# https://brightflag.com/ >Brightflag is an intuitive, AI-powered e-billing and matter management legal technology platform that in-house legal departments use to gain full visibility into their legal work and spend. ## Legal Operations Platform # Complete visibility into legal work and spend ## Intuitive, AI-powered e-billing and matter management [Book a Demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/) [Take a Product Tour](https://brightflag.com/tour/) Brightflag legal e-billing and matter management: 5-minute overview ![5-minute overview of Brightflag's Legal Operations Platform](https://fast.wistia.net/embed/medias/b1k97wmtr1/swatch) ![5-minute overview of Brightflag's Legal Operations Platform](https://embed-ssl.wistia.com/deliveries/4726d737c4898ad45a87520372fec901.webp?image_crop_resized=640x360) ## Brightflag is a valued and trusted partner for in-house legal teams around the world ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Spring-G2-Badges-Banner-1.svg) Previous ![5 out of 5 stars](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/brightflag_rating_5.svg) ## “The Brightflag platform is extremely intuitive and truly innovative.” Nicholas Cuffe, Change, Innovation & Technology Manager, NatWest ![5 out of 5 stars](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/brightflag_rating_5.svg) ## “Brightflag's AI makes invoice review effortless and saves us time and money.” Suha G, Operations & Analytics Head, Syngenta Group Legal ![4.5 out of 5 stars](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/brightflag_rating_4-5.svg) ## “Implementation was a breeze and the savings started happening immediately.” Brent D, Head of Employment Law and Non-IP Litigation, Trend Micro ![5 out of 5 stars](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/brightflag_rating_5.svg) ## “Well after going live, we still have continued, first-class customer support.” Kevin Du, Associate General Counsel, Exact Sciences Next ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/wd40Asset-2.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Temple-Health.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Clorox_Logo.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Coursera_Logo.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/MongoDB_Logo.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Santander_Logo.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/SAP_Logo.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Dropbox.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Shopify.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Zendesk_logo.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Canva.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Asset-4.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/wd40Asset-2.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Temple-Health.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Clorox_Logo.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Coursera_Logo.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/MongoDB_Logo.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Santander_Logo.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/SAP_Logo.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Dropbox.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Shopify.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Zendesk_logo.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Canva.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Asset-4.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/wd40Asset-2.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Temple-Health.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Clorox_Logo.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Coursera_Logo.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/MongoDB_Logo.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Santander_Logo.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/SAP_Logo.svg) ## Complete financial control for your legal team ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Money.svg) ### Get the most out of your budget Understand spend at a glance. Identify and proactively manage potential overruns. ![legal reporting solutions](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Line-chart.svg) ### Become best friends with finance Speak finance’s language with accurate accruals and stress-free financial planning. ![workflow](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Cogs.svg) ### Increase productivity Easy reporting and management free up your team’s time to do what matters. ## Everything you need to manage spend with confidence ![outside cousnel](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Group-of-people.svg) ### Vendor Billing Eliminate manual work with AI-assisted invoice review. The only solution that automatically processes PDF and LEDES invoices. [Learn More](https://brightflag.com/platform/invoicing/) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Clock.svg) ### Accruals & Financial Close Automate accruals and integrate with your accounts payable system for a complete picture of legal spend. [Learn More](https://brightflag.com/platform/accruals/) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Calendar.svg) ### Budgeting & Financial Planning Track budgets at matter, department, or cost center level, understand spend at a glance, and forecast with ease. [Learn More](https://brightflag.com/platform/legal-budgeting-software/) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Bar-chart-ascending.svg) ### Vendor Benchmarking Compare resourcing, rates, and discounts. Our team will guide you with best practices and industry norms. [Learn More](https://brightflag.com/platform/reports/) [Explore the Platform](https://brightflag.com/platform/) ## Where legal ops pros go to learn ![An image of a person's hands holding a phone, with Brightflag's Legal Department Budget Planning Guide on the screen, to the right of the resource title: Legal Department Budget Planning Guide.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/LegalDepartmentBudgetPlanning_Thumbnail.jpg) ### Legal Department Budget Planning Guide [Read Now](https://brightflag.com/asset/legal-department-budget-planning/) ![Brightflag's Head of Product Marketing, Sarah Scales, smiling in business attire in front of a white backdrop with yellow circles, and the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Brightflag-Blog-Creating-Effective-Billing-Guidelines.jpg) ### Creating Effective Billing Guidelines [Read Now](https://brightflag.com/resources/creating-effective-billing-guidelines/) ![Brightflag's VP of Data Science, Michael Dineen, smiling in glasses and a business shirt, in front of a teal and white background with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Getting-Started-with-Legal-AI-Tools.jpg) ### Getting Started with Legal AI Tools [Read Now](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-ai-tools/) ## Ready to see the future of legal ops? We'll serve as your trusted guide in evaluating Brightflag. [Book a Demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/EnterpriseLegalManagementELM_Leader_Leader.png) [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/#mm-0) ## Legal Ops Compensation Webinar [‹ All On-Demand Webinars](https://brightflag.com/resources/#on-demand-webinar) # 2025 Legal Operations Compensation Report Reveal Webinar ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Kevin-Cohn-headshot-2024-S-scaled.jpg) Kevin Cohn, Chief Customer Officer at Brightflag ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Kelly-Mickelson.jpg) Kelly Mickelson, Head of Legal Operations & Chief of Staff at Mars ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Sadia-Ali.jpg) Sadia Ali, Senior Director of Legal Operations at UST ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Andrew-Hohenstein.jpg) Andrew Hohenstein, Senior Director and Deputy GC at SimpliSafe ![2025 Legal Operations Compensation Report Reveal Webinar](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Webinar_Promo_Social_Thumbnail_time-1.jpg) Every year, hundreds of professionals respond to Brightflag’s Corporate Legal Operations Compensation survey. The survey helps legal operations professionals, General Counsel, and HR leaders better understand fair market compensation and trends. In this webinar, survey author and Brightflag’s Chief Customer Officer Kevin Cohn reveals the results of survey, covering salary, bonuses, and diversity information for legal operations professionals at companies of all sizes. This is followed by a panel discussion with special guests Sadia Ali (Senior Director of Legal Operations at UST), Kelly Mickelson (Head of Legal Operations & Chief of Staff at Mars), and Andrew Hohenstein (Senior Director and Deputy GC at SimpliSafe). ![Video Thumbnail](https://embed-ssl.wistia.com/deliveries/670e2a6ea49ecaeb8959370833ce16c1.webp?image_crop_resized=1200x675) Click for sound 55:58 ## Related Resources [![Brightflag's Director of Customer Insights, Sinead Kenny, smiling in a red shirt in front of a white and blue background, next to the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/The-12-Legal-Department-KPIs-In-House-Teams-Should-Track-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **The 12 Legal Department KPIs In-House Teams Should Track**](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-department-kpis/) [![Brightflag Customer Success Manager Michael Theise, in a gray business shirt, smiling in front of a white and yellow background, with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Legal-Ops-Training-1-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **Learning Legal Ops: A Beginner’s Guide to the Best Legal Operations Training**](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-operations-training/) [![Brightflag Customer Success Manager Michael Theise, in a blue suit with a red tie, smiling in front of a white and teal background with the text ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/How-to-Build-a-Legal-Operations-Team-Structure-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **How to Build a Legal Operations Team Structure**](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-operations-team-structure/) [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/events/2025-legal-ops-compensation-webinar/#mm-0) ## Brightflag Tour Overview # Want to Learn More? [Schedule a demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/ "Schedule a demo") Product overview [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/tour/#mm-0) ## Legal Spend Management [Home](https://brightflag.com/)› [Platform](https://brightflag.com/platform/) # Everything you need to confidently manage spend User-friendly e-billing and matter management software takes the pain out of legal billing and improves your relationship with finance. [Book a Demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/) [Watch Product Overview](https://brightflag.com/videos/brightflag-5-minute-overview/) ![lawyer's daily dashboard](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Matter-attributes.svg) ## The modern e-billing and matter management platform ![Legal e-billing software screen](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Invoice-review.svg) ### [Vendor Billing](https://brightflag.com/platform/invoicing/) Automate billing busywork with AI invoice review. [Learn More](https://brightflag.com/platform/invoicing/) ![Reviewing accruals in legal e-billing software](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Accruals-approval.svg) ### [Accruals & Financial Close](https://brightflag.com/platform/accruals/) Give legal and finance a complete picture of spend. [Learn More](https://brightflag.com/platform/accruals/) ![Bar chart showcasing legal ops budget tracking for helping with legal spend management.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Budget-overview.svg) ### [Budgeting & Financial Planning](https://brightflag.com/platform/budgets/) Take control of your spend and plan for the future. [Learn More](https://brightflag.com/platform/budgets/) ![Blended hourly rate graph for general counsel looking to do legal spend management.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Blended-hourly-rate-chart.svg) ### [Vendor Benchmarking](https://brightflag.com/platform/vendors/) Maximize value from outside counsel engagements. [Learn More](https://brightflag.com/platform/vendors/) ![Crystal Wu](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/CrystalWu_Headshot.jpeg) > The transformation sparked by Brightflag has streamlined operations to such an extent that our in-house team rarely, if ever, have to delay strategic work to consider administrative items. **Crystal Wu** Legal Operations Manager ![ACME](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Ironclad.svg) [See More Success Stories](https://brightflag.com/success-stories/) ## Leading legal teams trust Brightflag Outstanding support. Lightning-fast implementation. Long-term investment in your success. [Read more](https://brightflag.com/success-stories/) about why forward-thinking in-house teams choose Brightflag. ![Animated icons of charts, cogs, magnifying glasses, and other legal items displayed inside of circles and squares.