CLOC Talk

Host: Janessa NelsonGuest: Kunoor ChopraThis episode of CLOC Talk features Janessa Nelson in conversation with Kunoor Chopra, exploring how legal departments can rethink the business of law through smarter use of technology, data, and global resources. The discussion highlights the shift from traditional, reactive legal models to more intentional, design-driven approaches that prioritize efficiency, scalability, and strategic impact. Chopra shares practical insights on right-sourcing work, leveraging alternative legal service providers, and integrating technology in ways that actually solve business problems—not just signal innovation. The conversation also emphasizes the human side of transformation, focusing on enabling legal professionals to spend more time on high-value work while reducing administrative burden. As Corporate Legal Operations Consortium Global Institute approaches, the episode leaves listeners with actionable guidance on where to start, how to build momentum, and why now is a pivotal moment for legal operations evolution.

This Clock Talk episode features Lyndsay Van Benschoten, Director of Legal Operations at HCA Healthcare, discussing why legal operations transformation should be treated as a marathon rather than a sprint. Drawing on her experience running marathons across every continent, she explains the importance of pacing change, sequencing initiatives, and prioritizing long-term strategy over quick fixes. Lindsay shares how she built a legal operations function from scratch by focusing on relationships, foundational processes, and data-driven decision making. She emphasizes balancing quick wins with long-term infrastructure to build trust and momentum. The conversation highlights that sustainable legal ops leadership requires discipline, resilience, and a human-centered approach.

CLOC Talk continues its Clockwise: Year in Review & What’s Next series with a spotlight on Europe—highlighting 2025 as a year of intentional investment, partnerships, and community-building across the region. Host Oyango Snell is joined by Sean Houston, Head of Legal Operations at Heineken and a key leader in CLOC’s European strategy, to discuss the growth of legal ops across the Benelux and beyond, and why Europe’s community culture—open knowledge-sharing, practical takeaways, and “rising tide lifts all ships”—has become a powerful engine for progress.The episode looks ahead to an ambitious 2026, including the CLOC Europe Summit on February 5, 2026 in London, the launch of the Germany chapter, and the continued expansion of member-driven formats like CLOC Around the Table dinners. Sean also previews new regional programming such as CLOC Connect in the Netherlands—bringing together in-house teams, law firms, vendors, and ALSPs/consultants to tackle real operational challenges like outside counsel management—reinforcing CLOC’s focus on practical learning, local relevance, and whole-ecosystem collaboration.

In this CLOC Talk: Clockwise Year in Review episode, host Oyango Snell is joined by German legal operations leaders Michael Thompson and Dr. Vera Roedel to reflect on the themes that defined legal ops in Germany in 2025 and what lies ahead in 2026. Drawing from regional listening sessions and community discussions, they explore why German legal teams prioritize practical, solution-oriented approaches—grounded in real examples, metrics, and peer learning—over theory or hype. Topics include process optimization, technology adoption, change management, and the growing recognition of legal operations as a dedicated profession, not a side role.Looking ahead, the conversation turns to CLOC’s expanding presence in Germany, including the launch of the Germany chapter and a renewed focus on deep peer-to-peer engagement. Michael and Vera discuss how legal ops may evolve through more honest lessons learned, stronger adoption strategies, thoughtful use of legal tech, and increased collaboration across Europe. The episode closes with an invitation to the community to actively participate, share openly, and help shape a trusted, practitioner-led legal ops ecosystem in Germany and beyond.

This episode features an energizing conversation with Maria Pedroza and Gabrielle Silva, who share their journey building the CLOC Spain community and the importance of staying connected, curious, and collaborative in legal operations.They give us a preview of what's ahead for the chapter—including next year’s event—and discuss how regional leadership can shape global impact.Follow Maria, Gabrielle, and the CLOC Spain chapter for updates, and keep tuning in as we continue exploring innovation across the legal ops ecosystem.

