Creativity Opens Doors: Embracing Legal Ops 3.0 at CGI 2025

“Creativity opens doors.” That’s my spin on the theme of the 2025 CLOC Global Institute. And it’s a mindset shift for legal operations professionals ready to lead what’s next. In Las Vegas this year, we move into a new phase of innovation, strategic thinking, and collaboration.

The Shift in Legal Operations

Legal ops is changing fast. According to CLOC’s latest State of the Industry report with Harbor, 93% of legal ops professionals say their roles are growing. The focus is shifting to AI, data analytics, and vendor management. This marks a clear turn from Legal Ops 2.0, which focused on efficiency. Legal Ops 3.0 to emphasize strategic value and smart execution.

AI adoption in legal departments has doubled in the past year. The trend is accelerating. Legal ops teams need to lead with creativity to unlock new ways of delivering results.

Soft Skills Matter

Technical skills are important. But leading real change also takes:

• Change Leadership: Guiding teams through technological rollouts and process overhauls with empathy and clear direction.
  
  
• Storytelling with Data: Turning complex data into compelling narratives that drive executive buy-in and team alignment.
  
  
• Emotional Intelligence: Building trust through self-awareness and empathy.
  
  
• Enterprise Collaboration: Connecting legal, finance, procurement, and IT to break down silos.
  
  
• Critical Thinking: Responding quickly to shifting market demands and taking a creative approach to problem-solving.

These skills align with key parts of the CLOC Core 12, including Strategic Planning, Technology, and Optimization & Health.

What’s Ahead

This week features speakers like futurist Nancy Rademaker, legal leader Irene Liu and CLOC’s Executive Director, Oyango Snell. Their insights will help shape how we move forward.

As you explore new tools and approaches, choose creativity. It opens paths to impact, growth, and leadership.

The doors are open. Walk through them. Take the lead.