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Customer-support.svg) ## Ready to see the future of legal ops? We'll serve as your trusted guide in evaluating Brightflag. [Book a Demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/) [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/platform/#mm-0) ## Legal Operations Resources Hub [Home](https://brightflag.com/)› [Resources](https://brightflag.com/resources/) # Brightflag Resources Hub Resources for starting, scaling, and optimizing e-billing and matter management—and your legal operations career. ###### FILTER BY TOPIC Vendor BillingCost ControlAccruals & Financial CloseBudgeting & PlanningVendor BenchmarkingLegal Ops & Career DevelopmentAI & the Future of Legal TechDiversity, Equity & Inclusion ###### FILTER BY FORMAT BlogDownloadVideoOn-Demand Webinar [![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Key-Takeaways-from-CLOC-Global-Institute-2025-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ Blog \| General \\ \\ **Key Takeaways from CLOC Global Institute 2025**](https://brightflag.com/resources/cloc-global-institute-2025/) [![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/The-12-Legal-Department-KPIs-In-House-Teams-Should-Track-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ Blog \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **The 12 Legal Department KPIs In-House Teams Should Track**](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-department-kpis/) [![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/How-to-Conduct-an-Effective-Law-Firm-Panel-Review_Sinead_Kenny-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ Blog \| Vendor Benchmarking \\ \\ **How to Conduct an Effective Law Firm Panel Review**](https://brightflag.com/resources/law-firm-panel-review/) [![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Legal-Ops-Training-1-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ Blog \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **Learning Legal Ops: A Beginner’s Guide to the Best Legal Operations Training**](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-operations-training/) [![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Social_1200x675-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar \\ \\ **Brightflag Platform Tour**](https://brightflag.com/events/platform-tour-may/) [![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/How-to-Build-a-Legal-Operations-Team-Structure-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ Blog \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **How to Build a Legal Operations Team Structure**](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-operations-team-structure/) [![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/The-Ultimate-Guide-to-Legal-Prompt-Engineering-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ Blog \| AI & the Future of Legal Tech \\ \\ **The Ultimate Guide to Legal Prompt Engineering**](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-prompt-engineering/) [![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/How-to-Use-Legal-Analytics-Tools-to-Improve-In-House-Strategy-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ Blog \| Budgeting & Planning \\ \\ **How to Use Legal Analytics Tools to Improve In-House Strategy**](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-analytics-tools/) [![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Social_1200x675-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar \\ \\ **Brightflag Platform Tour**](https://brightflag.com/events/platform-tour-april-2025/) [![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/The-Top-Legal-AI-Companies-to-Know-in-2025-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ Blog \| AI & the Future of Legal Tech \\ \\ **The Top Legal AI Companies to Know in 2025**](https://brightflag.com/resources/top-legal-ai-companies/) [![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Report_Promotion_Thumbnail-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ Download \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **2025 Legal Operations Compensation Report**](https://brightflag.com/asset/legal-operations-compensation-2025/) [![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Social_1200x675-8-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar \| AI & the Future of Legal Tech \\ \\ **Deloitte Legal AI Predictions: A Conversation with Brightflag**](https://brightflag.com/events/deloitte-brightflag-ai/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| General \\ \\ **Why In-House Teams Need a Legal Matter Tracker**](https://brightflag.com/resources/why-in-house-teams-need-a-legal-matter-tracker/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar \\ \\ **Brightflag Platform Tour**](https://brightflag.com/events/brightflag-platform-march-2025/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| General \\ \\ **The Ultimate Guide to Legal Change Management**](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-change-management/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar \| Vendor Benchmarking \\ \\ **How to Track Legal Department Metrics**](https://brightflag.com/events/how-to-track-legal-department-metrics/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| AI & the Future of Legal Tech \\ \\ **Top Legal Technology Trends For In-House Teams in 2025**](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-technology-trends/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| General \\ \\ **4 Legal Department Metrics You Need to Track**](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-department-metrics/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar \| General \\ \\ **Brightflag Platform Tour**](https://brightflag.com/events/brightflag-platform-tour-february-2025/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Download \| General \\ \\ **Legal Department Metrics: A Guide to Measuring and Improving What Matters**](https://brightflag.com/asset/legal-department-metrics/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **2025 Legal Operations Compensation Report Reveal Webinar**](https://brightflag.com/events/2025-legal-ops-compensation-webinar/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| AI & the Future of Legal Tech \\ \\ **2025 Predictions: Brightflag’s Kevin Cohn on Legal Ops & Legal Tech**](https://brightflag.com/resources/2025-legal-ops-legal-tech-predictions/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **Creating an Award-Winning Legal Operations Function**](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-operations-award/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Vendor Benchmarking \\ \\ **The Complete Guide to Legal Vendor Management**](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-vendor-management/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **Keys to Legal Operations Optimization in 2025**](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-operations-optimization/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| AI & the Future of Legal Tech \\ \\ **6 Essential Tools for Your Legal Tech Stack**](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-tech-stack/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Cost Control \\ \\ **6 Elements Every Legal Technology Business Case Needs**](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-technology-business-case-elements/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **The Legal Ops Dictionary: Key Terms to Know**](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-ops-terms/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| General \\ \\ **How to Create a Legal Department Strategy (And Why It Matters)**](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-department-strategy/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| General \\ \\ **What is a Legal Matter?**](https://brightflag.com/resources/what-is-a-legal-matter/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Download \| General \\ \\ **The Legal Technology Business Case Guide**](https://brightflag.com/asset/legal-technology-business-case-guide/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Vendor Billing \\ \\ **What is Block Billing? (And Why You Should Avoid It)**](https://brightflag.com/resources/block-billing/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| General \\ \\ **Buying Legal Tech: The Stakeholders to Know**](https://brightflag.com/resources/buying-legal-tech-the-stakeholders-to-know/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar \| Vendor Benchmarking \\ \\ **The Metrics Every In-House Team Should Track**](https://brightflag.com/events/metrics-in-house-teams-should-track/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar \| Budgeting & Planning \\ \\ **How In-House Leaders Approach Annual Financial Planning**](https://brightflag.com/events/how-in-house-leaders-approach-annual-financial-planning/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Cost Control \\ \\ **What is Legal Expense Tracking?**](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-expense-tracking/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar \| Cost Control \\ \\ **How SMBC Controls Outside Counsel Spend**](https://brightflag.com/events/how-smbc-controls-outside-counsel-spend/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar \| Vendor Billing \\ \\ **Effective Legal Invoice Review in 2024**](https://brightflag.com/events/legal-invoice-review-in-2024/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Download \| Vendor Benchmarking \\ \\ **Hourly Rates in Am Law 100® Firms: Increases and Key Drivers**](https://brightflag.com/asset/law-firm-rates-report/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar \| Vendor Benchmarking \\ \\ **Outside Counsel Benchmarking: Use Data to Drive Better Engagements**](https://brightflag.com/events/outside-counsel-benchmarking/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar \| Vendor Billing \\ \\ **Brightflag Platform Tour and New AI Demo**](https://brightflag.com/events/platform-tour-may-24/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| General \\ \\ **Legal Procurement: A Comprehensive Guide**](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-procurement/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Cost Control \\ \\ **How SMBC Saved $2.7M and Transformed Outside Counsel Management**](https://brightflag.com/resources/smbc-outside-counsel-management/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| General \\ \\ **Legal Matter Management: A Comprehensive Guide**](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-matter-management/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Cost Control \\ \\ **6 Strategies to Reduce Legal Spend**](https://brightflag.com/resources/reduce-legal-spend/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **How to Become a Legal Operations Manager**](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-operations-manager/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Budgeting & Planning \\ \\ **How to Secure Budget for New Legal Tech Tools**](https://brightflag.com/resources/secure-budget-for-new-legal-technology/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| AI & the Future of Legal Tech \\ \\ **4 Ways to Use AI to Reduce Legal Spend**](https://brightflag.com/resources/ai-to-reduce-legal-spend/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **10 Best In-House Legal Blogs**](https://brightflag.com/resources/10-must-follow-in-house-legal-blogs/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| General \\ \\ **Announcing Brightflag’s Customer Advisory Board**](https://brightflag.com/resources/brightflag-customer-advisory-board/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Budgeting & Planning \\ \\ **4 Legal Department Financial Planning Best Practices**](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-department-financial-planning/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Download \| Budgeting & Planning \\ \\ **Legal Department Budget Planning Guide**](https://brightflag.com/asset/legal-department-budget-planning/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **The Ultimate Guide to Legal Operations Job Descriptions**](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-operations-job-descriptions/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **The Best Alternative Career for Paralegals (+Other Roles to Consider)**](https://brightflag.com/resources/paralegal-career-change/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **6 Essential Legal Operations Skills for 2025**](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-operations-skills/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **The 10 Best Legal Podcasts for In-House Professionals**](https://brightflag.com/resources/top-15-best-legal-podcasts-for-in-house-professionals/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **5 Key Lessons for Legal Ops from CLOC 2024**](https://brightflag.com/resources/2024-cloc-5-lessons/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **The Average Legal Operations Manager Salary in 2024**](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-operations-salary/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Download \\ \\ **Implementing Legal AI: The Complete Action Plan**](https://brightflag.com/asset/implementing-legal-ai/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Vendor Billing \\ \\ **How to Detect and Prevent Double Billing from Law Firms**](https://brightflag.com/resources/the-double-billing-dilemma-legal-ops-strategies-for-detection-and-prevention/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| AI & the Future of Legal Tech \\ \\ **Selecting a Legal AI Provider**](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-ai-provider/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| AI & the Future of Legal Tech \\ \\ **Building a Legal AI Roadmap**](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-ai-roadmap/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| AI & the Future of Legal Tech \\ \\ **The 6 Best Legal AI Tools for In-House Teams**](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-ai-tools/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| AI & the Future of Legal Tech \\ \\ **A Guide to Enacting Legal Digital Transformation**](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-digital-transformation/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **What to Expect at CLOC 2024**](https://brightflag.com/resources/cloc-global-institute/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Vendor Billing \\ \\ **What is LEDES? An Introduction to the Electronic Billing Format for Legal Invoices**](https://brightflag.com/resources/what-are-ledes-files-an-introduction/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| AI & the Future of Legal Tech \\ \\ **A Guide To Using Legal AI Software Tools For In-House Teams**](https://brightflag.com/resources/a-guide-to-using-legal-ai-software-tools-for-in-house-teams/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Vendor Billing \\ \\ **How to Create the Perfect Set of Outside Counsel Guidelines**](https://brightflag.com/resources/tips-for-creating-outside-counsel-guidelines/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **How to Achieve Work-Life Balance for In-House Lawyers**](https://brightflag.com/resources/work-life-balance-for-lawyers/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Vendor Benchmarking \\ \\ **Best Practices for Outside Counsel Management**](https://brightflag.com/resources/outside-counsel-management/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **Legal Operations Conferences in 2025: Why Attend & Where to Go**](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-operations-conferences-2025/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| General \\ \\ **The Five Elements Of An Effective Legal RFP**](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-services-rfp/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Vendor Billing \\ \\ **2025 Law Firm Billing Rate Increases: Why Rates Rose and How to Negotiate Lower Fees**](https://brightflag.com/resources/law-firm-billing-rates/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Vendor