September 20, 2024

By Nicole Zafian

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Following months of collaborating with the CLOC APAC Summit Planning Committee, we finally witnessed the results of our efforts in Sydney. After a five-year hiatus, returning to the APAC Summit was a moment of significance.  

This year’s event was a strong representation of CLOC Strategic Pillars—Community, Content, and Conversations. 

Community 

The summit was a collective effort from regional leaders and the Education Advisory Council (EAC) who worked closely to develop a program tailored for the APAC community. Seeing the plans come to life onsite was deeply fulfilling. The energy in the room was palpable as attendees reconnected and made new connections, a hallmark of CLOC’s focus on peer-to-peer engagement. 

The buzz of professionals, old and new, exchanging insights reminded us why these gatherings matter. The relationships built here are the foundation of an ever-evolving legal operations landscape. 

Content 

The program kicked off with a forward-looking panel on “The Future of Legal Operations,” where the evolving role of legal ops was at the center of the discussion. CLOC President, Jenn McCarron’s 2030 vision for legal operations—moving towards “strategic operations”—set the tone for the summit. 

Keynote speaker Holly Ransom tackled the timely issue of change management, offering fresh insights into building the right support systems to drive meaningful change. She coined a memorable phrase: “Change can only move at the pace of trust.” Her advice to build a change management “cabinet,” made up of a supporter, sage, sponsor, and sparring partner, resonated with attendees. 

The breakout sessions, developed through a regional call for proposals, provided practical approaches from local experts. The “AI in Practice” session by Olivia Perks and Deborah Hook gave an unfiltered look into piloting a GenAI chatbot at the University of Sydney. Meanwhile, Gabrielle Ahern and Lauren Ziegelaar of BHP shared how they demonstrated the value of a legal ops function in the session “The Legal Operations Evolution to Drive Impact at BHP.” 

The Solution Labs showcased real-world collaborations between legal service providers and clients. From Morae’s focus on external panel management to Josef’s “build vs. buy” dilemma in adopting GenAI technology, and Epiq’s example of successful tech adoption, these sessions provided actionable insights. 

Closing the day was an engaging debate-style panel on GenAI’s impact on law firm pricing. In-house leaders Anna Golovsky and Petra Stirling humorously tackled GenAI’s potential for positive change, while firm representatives Michelle Mahoney and Genevieve Collins argued that GenAI’s real value lies in enhancing services rather than reducing fees. 

Conversations 

Small group discussions provided an intimate setting for peer-to-peer learning, creating space for meaningful exchanges on the topics that mattered most to attendees. These moments of candid sharing and support embody the essence of CLOC—where the magic happens through dialogue. 

The event also extended into the CLOC Talk podcast, where Jenn McCarron sat down with keynote speaker Holly Ransom and Craig Emery, General Counsel at Telstra. Holly expanded on her keynote by delving into the soft skills needed for the future of work, while Craig spoke about the challenges of changing user behavior and how legal operations is crucial to success. 

These conversations, both onstage and off, will carry beyond the summit. The dialogues sparked here are the kind that will continue to influence the profession for years to come. 

Closing Thoughts 

As I reflect on the CLOC APAC Summit, I am filled with gratitude. This community—especially the APAC region—never fails to inspire through its openness, willingness to share, and commitment to growth. My favorite part of my role at CLOC is engaging with the incredible members and leaders who shape this profession, and this event was a perfect reminder of why that matters.