FROM SUPPORTING TO STRATEGY:
ENGINEERING THE NEXT-GEN LEGAL DEPARTMENT
Agenda Day 1
8:00 am - 8:30 am
REGISTRATION & COFFEE
8:30 am - 8:35 am
IQPC'S WELCOME
8:35 am - 8:45 am
OPENING REMARKS FROM THE CHAIRPERSON
8:45 am - 8:50 am
LIVE POLLS
8:50 am - 9:35 am
PANEL DISCUSSION: FLIP THE SCRIPT - SWITCHING FROM A RESISTANCE TO ENABLEMENT MINDSET TO WIN CHANGE MANAGEMENT
The word "resistant" is commonly used to describe in-house lawyers' attitude to change management - a concept often discussed amongst peers on a high level. But by taking a two-fold approach of exploring why said resistance exists, and focusing on positively engaging lawyers, legal operations leaders can achieve effective change that sticks. Negative framing of people is antithetical to how leaders can think about their talent as an asset that can be leveraged for a more sustainable, and impactful change. To concentrate on the behavioural and psychological training as much as the technological could be the key to transformation.
- Learn to instil a sense of positivity, engagement and motivation for lawyers to become self-starters around change
- Consider change initiatives where each step delivers standalone value, and high-impact change
- Explore the advantage of using change management models, such as ADKAR, frameworks to overcome the fear factor of transformation
- Discuss building implementation muscle memory in legal teams so that successful frameworks can be reused
9:35 am - 10:05 am
PRESENTATION: PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST - UNLOCKING POTENTIAL TO TRANSFORM TEAMS, NOT JUST WORKFLOWS
Within legal operations teams, efficiency is no longer just about processes – it's about people. By consolidating teams, centralising panels, and integrating technology, the function can undergo a transformation that allows lawyers to focus on high-impact strategy. Where managing lean teams can be a challenge, standardising process and ensuring the right skills can unlock the true potential of teams, as well as optimise workflows.
- Learn how to drive cultural adaptation through training, internal communications, and stakeholder engagement
- Explore how undergoing legal rationalisation work ensures teams are the right shape and fit for the optimal business structure
- Consider how knowledge application and feedback capture can motivate and empower teams
10:10 am - 10:40 am
THINK TANK: LUMINANCE
11:20 am - 11:50 am
DEVELOPMENTAL THINK TANK: THE SWEET SPOT - DETERMINING THE BEST OPERATING MODEL FOR YOUR LEGAL OPERATIONS FUNCTION
As legal operations departments evolve beyond traditional operating models, defining the "right" fit for the function has become both a strategic priority and a challenge. By decentralising, organisations can balance cost and quality, particularly when outsourcing work to external entities that act as an extension of in-house teams. A centralised approach can offer standardisation across teams and markets that creates consistency. There's much to consider, but if legal operations leaders get it right, they can refine their approach across diverse environments in an increasingly complex landscape.
- Examine the spectrum of operating models, from centralised to decentralised, and hybrid – and discuss the practical realities of each
- Assess regulatory differences, contrasting legal systems, and cultural variations that must be considered in decision making
- Gain insight into how to design models that are scalable, flexible, and aligned to the wider business
10:10 am - 10:40 am
1:1 BUSINESS MEETINGS
10:45 am - 11:15 am
1:1 BUSINESS MEETINGS
11:20 am - 11:50 am
1:1 BUSINESS MEETINGS
11:55 am - 12:25 pm
MENTOR-MATCHING NETWORKING
In this unique networking opportunity, attendees will be matched with a peer from a different level of legal operations department maturity to discuss key focuses, challenges, and approaches that have worked for them
12:25 pm - 12:55 pm
PRESENTATION: COUNSELLINK
12:55 pm - 1:55 pm
LUNCH
1:55 pm - 2:25 pm
THINK TANK: COUNSELLINK
2:30 pm - 2:35 pm
LIVE POLLS
2:35 pm - 3:20 pm
PANEL DISCUSSION: THE STORY OF DATA - MAKING LEGAL’S IMPACT IMPOSSIBLE TO IGNORE
In many organisations, legal is still seen as a cost centre, not a value-generator. For legal operations leaders, redefining impact through tangible KPIs, actionable dashboards, and data-driven reporting can be a crucial step to proving strategic contribution. But ultimate accountability rests with the data. By ensuring integrity at the source, and designing metrics that resonate with the wider business, legal operations teams can leverage data storytelling to translate variables such as time saved, risks mitigated, and costs avoided into tangible business value.