Billing \\ \\ **When (and How) to Update Outside Counsel Guidelines**](https://brightflag.com/resources/how-to-update-outside-counsel-guidelines/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Accruals & Financial Close \\ \\ **There’s A Better Way To Handle Your Legal Accruals**](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-accruals/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Budgeting & Planning \\ \\ **How Legal Can Collect and Report the Data That Finance Needs**](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-data-for-finance/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **2024 Legal Operations Compensation Report**](https://brightflag.com/events/2024-legal-ops-compensation-report-webinar/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **How to Build the Best In-House Legal Department Structure**](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-department-structure/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| AI & the Future of Legal Tech \\ \\ **A Guide to Ensure Data Compliance in Legal Ops Tools**](https://brightflag.com/resources/data-compliance/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Cost Control \\ \\ **How Legal Project Management Drives Efficiency**](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-project-management/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| AI & the Future of Legal Tech \\ \\ **Unlock Greater Efficiency With Legal Workflow Automation**](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-workflow-automation/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Cost Control \\ \\ **How to Navigate Legal Cost Control in 2024**](https://brightflag.com/resources/how-to-navigate-legal-cost-control-in-2024/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| AI & the Future of Legal Tech \\ \\ **2024 Predictions: Brightflag’s Kevin Cohn on Legal Ops & Legal Tech**](https://brightflag.com/resources/2024-predictions/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **Go Beyond the Brief: Advice from a CLO for Aspiring In-House Leaders**](https://brightflag.com/resources/go-beyond-the-brief-advice-from-a-clo-for-aspiring-in-house-leaders/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Budgeting & Planning \\ \\ **How Legal Ops Can Add Predictability to the Annual Planning Process**](https://brightflag.com/resources/how-legal-ops-can-add-predictability-to-the-annual-planning-process/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Vendor Billing \\ \\ **You Don’t Need ABA Litigation Codes For Invoice Review (If You Have A.I.)**](https://brightflag.com/resources/you-dont-need-aba-litigation-codes-for-invoice-review-if-you-have-a-i/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Cost Control \\ \\ **How In-House Counsel Can Better Control Law Firm Timekeeper Rates**](https://brightflag.com/resources/how-in-house-counsel-can-better-control-law-firm-timekeeper-rates/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar \\ \\ **Brightflag Platform Tour**](https://brightflag.com/events/brightflag-platform-tour/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Cost Control \\ \\ **Beyond Traditional Law Firms: An Introduction to Alternative Legal Service Providers**](https://brightflag.com/resources/beyond-traditional-law-firms-an-introduction-to-alternative-legal-service-providers/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Accruals & Financial Close \\ \\ **How Coursera Transformed Their Accruals Process**](https://brightflag.com/resources/how-coursera-transformed-their-accruals-process/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **How LinkedIn Prioritized Legal Ops As An Early-Stage Startup**](https://brightflag.com/resources/how-linkedin-prioritized-legal-ops-as-an-early-stage-startup/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| AI & the Future of Legal Tech \\ \\ **Making the Case for Dedicated Legal Operations Software**](https://brightflag.com/resources/making-the-case-for-dedicated-legal-operations-software/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Vendor Benchmarking \\ \\ **The Ultimate Guide to Legal Data Analytics**](https://brightflag.com/resources/the-ultimate-guide-to-legal-data-analytics/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar \| Vendor Benchmarking \\ \\ **Timekeeper Rate Increases: What to Expect and How to Negotiate**](https://brightflag.com/events/timekeeper-rate-increases-what-to-expect-and-how-to-negotiate/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| AI & the Future of Legal Tech \\ \\ **Demystifying Generative A.I.’s Impact on Legal Departments**](https://brightflag.com/resources/demystifying-generative-a-i-s-impact-on-legal-departments/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar \| Budgeting & Planning \\ \\ **Stress-Free Legal Finances with Brightflag**](https://brightflag.com/events/stress-free-legal-finances/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **4 Paths Legal Ops Can Take to Win Finance’s Trust**](https://brightflag.com/resources/4-paths-legal-ops-can-take-to-win-finances-trust/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Vendor Billing \\ \\ **The Ultimate Guide to Legal Billing (and Checklist)**](https://brightflag.com/resources/the-ultimate-guide-to-legal-billing-and-checklist/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Vendor Billing \\ \\ **How Dropbox Switched E-Billing Systems and Saved Thousands of Hours**](https://brightflag.com/resources/brightflag-case-study-dropbox/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Cost Control \\ \\ **Brightflag Case Study: Ocado**](https://brightflag.com/resources/brightflag-case-study-ocado/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar \| Cost Control \\ \\ **What the CFO Wants: Communicating Effectively About Legal's Finances**](https://brightflag.com/events/what-the-cfo-wants-communicating-effectively-about-legals-finances/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **What Is Legal Operations in 2025? Redefining a Strategic Function**](https://brightflag.com/resources/what-is-legal-operations/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Budgeting & Planning \\ \\ **Annual Planning Advice from Legal Ops Leader Elizabeth Miller**](https://brightflag.com/resources/annual-planning-advice-from-legal-ops-leader-elizabeth-murphy-miller/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Vendor Benchmarking \\ \\ **Law Firm Benchmarking: What It Is and How to Start**](https://brightflag.com/resources/law-firm-benchmarking-what-it-is-and-how-to-start/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar \| Vendor Billing \\ \\ **E-Billing Implementation Best Practices**](https://brightflag.com/events/legal-operators-webinar-e-billing-implementation-best-practices/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Cost Control \\ \\ **Brightflag Case Study: Sonnedix**](https://brightflag.com/resources/brightflag-case-study-sonnedix/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar \| Cost Control \\ \\ **Control Legal Costs with Brightflag**](https://brightflag.com/events/control-legal-costs-with-brightflag/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Vendor Billing \\ \\ **Brightflag Case Study: Syngenta**](https://brightflag.com/resources/brightflag-case-study-syngenta/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Vendor Billing \\ \\ **Does Your Accounts Payable System Serve Your Legal Spend Management Goals?**](https://brightflag.com/resources/does-your-accounts-payable-system-serve-your-legal-spend-management-goals/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar \| Cost Control \\ \\ **Controlling Legal Costs in 2024: Get Ready for Another Lean Year**](https://brightflag.com/events/controlling-legal-costs-in-2024/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Cost Control \\ \\ **Brightflag Case Study: Ironclad**](https://brightflag.com/resources/brightflag-case-study-ironclad/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Budgeting & Planning \\ \\ **Predicting Legal Spend: Taking Away the Fear**](https://brightflag.com/resources/predicting-legal-spend-taking-away-the-fear/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Cost Control \\ \\ **The Benefits of Legal Spend Management Software**](https://brightflag.com/resources/the-benefits-of-legal-spend-management-software/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Cost Control \\ \\ **7 Reasons to Make Legal Spend Management Your Top Priority**](https://brightflag.com/resources/7-reasons-to-make-legal-spend-management-your-top-priority/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Download \| Vendor Billing \\ \\ **Sample Legal E-Billing RFP**](https://brightflag.com/asset/sample-legal-e-billing-rfp/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Vendor Billing \\ \\ **Legal E-Billing RFP Guide: 10 Tips for Writing One That Works**](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-e-billing-rfp-guide-10-tips-for-writing-one-that-works/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar \| Budgeting & Planning \\ \\ **Navigating Annual Financial Planning with Avery Dennison's Director of Legal Operations**](https://brightflag.com/events/navigating-annual-financial-planning/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar \| Budgeting & Planning \\ \\ **Budget Better with Brightflag**](https://brightflag.com/events/budget-better-with-brightflag/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Budgeting & Planning \\ \\ **How e-Billing Helps Legal Departments Stress Less During Budget Season**](https://brightflag.com/resources/how-e-billing-helps-legal-departments-stress-less-during-budget-season/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Video \| Vendor Billing \\ \\ **Brightflag 5-Minute Overview**](https://brightflag.com/videos/brightflag-5-minute-overview/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Budgeting & Planning \\ \\ **Brightflag Case Study: Toll**](https://brightflag.com/resources/brightflag-case-study-toll/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar \| Accruals & Financial Close \\ \\ **Automating Accruals with Brightflag**](https://brightflag.com/events/automating-accruals-with-brightflag/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar \| Budgeting & Planning \\ \\ **Best Practices for Legal Budgeting**](https://brightflag.com/events/best-practices-for-legal-budgeting/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **6 Questions for Brightflag’s First GC, Laura Gleeson**](https://brightflag.com/resources/6-questions-for-brightflags-first-gc-laura-gleeson/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar \| Accruals & Financial Close \\ \\ **Becoming an Accruals Pro with Coursera's Director of Legal Operations**](https://brightflag.com/events/becoming-an-accruals-pro-with-courseras-director-of-legal-operations/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Cost Control \\ \\ **The ROI of Legal Spend: Calculating Cost and Time Savings**](https://brightflag.com/resources/the-roi-of-legal-spend-calculating-cost-and-time-savings/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **Building an In-House Legal Function From Scratch: Innovative Approaches to Ensuring Cost Control and Efficiency**](https://brightflag.com/resources/building-an-in-house-legal-function/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Budgeting & Planning \\ \\ **Data Analytics for In-House Legal Teams: The Getting Started Guide**](https://brightflag.com/resources/data-analytics-for-in-house-legal-guide/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| AI & the Future of Legal Tech \\ \\ **Why In-House Legal Needs to Embrace A.I.**](https://brightflag.com/resources/why-in-house-legal-needs-to-embrace-a-i/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **A Dictionary of Legal Operations Terms**](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-operations-terminology-a-comprehensive-dictionary-of-legal-ops-terms/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Cost Control \\ \\ **How Lufthansa Controlled Legal Costs and Created an Immediate ROI**](https://brightflag.com/resources/brightflag-case-study-lufthansa/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **Crushing Conflict: A Legal Ops Guide to Managing Combative Conversations**](https://brightflag.com/resources/crushing-conflict-a-legal-ops-guide-to-managing-combative-conversations/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Video \| Accruals & Financial Close \\ \\ **Accruals Management with Brightflag**](https://brightflag.com/videos/accruals-management-with-brightflag/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| General \\ \\ **What Exactly Is A Trusted Guide? How Brightflag Supports Its Customers**](https://brightflag.com/resources/what-exactly-is-a-trusted-guide-how-brightflag-supports-its-customers/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **CLOC Global Institute 2023 Roundup: Attendee Perspectives**](https://brightflag.com/resources/cloc-global-institute-2023-roundup-attendee-perspectives/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Video \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **Legal Ops 101: Change Management**](https://brightflag.com/videos/legal-ops-101-change-management/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Cost Control \\ \\ **3 Companies That Transformed Their Legal Spend with Brightflag’s E-Billing Platform**](https://brightflag.com/resources/brightflag-customer-experience-legal-spend/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Vendor Benchmarking \\ \\ **In-House vs. Outside Counsel: Choosing the Right Option**](https://brightflag.com/resources/outside-legal-counsel/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Vendor Billing \\ \\ **Legal Ops Red Flags: 6 Signs Your Spend Management System Needs an Upgrade**](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-ops-red-flags-6-signs-your-spend-management-system-needs-an-upgrade/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **How Legal Operations Professionals Can Address the Gender Pay Gap During Salary Negotiations**](https://brightflag.com/resources/how-legal-operations-professionals-can-address-the-gender-pay-gap-during-salary-negotiations/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Download \| Vendor Billing \\ \\ **Sample Outside Counsel Guidelines**](https://brightflag.com/asset/sample-outside-counsel-guidelines/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **Law Library Essentials: The Best Books for Legal Professionals**](https://brightflag.com/resources/best-books-for-legal-professionals/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **Using Successful