The Limits, and Limitlessness, of the Legal Function
Apr 17, 2023
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Megan Niedermeyer, Chief Legal Officer at Apollo.io, and Brenda Yun Perez, Senior Legal Operations Manager, dive into the evolving landscape of legal roles. They discuss the balance between defined responsibilities and the limitless potential of legal functions. Topics include the integration of legal into operational processes like establishing a Deal Desk and managing HR. The conversation also highlights the growing importance of non-lawyers in legal teams, strategic prioritization in legal operations, and fostering an ownership mindset for better outcomes.
Megan Niedermeyer emphasizes the necessity for legal departments to evolve by integrating into business operations to add strategic value.
The podcast highlights the importance of viewing legal counsel as integral business partners, fostering collaboration and proactive contribution.
Brenda Perez discusses the vital role of legal operations in enhancing efficiency and responsiveness within legal teams in fast-paced environments.
Deep dives
Career Foundations and Key Roles
Megan Miedermeier shares her diverse career journey, highlighting pivotal roles that shaped her understanding of legal services in fast-growing companies. She began her career in private practice at Cooley, representing notable technology companies, before transitioning into in-house legal roles at Gusto and 5tran. These experiences allowed her to build and manage legal teams during periods of rapid growth, and now she holds the position of Chief Legal Officer at Apollo.io. Her background stresses the importance of adaptability in legal roles, particularly in high-paced environments where legal departments must continually evolve.
The Limitless Potential of Legal Functions
The discussion around the 'limits and limitlessness' of legal functions reveals how legal teams can expand their influence beyond traditional legal responsibilities. Megan emphasizes that legal departments can serve as strategic partners by integrating into key aspects of business operations, such as HR and compliance. This integration allows legal professionals to identify risks and opportunities, yet self-limitation is crucial to avoid diluting their effectiveness. The mission is to add value without overextending the legal function, ensuring that all contributions align with core business priorities.
Evolving Perspectives on Legal Teams
Megan and Brenda discuss the necessity of seeing legal counsel as integral business partners rather than mere service providers. They argue against the traditional view of legal teams as a 'department of no,' advocating instead for a collaborative mindset where legal professionals work closely with other departments. Effective communication and relationship-building between legal and business units enhance trust and efficiency, fostering an environment where legal teams can proactively contribute to strategy. This partnership dynamic helps legal teams gain a seat at the decision-making table, aligning legal objectives with broader business goals.
Emergence of Legal Operations
Brenda Perez’s transition from a paralegal to a Legal Operations leader exemplifies the growing importance of legal ops in modern legal departments. Legal operations professionals bridge the gap between legal functions and business needs, focusing on efficiency and process improvements. They are essential for streamlining operations and ensuring that legal teams can respond effectively to the demands of hyper-growth environments. As the role of legal operations continues to evolve, it demonstrates significant potential for shaping the efficiency and impact of legal services in the tech industry.
Future Trends in Legal Teams
Both speakers acknowledge the pivotal role of technology in reshaping legal operations, including the increasing reliance on tools like AI and automation. Legal departments are being urged to adopt new technologies to enhance efficiency and broaden their operational capabilities. The anticipation is that as legal ops gains traction, it will develop further roles within organizations, allowing for a more significant focus on cross-functional collaboration. Additionally, they highlight the need for legal leaders to educate their teams on leveraging legal operations effectively to maximize impact across the business.
A typical legal department has some clearly defined responsibilities: commercial contracts, regulatory compliance, employment law, and perhaps government affairs. Yet, legal touches nearly all the other functions in a business and has a unique vantage point. What happens when legal is asked — or chooses — to take on more?
Join Apollo.io Chief Legal Officer Megan Niedermeyer and Senior Legal Operations Manager Brenda Yun Perez for a practical conversation about the limits, and potential limitlessness, of what the legal can take on. We’ll talk through real-world examples like establishing a Deal Desk, owning HR, and other operational processes they’ve chosen to take on as they’ve pursued personal and team growth.
And we’ll discuss how to decide if legal should give something its led back to another team in the business.
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