The legal industry is undergoing a significant digital transformation, with artificial intelligence (AI) and legal technology playing pivotal roles in modernizing operations. This shift is reshaping how legal services are delivered, enhancing efficiency, and improving client experiences. As law firms and corporate legal departments embrace digital solutions, they face the challenge of managing change effectively within traditionally conservative environments.
The integration of AI in legal practice is enabling faster document review, more accurate contract analysis, and predictive analytics for case outcomes. However, the adoption of these technologies requires careful change management strategies to overcome resistance and ensure successful implementation. Legal operations managers are at the forefront of this transformation, tasked with optimizing workflows, implementing new technologies, and fostering a culture of innovation.
As the legal sector continues to evolve, the focus on interdisciplinary collaboration and the development of specialized roles like legal engineers is becoming increasingly important. This digital revolution not only promises increased efficiency but also raises questions about data protection, ethical considerations, and the need for new regulatory frameworks to govern AI in legal practice
To explore these themes further, we have had a conversation with Lena O’Brien to discuss her insights on navigating change in legal operations.
Could you please introduce yourself and give us a brief overview of your career journey?
Lena O’Brien: Certainly. I am currently the Legal Operations Manager at Symrise, a global chemistry company specializing in scents, flavors, and food and beverage solutions. We create essential components for everyday products, although we primarily operate B2B, so our name might not be widely known outside the industry. Our products are part of daily life, used approximately 30 to 40 times a day in various forms, from beverages to cleaning products​​. Before Symrise, I worked in the legal technology departments of a commercial law firm and a consumer law firms.
What does the role of a Legal Operations Manager entail in a company like Symrise?
Lena O’Brien: My role involves overseeing the processes and digital transformation of our legal department. This includes optimizing workflows and integrating legal tech solutions to ensure our department is efficient and up-to-date with modern digital standards. We handle contracts, organizational matters, and any legal issues that arise. My focus is on making our legal processes more efficient through digitization and ensuring we stay competitive in a rapidly changing environment​​.
How has the process of digitizing your legal operations been so far?
Lena O’Brien: Digitization in the legal field is challenging due to natural resistance to change. Lawyers are often comfortable with traditional methods. However, embracing legal tech is crucial to remain competitive. Our efforts focus on streamlining processes and ensuring that our legal team can leverage the latest technologies effectively. For example, the adoption of digital signatures in Germany has been slow, partly due to stringent legal requirements for physical signatures on important documents​​.
Can you share some insights into the change management projects you have been involved in?
Lena O’Brien: Change management in legal operations is about managing both the technological and psychological aspects of change. One significant project, prior to my time at Symrise,-involved integrating gender-neutral language into our communications. This required offering different options and training to employees to ensure smooth adoption. Still some people were against the change, and this will always happen. Another example is our effort to digitize and optimize legal workflows, which involved significant training and support to overcome resistance. The key is to set realistic expectations and focus on the positive aspects of change, rather than getting bogged down by resistance​​.
What are the main challenges you face in change management?
Lena O’Brien: One of the main challenges is the human aspect. People naturally resist change, and this is no different in the legal industry. Effective change management requires understanding these psychological barriers and addressing them proactively. It involves setting the right expectations and focusing on the benefits rather than the drawbacks. For instance, in Germany, the older workforce and stringent legal requirements pose significant hurdles to digitization as well as the slow adaption of digital workflows in German authorities. Many legal documents still require physical signatures, which complicates the transition to digital processes​​.
How do you see the future of legal operations and change management?
Lena O’Brien: The future lies in greater interdisciplinarity and collaboration. Legal departments need to integrate more closely with IT and other areas to leverage expertise from different fields. This will help in creating more innovative solutions and staying ahead in a competitive environment. I believe that as more legal tech roles emerge, such as legal engineers and legal operations specialists, we will see a significant shift towards a more digitized and efficient legal landscape. In Germany, overcoming cultural resistance and regulatory barriers will be key to making this transition successful​​.
Before we wrap up, what are you most excited about for the future of legal operations?
Lena O’Brien: I’m thrilled about the potential of AI and machine learning to revolutionize processes, making legal professionals even more efficient and forward-thinking.
Insights on navigating change and modernizing legal operations with AI and technology, overcoming resistance, and transforming legal workflows.