Communication and Collaboration to Establish a Legal Ops Function**](https://brightflag.com/resources/using-successful-communication-and-collaboration-to-establish-a-legal-ops-function/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Video \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **Legal Ops 101: Objectives and Key Results (OKRs)**](https://brightflag.com/videos/legal-ops-101-objectives-and-key-results-okrs/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Diversity, Equity & Inclusion \\ \\ **The Intersection of Neurodiversity and Legal Operations: Opportunities and Obstacles**](https://brightflag.com/resources/the-intersection-of-neurodiversity-and-legal-operations-opportunities-and-obstacles/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **The Keys to Efficient In-House Legal Department Management**](https://brightflag.com/resources/the-keys-to-efficient-in-house-legal-department-management/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar \| Cost Control \\ \\ **5 Essential Strategies for Legal Cost Control**](https://brightflag.com/events/5-essential-strategies-for-legal-cost-control/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **How Gaining Visibility Into Legal Spend Transforms the General Counsel Role**](https://brightflag.com/resources/how-gaining-visibility-into-legal-spend-transforms-the-general-counsel-role/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Vendor Benchmarking \\ \\ **It’s OK to Play Favourites: Identifying Your Core Outside Counsel Team**](https://brightflag.com/resources/its-ok-to-play-favourites-identifying-your-core-outside-counsel-team/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Cost Control \\ \\ **The Power Duo: General Counsel and COOs Working Together for Better Spend Management**](https://brightflag.com/resources/the-power-duo-general-counsel-and-coos-working-together-for-better-spend-management/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Diversity, Equity & Inclusion \\ \\ **Shining a Light on Pay Equity: Salary Transparency in Legal Operations**](https://brightflag.com/resources/shining-a-light-on-pay-equity-salary-transparency-in-legal-operations/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Video \| AI & the Future of Legal Tech \\ \\ **Legal Ops 101: Legal Tech & Terminology**](https://brightflag.com/videos/legal-ops-101-legal-tech-terminology/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Vendor Benchmarking \\ \\ **Better Together: Keys to Improving Outside Counsel Relationships**](https://brightflag.com/resources/better-together-keys-to-improving-outside-counsel-relationships/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **What is Rightsourcing, and How Can You Apply Its Benefits to Your Legal Team?**](https://brightflag.com/resources/what-is-rightsourcing-and-how-to-apply-its-benefits/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **From Paralegal to Legal Operations: Telltale Signs You Should Make the Career Switch**](https://brightflag.com/resources/from-paralegal-to-legal-operations-career-switch/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Vendor Billing \\ \\ **Understanding UTBMS Codes**](https://brightflag.com/resources/cracking-the-code-a-beginners-guide-to-understanding-utbms-codes/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **Legal Operations Jobs for Your Team**](https://brightflag.com/resources/from-analysts-to-managers-examples-of-legal-operations-jobs-for-your-team/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar \| Budgeting & Planning \\ \\ **The Blueprint for Better Legal Budgeting**](https://brightflag.com/events/the-blueprint-for-better-legal-budgeting/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **2023 Legal Operations Compensation Survey**](https://brightflag.com/events/2023-legal-operations-compensation-survey/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Video \| AI & the Future of Legal Tech \\ \\ **Legal Ops 101: Integrations and APIs**](https://brightflag.com/videos/legal-ops-101-integrations-and-apis/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Download \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **2024 Corporate Legal Operations Compensation Report**](https://brightflag.com/asset/legal-operations-compensation-survey-2024/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **Understanding the Legal Operations Iron Triangle**](https://brightflag.com/resources/understanding-the-legal-operations-iron-triangle/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Cost Control \\ \\ **How Tech Helps Teams Persist Amid In-House Legal Budget Cuts**](https://brightflag.com/resources/benefits-of-legal-technology-amid-in-house-legal-budget-cuts/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Video \| Vendor Benchmarking \\ \\ **Legal Ops 101: Vendor Assessment**](https://brightflag.com/videos/legal-ops-101-vendor-assessment/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Video \| Vendor Billing \\ \\ **Reporting with Brightflag**](https://brightflag.com/videos/reporting-with-brightflag/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **5 Ways General Counsel Can Level Up Their In-House Legal Team**](https://brightflag.com/resources/5-ways-general-counsel-can-level-up-their-in-house-legal-team/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar \| Cost Control \\ \\ **How AI Enables More Efficient Legal Spend Management**](https://brightflag.com/events/how-ai-enables-more-efficient-legal-spend-management/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Cost Control \\ \\ **Fixing the Pain of PDF Invoices for Legal Teams**](https://brightflag.com/resources/pdf-legal-invoice-review/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Vendor Billing \\ \\ **Reading Between The Lines: How to Qualify Legal Tech Reviews**](https://brightflag.com/resources/how-to-qualify-legal-tech-reviews/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **How Legal Ops Can Build Their Brand on LinkedIn (And Why You Should)**](https://brightflag.com/resources/how-legal-ops-can-build-their-brand-on-linkedin/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Video \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **Legal Ops 101: Your First 100 Days**](https://brightflag.com/videos/legal-ops-101-your-first-100-days/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Vendor Billing \\ \\ **What Comes First? How to Choose Your First Legal Tech Purchase**](https://brightflag.com/resources/choosing-best-first-legal-tech-purchase/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **Making Your Move: From Legal to Legal Ops**](https://brightflag.com/resources/making-your-move-from-legal-to-legal-ops/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Video \| Vendor Benchmarking \\ \\ **Legal Ops 101: Data & Analytics**](https://brightflag.com/videos/legal-ops-101-data-analytics/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Video \| Budgeting & Planning \\ \\ **Budgeting with Brightflag**](https://brightflag.com/videos/budgeting-with-brightflag/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| AI & the Future of Legal Tech \\ \\ **How A.I. Invoice Review Actually Works**](https://brightflag.com/resources/ai-invoice-review-how-it-works/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| AI & the Future of Legal Tech \\ \\ **ChatGPT Offers Reminder of AI’s Rightful In-House Legal Role**](https://brightflag.com/resources/chatgpt-offers-reminder-of-ais-rightful-in-house-legal-role/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **Overcoming Burnout: How to Bounce Back After a Tough Year in Legal Ops**](https://brightflag.com/resources/overcoming-burnout-in-legal-ops/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **3 Ways In-House Counsel Can Thrive Post-Layoff**](https://brightflag.com/resources/3-ways-in-house-counsel-can-thrive-post-layoff/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Vendor Billing \\ \\ **Brightflag Customer Story: Cresco Labs**](https://brightflag.com/resources/interview-legal-tech-priorities/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **From Roadblock to Road Builder: 3 Ways to Change C-Suite Perceptions of In-House Legal**](https://brightflag.com/resources/3-ways-to-change-c-suite-perceptions-of-in-house-legal/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **How to Find Your People: Finding Your Online, Legal Ops Community**](https://brightflag.com/resources/finding-your-online-legal-ops-community/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Video \| Vendor Billing \\ \\ **Legal Ops 101: LEDES and UTBMS**](https://brightflag.com/videos/legal-ops-101-ledes-and-utbms/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Video \| Vendor Benchmarking \\ \\ **Vendor Management with Brightflag**](https://brightflag.com/videos/vendor-management-with-brightflag/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| AI & the Future of Legal Tech \\ \\ **Artificial Hype: Practical Applications of A.I. Within the Legal Department**](https://brightflag.com/resources/practical-ai-applications-legal-departments/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **From Paralegal to Legal Ops: Learnings from Those Who've Made the Jump**](https://brightflag.com/events/from-paralegal-to-legal-ops-learnings-from-those-whove-made-the-jump/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Cost Control \\ \\ **3 Objections Legal Ops Must Address When Making the Case for Spend Management Software**](https://brightflag.com/resources/3-objections-legal-ops-must-address-when-making-the-case-for-spend-management-software/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Download \| Cost Control \\ \\ **Legal Cost Control Checklist**](https://brightflag.com/asset/legal-cost-control-checklist/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Vendor Billing \\ \\ **Why UTBMS and LEDES Don’t Work As Well As They Should, And How AI Can Help**](https://brightflag.com/resources/utbms-and-ledes-codes-ai/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Video \| Vendor Billing \\ \\ **Legal Ops 101: Outside Counsel Guidelines**](https://brightflag.com/videos/legal-ops-101-outside-counsel-guidelines/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **Exploring the Emerging Legal Department**](https://brightflag.com/events/exploring-the-emerging-legal-department/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Diversity, Equity & Inclusion \\ \\ **In-House Counsel Can Lead the Way to a More Diverse Legal Profession**](https://brightflag.com/resources/in-house-counsel-law-firm-dei-initiatives/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **More Than Just a Cost Center: It’s Time for Legal Leadership to Change The Perception of In-House Legal**](https://brightflag.com/resources/more-than-just-a-cost-center/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Video \| Vendor Billing \\ \\ **Legal Ops 101: Matter Management**](https://brightflag.com/videos/legal-ops-101-matter-management/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **Hiring and Being Hired in Legal Ops**](https://brightflag.com/events/hiring-and-being-hired-in-legal-ops/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar \| Diversity, Equity & Inclusion \\ \\ **Building Diverse & Inclusive Legal Departments**](https://brightflag.com/events/building-diverse-inclusive-legal-departments/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Video \| Accruals & Financial Close \\ \\ **Legal Ops 101: Sarbanes–Oxley Act (SOX) Compliance**](https://brightflag.com/videos/legal-ops-101-sarbanes-oxley-act-sox-compliance/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Video \| AI & the Future of Legal Tech \\ \\ **Document Management with Brightflag**](https://brightflag.com/videos/document-management-with-brightflag/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar \| Vendor Billing \\ \\ **Challenging Conventional Wisdom on Billing Guidelines**](https://brightflag.com/events/challenging-conventional-wisdom-on-billing-guidelines/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Download \| Vendor Billing \\ \\ **Brightflag Finance Integrations Guide**](https://brightflag.com/asset/brightflag-finance-integrations-guide/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Vendor Billing \\ \\ **How to Automate & Accelerate Your Legal Invoice Approval Workflow**](https://brightflag.com/resources/automate-accelerate-invoice-approval-workflow/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Video \| Budgeting & Planning \\ \\ **Legal Ops 101: Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)**](https://brightflag.com/videos/legal-ops-101-financial-planning-analysis-fpa/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Budgeting & Planning \\ \\ **Here Are the Reports Your CFO Wants to See From The Legal Department**](https://brightflag.com/resources/cfo-legal-department-reports/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar \| Cost Control \\ \\ **Your M&A Spend Management Playbook**](https://brightflag.com/events/your-ma-spend-management-playbook/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Video \| Vendor Billing \\ \\ **Invoicing with Brightflag**](https://brightflag.com/videos/invoicing-with-brightflag/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Video \| Accruals & Financial Close \\ \\ **Legal Ops 101: Accrual Accounting**](https://brightflag.com/videos/legal-ops-101-accrual-accounting/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar \| Cost Control \\ \\ **Your Litigation Spend Management Playbook**](https://brightflag.com/events/your-litigation-spend-management-playbook/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar \| Vendor Benchmarking \\ \\ **Your Practical Law Firm Benchmarking Playbook**](https://brightflag.com/events/your-practical-law-firm-benchmarking-playbook/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Video \| Vendor Billing \\ \\ **Matter Management with Brightflag**](https://brightflag.com/videos/matter-management-with-brightflag/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar \| Vendor Billing \\ \\ **How to Build Your Automated Invoice Review Process**](https://brightflag.com/events/how-to-build-your-automated-invoice-review-process/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Download \| Cost Control \\ \\ **Legal Spend Management Health Check**](https://brightflag.com/asset/legal-spend-management-health-check/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Video \| AI & the Future of Legal Tech \\ \\ **Calendaring with Brightflag**](https://brightflag.com/videos/calendaring-with-brightflag/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **5 Lessons From My First Year as General Counsel with AccuWeather's Jennifer