The Global Financial Crisis of 2008/09 triggered industry-changing events that led to different expectations about the way legal practice is conducted. This has resulted in new ways of working for all lawyers. The fields of Legal Operations, Legal Project Management, and Legal Process Improvement are gaining traction. Large firms can no longer use smoke and mirrors or pay lip service to these disciplines, evidence of changed practices is required.

According to a survey conducted by the Association of Corporate Counsel in 2021, somewhere between 25% and 50% of all in-house legal teams have created legal operations functions. And a study conducted by EY Law and Harvard Law School Center on the Legal Profession also in 2021, found that 92% of law departments report they are already changing the way they operate using a range of approaches.

It is useful for all lawyers to widen their perspective when considering how best to deliver legal outcomes for clients and stakeholders. Being great at the law is the gate opener and it is no longer enough to be a successful and happy lawyer.

Check out the article here Understanding Legal Operations