Legal Ops Evangelist @ Docusign | Mother of 3 | Actually Autistic and ADHD | Neurodiversity and Mental Health Advocate | Ex-Amazon
This might come as a surprise to some folks, but I didn't hold a legal ops job title 3 years ago. I held a contracts manager title. But about half of my job (if not more) was focused on legal operations work. In fact, I've done legal operations the entire time I've worked in the legal field (16+ years). But still didn't have legal operations in my title until 2021. I've been hearing more and more that folks are being turned away from legal ops roles due to "lack of experience". Despite the fact that it is clear from their experience they can not only do the job, they can do the job incredibly well. And a role that is solely focused on legal operations should not require a JD, either. It's clear there is a gap here. Companies are missing out on great candidates. Candidates are being turned away that can excel in these roles. ✨ For those hiring legal ops roles: Stop rejecting candidates because they haven't checked off every single box - most of these boxes are a "nice to have" not a "must have". Stop auto-rejecting smart people who isn't a SME in every area of legal operations and trust that they can learn and excel in these areas over time. ✨ For those applying to legal ops roles: Take the time to tailor your resume to show the outcomes, not just the day to day work you performed in previous roles. You've done some amazing legal ops (or even just ops) things in previous roles - make yourself and what you've done shine. ❓ Any other advice you'd give those hiring in legal ops or seeking a legal ops role? #legalops #legalprofessional #inhouselegal #legalinnovation
Not only is your post spot-on, but the graphic you chose is *chef’s kiss*!
It makes sense to me, Krysta. In fact, dare I say it, people coming at this topic from outside a 'law-focused' route can bring fresh ideas and skills into the field. I would see having a mix of perspectives and backgrounds as a definite plus.
🤣 the meme! This is very helpful information. It's so incredibly daunting to stand at the door of this career change when you don't have the traditional job history in your resume to back you up. This is especially the case with legal opps, where the job definition is already quite... 🤔🤷🏻♀️?
Many paralegals in small legal departments who are even a smidge tech savvy often becomes the default Legal Ops. Employers / Recruiters just needs to actually READ candidates' duties & responsibilities instead of just skimming job titles.
Legal ops roles absolutely do not need to be filled by a JD! I've heard similar frustrations from my peers. I'm an early career team manager in a firm with zero prior law experience and a bachelor's degree, same as many of my colleagues.
All of the job postings right now looking for 8+ years experience with generative AI 🤣
Well said Krysta Johnson! And true in so many professions. One of the best writers I worked with was a former teacher. Ran circles around the seasoned writers on my roster because she was so good at breaking information down in a clear and digestible way.
💯💯💯💯💯 As a long time Contracts Manager, most of my roles have included significant operational responsibilities. In many cases up to 80+ percent of what I do is operations focused (although I truly love negotiating and drafting contracts too, that's never been my sole focus). I've sat in legal but also in finance, procurement/sourcing/supply chain, and strategic planning organizations and have worked directly and deeply with so many other areas of the business. I would argue that many of us "non-lawyers" in the contracts management field found our way here precisely because we are drawn to and have talents especially well suited for the legal ops world!
Contract Manager at Microsoft | Legal Counsel LLB
8moTotally agree. In absolutely every legal environment I've worked in, I've had to be a cross-functional business partner, from knowledge and technology management to outside legal spending and everything in between. Once essentially cannot be an effective contract manager without ops acumen and exposure. And this is excluding working in small organizations where a contract manager wears multiple whole business hats.