Chung**](https://brightflag.com/events/5-lessons-from-my-first-year-as-general-counsel-with-accuweathers-jennifer-chung/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar \| Budgeting & Planning \\ \\ **AI & the Promise of Predictable Legal Spend**](https://brightflag.com/events/ai-the-promise-of-predictable-legal-spend/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Video \| General \\ \\ **Legal Service Requests with Brightflag**](https://brightflag.com/videos/legal-service-requests-with-brightflag/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar \| Vendor Benchmarking \\ \\ **Getting Serious About Value-Based Legal Sourcing**](https://brightflag.com/events/getting-serious-about-value-based-legal-sourcing/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **5 Lessons From My First Year in Legal Ops with Ferring Pharmaceuticals' Sheila Dusseau**](https://brightflag.com/events/5-lessons-from-my-first-year-in-legal-ops-with-ferring-pharmaceuticals-sheila-dusseau/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar \| Cost Control \\ \\ **Law & Software E1: Introducing Legal Spend Management**](https://brightflag.com/events/introducing-legal-spend-management/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **5 Lessons Establishing Legal Ops Processes with Ashley Adams**](https://brightflag.com/events/5-lessons-establishing-legal-ops-processes-with-ashley-adams/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Download \| AI & the Future of Legal Tech \\ \\ **Brightflag Implementation Guide**](https://brightflag.com/asset/brightflag-implementation-guide/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Vendor Benchmarking \\ \\ **Sonnedix & Brightflag Win Pricing Category at Legal Procurement Awards**](https://brightflag.com/resources/sonnedix-brightflag-legal-procurement-awards/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Budgeting & Planning \\ \\ **The Way to More Productive, Predictable Legal Budgeting**](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-budgeting/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Vendor Benchmarking \\ \\ **Brightflag Product Update: Vendor Performance Reporting**](https://brightflag.com/resources/product-update-vendor-performance-reporting/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Vendor Billing \\ \\ **Law Firms Don’t Have to Hate Your E-Billing Software**](https://brightflag.com/resources/law-firms-e-billing-software/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar \| Cost Control \\ \\ **Building Best Practice Legal Spend Reporting**](https://brightflag.com/events/building-best-practice-legal-spend-reporting/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Cost Control \\ \\ **3 Big Legal Spend Debates You Could Be Settling With Data**](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-spend-data-debates/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| AI & the Future of Legal Tech \\ \\ **Brightflag Announces $28M Funding Round**](https://brightflag.com/resources/28m-funding-round/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Cost Control \\ \\ **Are You Managing Legal Spend or Merely Paying Bills?**](https://brightflag.com/resources/managing-legal-spend/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Diversity, Equity & Inclusion \\ \\ **Brightflag Product Update: Diversity & Inclusion Module**](https://brightflag.com/resources/diversity-inclusion-product-update/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Vendor Billing \\ \\ **Legal Invoice Review: How To Do It Effectively**](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-invoice-review-how-to-do-it-effectively/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Cost Control \\ \\ **Legal Spend Reporting: The Practical Guide**](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-spend-reporting/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Budgeting & Planning \\ \\ **Tighten Legal Cost Control With Brightflag’s Budgeting & Forecasting Features**](https://brightflag.com/resources/product-update-budgeting-forecasting/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **How In-House Legal Teams Can Better Relate To The Business**](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-relate-to-business/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **How to Make Lasting Changes in Legal Operations: An Interview with UpLevel Ops’ Brenda Hansen**](https://brightflag.com/resources/brenda-hansen-legal-operations-change-management/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **The Surprising Realities of Reaching the General Counsel Role: An Interview with AccuWeather’s Jennifer Chung**](https://brightflag.com/resources/jennifer-chung-general-counsel-role/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **On Models & Designs for the Modern Legal Department: An Interview with The Crown Estate’s Rob Booth**](https://brightflag.com/resources/rob-booth-legal-department-design/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **On Patience & Partnership in Legal Operations: An Interview with Sheila Dusseau, Head of Global Legal Operations at Ferring Pharmaceuticals**](https://brightflag.com/resources/sheila-dusseau-legal-operations-partnership/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Vendor Billing \\ \\ **Brightflag’s Auto-Invoice Processing Functionality Eliminates Manual Invoice Review**](https://brightflag.com/resources/auto-invoice-processing-functionality-eliminates-manual-invoice-review/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| AI & the Future of Legal Tech \\ \\ **Reduce Manual Work With Brightflag’s Automated Tax Compliance**](https://brightflag.com/resources/brightflag-new-feature-automated-tax-compliance/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Vendor Billing \\ \\ **How to (Responsibly) Replace Broken Legal Billing Software**](https://brightflag.com/resources/replace-legal-billing-software/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Budgeting & Planning \\ \\ **Tracking Legal Spend: The Questions All Good Budget Reports Answer**](https://brightflag.com/resources/tracking-legal-spend/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Cost Control \\ \\ **Alternative Fee Arrangements Explained (Examples & Suggestions)**](https://brightflag.com/resources/alternative-fee-arrangements-examples/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Vendor Billing \\ \\ **Creating Effective Billing Guidelines**](https://brightflag.com/resources/creating-effective-billing-guidelines/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Vendor Billing \\ \\ **Vendor Security: Why Legal Ops Should Require ISO Accreditation**](https://brightflag.com/resources/vendor-security-why-legal-ops-should-require-iso-accreditation/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Budgeting & Planning \\ \\ **How to Get Budget for a Dedicated Legal Operations System**](https://brightflag.com/resources/how-to-get-budget-for-a-dedicated-legal-operations-system/) [![](https://brightflag.com/resources/)\\ \\ Blog \| Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **Welcoming Our New Chief Customer Officer Kevin Cohn**](https://brightflag.com/resources/welcoming-our-new-chief-customer-officer-kevin-cohn/) Sorry, no resources meet this criteria. 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Load More [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/resources/#mm-0) ## Brightflag Security Overview [Home](https://brightflag.com/)› [Trust and Security](https://brightflag.com/security/) # Brightflag Trust and Security ![Images of the General Data Protection Regulation badge and the CCPA Compliant badge](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/brightflag-gdpr-badge-1.webp) ### GDPR,  CCPA and CPRA Brightflag is committed to ensuring the protection of all personal data entrusted to us and fully complies with all applicable privacy laws including the General Data Protection Regulation, the California Consumer Privacy Act and the California Privacy Rights Act. ![Green AAR 360 badge that reads "ISO/IEC 27001:2013"](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/brightflag-iso-iec-badge.webp) ### ISO/IEC 27001:2013 ISO/IEC 27001:2013 Information security management systems certification [![Service Organizations SOC badge, in a blue circle that reads "AICPA SOC."](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/brightflag-aicpa-badge.webp)](http://www.aicpa.org/soc4so) ### SOC 1 and SOC 2 Brightflag prepares annual reports for AICPA System and Organization Controls (SOC) across all 5 Trust Categories: - SOC 1 Type 2 (Controls at Service Organization Relevant to User Entities’ Internal Control over Financial Reporting); and - SOC 2 Type 2 (Controls at a Service Organization Relevant to Security, Availability, Processing Integrity, Confidentiality, and Privacy). * * * At Brightflag, we take information security very seriously and pride ourselves on having a robust, best-in-class information security infrastructure which prioritizes the security of our customers’ data. We embrace security by design in all of our processes and infrastructure and have worked hard to build a culture of compliance across our business. We are regularly independently audited from an information security and privacy compliance perspective and conform to best practice industry standards. We are transparent so we maintain a Trust Center which contains copies of our certifications and independent test reports along with our information security and privacy policies. We are happy to facilitate access to the Trust Center for prospects and existing customers. If you would like access please [contact](https://brightflag.com/contact-us/) us. In the meantime, below is a summary of the main security, privacy and compliance activities here at Brightflag and some frequently asked questions which we hope will be helpful: ## Where is Brightflag Customer Data located? Brightflag is a cloud based Software as a Service. Our data is stored in secure data centers in Europe (Ireland), the United States and Australia. The choice of data center is determined by the location of our customers and what makes most sense for them given the origination of their data. ## How does Brightflag process personal data? For services offered to our customers, Brightflag is a data processor with respect to any personal data processed and the customer is the data controller. You can find a more detailed summary of how Brightflag processes personal data by going to the Brightflag [Privacy Notice](https://app.brightflag.com/privacy-policy). ## What technical and organisational measures has Brightflag implemented to optimise data security? ### Independent Audits and Penetration Testing Brightflag’s data security infrastructure is regularly independently audited to ISO 27001:2013, SOC 1 and SOC 2 standards and externally penetration tested by CREST certified security testers . ### Network Security Brightflag employs a number of industry gold standard methods to detect and prevent any security threats, such as AWS security services, SIEM, firewalls, and intrusion detection and prevention systems to ensure that all network traffic is secure and to prevent Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. ### Vulnerability Management Brightflag has a continuous vulnerability scanning and patching program using industry-leading services and is externally validated through ISO 27001:2013, SOC 1 and SOC 2. ### Data Encryption All data processed by Brightflag is encrypted at rest by AES-256. Encryption keys are managed using AWS Key Management System (KMS). Data in transit is encrypted with HTTPS using minimum TLS 1.2. ### Identity and Access Management Brightflag supports single sign-on using the SAML protocol. Example integrations include Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS), Azure Active Directory, Google, Okta, OneLogin, and Ping Identity. In addition, Brightflag supports the SCIM standard for user provisioning, permission management, and de-provisioning. The Brightflag API authenticates via OAuth. ### Role-Based Access Controls Brightflag supports a number of out-of-box user roles and access permissions. A more detailed breakdown of user roles and permissions is available on the Brightflag [Help Center](https://help.brightflag.com/hc/en-us/articles/360002535518-User-Roles-Permissions-for-Brightflag-Customers-Clients-). ### IP Whitelisting If desired, we can restrict access to a set of IP ranges. ## How does Brightflag support Customers with data backup and deletion? Data retention and deletion are configurable to our customers’ requirements. Brightflag’s data retention management ensures that records are not retained for longer than needed. We fully support our customers to comply with data subject access requests (dSAR). ## Describe Brightflag’s application infrastructure Our SaaS application is hosted in a multi-tenant AWS environment with secure infrastructure configuration and monitoring by our Security Operations Center (SOC). ## Who in Brightflag can access Customer Data? Access to customer data by Brightflag personnel, for example, to provide technical support, is strictly on an as-needed basis in line with our Role-Based Access Control Policy. ## How can Customer Data be restored in the event of any incident? Customer data is regularly backed up to AWS data centers to ensure that data is recoverable as part of our business continuity and disaster recovery planning. Brightflag performs full database backups. Our databases are also deployed as standby databases in other data centers, providing more up to date recovery from failure. ## Application Availability Our applications are built in a cluster to recover and scale with demand automatically to prevent services going offline. ## Logging and Monitoring Brightflag customers can track important application actions performed in-app. In addition, Brightflag can support requests for fine grained audit logs. ## Continuous Improvement, Training, Awareness and Phishing At Brightflag, we are conscious that the world of information security and privacy is ever evolving and we always aim to stay a few steps ahead. We are continuously improving our information security and privacy procedures. Brightflag employees undergo mandatory security and privacy training on commencement and during their employment with Brightflag. We also run bespoke team security and data handling training as well as regular phishing campaigns to simulate the latest techniques that hackers are using to maintain a high level of employee awareness. ## Responsible Disclosure Brightflag supports responsible security research that helps protect the integrity of our application. If you believe you’ve found a vulnerability, email [disclosures@brightflag.com](mailto:disclosures@brightflag.com) with enough technical detail for us to investigate. We review legitimate reports in good faith and with due regard for international standards such as ISO/IEC 29147 and ISO/IEC 30111:2019, and we support coordinated disclosure practices outlined by the U.S. Department of Justice and the EU NIS2 Directive. Testing must not disrupt services, access or modify data, or involve phishing, social engineering, or denial-of-service attacks. If testing reveals sensitive information, including customer or personal data, stop immediately and report it without further access. Researchers acting in good faith under this policy are authorized to test the Brightflag application and will not face legal action. At our discretion, we may offer rewards for reports that identify security issues in scope. Reports limited to email configuration, rate limiting, DNS records, or marketing websites (which do not store sensitive information) are generally not eligible unless they pose a clear risk to the application or its users. ## Trust Center For more information on Brightflag’s security, [please visit our Trust Center](https://trust.brightflag.com/). [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/security/#mm-0) ## In-House Legal Software [Home](https://brightflag.com/)› [In-House Legal Team Software](https://brightflag.com/alternatives/) # In-House Legal Team Software When it comes to software, in-house legal teams have options. Read on to learn how AI-assisted [legal bill review](https://brightflag.com/legal-bill-review/), easy [legal e-billing](https://brightflag.com/legal-e-billing/), and advanced [spend analytics](https://brightflag.com/platform/reports/) make Brightflag the #1 alternative to traditional choices. [![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Light-blue-4-3-500x375-c-default.png)\\ \\ SimpleLegal\\ \\ \\ Read More](https://brightflag.com/simplelegal-alternative/) [![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/deep-blue-500x375-c-default.png)\\ \\ Mitratech TeamConnect\\ \\ \\ Read More](https://brightflag.com/mitratech-teamconnect-alternative/) [![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/deep-blue-500x375-c-default.png)\\ \\ Mitratech eCounsel\\ \\ \\ Read More](https://brightflag.com/ecounsel-alternative/) [![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/light-blue-500x375-c-default.png)\\ \\ Wolters Kluwer Passport\\ \\ \\ Read More](https://brightflag.com/wolters-kluwer-elm-passport-alternative/) [![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/red-500x375-c-default.png)\\ \\ LexisNexis CounselLink\\ \\ \\ Read More](https://brightflag.com/lexisnexis-counsellink-alternative/) [![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/TyMetrix-500x375-c-default.png)\\ \\ Wolters Kluwer TyMetrix\\ \\ \\ Read More](https://brightflag.com/tymetrix-alternative/) [![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/AP-systems-500x375-c-default.png)\\ \\ Accounts Payable Systems\\ \\ \\ Read More](https://brightflag.com/ap-system-alternative/) ## What can Brightflag do for you? We get customers up, running, and realizing results within 60 days. [Book a Demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/) [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/alternatives/#mm-0) ## Brightflag Events Overview [Home](https://brightflag.com/)› [Events](https://brightflag.com/events/) # Brightflag Events We're coming soon to a city and screen near you. All Event TypesIn PersonWebinarProduct DemoAll LocationsNorth AmericaEurope ## Upcoming Events [![Photo of Tower Bridge in London, with the Crafty Counsel logo and the event title, ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Crafty-Fest-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ June 3–4, 2025 \| London, England \\ \\ **Crafty Fest**](https://craftycounsel.co.uk/events/crafty-fest/) [![Photo of the Brightflag and Consero logo and a photo of California waterways with the event name ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Consero-General-Counsel-Forum-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ June 4–6, 2025 \| Westlake Village, California \\ \\ **Consero General Counsel Forum**](https://consero.com/events/general-counsel-forum-5/) [![Aerial view of the buildings in Leesburg, Virginia, where the 2025 Consero Corporate Legal Operations Forum is taking place.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Consero-Corporate-Legal-Operations-Forum-2-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ July 14–16, 2025 \| Leesburg, Virginia \\ \\ **Consero Corporate Legal Operations Forum**](https://consero.com/events/corporate-legal-operations-forum-2/) [![Photo of the famous Las Vegas billboard, next to Brightflag and LegalOps.com's logos, and the event title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Running-Legal-Like-a-Business-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ September 2–5, 2025 \| Las Vegas, Nevada \\ \\ **Running Legal Like a Business**](https://rllb-2025.legalops.com/) [![Aerial view of the buildings in Irving, Texas, where the Consero Corporate Legal Operations Forum will be taking place in October 2025.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Consero-Corporate-Legal-Operations-Forum-3-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ October 12–14, 2025 \| Irving, Texas \\ \\ **Consero Corporate Legal Operations Forum**](https://consero.com/events/corporate-legal-operations-forum-7/) [![Photo of Big Ben with Brightflag and Legal Geek's logos to the left, and the event title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Legal-Geek-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ October 15–16, 2025 \| London, England \\ \\ **Legal Geek**](https://www.legalgeek.co/conference/) [![Photo of Big Ben in London with the Buying Legal Council and Brightflag logo, and the text ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Buying-Legal-EMEA-Conference-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ November 12–13, 2025 \| London, England \\ \\ **Buying Legal EMEA Conference**](https://www.buyinglegal.com/London) [![Aerial view of the red-roofed buildings in Coral Gables, Florida, with the ocean in the background, where the Consero Corporate Legal Operations Forum in November 2025 will be taking place.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Consero-Corporate-Legal-Operations-Forum-4-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ November 16–18, 2025 \| Coral Gables, Florida \\ \\ **Consero Corporate Legal Operations Forum**](https://consero.com/events/corporate-legal-operations-forum-6/) [![Photo of Big Ben in London with the event title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Legal-Operations-Exchange-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ December 3–4, 2025 \| London, England \\ \\ **Legal Operations Exchange**](https://www.iqpc.com/events-legal-operations-exchange) No upcoming events meet your criteria. Please adjust your filter settings. ## On-Demand Webinars [**View All >**](https://brightflag.com/resources/#on-demand-webinar) [![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Social_1200x675-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ **Brightflag Platform Tour**](https://brightflag.com/events/platform-tour-may/) [![Brightflag Solutions Consultant Tej Sachania smiling in a blue button up shirt in front of a teal background with the event title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Social_1200x675-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ **Brightflag Platform Tour**](https://brightflag.com/events/platform-tour-april-2025/) [![Headshots of Kevin Cohn (Brightflag Chief Customer Officer) and Matthew Steer (Deloitte Legal's Associate Director of Legal Management Consulting) in business attire, in front of a teal background, with the webinar title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Social_1200x675-8-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ AI & the Future of Legal Tech \\ \\ **Deloitte Legal AI Predictions: A Conversation with Brightflag**](https://brightflag.com/events/deloitte-brightflag-ai/) [![Brightflag Solutions Consultant Tej Sachania smiling in a blue button up shirt in front of a teal background, with the webinar title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Social_1200x675_B-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ **Brightflag Platform Tour**](https://brightflag.com/events/brightflag-platform-march-2025/) [![Headshots of Brightflag Customer Success Managers Juliet Manso and Micheal Theise smiling in front of a teal background, with the webinar name ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Social_1200x675_B-1-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ Vendor Benchmarking \\ \\ **How to Track Legal Department Metrics**](https://brightflag.com/events/how-to-track-legal-department-metrics/) [![Brightflag Chief Customer Officer Kevin Cohn, smiling in a blue polo shirt in front of a teal background, with the event title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Platform-Tour-Feb-2025_Social_1200x675-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ General \\ \\ **Brightflag Platform Tour**](https://brightflag.com/events/brightflag-platform-tour-february-2025/) [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/events/#mm-0) ## Book a Demo # Book a Demo How did you discover Brightflag?\*Search engineConference/eventFriend or colleagueReview websiteSocial mediaBrightflag podcastEmail from BrightflagOther IP address Where is your company located? By submitting this form you agree to our [privacy policy](https://app.brightflag.com/privacy-policy). [Return to Homepage](https://brightflag.com/) [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/demo/#mm-0) ## Brightflag Legal Operations # About Brightflag **Brightflag’s mission is to bring the most modern and easy-to-use software to corporate legal departments, accompanied by stellar, proactive customer service.** Brightflag’s [Legal Operations Platform](https://brightflag.com/platform/) is where corporate legal departments gain visibility into operations, maximize productivity, and engage with outside counsel strategically. We’re a recognized leader in artificial intelligence and machine learning and have invested more than 100,000 hours in the development of our patented solution. We serve a global community of legal professionals from offices in California, New York, Ireland, and Australia. * * * ## Our Story We’ve grown from early startup to fast-moving market leader. We hope [this playlist](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4TzP05HDOBOzzqEtdJUlzR?si=d4f4655170fc4b71), which has been curated carefully by members of the Brightflag team, provides you with insight into our journey. Enjoy! ### Changing of the Guards, Bob Dylan Brightflag is founded to be the place where corporate legal departments gain visibility into operations, maximize productivity, and engage with outside counsel strategically. Selected by [Ian Nolan](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-nolan-7084411a/), co-founder and CEO. Spotify Embed [Play on Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/track/2vVpjZxlSiqR5wr2YeZPB2?go=1&sp_cid=a17410471c0a2fe51d2414335278a5e3&utm_source=embed_player_p&utm_medium=desktop "Play on Spotify") # [Changing of the Guards](https://open.spotify.com/track/2vVpjZxlSiqR5wr2YeZPB2?go=1&sp_cid=a17410471c0a2fe51d2414335278a5e3&utm_source=embed_player_p&utm_medium=desktop) PreviewE ## [Bob Dylan](https://open.spotify.com/artist/74ASZWbe4lXaubB36ztrGX?go=1&sp_cid=a17410471c0a2fe51d2414335278a5e3) Save on Spotify - [Play on Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/track/2vVpjZxlSiqR5wr2YeZPB2?go=1&sp_cid=a17410471c0a2fe51d2414335278a5e3&utm_source=embed_player_p&utm_medium=desktop) - Save on Spotify - Copy link [Privacy Policy](https://www.spotify.com/legal/privacy-policy/)· [Terms & Conditions](https://www.spotify.com/legal) ### The Rare Old Times, The Dubliners Brightflag establishes its first office in Dublin. Selected by [Sean Harrison](https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanaharrison/), Director of Engineering and Brightflag’s longest-tenured (and first!) team member. Spotify Embed [Play on Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/track/5TChtufmWHXshbRix9xatc?go=1&sp_cid=ce07381199b1038f2af9bf21fcf2574f&utm_source=embed_player_p&utm_medium=desktop "Play on Spotify") # [The Rare Old Times](https://open.spotify.com/track/5TChtufmWHXshbRix9xatc?go=1&sp_cid=ce07381199b1038f2af9bf21fcf2574f&utm_source=embed_player_p&utm_medium=desktop) PreviewE ## [The Dubliners](https://open.spotify.com/artist/72RvmgEg2omdlMV9aExO6a?go=1&sp_cid=ce07381199b1038f2af9bf21fcf2574f) Save on Spotify - [Play on Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/track/5TChtufmWHXshbRix9xatc?go=1&sp_cid=ce07381199b1038f2af9bf21fcf2574f&utm_source=embed_player_p&utm_medium=desktop) - Save on Spotify - Copy link [Privacy Policy](https://www.spotify.com/legal/privacy-policy/)· [Terms & Conditions](https://www.spotify.com/legal) ### Don’t Stop Believin’, Journey Brightflag signs its first customer, a large European bank (they’re still a customer today!). Selected by [Alex Kelly](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexkellybrightflag/), co-founder and Chief Operating Officer, who sang a karaoke version at Brightflag’s 2019 holiday party. Spotify Embed [Play on Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/track/4bHsxqR3GMrXTxEPLuK5ue?go=1&sp_cid=8916870d21ffe20c1ea5386a652708f8&utm_source=embed_player_p&utm_medium=desktop "Play on Spotify") # [Don't Stop Believin'](https://open.spotify.com/track/4bHsxqR3GMrXTxEPLuK5ue?go=1&sp_cid=8916870d21ffe20c1ea5386a652708f8&utm_source=embed_player_p&utm_medium=desktop) PreviewE ## [Journey](https://open.spotify.com/artist/0rvjqX7ttXeg3mTy8Xscbt?go=1&sp_cid=8916870d21ffe20c1ea5386a652708f8) Save on Spotify - [Play on Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/track/4bHsxqR3GMrXTxEPLuK5ue?go=1&sp_cid=8916870d21ffe20c1ea5386a652708f8&utm_source=embed_player_p&utm_medium=desktop) - Save on Spotify - Copy link [Privacy Policy](https://www.spotify.com/legal/privacy-policy/)· [Terms & Conditions](https://www.spotify.com/legal) ### Down Under, Men at Work Brightflag opens offices in Sydney and New York. Selected by [Sinéad Kenny](https://www.linkedin.com/in/sinead-kenny/), Manager of Customer Insights, who spent over a year in Sydney helping to make our Australian customers successful. Spotify Embed [Play on Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/track/3ZZq9396zv8pcn5GYVhxUi?go=1&sp_cid=a5c776619bc4fe1f5ec378bbafe9a017&utm_source=embed_player_p&utm_medium=desktop "Play on Spotify") # [Down Under](https://open.spotify.com/track/3ZZq9396zv8pcn5GYVhxUi?go=1&sp_cid=a5c776619bc4fe1f5ec378bbafe9a017&utm_source=embed_player_p&utm_medium=desktop) PreviewE ## [Men At Work](https://open.spotify.com/artist/0f3EsoviYnRKTkmayI3cux?go=1&sp_cid=a5c776619bc4fe1f5ec378bbafe9a017) Save on Spotify - [Play on Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/track/3ZZq9396zv8pcn5GYVhxUi?go=1&sp_cid=a5c776619bc4fe1f5ec378bbafe9a017&utm_source=embed_player_p&utm_medium=desktop) - Save on Spotify - Copy link [Privacy Policy](https://www.spotify.com/legal/privacy-policy/)· [Terms & Conditions](https://www.spotify.com/legal) ### Drive My Car, The Beatles Large American companies start switching to Brightflag. Selected by [Viraj Shah](https://www.linkedin.com/in/viraj-shah-15b76246/), the implementation migration maestro who has led many of Brightflag’s largest customer migrations from legacy platforms. Spotify Embed [Play on Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/track/06ypiqmILMdVeaiErMFA91?go=1&sp_cid=5d169286dafb8e0e6e40d59619acd112&utm_source=embed_player_p&utm_medium=desktop "Play on Spotify") # [Drive My Car - Remastered 2009](https://open.spotify.com/track/06ypiqmILMdVeaiErMFA91?go=1&sp_cid=5d169286dafb8e0e6e40d59619acd112&utm_source=embed_player_p&utm_medium=desktop) PreviewE ## [The Beatles](https://open.spotify.com/artist/3WrFJ7ztbogyGnTHbHJFl2?go=1&sp_cid=5d169286dafb8e0e6e40d59619acd112) Save on Spotify - [Play on Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/track/06ypiqmILMdVeaiErMFA91?go=1&sp_cid=5d169286dafb8e0e6e40d59619acd112&utm_source=embed_player_p&utm_medium=desktop) - Save on Spotify - Copy link [Privacy Policy](https://www.spotify.com/legal/privacy-policy/)· [Terms & Conditions](https://www.spotify.com/legal) ### I’ll Be There for You, The Rembrandts [Kevin Cohn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinacohn/) joins Brightflag’s executive leadership team as Chief Customer Officer. Selected on behalf of Kevin, who has never seen an episode of _Friends_. Spotify Embed [Play on Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/track/15tHagkk8z306XkyOHqiip?go=1&sp_cid=45e55d8937fe85f8e4f7e590e6b9c437&utm_source=embed_player_p&utm_medium=desktop "Play on Spotify") # [I'll Be There for You - Theme From "Friends"](https://open.spotify.com/track/15tHagkk8z306XkyOHqiip?go=1&sp_cid=45e55d8937fe85f8e4f7e590e6b9c437&utm_source=embed_player_p&utm_medium=desktop) PreviewE ## [The Rembrandts](https://open.spotify.com/artist/0gDg7FEsF4Y1jWddJJgcn4?go=1&sp_cid=45e55d8937fe85f8e4f7e590e6b9c437) Save on Spotify - [Play on Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/track/15tHagkk8z306XkyOHqiip?go=1&sp_cid=45e55d8937fe85f8e4f7e590e6b9c437&utm_source=embed_player_p&utm_medium=desktop) - Save on Spotify - Copy link [Privacy Policy](https://www.spotify.com/legal/privacy-policy/)· [Terms & Conditions](https://www.spotify.com/legal) ### Send Me on My Way, Rusted Root Selected by [Ingrid Wallace](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ingridwallace/), Vice President of People, who accidentally left this song on repeat in the office while at an off-site meeting. It’s okay, we really like it! Spotify Embed [Play on Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/track/6hs3SDnbO3f6VQuPO4KBEb?go=1&sp_cid=6e216b8cd7ee5802a7939b82080cf947&utm_source=embed_player_p&utm_medium=desktop "Play on Spotify") # [Send Me on My Way](https://open.spotify.com/track/6hs3SDnbO3f6VQuPO4KBEb?go=1&sp_cid=6e216b8cd7ee5802a7939b82080cf947&utm_source=embed_player_p&utm_medium=desktop) PreviewE ## [Rusted Root](https://open.spotify.com/artist/2M3vnW1p5w4uPRkLYTbvdB?go=1&sp_cid=6e216b8cd7ee5802a7939b82080cf947) Save on Spotify - [Play on Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/track/6hs3SDnbO3f6VQuPO4KBEb?go=1&sp_cid=6e216b8cd7ee5802a7939b82080cf947&utm_source=embed_player_p&utm_medium=desktop) - Save on Spotify - Copy link [Privacy Policy](https://www.spotify.com/legal/privacy-policy/)· [Terms & Conditions](https://www.spotify.com/legal) ### Everybody Wants to Rule the World, Tears for Fears After years of monumental growth, Brightflag secures $28 million in additional funding to build the future of [legal operations software](https://brightflag.com/). Selected by [Ciaran O’Callaghan](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ciaranocallaghan/), Enterprise Account Executive, who doesn’t want to rule the world, but does want to help corporate legal departments to evaluate Brightflag. Spotify Embed [Play on Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/track/4RvWPyQ5RL0ao9LPZeSouE?go=1&sp_cid=6e216b8cd7ee5802a7939b82080cf947&utm_source=embed_player_p&utm_medium=desktop "Play on Spotify") # [Everybody Wants To Rule The World](https://open.spotify.com/track/4RvWPyQ5RL0ao9LPZeSouE?go=1&sp_cid=6e216b8cd7ee5802a7939b82080cf947&utm_source=embed_player_p&utm_medium=desktop) PreviewE ## [Tears For Fears](https://open.spotify.com/artist/4bthk9UfsYUYdcFyqxmSUU?go=1&sp_cid=6e216b8cd7ee5802a7939b82080cf947) Save on Spotify - [Play on Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/track/4RvWPyQ5RL0ao9LPZeSouE?go=1&sp_cid=6e216b8cd7ee5802a7939b82080cf947&utm_source=embed_player_p&utm_medium=desktop) - Save on Spotify - Copy link [Privacy Policy](https://www.spotify.com/legal/privacy-policy/)· [Terms & Conditions](https://www.spotify.com/legal) ### You Got It, Roy Orbison Brightflag is building the future of legal operations software, and our customers play a significant role in driving our product roadmap. Selected by [Barry O’Melia](https://www.linkedin.com/in/barryomelia/), Vice President of Product. Spotify Embed [Play on Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/track/6r20M5DWYdIoCDmDViBxuz?go=1&sp_cid=d59cdfee6d664224dedb8bd26b18771b&utm_source=embed_player_p&utm_medium=desktop "Play on Spotify") # [You Got It](https://open.spotify.com/track/6r20M5DWYdIoCDmDViBxuz?go=1&sp_cid=d59cdfee6d664224dedb8bd26b18771b&utm_source=embed_player_p&utm_medium=desktop) PreviewE ## [Roy Orbison](https://open.spotify.com/artist/0JDkhL4rjiPNEp92jAgJnS?go=1&sp_cid=d59cdfee6d664224dedb8bd26b18771b) Save on Spotify - [Play on Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/track/6r20M5DWYdIoCDmDViBxuz?go=1&sp_cid=d59cdfee6d664224dedb8bd26b18771b&utm_source=embed_player_p&utm_medium=desktop) - Save on Spotify - Copy link [Privacy Policy](https://www.spotify.com/legal/privacy-policy/)· [Terms & Conditions](https://www.spotify.com/legal) ### Robot Rock, Daft Punk Artificial intelligence is at the core of Brightflag’s platform, with more than 100,000 hours invested in its development. (Not) selected by Brightflag’s [patented AI](https://brightflag.com/press/patented-ai-legal-innovation/). Spotify Embed [Play on Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/track/4zu9wo2FXoBSsKjO6tRB3R?go=1&sp_cid=2c883d1c043959595e9778a0a0eb4d60&utm_source=embed_player_p&utm_medium=desktop "Play on Spotify") # [Robot Rock](https://open.spotify.com/track/4zu9wo2FXoBSsKjO6tRB3R?go=1&sp_cid=2c883d1c043959595e9778a0a0eb4d60&utm_source=embed_player_p&utm_medium=desktop) PreviewE ## [Daft Punk](https://open.spotify.com/artist/4tZwfgrHOc3mvqYlEYSvVi?go=1&sp_cid=2c883d1c043959595e9778a0a0eb4d60) Save on Spotify - [Play on Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/track/4zu9wo2FXoBSsKjO6tRB3R?go=1&sp_cid=2c883d1c043959595e9778a0a0eb4d60&utm_source=embed_player_p&utm_medium=desktop) - Save on Spotify - Copy link [Privacy Policy](https://www.spotify.com/legal/privacy-policy/)· [Terms & Conditions](https://www.spotify.com/legal) * * * ## Our Values Many things are sure to change over time, and we’ll adapt when they do. One thing that won’t change, however, are the values we consider vital to our success and to our customers’ success. ### Think Long Term We’re pursuing lasting customer success and market leadership. Sometimes we may say no to apparent shortcuts along the way. ### Make Every Day Count Time is a finite resource. We get a lot done in a day by making conscious decisions to spend it wisely, prioritizing what matters most. ### Win and Lose Together We trust in each other’s talents, celebrate our collective success, and learn from failures as a team. Help is requested early and volunteered quickly. ### Embrace Authenticity Diversity of backgrounds and perspectives is our natural strength. Each of us is responsible for proactively guarding and growing this quality. ## Join Us on Our Journey We'll serve as your trusted guide in evaluating Brightflag. [Book a Demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/) [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/about/#mm-0) ## Careers at Brightflag # Make Your Mark Hello, we’re Brightflag — one of the fastest-growing tech startups in the legal world. We have big ambitions to change how legal teams work, but we’re not the finished article just yet. Join us. Make your mark. Help shape the future of legal operations and shape the future of Brightflag. [View open roles](https://boards.greenhouse.io/brightflag) Bright Flag V6 ![Video Thumbnail](https://fast.wistia.net/embed/medias/jo2e3btt4w/swatch) ![Video Thumbnail](https://embed-ssl.wistia.com/deliveries/9a523ebf891496f7b56f704f4a864a3201d43eb8.webp?image_crop_resized=640x360) Click for sound 2:27 ## What You Can Expect **Make an impact** We’re growing fast. This is your chance to have a real influence on a true high-growth tech journey.  Expect to roll your sleeves up, but to have massive learning, growth, and exposure as you do. **Work with great people** Working here means working with a smart, sound team, in a helpful, inclusive, and transparent atmosphere. We take what we do seriously, but don’t take ourselves too seriously. **Bring a great product to market** Brightflag is a trailblazing product in a growing legal tech market. We continue to invest heavily in product and customer success. **Work with cutting edge tech** We use cutting-edge tech and ways of working to build a product that is truly disruptive. ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Diverse-people.svg) ## What You Can Expect **Make an impact** We’re growing fast. This is your chance to have a real influence on a true high-growth tech journey.  Expect to roll your sleeves up, but to have massive learning, growth, and exposure as you do. **Work with great people** Working here means working with a smart, sound team, in a helpful, inclusive, and transparent atmosphere. We take what we do seriously, but don’t take ourselves too seriously. **Bring a great product to market** Brightflag is a trailblazing product in a growing legal tech market. We continue to invest heavily in product and customer success. **Work with cutting edge tech** We use cutting-edge tech and ways of working to build a product that is truly disruptive. ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Diverse-people.svg) ## What We Value **Think long term** We’re pursuing lasting customer success and market leadership. Sometimes we may say no to apparent shortcuts along the way. **Make every day count** Time is a finite resource. We get a lot done in a day by making conscious decisions to spend it wisely, prioritizing what matters most. **Win & lose together** **We trust in each other’s talents, celebrate our collective success, and learn from failures as a team. Help is requested early and volunteered quickly.** **Embrace authenticity** **Diversity of backgrounds and perspectives is our natural strength. Each of us is responsible for proactively guarding and growing this quality.** ![Animated icons of charts, cogs, magnifying glasses, and other legal items displayed inside of circles and squares.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Customer-support.svg) ## What We Offer **The basics** We all need to be paid fairly and feel secure financially. This is why we offer competitive compensation packages, health insurance, life insurance, and income protection. **Ownership** We want our team to benefit from Brightflag’s success. Share options give you that ownership. As we grow, their value will grow too. (And hopefully it all adds up to a very happy payday at some stage in the future — after lots more hard work!) **Your wellbeing** The financials are important, but life is so much more than that. To support your work life, we provide a home office setup stipend and the tech kit of your choice. To support your _life_ life, we offer paid time off (including family leave), ‘reset’ days in addition to your vacation time to provide for some time out, and a wellbeing stipend which you can spend on the health supports of your choice. **Growth** We are committed to your growth. We offer generous (€2,000/US$2,200/AU$3,200) financial support for you to spend on a learning experience of your choosing each year, as well as a Bookworm scheme which enables you to order a book a month (any book!) on us. ![Animated graphics of a lightbulb, pie chart, quotation bubble, bar chart, and woman arranged together.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Positive-momentum.svg) ## What We Offer **The basics** We all need to be paid fairly and feel secure financially. This is why we offer competitive compensation packages, health insurance, life insurance, and income protection. **Ownership** We want our team to benefit from Brightflag’s success. Share options give you that ownership. As we grow, their value will grow too. (And hopefully it all adds up to a very happy payday at some stage in the future — after lots more hard work!) **Your wellbeing** The financials are important, but life is so much more than that. To support your work life, we provide a home office setup stipend and the tech kit of your choice. To support your _life_ life, we offer paid time off (including family leave), ‘reset’ days in addition to your vacation time to provide for some time out, and a wellbeing stipend which you can spend on the health supports of your choice. **Growth** We are committed to your growth. We offer generous (€2,000/US$2,200/AU$3,200) financial support for you to spend on a learning experience of your choosing each year, as well as a Bookworm scheme which enables you to order a book a month (any book!) on us. ![Animated graphics of a lightbulb, pie chart, quotation bubble, bar chart, and woman arranged together.