ACC Legal Operations offers this Maturity Model as a reference tool. Legal department leaders are encouraged to use it as a tool to benchmark maturity in any given area(s), bearing in mind that based on department size, staffing and budgets, priorities and aspirational targets will vary.
We have partnered with leading legal service providers to produce the Foundational Toolkit to advance from Early to Intermediate stages in each of 14 law department management functions, which will be presented in a series of monthly webcasts beginning in January 2018. We invite you to return often as we assemble the toolkit.
Legal Operations Maturity Model Series - Change Management
Feb 05, 2019– On Demand 60 Minutes
CLE/CPD Credit Available
Cultural Change Management
This Cultural Change Management presentation defines change management, explains why change management is important, and discusses how to create a culture of change management.
Find Solutions to Real-Life Change Management Challenges
This presentation outlines the phases of the change transition curve and what behaviors employees may exhibit in each phase.
Mastering the Change Curve -Theoretical Background
Key concepts when preparing a discussion, conversation, or work-shop.
Maturity Model Change Management Guide to Creating Workflow
After a project’s scope is defined, a plan can be created that outlines the work needed to achieve the project’s objectives. A workflow diagram provides a succinct, visual representation of the process that will be followed to complete that work.
Maturity Model Change Management Preparation Workbook
A Preparation Workbook: a topical checklist to help condition stakeholders to the change while managing expectations and making change happen (and stick!).
Maturity Model Change Management Readiness Assessment
Readiness Assessment – use to survey and evaluate your group’s readiness for a proposed organizational change.
Maturity Model Change Management Readying for Change Presentation
Understanding the change transition curve and actions you can take to influence yourself and others through change
Maturity Model Change Management Roles in Organizational Change Management
A guide to the informal influencers and the roles they play in a successful organizational change management initiative.
Maturity Model Change Management Stages of Change Readiness
The ADKAR model was originally developed to evaluate change at the individual level but is often used to evaluate an organization’s readiness. Use in conjunction with the Readiness Assessment to determine your organization’s change threshold.
Maturity Model Change Management Value Challenge -Skills Program
Implementing changes in fee structures should not happen in isolation. Changes to value based billing affect only one factor in the value equation. Implementing value based billing is an opportunity to examine working relationships and processes to drive efficiency. It is a step to a Value Based Relationship.
Maturity Model Change Management Worksheet
This worksheet should be used in conjunction with Managing Change – A Preparation Workbook and serve as a planning document and communication piece for any change management initiative
Operations Scope of Responsibilities for Change Management
This document outlines considerations to be made when determining where Operations Teams should prioritize their resources, as well as a sample prioritization based on experience working with many Operations teams.
What is Change?
Presentation on readying for change
Maturity Model Compliance - Definitive Guide to Compliance Third Party Risk Management
Learn how to implement a robust risk-based strategy that defines your third-party risk profile, standardizes the due diligence process, and performs continuous monitoring of third-party partners.
Maturity Model Compliance - Definitive Guide to Compliance Training
Learn how to develop a strong training program that prevents misconduct, improves employee morale, strengthens alignment with core values and promotes ethical behavior.
Maturity Model Compliance - Definitive Guide to Incident Management
Learn how to implement comprehensive incident management program that reinforces an organization’s commitment to ethical business practices.
Maturity Model Compliance - Definitive Guide to Policy Management
Learn how to develop a powerful, scalable, flexible, feature-rich policy management system enables organizations to manage policies throughout all of the stages of the policy life cycle.
Maturity Model Compliance 7 Steps to Creating a Culture of Ethics Integrity and Compliance
Prioritize your organization's compliance needs so that you can better understand the likelihood and magnitude of potential issues with these easy-to-follow steps.
Maturity Model Compliance Definitive Guide to Compliance Program Assessment
Review the essential components of an effective compliance program and learn how to assess its overall impact on an organization to drive continuous improvements.
Legal Operations Maturity Model Series - Evolving Your Contract Management Process
Feb 22, 2018– On Demand 60 Minutes
CLE/CPD Credit Available
CLM Platform Functionality Checklist
Checklist to help prioritize CLM features and functionality when choosing a platform.
Contact Review Request Form
Intake form to assist effective contract request routing and creation.
