting for non-financial managers. Learning to speak the language of the CFO is crucial for making a business case for new technologies or process changes.
• Technology and data analytics: You don't need to be a coder, but you must become tech-savvy. Legal operations lives at the intersection of law and technology. Familiarise yourself with the major categories of legal tech: e-billing, contract lifecycle management (CLM), matter management, and eDiscovery tools. Equally important is data literacy. Learn how to use data to tell a story, whether it's tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure efficiency gains or analysing spending patterns to optimise outside counsel relationships.
• Project and change management: Implementing a new process or technology is a project that requires careful planning, execution, and getting buy-in from stakeholders. Certifications in project management (like PMP or Agile methodologies) can be highly valuable. More than just managing tasks, you'll be managing change, guiding colleagues who may be resistant to new ways of working. Your skills in persuasion and structured communication are directly transferable here.

Phase 3: Gain practical experience to build your portfolio

Theory is important, but practical application is what will make you a desirable candidate. You can start building this experience right where you are.

• Volunteer for 'ops-adjacent' projects: Raise your hand to help select a new software vendor. Offer to create a more efficient workflow for a recurring task. Join a cross-functional team that involves departments like IT or finance. These initiatives provide invaluable hands-on experience.
• Become the "go-to" Person for a system: Master a piece of software your team uses. Understand its full functionality and help your colleagues use it more effectively. This positions you as a problem-solver and a technology advocate.
• Create your own case studies: Document your efforts. If you successfully streamline a process, write it up as a case study. Quantify the results: "Reduced time spent on X by 15%" or "Improved data accuracy in Y system." This will form the basis of a portfolio that demonstrates your capabilities.

Phase 4: Make your move

With a new mindset, honed skills, and practical experience, you are ready to make the transition.

• Reframe your resume: Translate your legal experience into the language of legal operations. "Managed complex litigation" can become "Oversaw multi-faceted projects with significant budgets, coordinating with numerous internal and external stakeholders to drive successful outcomes." You must paint the picture for the hiring manager, connecting the dots between your legal past and their operational needs.
• Network with purpose: Connect with legal operations professionals on LinkedIn and join organisations like the Corporate Legal Operations Consortium (CLOC). Seek out informational interviews to learn about different roles and career paths. These conversations will provide invaluable insights and could lead to your next opportunity.
• Target the right roles: Look for companies that value your legal background. This could be in a large corporate legal department, a rapidly scaling tech company, or a legal tech vendor. Your understanding of the end-user—the lawyer—is a powerful selling point.

Your journey from legal practitioner to legal operations leader is a path of transformation, blending the best of your existing skills with a new, business-focused perspective. The legal industry is not just changing; it is being redesigned.

By stepping into legal operations, you are not just finding a new career—you are becoming one of the architects of a more efficient, effective, and data-driven future for law.

ABOUT ME

I'm Juliet Edjere, a no-code professional focused on automation, product development, and building scalable solutions with no coding knowledge.

Learn from practical examples and explore the possibilities of no-code, AI and automation. We'll navigate the tools, platforms, and strategies – one article at a time!

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