Chris Apple
Manager, Member Services & Development
Arkansas
The CLOC Member Spotlight series profiles the incredible individuals within our community who are driving transformation in legal ops. Each spotlight provides inspiration, fosters connections, and gives readers a chance to learn more about their peers. By sharing these stories, we celebrate the diverse voices and talents that make CLOC a vibrant and connected community.
LaTrece Johnson is the Director, Head of Legal Operations with Palo Alto Networks, Inc. She serves as the 2026 regional co-lead of CLOC Southern California. Keep reading to learn more about LaTrece.
About me:
My entry into Legal Operations a decade ago was a happy accident. Over brunch and cocktails, a friend mentioned her struggle to find someone for an e-billing role at Adobe; she needed someone comfortable with numbers, and my Finance degree fit the bill. Her persistence led me to apply, and looking back, it was one of the best career decisions I’ve ever made.
I spent four and a half years at Adobe, focused on e-billing, knowledge management, and project management. In 2019, I stepped into a unique role at CLOC as a contractor overseeing content for the Global Institute in Vegas. After the institute, I joined CLOC full time to help them with content for the growing global community. Taking a step into this role also allowed me to build a personal brand outside of a corporate title and a chance to connect and build relationships with global leaders to tell stories that drive the industry forward.
After a brief stint elsewhere, I joined Palo Alto Networks, where I’ve been for the last 4.5 years. My journey—full of both successes and “learning moments” has shaped me into the leader I am today. Beyond my day job, I’m proud to have co-founded the Black Legal Operations Community (BLOC). We’ve built a safe, invite-only space for Black professionals to navigate workplace microaggressions, share frustrations, and elevate one another. It’s a testament to how the global Legal Ops community brings us together in meaningful ways.
Why I love being a CLOC member:
I am eternally grateful that my first manager at Adobe was one of CLOC’s founding members. After my first Institute in San Francisco, she encouraged me to shadow peers at other organizations. For someone new to the industry, this was invaluable. Every person I shadowed was incredibly open with their guidance, helping me navigate everything from technical workflows to the frustrations of negotiating law firm billing rates.
What I love most about this community is our radical willingness to share. Whenever I hit a wall, I have a “brain trust” of advisors I can call. My leadership appreciates that I don’t claim to know everything, but they value that I always know who to call to find the answer. I wouldn’t be the professional I am today without this community.
My advice for other legal ops professionals:
I make it a point to take at least one Friday every month to connect virtually with my peers. It is so easy to get buried in the “day job,” but stepping back to hear what others are solving for is vital. I don’t just walk away with more knowledge; I walk away with a broader perspective. It’s about more than “not reinventing the wheel”, it’s about using our collective resources to help each other look like rockstars.
A fun fact about me:
I am a proud “dog mom” to Sancho, a very spoiled 2.5-year-old Black Lab/Pittie mix. He is such a big part of my world that he’s even joined me on stage for a conference panel! If we’re on a call together and I’m outdoors, I’m likely at Dog PPL in Santa Monica, a canine social club and co-working space. When I’m not hanging out with Sancho, you can find me on the field playing competitive co-ed kickball.
CLOC Member Spotlights provide an opportunity to showcase members within our community who are making a difference in their organizations, in their CLOC groups, within the CLOC community and/or the industry as a whole. Do you know of a really cool thing a CLOC member is doing? We invite you to nominate a member of the CLOC Community for a future feature in the CLOC Member Spotlights Series.