Contract Risk Classification Questionnaire
Sample questionnaire for classifying contracts according to risk
Fall-back Analysis Report
Sample clause fall-back position utilization analysis
Illustrative SLA and Balance Scorecard Report
Sample of an Illustrative contract management SLA and Balance Scorecard Report
Knowledge Transfer Checklist for Contract Management and Playbook Design
Document production request list for Knowledge Transfer to enable contract playbook design
OneNote Playbook
Screenshot of OneNote NDA Agreements Process and Playbook homepage
OneNote Playbook Contract Structure
Screenshot of OneNote Contract Process and Playbook Structure
Playbook Structure Handout
Contract Process and Negotiation Playbook Structure
Pulling Data from Contracts
Sample of Pulling Structured Data from Your Contracts
Legal Operations Maturity Model Series - E-discovery & Litigation Management
Mar 22, 2018– On Demand 60 Minutes
CLE/CPD Credit Available
eDiscovery & Litigation Management Conflict Check Template
Form for submitting requests for external providers to run conflicts and providing all information needed to run a thorough and complete check
Kick-off Call Notes Template for eDiscovery and Litigation Management
Form template and sample for capturing kick-off call notes for eDiscovery & Litigation Management departments.
Kick-off Meeting Agenda Template for eDiscovery & Litigation Management
Internal kick-off meeting agenda template for new eDiscovery case.
Legal Operations - Litigation Services Manager Job Description
Sample job description for responsibities for interpreting data, analyzing results and providing on-going reports and metrics to execute our primary goal to reduce legal spend, while improving quality, value, and forecasting.
Notional Organization Chart for eDiscovery & Litigation Management
Form organization chart template for eDiscovery and Litigation Management departments
Project Scoping Checklist for eDiscovery and Litigation Management
Form for collecting all pertinent information relating to details of document review phase of eDiscovery to make sure all participants can prepare more accurate budgets and project plans
Legal Operations Maturity Model Series - External Resources Management
Nov 06, 2018– On Demand 60 Minutes
CLE/CPD Credit Available
Attorney Onboarding Best Practices
The purpose of this document is to recommend best practices around the on-boarding of new outside attorneys.
Attorney Satisfaction Template
Template for Scoring Satisfaction with Outside Attorneys
Budgeting Recommendations
Budgets should be prepared on a “life of matter” basis, but should be updated periodically as the matter and assumptions evolve over time.
Guidelines and Recommendations for Developing Dashboards
A good legal spend dashboard provides a high level overview of your legal spend and delivers key data points on one screen or page.
Law firm Innovation Capabilities Questionnaire
Sample survey questions to be used with law firms to gather data on innovation initiatives within the law firm.
Outside Counsel Guidelines Template
Best practices and guideline review and development template
RFP Guidelines
RFP’s (Requests for Proposal) can be a helpful tool to assist in selecting the right law firm for material matters.
Top Metrics
Definition of top metrics used and how to calculate and use them.
Legal Operations Maturity Model Series - Evolving Your Financial Management Process
Oct 10, 2018– On Demand 60 Minutes
CLE/CPD Credit Available
Financial Management Budget and GL Accounts
Financial Management Budget and GL Accounts Worksheet
Financial Management Building a Budget
Financial Management Worksheet for Budget Build-up with Initiatives
Financial Management Restructure Inhouse
Financial Management Restructure In-house Worksheet
Financial Management ROI Worksheet
Return on Investment Worksheet
Legal Operations Maturity Model Series - Information Governance & Records Management
Jan 08, 2019– On Demand 60 Minutes
CLE/CPD Credit Available
Creating a Data Classification Sample Form
Outlines key concepts and recommended practices for creation of a Data Security policy.
Data Map Design Strategies Sample Form
Outlines what a data map is and design strategies.
Data Map Population Strategies Sample Form
Outlines sample data map population strategies.
IG Committee Sample Charter
Charter for a cross functional Information Governance Committee.
Records Management Maturity Model
The ACC Records Management Program Maturity model provides a detailed maturity model for all aspects of an organization's records program. It seeks to gauge program effectiveness across a variety of program elements, taking a "big picture" view to increase program value.
Sample Information Governance Project Plan
Sample project plan for starting or upgrading a records retention or information governance program.
Legal Operations Maturity Model Series - Intellectual Property Management
Sep 27, 2018– On Demand 60 Minutes
CLE/CPD Credit Available
Key Metrics for Intellectual Property Portfolio Measurement
This document’s purpose is to illustrate possible metrics to be considered when measuring an Intellectual Property Portfolio.
Sample Patent Renewal Analysis Report
This sample report provides the user with a mechanism to show how patents in a portfolio are analyzed and rated based on the criteria outlined below. Ultimately this tool will help provide information needed to determine patent renewal.
- Enforceability - Likelihood that the claims can be enforced on potential commercial products and services that may be implementing the underlying technology of the patent.
