Dear Legal Ops

This week we're getting anonymously comfy with our favorite festive co-hosts as we trade our letters for a holiday highlight reel. On this special holi-slay episode, we're reflecting on a year that taught us sometimes the biggest transformations aren't in your tech stack—they're in having the courage to redefine what's possible. Join Tom & Tommie as they unwrap the greatest hits of 2024, spill the...

In this milestone 50th episode of Dear Legal Ops, we welcome Mary O’Carroll, Chief Operating Officer at Goodwin, for a thought-provoking conversation on navigating the highest peaks of a legal ops career. With a career journey that spans Google, Ironclad, and the founding of CLOC, Mary has redefined what it means to lead and innovate in operations and community. Her path to the C-suite is a testam...

This week, we’re getting anonymously comfy with Nail-biting Natalie, who’s preparing for her first big step into the C-suite spotlight. Tom and Tommie bring on the dynamic duo of Connie Brenton and Jeff Franke from LegalOps.com to explore what it takes to lead with confidence and clarity. Connie dives into her passion for mentorship, education, and paving the way for in-house leaders to level up t...

This week, we’re getting anonymously comfy with Britney “Crossroads: The Sequel” Spears and our special guest, Steph Corey, Founder & CEO at UpLevelOps. As Britney stands at a career crossroads, contemplating a leap from in-house to entrepreneurial ventures, we’ll explore the tips, tricks, and trials of making a bold transition. From trailblazing beginnings to fostering mentorship and building you...

This week, we’re live from The Masters Conference Legal Power Skills, hosted by Rich Robinson. Co-hosts Tom and Tommie, joined by Cat Casey and a live audience, open an anonymous letter from Charlie "Champion-for-Change" Chapman from California. Together, they discuss navigating change and building personal brands in the legal industry, sharing experiences and insights from their careers. Whether...

This week, we're rocketing into the cosmic realm of Legal Ops 3.0 with the ever-brilliant Jenn McCarron, President of the Board of Directors at CLOC and host of the CLOC Talk podcast. As we unravel Taylor “Seeking the Stars” from Tacoma's plea for guidance, Jenn helps us explore the expansive frontier where strategy, innovation, and artificial intelligence intersect. From leveraging AI for data-dr...

This week we’re getting anonymously comfy with Melody “Master-or-Mix” from Memphis and the legendary Jenn McCarron, President of CLOC & host of the CLOC Talk podcast. As we lip sync our way through the classic debate of generalist versus specialist, we’ll explore the high notes and harmonies of both paths in the corporate & tech startup world. From mastering multiple instruments to hitting every n...

This week we are live from Las Vegas at CLOC’s Global Institute, in the CLOC Talk Studio. As we open our anonymous letter from Dora the Dear Legal Ops Explorer, who’s gearing up for her first trek to the CLOC Global Institute aka CGI. With her backpack strapped and boots laced, Dora asks, “How do I navigate through this labyrinth of knowledge to ensure I discover the hidden treasures and make the...

This week we're getting comfy with David Cowen, a legendary connector and the mind behind the SOLID Legal Summit. As we open our anonymous letter from a consulting composer, we'll explore the musical world of career development—where the art of improvisation plays the lead role in the symphony of success. David shares his expertise on the power of networking, mentorship, and embracing the jungle g...

This week, we're getting anonymously comfy with Kim Brown, Project Manager at Netflix while pairing pencils with pinot as we explore the synergistic synergy between educational leadership and corporate management excellence. As we open our letter from Richard 'Detention to Direction' Belding, we'll uncover how principles of teaching and learning can shape and energize a career pivot from the class...

This week, we're getting comfy with Grace Medinger, Legal Operations Senior Program Manager at Snapchat. As we open our letter from Tammy "Trusting Tech" Faye Baker under the dazzling lights of Negotiation, Nevada, we sing a melody of music for anyone wondering how to transition from a technology user to savvy purchaser. Navigating the dynamic symphony of technology implementations can be daunting...

This week, we're getting comfy with Krysta Johnson, Head of Legal Operations at Lexion. As we open our anonymous letter from Andy the Armchair Detective from Cabot Cove, Maine, we look to Krysta's seasoned insights on how a legal ops rockstar can foster a successful GC/CLO relationship based on trust, strategic alignment, and constructive feedback. We'll discuss becoming an indispensable right han...

