Legal ops manage administrative tasks, budgets, and technology, freeing up time for legal teams to focus on strategic legal work.

That’s why legal operations positions have surged by over 75% since 2018.

There couldn’t be a better time to explore a career in legal operations. But what skills do you need? Let's dive into what this role entails and the key responsibilities that come with it.

What is the Role of Legal Ops in an Organization?

Legal operations, or legal ops, are vital for streamlining and enhancing the efficiency of legal departments. They handle the business aspects of legal work, ensuring everything runs smoothly. 

Here's how they fit into an organization:

Also read: What Is Legal Operations?

#1 Defining Legal Ops

Legal ops professionals focus on:

• Managing budgets and costs: They keep the legal department financially efficient
• Implementing technology: This includes tools that automate routine tasks and improve workflows
• Handling vendor relationships: They negotiate and manage contracts with external providers
• Analyzing data: Legal ops use data to make informed decisions and improve department performance

#2 Connecting Legal with Business

Legal ops bridge the gap between the legal department and other business units by:

• Translating legal needs into business actions: They align legal strategies with business objectives
• Streamlining communication: Legal ops ensure clear and effective communication across departments

#3 Boosting Business Efficiency and Managing Risk

Legal ops enhance organizational efficiency and manage risks by:

• Optimizing resource use: They ensure resources are used effectively to support legal and business goals
• Enhancing decision-making: With data-driven insights, they help the legal department respond proactively to business needs
• Improving compliance and risk management: Legal ops develop strategies to reduce legal risks and ensure compliance

Also read: What Is Legal Operations? - SpotDraft

Types of Roles Within the Legal Ops Team

A legal ops team consists of various roles, each bringing unique skills and expertise to ensure the department runs efficiently. 

#1 Legal Operations Manager

Legal operations managers play a pivotal role in setting the direction for the team and ensuring all members work towards common goals. They coordinate with other departments to align legal strategies with business objectives.

• Responsibilities:
  • Oversee the legal ops team and manage day-to-day operations
  • Develop and implement strategic initiatives to improve efficiency
  • Manage budgets, financial planning, and resource allocation
  • Ensure compliance with industry standards and best practices
• Skills required:
  • Leadership and project management
  • Proficiency in legal technology and software
  • Strong communication and organizational skills
  • Ability to analyze data and generate actionable insights

#2 Contract Manager

Contract managers ensure that all contracts are legally sound and beneficial for the company. They work closely with legal analysts and compliance officers to ensure that all terms and conditions are met.

• Responsibilities:
  • Draft, review, and manage contracts to ensure they meet legal and regulatory requirements
  • Maintain a centralized contract repository for easy access and management
  • Negotiate contract terms with external parties
  • Monitor contract performance and compliance
• Skills required:
  • Knowledge of contract law and negotiation techniques
  • Proficiency in contract management software
  • Strong communication skills for effective negotiations

Also read: How to Review a Contract Faster and More Efficiently - SpotDraft

#3 Compliance Officer

Compliance officers play a critical role in safeguarding the company from legal risks. They work with the entire legal ops team to ensure that all activities comply with relevant laws and regulations.

• Responsibilities:
  • Develop and implement compliance programs to ensure the company adheres to laws and regulations
  • Conduct regular audits and risk assessments
  • Train employees on compliance policies and procedures
  • Investigate any compliance issues or breaches and take corrective actions
• Skills required:
  • In-depth knowledge of regulatory requirements and compliance standards
  • Strong ethical standards and attention to detail
  • Ability to conduct thorough investigations and risk assessments
  • Effective communication skills to educate and train staff

Also read: What is Contract Compliance? The Ultimate Guide

#4 Legal analyst

Legal analysts provide the necessary research and data analysis to inform the decisions made by the legal team. They support contract managers and compliance officers by providing relevant information and insights.

• Responsibilities:
  • Research legal issues and provide insights to support legal decisions
  • Analyze data related to legal cases, contracts, and compliance
  • Prepare reports, documentation, and summaries of legal findings
  • Assist in the development of legal strategies
• Skills required:
  • Strong research and analytical skills
  • Proficiency in legal research tools and data analysis software
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Attention to detail and critical thinking

Also read: Work smarter with data-driven insights on contracts - SpotDraft

5 must-have skills for becoming a legal ops professional

Thinking about jumping into a legal operations role? It's a smart move, but it does require picking up some new skills that go beyond what you learned in law school. Let’s break down the five key skills you'll need, with some handy tips to get you started.

