Pearls On, Gloves Off

#38 - Legal Ops at Expedia: A Conversation with Mike Russell, Head of Global Legal Operations at Expedia Group

Feb 28, 2024

46:33

In this compelling episode of "Pearls On, Gloves Off," Mary hosts Mike Russell, a seasoned expert in legal operations and legal technology with a career spanning over three decades. From the dawn of internet technology in law firms to the current emphasis on efficiency and innovation, Mike shares invaluable insights into the evolution of legal ops and tech.

The Journey Through Legal Tech Evolution: Discover Mike's early experiences in the 90s with the advent of internet technology in law firms, shaping his profound understanding of legal operations, time billing, and the billable hour concept.
Legal Ops and Legal Tech Synergy: Mike discusses the parallel growth of legal operations and technology over the past decade, highlighting the shift from a focus on profitability to efficiency and the reduction of waste within legal processes.
A Guide to Metrics and KPIs: Co-authoring a book on metrics and KPIs, Mike offers practical advice on capturing data, presenting it effectively to General Counsels, and making data actionable through visual presentation.
Performance Indicators and Efficiency: Emphasizing the importance of spend metrics, performance tracking, and the analysis of work origin and complexity, Mike shares how these indicators can offer deep insights into legal operations efficiency.
Simplifying Technology in Data Analysis: Advocating for simplicity in technological systems, Mike discusses the significance of tailoring data presentation to the audience's needs and the potential of natural language query tools to revolutionize data accessibility.
Starting Your Metrics Journey: For those embarking on their journey with KPIs and metrics, Mike recommends leveraging community resources, understanding organizational needs, and fostering cross-departmental relationships to highlight the value of legal operations.