In this episode of Clock Talk, hosts Jeremiah Kincannon and Tanya Voda sit down with leadership and DEIB expert Reggie Butler for a thought-provoking conversation about belonging, connection, and humanity at work.The discussion explores:The role of curiosity and empathy in leadershipHow to foster a sense of belonging across teams and organizationsThe difference between scarcity and abundance mindsetsThe evolving importance of “power skills” (formerly “soft skills”) in the hybrid and AI-enabled workplacePractical strategies for leaders and employees to build inclusive, human-centered communities at work.Reggie challenges listeners to lead with intention, expand their “go-to” networks, and “pay attention now” to the human connections that drive real performance and fulfillment.

In this special episode of CLOC Talk, we take you to the 2025 CGI mainstage with the recording of our Powerhouse Perspectives panel discussion. In this thought-provoking discussion, moderator Aine Lyons dive into challenges and opportunities AI presents for legal, with panelists Karen Gally, Eric Dodson Greenberg, and Casey Flaherty. They explore key insights from McKinsey and Deloitte reports, discuss why legal departments must lead AI adoption proactively, and share strategies for integrating AI into daily workflows.  From the power of storytelling and data analysis to the importance of curiosity and cross-functional collaboration, this conversation offers a roadmap for legal professionals looking to become AI experts within their organizations. Tune in for practical advice, strategic insights, and a forward-thinking perspective on evolving with technology. Thank you to our 2025 CLOC Global Institute CLOC Talk sponsor, DeepL.

Big changes don’t always require big budgets. In this episode, An Trotter, Senior Director of Operations at Hearst, joins hosts Jeremiah Kincannon and Janessa Nelson to share how legal teams can make impactful improvements by maximizing internal resources. From deploying e-signatures at no extra cost to building an in-house CLE program with creative solutions, An breaks down the strategies that help legal ops thrive without overspending. The conversation explores flexibility, creativity, and the power of taking calculated risks, plus the role of strong relationships in driving change. An also brings insights from her background in dance where discipline and adaptability are key to success. If you’re looking for ways to transform legal operations on a budget, this episode is packed with inspiration.Thank you to our 2025 CLOC Global Institute CLOC Talk sponsor, DeepL.

Steve Harmon went from doubter to champion in the legal ops world, and in this episode, he joins Jenn McCarron to reflect on a decade of transformation. From early skepticism to measurable success, Steve unpacks the key moments that shaped legal operations including hard lessons, hiring trends, and the influence of industry. They explore how the field grew from a scrappy group to a powerhouse and why mentorship and real results matter more than ever.Thank you to our 2025 CLOC Global Institute CLOC Talk sponsor, DeepL.

Legal departments are more than just support functions—they’re strategic powerhouses. In this episode, Eric Greenberg, General Counsel of Cox Media Group, joins co-hosts Jeremiah Kincannon and Janessa Nelson to explore how legal teams can drive company value, even in resource-constrained environments. The conversation covers negotiation tactics, policy strategies, and the role of empathy and soft skills in business success. Eric breaks down why challenging assumptions, being proactive, and embracing diverse perspectives are key to staying ahead.Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at how legal ops can shift from a cost center to a competitive advantage.Thank you to our 2025 CLOC Global Institute CLOC Talk sponsor, DeepL.

Great presentations don’t just happen, they’re crafted. In this episode, Jenn McCarron sits down with 2025 CGI keynote, Nancy Rademaker and her colleague, Mandy Schild from The Speakers Club to break down the essential elements of powerful communication.The conversation explores how to balance content, design, and delivery to keep audiences engaged, whether in-person or virtually. They discuss the role of storytelling, visuals, and rehearsal, along with the surprising ways AI can enhance preparation while keeping presentations personal.They also dive into how AI is transforming industries, including legal, by automating routine tasks and allowing professionals to focus on more meaningful work. With 44% of legal tasks potentially automated, the discussion highlights the opportunities this shift presents and how professionals can adapt to stay ahead.Tune in for expert insights on refining your presentation skills, making every talk count, and embracing new tools to enhance communication.Thank you to our 2025 CLOC Global Institute CLOC Talk sponsor, DeepL.

Start your day with an audio guided meditation by Lisa Konie.Thank you to our wellness sponsor, Spotdraft.