This week, we're revving up with Rich Robinson, Director of Legal Operations and Litigation Support at Toyota North America. Join co-hosts Tom Stephenson and Tommie Tavares-Ferreira as they explore the world of metrics and data in the fast lane, where every microsecond counts. Get ready to align your people-focused operational strategy with business goals, emphasizing teamwork and fostering innova...

This week, we're shedding the anonymity and getting comfortable as Tommie, in a solo host role, welcomes DLO co-host Tom Stephenson, the Vice President of Community & Legal Operations at Legal.io. Join us as Tom unfolds his transformative journey from a paralegal to a key player at the legal ops table of Teladoc & Credit Karma. This episode is a deep dive into how embracing change, forging strong...

This week we're saying goodbye to 2023 with a sparkling strategic spritzer, alongside Yesenia 'Jessie' Santiago, Legal Operations Strategic Advisor at Otsuka Pharmaceutical Companies. As we get comfy and unpack a letter from a Seattle-based, somewhat-trusted legal ops strategist, we'll discuss aligning financial acumen with strategic foresight. Jessie shares her visionary approach, empowering lega...

Join co-hosts Tommie Tavares-Ferreira and Tom Stephenson for the first episode in 2024 as they cozy up with Sarah Ouis and our anonymous, data-driven debutante from Dallas. Together, they'll unravel the intertwined threads of legal design while blending digital transformation to catapult your career in the new year. With Sarah's proven track record in elevating legal professionals on LinkedIn, thi...

This week we're getting anonymously comfy with Captain Kirk, our starry-eyed strategist, as we sip spiced cider by the fireside, adorned in our holiday best. As 2023 fades into the starlit past, remember that each small step we've taken is a part of a larger journey towards change and growth. With eyes set on 2024, let's embrace these gradual shifts, knowing they pave the path to transformative ad...

This week, we're getting comfy with Bianca Weber, Senior Manager of Legal Affairs Strategy & Operations at Otsuka. Together, we're embarking on an exciting expedition through the world of legal ops education and growth, where we'll traverse the rugged landscapes of certifications and continued education. But that's not all – we're venturing off the beaten path to discover alternative educational t...

This week, we're getting comfy with Jessica Nguyen, Chief Legal Officer of Lexion, to explore the dynamics of the Chief Legal Officer and Legal Ops partnership. Drawing on Jessica's extensive career and leadership roles in major enterprises, we'll tap her for insights and strategies for promoting a harmonious and productive relationship between CLO/ General Counsel and legal ops teams. We'll also...

This week, we’re getting anonymously comfy with Tyler Finn, Head of Community & Growth at SpotDraft and host of The Abstract podcast. As we open our anonymous letter from Monochrome Matt from Legal Ops, Louisiana, we blend the rich pigments of personal creativity with professional prowess. Together we explore the synergy of content, community, and credibility, painting a portrait of professional e...

In today's episode, we dive deep with our guest, Deisha Vazquez, an expert in forging cross-functional relationships and navigating the intricate dynamics of the workplace. From executives in the boardroom to lunching with her colleagues, she demonstrates authenticity, proving that genuine connections can propel one's career. Drawing inspiration from our letter-writer, Lenny "Legal Lumberjack" fro...

This week, we're getting anonymously comfy with Roma Khan, the contracts queen, former General Counsel, and CEO of CrushContracts. As we open our letter from our Chopped CLM Chef in Connecticut, we’ll savor the flavors of crafting CLM dishes with limited resources while curating your personalized contracts cookbook. While the budget's tight and shiny new gadgets are a distant dream, we're dishing...

In this week’s sizzling episode, we dive into the kitchen with Tina "TV Dinner" Turner, who's on the cusp of implementing a contract lifecycle management system. While she's got the ingredients ready, the recipe for success is proving elusive. Join us as we help Tina preheat her preparedness and ensure she doesn't end up with half-baked results. We sift through the options and knead out a strategy...

This week, we’re getting anonymously comfy with Adam Becker, Director of Legal Operations at Cockroach Labs. As we open our anonymous letter from a Thirsty Wanderer, we embark on a journey through the dunes of innovation and efficiency. When you’re trying to showcase the value of legal ops, sometimes it’s best to show...and not just tell. Much like your muddy social media stories from Burning Man,...

This week we’re getting comfy with Whitney Stefko Dover, Seconded Counsel/Legal Ops+ at Ford Motor & Adjunct Professor at ASU Law School. As we open our anonymous letter from Carrie "Can I Have It All" Bradshaw, we crack open the age-old challenge of balancing career, family, commitments, and personal aspirations. Join us as we discuss practical strategies to manage time effectively and prioritize...