- Infringement Detectability - Likelihood of detectability of infringement from publicly available information or other means
- Market Relevance - Commercial Scope of the patented invention
- Cost of Evidence - Cost of procuring evidence to determine infringement
- Priority of the invention with respect to the technology existing at the time of filing
Legal Operations Maturity Model Series - Internal Resources Management
Jun 21, 2018– On Demand 60 Minutes
CLE/CPD Credit Available
Development Plan Maturity Model for Internal Resource Management
This document’s purpose is to assist in the facilitation of a conversation with Law Department team members who are looking to advance their careers. The topics outlined in the far left column should be amended to meet the needs of the unique Law Department, and the document could be amended for different time frames depending on the goal of the individual.
Diversity and Inclusion Commitment Checklist
Demonstrate your individual commitment to diversity and inclusion by completing at least five action items on this checklist during the year. To the extent possible, we ask them to select at least one action item in each of the three categories.
Employee Engagement - Internal Resource Management
To meet the need to recognize and encourage talent, especially when promotion is not available or appropriate for the situation, this document’s purpose is to generate ideas about how to engage team members, as well as things to keep in mind when recognizing team members for a job well done.
Guide to Value Based Staffing (Curated)
The ACC Guide to Value-Based Staffing outlines a step-by-step process to ensure that all available resources are optimally used and focused on the right work. The guide includes illustrations, tables, and case studies to assist users in the process. The guide focuses on allocation of legal services – who should do what work – i.e., how to determine what work should remain in-house and how it should be distributed, and what should be sent to outside counsel, outsourced, automated, or eliminated.
Maturity Model Internal Resource Management
Internal Resource Management Early, Intermediate and Advance Stages of the Maturity Model
Operations Scope of Responsibilities for Internal Resource Management
This document outlines considerations to be made when determining where Operations Teams should prioritize their resources, as well as a sample prioritization based on experience working with many Operations teams.
Teleworking Policy and Procedures
Sample Teleworking Policy and Procedures
Legal Operations Maturity Model Series - Knowledge Management
Aug 01, 2018– On Demand 60 Minutes
CLE/CPD Credit Available
ACC Value Challenge Guide to Knowledge Management (Curated)
Seminal resource for Knowledge Management professionals and their organizations.
Creating a Skills Inventory for Knowledge Management
Detailed checklist for developing a directory of professional skills and expertise of interest to your department.
Developing a Knowledge Management Taxonomy
Taxonomy introduction and instructions on building a taxonomy as part of your department’s Knowledge Management program.
Knowledge Management - Building a Digital Library
Basic steps for building your digital precedent library.
Knowledge Management - Legal Knowledge Manager Job Description
Sample job description outlining the Legal Knowledge Manager role, responsibilities and qualifications.
Knowledge Management Business Analyst Job Descriptions
Sample job descriptions for various levels of Knowledge Management business analysts.
Knowledge Management Interest Generator
A graphic to promote the value of and generate interest in a department’s Knowledge Management program.
Knowledge Management Offboarding Checklist
This checklist is for use by managers to assure an orderly capture and transition of company information from departing lawyers, so the company does not risk losing valuable organizational knowledge with every departure.
Knowledge Management Strategy Roadmap
A tool to help departments define the purpose and goals of a Knowledge Management program in their specific organization and identify strategies to achieve the goals.
Knowledge Management Toolkit Introduction
Overview of Knowledge Management and the toolkit documents.
Knowledge Management: People, Processes & Opportunities
A checklist of department information-sharing processes and opportunities.
Legal Operations Maturity Model Series - Evolving Your Metrics and Analytics Process
May 24, 2018– On Demand 60 Minutes
CLE/CPD Credit Available
Maturity Model Metrics & Analysis Toolkit Resource
"Metrics Framework” is a tool that can be leveraged by those moving from the early to intermediate stage.
Maturity Model Metrics & Analysis Toolkit Resource - Capture, Calculate and Report
This multiple tab spreadsheet provides a data capture form, with definitions and a template for data input fields (provides guidance on WHAT to track to generate metrics). Also included: dashboard for Core Metrics and Advanced Metrics.
Legal Operations Maturity Model Series - Project and Process Management
Apr 26, 2018– On Demand 60 Minutes
CLE/CPD Credit Available
ACC Guide to Project Management
This ACC Guide to Project Management utlines the processes to control matters and ensure predictability of spending. Tools are provided to establish scope, staffing plan, budget, schedule, monitor progress and review/improve performance.
Communication Protocol Worksheet for Process & Project Management
At the outset of the engagement, this template may be used to establish how and at what frequency the project team with communicate internally and with outside counsel/third parties.
Creating A Workflow Diagram
Tips for defining the steps necessary to accomplish a specific process, and for creating a visual representation of the process once defined.
