When Mary posted a question about the state of legal ops on LinkedIn, she didn't expect to spark such intense debate. But the responses revealed what many have been quietly wondering: has legal operations reached a turning point?
In this episode, Mary sits down with Frances Pomposo, Senior Director of Legal Technology Solutions at Cisco, to dig into this thorny question. With her deep experience in tech companies and time on CLOC's board, Frances brings a unique perspective on where legal ops has been—and where it might be heading.
In this episode:
· The Unicorn Dilemma: Remember when legal ops professionals were expected to do it all? Mary and Frances explore why that "strategic generalist" role seems to be fading, and what that means for the profession.
· Splitting at the Seams: As legal ops splinters into specialized roles like data analytics and vendor management, is this evolution or fragmentation? And does it matter?
· Hiring Horror Stories: Frances gets real about what happens when companies hire for legal ops without really knowing what they need—and how to avoid this common pitfall.
· The Consultant Question: Are companies bypassing internal legal ops teams for external expertise? Mary and Frances tackle this trend head-on.
· Going Global: Why the lack of consistent standards for legal ops roles worldwide is becoming a real problem, and what we can do about it.
· The Big Question: Can legal ops recapture its revolutionary spirit, or is it destined to become just another corporate function?
If you've been feeling the shift in legal ops—or wondering if you're imagining it—this conversation will hit home. Join Mary and Frances for an honest look at where legal ops stands today, and what it'll take to shape its future.
Goodwin at HumanX
Follow Mary on LinkedIn
Rate and review on Apple Podcasts
