Legal Operations: from cost center to a source of governance
Legal Operations is not software or a dashboard. It is the set of practices that organizes the legal function like any other executive function — with workflow, metrics, policy, review and auditability.
Maturity is measured by the ability to answer three questions: what came in this week? What stage is each matter at? How much did each decision cost? When there is an objective answer, the legal function becomes observable — and an observable function is a governable function.
Pillars
- Defined workflows (intake, routing, escalation)
- Internal SLAs and metrics (volume, time, rework, cost)
- Risk and spend policy
- Auditable documentation and review routines
Where it begins
Always with mapping: list current workflows, identify rework, define three to five basic metrics. Technology comes later — as a means, not as a starting point.