Legal Ops: Missions, Positions, Salary

"Legal Ops Research - Paralegal"

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Since the summer of 2021, we have seen a few advertisements that do not correspond to the reality of the profession.

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And that's normal! In France, the first positions were taken in 2017/2018 and the function is in full emergence since 2020.

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So obviously, the scope of Legal Operations from one company to another will differ. And that doesn't mean that one or the other team isn't doing it the right way.

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This is why it is essential to establish the basics, the contours of the Legal Operations function in the clearest and simplest way: Missions, Functions, Salaries.

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Some resources that will help you structure your job description if you are a recruiter and that will help you find your way through the jungle of job offers if you are a candidate.

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Legal Operations: What is it?

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Legal Operations are a set of tasks, processes, organizations and activities that will allow the Legal Department to deliver an efficient service offer adapted to the needs of its internal clients.

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The term "Legal Ops" also refers to professionals who help legal departments focus on tasks that add value to the business. Through the constant improvement of processes, digital tools and resource allocation, Legal Ops enable legal departments to reinforce (or sometimes gain) their place within the company's strategy.

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What functions can Legal Ops perform?

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In concrete terms, here are some of the missions that can be carried out by Legal Operations:

• Co-construction of the legal strategy
• Knowledge Management
• Contract Management
• Internal and external communication
• Legaltech
• Process and tool management
• Human Resources
• Continuing Education
• Legal project management
• Change management
• Data management
• Budget management

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What is the role of Legal Ops? 

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Legal Ops, or Legal Operations Managers, are the conductors of the Legal Department. While the Legal Director is in charge of the legal strategy, the Legal Ops is responsible for the operational strategy to ensure the proper implementation of the legal strategy. In particular, the Legal Ops co-constructs the organizational and digitalization strategy of the department with the Legal Director.

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It is a team effort: Legal Ops work on the organization, rationalization, management and coordination of strategic and transversal projects. Their objective is to improve the performance, quality and efficiency of the Legal Department.

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As we often say at Calame - The Legal Ops Company, "when Legal Ops does its job well, it's smooth and it doesn't show".

On the other hand, there is nothing to prevent them from making this known and it is even part of their mission.

On a day-to-day basis, the Legal Ops is the person in charge of cross-functional projects in the Legal Department. The Legal Operations Managers and their team, if they have any, do not touch the substance of the files. However, it is recommended to have a legal profile in order to have an intrinsic understanding of the issues and challenges.

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What are the missions of Legal Ops? 

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If you are a Legal Ops or interested in these topics, you have probably been asked this question dozens and dozens of times.

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Nothing like an explanation by example for more concreteness 👇

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🚩 They define, they write and ensure the consistency of the processes of referral and assignment of files for example.

Objective: Reduce the processing time of internal customer requests.

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🚩 They standardize internal or contractual documents

Objective: Free up time for legal teams and empower internal clients.

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🚩 They also finely monitor the risks to which the Legal Department is exposed as well as the compliance issues globally.
Objective: To have a complete visibility to reduce the risks incurred by the company

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🚩They synthesize the reports to help the Director of Legal Affairs to steer his or her Legal Department and produce the relevant figures before the COMEX.
Objective: To steer the activity of the Legal Department and demonstrate the added value of the function through reliable indicators

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🚩They ensure the decompartmentalization and dissemination of the legal culture internally by ensuring the proper management of knowledge and ensure the internal communication of the Legal Department for example.

Objective: To centralize and share resources for a better dissemination of legal culture.

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🚩They may also be in charge of the Human Resources management of the Legal Department. Also inclusion, diversity and CSR topics.

Objectives: Avoid turnover in the team. Retain top talent. Promote talent. Manage internal mobility.

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🚩Ils sont chargés de la digitalisation de la Direction Juridique et de la conduite du changement qui l’accompagne.
Objectif : Aboutir à des workflows transverses 100% digitalisés dans un souci d’efficience Business (Commercial <> Juridique <> Comptable <> Métier - par exemple)

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These examples are not exhaustive and the scope of Legal Operations from one company to another will necessarily differ. This does not mean that one or another team does not practice them in the right way, it is only a reflection of the fact that, in concrete terms, the Legal Operations missions implemented depend on the objectives and specificities of the company in which you evolve.

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As you can see, Legal Operations anticipates challenges even before they arise. They accompany the global strategy of the company by ensuring that the strategy of the Legal Department is well aligned!

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Legal Ops : Salary

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As with every profession, the salary of Legal Ops depends on a series of criteria.

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Legal Ops Criteria Salary:

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• Legal Ops Profile: Past work experiences, training and academic background etc...
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• Industry: Private/Public, Pharmaceutical, Retail, Tech, Audiovisual etc...
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• Company size: CAC 40, SBF120, Unicorns, Scale Up
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• Number of years of experience : Within a Legal Department, as a Legal Ops
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• Level of responsibility: broad, narrow scope? What are the subjects for which he/she is responsible among the competencies of Legal Operations.
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• Perimeter entrusted within the framework of its functions: Broad, narrow scope? What are the subjects for which he/she is responsible among the competencies of Legal Operations?

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For the moment, no study comparable to the "CLOC Compensation Survey 2018" exists in France. This study, conducted on the salaries of Legal Ops in the United States, provides an overview of compensation according to this same set of criteria.

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In the absence of such a study (for now 😉 ), and even if there were, it is essential to regularly assess your value on the market.

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Your curiosity and questions will be your best friends. Ask people you know, your peers, recruiters, the Legal Ops Commission or us!

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"How much do you make Jean-Pierre?" is still a taboo question and sometimes frowned upon, so don't be afraid to explain the context of your approach and ask for a range. You can also check the legal ops salary ranges listed on some job postings.

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Once you have gathered this information, don't forget to contextualize it with the criteria mentioned above. This will allow you to adapt your expectations according to the sector of activity, the type of company and the responsibilities you will be offered.