Navigating
the
world
of
legal
operations
can
feel
as
unpredictable
as
the
weather.
In
a
recent
conversation
with
Adam
Becker,
director
of
legal
operations
at
Cockroach
Labs
and
a
CLOC
board
member,
I
delved
into
the
twists
and
turns
of
his
journey
from
law
firm
associate
to
a
leading
figure
in
legal
ops
—
a
role
that
didn’t
even
exist
when
he
graduated
from
law
school.
Adam’s
path
is
a
testament
to
the
evolution
of
the
legal
field
and
offers
valuable
lessons
for
anyone
looking
to
thrive
in
this
dynamic
space.
Here
are
three
unexpected
takeaways
from
our
conversation.
1.
Curiosity
Is
Your
Most
Valuable
Asset
One
of
the
most
striking
aspects
of
Adam’s
career
trajectory
is
his
unwavering
curiosity.
For
Adam,
curiosity
isn’t
just
a
nice-to-have
trait
—
it’s
the
cornerstone
of
success
in
legal
operations.
Being
curious
means
constantly
asking
questions
about
how
things
work,
why
certain
processes
are
in
place,
and
how
they
can
be
improved.
This
trait
allows
legal
ops
professionals
to
stay
ahead
of
the
curve
and
adapt
to
new
challenges
as
they
arise.
Adam’s
advice?
Never
stop
learning.
Whether
it’s
understanding
the
latest
technological
advancements
in
the
legal
field
or
exploring
new
ways
to
streamline
processes,
staying
curious
keeps
you
engaged
and
proactive.
In
a
rapidly
evolving
landscape
like
legal
ops,
where
new
problems
surface
daily,
curiosity
drives
innovation
and
problem-solving.
2.
The
Power
Of
The
“For
Now”
Job
Many
professionals
view
a
job
as
a
stepping
stone
to
something
bigger
—
a
“for
now”
role.
Adam’s
perspective
on
this
is
refreshingly
different.
Instead
of
seeing
these
roles
as
mere
placeholders,
he
views
them
as
opportunities
to
gain
experience,
build
skills,
and
prepare
for
the
next
big
leap.
A
“for
now”
job
is
not
about
complacency;
it’s
about
strategically
positioning
yourself
for
future
opportunities.
Adam
emphasizes
the
importance
of
having
a
clear
end
date
or
milestone
for
these
transitional
roles.
This
helps
maintain
focus
and
ensures
that
you
are
actively
working
towards
your
long-term
career
goals.
By
treating
each
job
as
a
learning
and
earning
opportunity,
you
can
turn
even
a
temporary
position
into
a
meaningful
chapter
in
your
career
narrative.
3.
Build
Your
Own
Board
Of
Advisors
Navigating
your
career,
especially
in
a
field
as
dynamic
as
legal
ops,
requires
more
than
just
professional
skills
—
it
demands
a
solid
support
network.
Adam
highlights
the
importance
of
building
a
personal
“board
of
advisors”
—
a
group
of
trusted
individuals
who
can
offer
diverse
perspectives
and
honest
feedback.
This
group
isn’t
limited
to
traditional
mentors;
it
can
include
former
managers,
peers,
direct
reports,
or
even
professionals
from
different
industries.
What’s
key,
Adam
notes,
is
maintaining
these
relationships
over
time
and
being
open
to
their
input,
even
when
it’s
not
what
you
want
to
hear.
The
insights
and
advice
from
your
board
of
advisors
can
provide
clarity
and
direction,
helping
you
navigate
career
changes,
seize
new
opportunities,
and
avoid
potential
pitfalls.
Embrace
The
Unexpected
In
Legal
Ops
Adam
Becker’s
journey
in
legal
operations
is
a
powerful
reminder
that
success
in
this
field
isn’t
just
about
following
a
set
path;
it’s
about
being
adaptable,
staying
curious,
and
leveraging
every
opportunity
for
growth.
By
embracing
these
three
unexpected
lessons
—
cultivating
curiosity,
treating
every
job
as
a
strategic
opportunity,
and
building
a
strong
network
—
you
can
navigate
the
unpredictable
landscape
of
legal
operations
with
confidence
and
creativity.
For
those
looking
to
dive
deeper
into
Adam’s
experiences
and
gain
more
insights
on
thriving
in
legal
ops,
be
sure
to
check
out
the
full
episode.
It’s
packed
with
practical
tips
and
strategies
to
help
you
turn
challenges
into
opportunities
and
build
a
successful
career
in
this
exciting
and
ever-evolving
field.
Olga
V.
Mack
is
a
Fellow
at
CodeX,
The
Stanford
Center
for
Legal
Informatics,
and
a
Generative
AI
Editor
at
law.MIT.
Olga
embraces
legal
innovation
and
had
dedicated
her
career
to
improving
and
shaping
the
future
of
law.
She
is
convinced
that
the
legal
profession
will
emerge
even
stronger,
more
resilient,
and
more
inclusive
than
before
by
embracing
technology.
Olga
is
also
an
award-winning
general
counsel,
operations
professional,
startup
advisor,
public
speaker,
adjunct
professor,
and
entrepreneur.
She
authored Get
on
Board:
Earning
Your
Ticket
to
a
Corporate
Board
Seat, Fundamentals
of
Smart
Contract
Security,
and Blockchain
Value:
Transforming
Business
Models,
Society,
and
Communities. She
is
working
on
three
books:
Visual
IQ
for
Lawyers
(ABA
2024), The
Rise
of
Product
Lawyers:
An
Analytical
Framework
to
Systematically
Advise
Your
Clients
Throughout
the
Product
Lifecycle
(Globe
Law
and
Business
2024),
and
Legal
Operations
in
the
Age
of
AI
and
Data
(Globe
Law
and
Business
2024).
You
can
follow
Olga
on
LinkedIn
and
Twitter
@olgavmack.