Hi there, 

Does the path to the GC role now go through the Legal Ops function?

I think it could.

As technology, systems, and processes take up more attention for legal departments, legal operators are well-positioned to own the most important initiatives within their departments. This provides highly relevant experience and visibility that could be the outline of a more viable path, especially in large legal departments, than rising up from niche counsel roles.

What’s more, a common feeling amongst new GCs is that they’re unprepared for the business side of the role. After all, managing a large budget and a diverse team of specialists and reporting to the board isn’t always part of the job description at the lower levels. Those kinds of tasks, however, are handled regularly by senior legal operators.

This is not to say that every GC of the future will be first and foremost a legal operator, but rather that experience and exposure to the domain of legal operations - and perhaps even a tour of duty in the role - will be crucial to being an effective GC for many years to come.

Legal Ops Jobs Corner

Join us at Summit by the Sea 2025

Our flagship annual event brings together the top minds in legal ops to learn from each other in a beautiful setting. Join us in La Jolla this year to hear from great folks like: 

• Scott Sasser, Head of Legal Ops at Ramp

• Roma Khan, CEO of Crush Contracts

• Ali Ghasemi, VP Legal Services at Mastercard

• Adam Stofsky, CEO of Briefly with Shannon Yavorsky, Co-Head of the AI Practice at Orrick

And many more...

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Upcoming Events

Our 2025 lineup features the year's biggest and most impactful virtual and IRL gatherings for Legal Ops pros. Keep an eye out for new events that we will continuously add to our schedule! 

August

• Digital Governance Decoded: Expert Strategies for 2025 and Beyond: August 14, 12:00 - 1:00pm ET

• August - Legal Ops Monthly Virtual Connect: August 14, 4:00 - 5:00pm ET

• Feast & Forum LA: A Roundtable and Dinner with Legal Operators and Diligent: August 28, 6:00 - 10:00pm PT

September

• Summit by the Sea 2025: September 17-19, Estancia La Jolla, San Diego, CA - Legal Operators premier conference, exclusively for legal ops leaders. Early bird tickets available now (with hotel room included) - book today!