#1 Project Management

“It's all about project management while being effective and efficient in managing process policies and technology. It’s not so much that the general counsel reports to the legal ops leader but to the person who does the job of leading the legal function. Leadership is the key skill, and business leadership involves operations. You can have a great idea, but if the ops falls down, the business will not succeed. So, ops is the future.” ~ David Lancelot, ex-VP Global Head of Legal, eBay Classifieds

Embracing Legal’s Role as Business Co-Leaders

Project management is a big deal in legal ops. You'll be juggling multiple tasks and deadlines, so you need to stay organized and efficient. Think of it as the backbone of your new role, helping you keep everything on track and within budget.

Start by learning how to break down large projects into smaller, more manageable tasks. Tools like Trello or Asana can be lifesavers for organizing tasks and tracking progress. Understanding methodologies like Agile or Lean can also be super helpful.

Tips:

• Start with simple tools: Use Trello or Asana to get organized
• Learn Agile or Lean methodologies: These can help streamline your projects
• Regularly update project plans: Keep everything on track by reviewing and updating plans often

#2 Analytical Thinking

84% of legal ops professionals identify data analytics as a key area of focus within their responsibilities.

Analytical thinking is all about making informed decisions based on data. You’ll need to look at numbers and trends to forecast needs and measure performance.

Start with simple tools like Excel or Google Sheets to track key metrics. You don't need to be a data scientist, but having a good grasp of basic data visualization can make a big difference. 

Tips:

• Use simple spreadsheets for data tracking: Excel and Google Sheets are great starting points
• Learn basic data visualization: Creating charts and graphs can help make sense of your data
• Track key performance indicators (KPIs): Focus on metrics that matter to your team

Also read: 4 Crucial Contract Management KPIs to Track for Legal Success

#3 Effective Communication

Being a good communicator is crucial, as it ensures everyone is on the same page, from your team to other departments. This can prevent misunderstandings and boost overall efficiency.

Hold regular meetings to keep everyone updated. Use collaborative tools like email and shared documents for easy information sharing.

‍Tips:

• Hold regular meetings: Keep your team in the loop with frequent check-ins.
• Use collaborative tools: Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Google Workspace can make information sharing seamless
• Develop clear communication plans: Outline who needs to know what and when
• Practice active listening: Make sure you’re really hearing what your team and stakeholders are saying

Also read: SpotDraft: Contract management for teams of all sizes

#4 Adaptability to Technology

Technology is your friend in legal ops. You’ll need to get comfortable with tools that help streamline tasks, like contract management and expense tracking systems.

Start with intuitive tools like SpotDraft for contracts and simple e-billing systems. Dive into online courses or workshops to get a handle on these tools. 

Tips:

• Stay updated on legal tech trends: Follow blogs, podcasts, and industry news
• Start with user-friendly tools: SpotDraft and basic e-billing systems are good starting points
• Join legal tech communities: Engage in forums and online groups to learn from others

Also read: Evolution of Contract Management Technology - Past, Present and Future

#5 Change Management

Change is a constant in the legal world, and you’ll need to manage it effectively. This means helping your team adapt to new regulations, technologies, and processes.

Communicate clearly about the reasons for changes and their benefits. Provide thorough training sessions to help your team get up to speed. Collect feedback and address concerns to make transitions smoother.

Tips:

• Communicate clearly and frequently: Explain why changes are happening and their benefits
• Provide training programs: Help your team adapt to new systems
• Collect and act on feedback: Listen to your team’s concerns and adjust as needed
• Develop a change management plan: Outline the steps needed to implement changes smoothly

SpotDraft Makes Legal Ops Easy

The true drivers of successful legal ops lie in mastering key skills. Strategic thinking, effective communication, and project management are indispensable. Understanding and leveraging legal technology are also critical, but it’s not just about the tech.

With SpotDraft, even those who may not be tech-savvy can achieve seamless operations. SpotDraft simplifies complexities by automating contract reviews, streamlining approvals, and centralizing contract management. Its seamless integration with tools like CRMs and HRMS ensures all teams are aligned and working efficiently.

Ready to see the impact SpotDraft can have on your legal ops?

Get a demo today