- Explore why legal is considered a cost – not profit – centre, and how making dashboarding visible and tangible can counter this
- Gain an understanding of what makes a KPI relevant to the legal function
- Hear how to start with clean, accurate, aligned data you can leverage to accelerate business outcomes and decision-making
- Learn how to establish reporting that's understandable to all levels of employees, from trainees to stakeholders
3:25 pm - 3:55 pm
THINK TANK: A MATCH MADE IN CONTRACTUAL HEAVEN - HARMONISING IN-HOUSE BILLING GUIDELINES AND EXTERNAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
It's a truth universally acknowledged that internal billing guidelines must align with law firms' terms and conditions. Yet when they contradict each other, the lack of sync can be detrimental to both parties when looking to optimise their partnership. The priority must be to ensure guidelines are clear, practical, and comprehensive, so that firms dealing with many contracts can manage billing productively. The introduction of AI within eBilling tools can be useful, but is the technology ready to track billing effectively? Whatever the solution, legal operations teams must establish coordination between external terms and their own billing if they want their guidelines to remain a reality.
- Examine how to be clear about billing guideline adherence when negotiating with external counsel
- Consider the implementation of eBilling tools to support billing guideline review and enforcement
- Walk through an eBilling workflow to determine how specific your review rules must be
- Explore setting up a close contact within the law firm to be a champion of your billing guidelines
4:00 pm - 4:30 pm
COFFEE BREAK & NETWORKING
4:35 pm - 5:05 pm
BEGINNER THINK TANK: FROM DAY ONE - MAKING YOUR MARK IN ESTABLISHING A ROLE
Starting a role in legal operations can feel like being handed a blank sheet of paper, irrespective of your own level of experience. Putting together a roadmap to strategically approach the early stages, set priorities, and create meaningful impact is essential. But navigating these initial decisions can seem like an operational maze, especially with the universally added pressure of ensuring business alignment.
- Map out understanding the business fundamentals through engaging with key stakeholders across the organisation
- Assess where to focus efforts and break down the legal landscape to identify which priorities to address
- Consider when to consult external entities to fill knowledge gaps and advance results
- Discuss how to balance operational improvements with respect for existing structures and processes
3:25 pm - 3:55 pm
1:1 BUSINESS MEETINGS
4:00 pm - 4:30 pm
1:1 BUSINESS MEETINGS
4:35 pm - 5:05 pm
1:1 BUSINESS MEETINGS
5:10 pm - 5:55 pm
ROUNDTABLE 1: LEXISNEXIS
5:10 pm - 5:55 pm
ROUNDTABLE 2: CAUTIOUS PROGRESS - GOVERNING AGENTIC AI WITHOUT SLOWING IT DOWN
5:10 pm - 5:55 pm
ROUNDTABLE 3: BEYOND THE BILLING - RETHINKING PRICING MODELS FOR TRANSPARENCY
5:10 pm - 5:55 pm
ROUNDTABLE 4: CLUTTER BE GONE - EXPLORING HOW TO CLEAN BAD LEGACY DATA
5:55 pm - 6:25 pm
DAY 1 CLOSING DISCUSSION
Attendees will have 10 mins to discuss amongst their tables:
- What I learnt today
- What I am hoping for tomorrow
A spokesperson from each table will share findings with the rest of the room
