Legal operations is no longer just a support function — it is a platform for strategic leadership. LegalOps.com co-founders Connie Brenton and Jeffrey Franke share their framework for the future: one built on professional development, actionable data and an integrated legal ecosystem.
CCBJ: Let’s start at a high level. What distinguishes LegalOps.com and the RLLB conference from other players in the legal operations space?
Connie Brenton: We have built something fundamentally different — an ecosystem, not just a conference. RLLB is where the entire legal ecosystem comes together: corporate legal, legal ops, GCs, IP and litigation teams, law firms, tech providers — everyone. Our content is fully curated, and we’re known for its depth and quality. But it is also about creating a professional community that people want to come back to year after year. It is personal.
Jeff Franke: What sets us apart is the rigor. We are building a comprehensive set of reference models and operating frameworks. These aren’t just presentations — they are blueprints for how to run legal like a business. Most organizations in this space do not go that deep. They might offer networking and some vendor-led sessions, but we are offering something more systemic. And it is resonating — we are seeing major companies bring full teams. That is because this is a serious learning environment.
The Strategy Behind the Structure
The conference has a distinct feel — intentional and designed. Can you talk about the programming architecture and who it’s really for?
Franke: We build for all levels — beginner, intermediate and advanced. But we design especially for advanced professionals who are often underserved. We have 15 legal ops practice areas, and we intentionally cover the spectrum. That includes foundational workshops, deep dives into prompt engineering for AI, and Chatham House–style closed-door sessions for advanced problem-solving. Our tech content isn’t fluff — it is implementation-level, and we keep it free of vendor pitches.
Brenton: And it is not just the sessions. Every design choice — from open floorplans to collaborative seating — is about reinforcing that sense of connection. This is a community that supports each other, that shares knowledge freely. We want everyone — from junior analysts to COOs — to feel like they belong and have something to contribute.
A Platform, Not Just a Program
Beyond the event itself, what does LegalOps.com offer year-round?
Brenton: This is where we are different. We are not an events company. We are a content and data company. Behind the scenes, we have a robust platform — a real-time benchmarking tool, a growing online community, compensation data and message boards. Our programming all sits on top of that infrastructure.
Franke: And it’s real data, not static surveys. People input compensation data when they join — it is totally confidential, anonymized and encrypted on the back end. Our data allows us to build personal compensation benchmarking reports, and people are using those reports to secure market driven increases in pay when they get promoted or take a new job. And employers are using the data to help understand market rates. Moreover, we can calibrate compensation data in terms of base, bonus and equity. This creates an ability to have data driven compensation conversations and outcomes.
Certification with Substance
Let’s talk about professional development. You’re building a certification program — what’s the goal?
Brenton: We have needed this for years—a rigorous, credible legal ops certification. Existing programs are often too light to be meaningful. LegalOps.com will include deep training modules, built with and by experts who have worked inside legal departments. We want to ensure that certification means something; it is not just a badge but a sign of real capability.
Franke: We are not rushing the creation of the program. We are building it to last, with input from people who have done this work for decades. It is not just about monetizing a credential. It is about elevating the profession and giving teams a clear developmental roadmap.
The Four Paradigms of Modern Legal
LegalOps.com’s Four Legal Department Paradigms
- Risk Management — Minimizing liability and regulatory exposure
- Business Partnering — Supporting business units with more agile legal processes, more friendly contract templates, etc.
- Strategy Enablement — Supporting enterprise strategy through legal processes and initiatives
- Competitive Advantage — Using Legal as a differentiator in the market
Franke: We have seen Legal Operations Management evolve alongside the role of the general counsel. Some Legal departments are still focused only on guarding the company. Others are now guiding it. The most mature departments are helping drive a competitive advantage. Those four paradigms help companies see where they are — and where they could be.
Brenton: General Counsel are hiring differently now. Legal Operations Executives are moving into chief of staff roles, into COO seats at law firms, even into the business side of the enterprise. It is a sign that Legal Operations expertise offers critical leadership skills needed by any number of Legal and senior business roles.
A Different Kind of Community
You’ve mentioned culture a few times. What’s the community like at RLLB?
Brenton: It feels like a family. We are intentional about balance — providers, law firms, in-house teams. We treat them all as part of the same ecosystem. That is important because the best legal ops professionals do not just sit in one type of organization. They move across the ecosystem, and they need that full network.
Franke: The vibe is about sharing — not showboating. These are hard jobs. They require strategic thinking, emotional intelligence and operational execution. It is cathartic for people to come together, to be honest about their challenges, and to say, “How are you handling this?”
What’s Next: 2025 and Beyond
As you head into your third annual RLLB conference, what are you most excited about?
Brenton: The people. I am passionate about connecting with people and doing what I can to advance their careers. I am equally as passionate about building communities. At LegalOps.com we help Legal Operations executives grow in their practice area expertise, and we help them develop their leadership and professional skills.
Franke: For me, it is defining the space by building the reference models and supporting content. Always. There is a lot of noise in the market. Everyone is talking about AI, and yes, we are covering prompt engineering and agentic AI. But we are also focused on things like knowledge management, strategic planning, budgeting, communications, right-sourcing, vendor management, data and metrics. These are some of the foundations of a modern legal department.
Final Thoughts: Why Now?
What makes this “the moment” to invest in Legal Ops?
Brenton: The pace of change is only accelerating. GenAI, new regulations, rising expectations. You cannot afford not to keep learning — and you cannot do it alone. This is about building the network, the knowledge, and the support to stay ahead.
Franke: There is no blueprint for Legal Operations — yet. But we are building one. And we are doing it together with the community.
More about the upcoming conference here.
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Connie Brenton is a pioneer in Legal Operations, having founded and served as CEO of the Corporate Legal Operations Consortium (CLOC), where she helped define the role during its formative years. Her 20+ year career includes building and leading legal ops functions at Sun Microsystems, Oracle, and NetApp, where she served as Vice President of Law, Technology and Operations and led more than a dozen award-winning, industry-shaping initiatives. Now at the helm of LegalOps.com, she continues to drive innovation, leadership, and community in the field. Connie holds a JD, MBA, and BA in Economics, co-authored Running Legal Like a Business, and has received numerous accolades, including ALM’s Lifetime Achievement Award, recognition from Corporate Counsel and the Daily Journal, and a place among Silicon Valley’s 100 Women of Influence—though she’s just getting started on Act Two.
Jeff Franke has spent over 20 years in senior legal roles, building and leading legal operations teams, managing technology and commercial transactions, and serving as Chief of Staff and General Counsel. A co-founder of CLOC, he helped shape the legal ops profession, developing its 12 Core Competencies and co-creating industry models through LegalOps.com. His career includes leadership positions at Yahoo, Sun Microsystems, and Oracle. Jeff is a longtime advocate for transforming legal into a modern, business-driven function.