(Project Risk Analysis Worksheet; Communication Protocol Worksheet; Scope Change Procedures Worksheet; Matter Lessons Learned Review)
Exposing Legal Project Management Myths
Presentation by Elevate on the Truth Behind What Works and What Doesn't
Law firm Innovation Capabilities Questionnaire
Sample survey questions to be used with law firms to gather data on innovation initiatives within the law firm.
Legal Process Improvement (SeyfarthLean)
Legal process improvement offers the greatest opportunities to increase efficiencies and reduce costs in a litigation process. Techniques from traditional Lean thinking and Six Sigma principles can be combined and tailored for legal matters.
Matter Lessons Learned Review for Process & Project Management
Conducting an After Action Review (AAR) is one of the most neglected and highest potential return legal project management activities. This template may be used to set an agenda, identify participants, and record data for future use.
Process & Project Mgmt Kick-Off Meeting Agenda Template
Holding a project kick-off meeting with the internal team (and outside counsel) lets the team know that the project has started, and is the last best chance to confirm scope, schedule and budget, and that everyone understands what the project is and is not.
Project Risk Analysis Worksheet
Use this worksheet to itemize all of the concerns that could negatively or positively affect project progress, the impact each concern may have on the project, and how the team will handle each issue if/when it occurs.
Scope Change Procedures Worksheet for Process and Project Management
– Events will undoubtedly occur during the course of a project that alters the initial project scope. Discussing and agreeing to how these scope changes will be handled ensures that the project will continue to progress.
Tips for Scoping a Project
Suggestions for setting out the project’s goals, participants, business objectives, and identifying what work is included and excluded from current consideration.
Legal Operations Maturity Model Series - Evolving Your Strategic Planning & Legal Ops Leadership
Jan 25, 2018– On Demand 60 Minutes
CLE/CPD Credit Available
Sample Strategic Plan
This document is an example of a completed strategic plan for reference and corresponds to the Strategic Plan template.
Strategic Planning - Cascading Plan Template
This Cascading Plan template is designed to guide Department Leadership through brainstorming and formulating strategic priorities, which are used in building the strategy roadmap.
Strategic Planning - Sample Plan and Project Plan Template
This Strategy Roadmap template is designed to help Department Leadership clearly articulate the Department's vision and prioritize strategic objectives.
Strategic Planning Roles and Responsibilities Matrix
This document outlines the responsibilities of each person's role in the Department at each stage of the strategic planning process.
Strategic Planning Sample Vision Statement
This document provides useful examples of Legal Department vision statements to reference during the strategic planning process.
Strategic Planning Vision Facilitation Template
This document provides guidance and an outline for building the Department's vision statement, which enables the Department to create a strategic plan.
Legal Operations Maturity Model Series – Better Leveraging Technology
Jul 25, 2018– On Demand 60 Minutes
CLE/CPD Credit Available
Tools and Technology - Roadmap
Tools to inventory and assess current state technology, and prioritize technology initiatives.
Tools and Technology - System Implementation Project Management
Template technology implementation charter and high-level project plan.
Tools and Technology - Technology Discussion Guide
Interview guide to assess current state technology utilization and future state requirements.
Jan 25 2018 – On Demand 60 Minutes
CLE/CPD Credit Available
Feb 22 2018 – On Demand 60 Minutes
CLE/CPD Credit Available
Mar 22 2018 – On Demand 60 Minutes
CLE/CPD Credit Available
Apr 26 2018 – On Demand 60 Minutes
CLE/CPD Credit Available
May 24 2018 – On Demand 60 Minutes
CLE/CPD Credit Available
Jun 21 2018 – On Demand 60 Minutes
CLE/CPD Credit Available
Jul 25 2018 – On Demand 60 Minutes
CLE/CPD Credit Available
Aug 01 2018 – On Demand 60 Minutes
CLE/CPD Credit Available
Sep 27 2018 – On Demand 60 Minutes
CLE/CPD Credit Available
Oct 10 2018 – On Demand 60 Minutes
CLE/CPD Credit Available
Nov 06 2018 – On Demand 60 Minutes
CLE/CPD Credit Available
Jan 08 2019 – On Demand 60 Minutes
CLE/CPD Credit Available
Feb 05 2019 – On Demand 60 Minutes
CLE/CPD Credit Available
Mar 05 2019 – On Demand 60 Minutes
CLE/CPD Credit Available
The Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) promotes the common professional and business interests of in-house counsel through information, education, networking, and advocacy. With more than 43,000 members in 85 countries employed by over 10,000 organizations, ACC connects its members to people and resources for personal and professional growth.
ACC Legal Operations is a section of ACC that supports corporate legal operations professionals by delivering benchmarking, resources, education, and opportunities to collaborate. It also serves as a unified voice to advance this critical business function. Members of ACC, and corporate legal operations professionals who are not lawyers, are invited to participate.
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