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Positive-momentum.svg) ## What Our Employees Say We’re an open, helpful, friendly group, working in a supportive and inclusive environment. Goodbye corporate bureaucracy, hello positive, people-focused, collaborative working. But don’t just take our word for it, hear what the team has to say over on Glassdoor. [Go to Glassdoor](https://www.glassdoor.ie/Overview/Working-at-Brightflag-EI_IE1881669.11,21.htm) ![Animated people images with the Brightflag logo in the center](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/People-with-Brightflag-icon.svg) ## Ready To Take The Next Step? [View open roles](https://boards.greenhouse.io/brightflag) [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/careers/#mm-0) ## Brightflag Press Releases # Brightflag Press Releases ### [Brightflag launches new AI-powered spend management, matter management, and insights features for corporate legal teams](https://brightflag.com/press/innnovation-roadmap/) **(April 2025)** Brightflag’s AI-powered enterprise legal management (ELM) platform now gives in-house teams even greater control over legal work and spend. ### [Legal operations compensation remains strong despite challenges in the broader labor market, according to Brightflag report](https://brightflag.com/press/legal-operations-compensation-2025/) **(March 2025)** Annual report reveals compensation trends and promotes pay transparency in legal operations ### [Brightflag provides more visibility into legal work with Matter Updates](https://brightflag.com/press/matter-updates/) **(January 2025)** Matter Updates enables in-house teams to understand the current state of play for legal work by automatically collecting and reporting on updates from matter participants. ### [Brightflag celebrates record-breaking year of growth and AI innovation](https://brightflag.com/press/growth-ai-innovation/) **(December 2024)** Brightflag, the AI-powered e-billing and matter management platform for corporate legal departments, today announced that 2024 will be its best-ever year of growth. ### [Brightflag launches the first GenAI assistant for legal spend and matters](https://brightflag.com/press/ask-brightflag/) **(November 2024)** Brightflag, the AI-powered e-billing and matter management platform for corporate legal departments, announces Ask Brightflag, the first generative AI assistant for legal spend and matters. ### [Rates Increased by 10% for Top US Firms in 2024, Brightflag Report Reveals](https://brightflag.com/press/law-firm-rates-report-2024/) **(October 2024)** Annual report includes rate benchmark data and recommendations to help legal departments create a data-driven resourcing strategy. ### [Brightflag and Elite Unveil New Integration to Streamline Legal Invoicing](https://brightflag.com/press/ebillinghub/) **(August 2024)** Seamless connection between two leading e-billing platforms for law firms and in-house legal teams ### [Brightflag Announces the Next Generation of AI for Legal e-Billing and Matter Management](https://brightflag.com/press/next-gen-ai/) **(April 2024)** New AI features enable in-house legal departments to leverage outside counsel more effectively, control costs more confidently, and increase strategic value ### [Top 25% of Legal Operations Professionals Earn $240,000 Annually, According to Brightflag & Legal Operators Survey](https://brightflag.com/press/2024-legal-ops-compensation-report/) **(March 2024)** Annual report reveals compensation trends and promotes pay transparency in legal operations ### [New Report from Brightflag Explores Pricing Trends Among Top US Law Firms](https://brightflag.com/press/law-firm-rates-report/) **(December 2023)** Brightflag’s new rates report covers rate increase norms and benchmark data for the top 100 US law firms. ### [Brightflag launches new budgeting features to provide corporate legal teams with greater control over legal spend](https://brightflag.com/press/new-budgeting-features/) **(September 2023)** Brightflag’s new budgeting options allow in-house teams to better align and partner with their finance team. ### [Brightflag Celebrates Ninth Anniversary, Highlights Addition of Innovative AI-Powered Features and Industry Awards](https://brightflag.com/press/ninth-anniversary/) **(April 2023)** ### [Compensation for Legal Operations Leaders Increased by as Much as 26% in the Last Year, According to Brightflag Survey](https://brightflag.com/press/2023-legal-ops-compensation/) **(March 2023)** Annual report examines compensation trends in legal operations ### [Brightflag launches PDF Check, its new intelligent PDF invoice validation feature](https://brightflag.com/press/pdf-check-invoice-validation/) **(February 2023)** PDF Check extends Brightflag’s industry-leading platform for matter and spend management, helping in-house legal teams spend less time on repetitive manual tasks and focus on high-value work ### [Top Quartile of Legal Ops Pros Earn More Than $234,000 Annually, According to Brightflag & Legal Operators Survey](https://brightflag.com/press/legal-ops-compensation/) **(April 2022)** New report reveals latest trends and notable variations in legal ops compensation. ### [Brightflag Adds Flexible New Budgeting Tools, Enabling Sophisticated Outside Counsel Management](https://brightflag.com/press/legal-budgeting-tools/) **(March 2022)** Updates address the complex and varied budgeting requirements of corporate legal departments. ### [Brightflag Reporting Upgrades Make Legal Ops Data Even More Actionable](https://brightflag.com/press/legal-ops-reporting/) **(February 2022)** An all-new experience that makes it easier to create, run, and interpret reports. ### [Brightflag Expands Platform With Legal Service Request Solution](https://brightflag.com/press/legal-service-request-solution/) **(January 2022)** A smart new way to centralize intake, triage requests, and understand demand for legal services. ### [Brightflag Makes First Acquisition, Adding Joinder to Legal Operations Platform](https://brightflag.com/press/joinder-acquisition/) **(November 2021)** Joinder becomes Brightflag Workspace, the destination where legal work gets done. ### [Brightflag Bolsters Executive Team by Adding VP of People & VP of Finance](https://brightflag.com/press/vp-people-vp-finance/) **(September 2021)** AI-powered legal operations management platform continues momentum with key hires. ### [Brightflag Awarded US Patent for AI Innovation in Legal Operations](https://brightflag.com/press/patented-ai-legal-innovation/) **(September 2021)** The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has granted Brightflag, a patent for its innovative application of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning in legal technology. ### [Brightflag Releases Bill.com Integration, Uniting Corporate Legal & Finance Teams](https://brightflag.com/press/bill-com-integration/) **(June 2021)** Brightflag enhances support for financial requirements of complex global businesses. ### [Brightflag Sets Standard For Legal AI, Invests 100k Hours In ML Model](https://brightflag.com/press/legal-ai-standard-100000-hours/) **(May 2021)** Brightflag surpasses significant milestone in development of proprietary machine learning model. ### [Brightflag Accelerates Innovation With New VP of Product](https://brightflag.com/press/vp-product-innovation/) **(April 2021)** Barry O’Melia brings 20+ years of legal tech expertise. ### [Brightflag Introduces Microsoft Outlook Integration for Matter Management](https://brightflag.com/press/microsoft-outlook-integration/) **(April 2021)** New features link to critical systems for corporate legal departments. ### [Brightflag Expands Partnership Strategy With New VP of Alliances](https://brightflag.com/press/partnership-vp-alliances/) **(March 2021)** Legal tech innovator adds enterprise software veteran John Joyce. ### [Brightflag Strengthens Security Controls As Legal Departments Accelerate Digital Transformation](https://brightflag.com/press/security-controls-legal-departments-digital-transformation/) **(February 2021)** SOC 2 (Type II) and SOC 1 (Type II) certifications were achieved without exceptions. ### [Brightflag Enhances Outside Counsel Performance Evaluation With New Reports](https://brightflag.com/press/outside-counsel-performance-reports/) **(February 2021)** AI-powered legal platform enables nuanced analysis of law firm relationships. ### [Brightflag Raises $28M to Give Enterprises Greater Control Over Legal Work](https://brightflag.com/press/brightflag-raises-28m/) **(December 2020)** AI-powered legal spend and matter management solution poised to expand global operations. ### [Brightflag Adds Verified Okta Integration for Simple, Secure Identity Management](https://brightflag.com/press/brightflag-okta-integration/) **(October 2020)** Brightflag becomes only legal spend management software to offer SSO and user provisioning capabilities through a verified Okta integration. ### [Brightflag Brings Safe, Simple Diversity & Inclusion Tracking to In-House Legal Teams](https://brightflag.com/press/product-update-diversity-inclusion/) **(October 2020)** Secure data collection pairs with easy benchmark reporting in new product update. ### [Brightflag Named a Major Player in Legal Spend Management & Matter Management IDC MarketScape Reports](https://brightflag.com/press/idc-major-player-legal-spend-management-matter-management/) **(August 2020)** Two authoritative vendor analyses recognize Brightflag’s market standing. ### [Syngenta Switches to Brightflag for Legal Spend Management & Matter Management Needs](https://brightflag.com/press/syngenta-switches-to-brightflag-legal-spend-management-matter-management/) **(July 2020)** Syngenta evaluated several alternatives before ultimately selecting Brightflag as the comprehensive solution for its legal operations needs. ### [**New Brightflag Budgeting & Forecasting Features Help Legal Teams Tighten Cost Control**](https://brightflag.com/press/budgeting-ai-forecasting-features-help-legal-cost-control/) **(June 2020)** Broader budget controls and AI-powered forecasts lead latest round of Brightflag product innovations. ### [**Brightflag Deepens Commitment to Legal Teams with New VP of Customer Success**](https://brightflag.com/press/new-vp-of-customer-success/) **(April 2020)** Vishnu Thyagarajan joins Brightflag after nearly a decade spent scaling the customer success function at Cloudera. ### [**Brightflag Simplifies Legal Spend Management with Automated Tax Engine**](https://brightflag.com/press/automated-tax-engine-simplifies-legal-spend-management/) **(February 2020)** New Brightflag features resolve tax compliance frustrations felt by legal and finance teams within global organizations. ### [**Brightflag Launches Catalyst to Accelerate Innovation in the Corporate Legal Community**](https://brightflag.com/press/catalyst-accelerates-innovation-corporate-legal-community/) **(November 2019)** Brightflag expands its commitment to peer-led learning with a dedicated online publication and in-person events. ### [**Brightflag Launches Quantum Conference To Provide Peer Advice For Corporate Legal Teams**](https://brightflag.com/press/quantum-conference-provides-peer-advice-for-corporate-legal-teams/) **(August 2019)** New event creates platform for corporate legal professionals to exchange practical learnings on how to advance their everyday operations. ### [**Brightflag Expands Executive Team With New Chief Customer Officer**](https://brightflag.com/press/new-chief-customer-officer/) ( **May 2019)** Kevin Cohn to lead go-to-market strategy as company continues to scale following $8.5 million Series A investment. ### **[Brightflag Raises $8.5 Million In Series A Funding For Expansion In Legal Technology Market](https://brightflag.com/press/series-a-funding-legal-technology-market/)** **(April 2019)** Sands Capital Ventures leads round alongside Frontline and Tribal, furthering investment in AI legal technology. [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/press/#mm-0) ## Brightflag: SimpleLegal Alternative [Home](https://brightflag.com/)› [Alternatives](https://brightflag.com/alternatives/)› [SimpleLegal Alternative](https://brightflag.com/simplelegal-alternative/) # Meet Brightflag, a Modern SimpleLegal Alternative See which qualities set us apart, according to legal departments like yours. [Book a Demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/) ![Screenshot of Brightflag's general counsel dashboard that has information on vendors, and their spending](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Spend-dashboard.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Live-Nation-Entertainment.png) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Clorox_Logo.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Coursera_Logo.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/MongoDB_Logo.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Santander_Logo.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/SAP_Logo.svg) ### Proven AI Innovation AI is not a buzzword at Brightflag. It’s the power source behind our entire platform and it’s been delivering practical results for in-house legal teams since 2014. ### Fast Implementation Whether you’re making your first legal tech purchase or switching over from a legacy system, we have the people and plans to get you up and running ahead of schedule. ### Strategic Support Great software is only the start of our partnership. We’ll be there with timely responses and expert insights to guide you along a path to long-term transformation. Previous ![Marissa Corda](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Marissa-C-min.jpg) > Brightflag's AI software has made invoice review against our outside counsel policy much more effective and less burdensome. In addition, the overall spend analytics are extremely helpful and something we are looking to further leverage as we consider budget planning. — Marissa Corda, General Counsel ![ACME](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Sonnedix.png) ![Zoe Baynes-Davidge](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Zoe-Baynes-Davidge-225x225-1.jpg) > The platform itself is intuitive and easy to use, and no stone has been left unturned when it comes to providing a brilliant user experience. The Brightflag team are second to none when it comes to providing support, training, and 'best practice' of the system. — Zoe Baynes-Davidge, Legal Operations Analyst ![ACME](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Ocado.svg) ![Valerio Pece](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Valerio-Pece.jpeg) > We always had the good feeling of being listened to and taken into serious consideration because our success meant Brightflag's success. Now we've transformed our e-billing process from mere invoice processing to valuable insight generation. — Valerio Pece, Strategic Productivity Manager ![ACME](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Syngenta-Group.png) Next - 1 - 2 - 3 Brightflag is used by hundreds of corporate legal departments around the world, from fast-growing startups to global enterprises, to gain visibility into operations, maximize productivity, and engage with outside counsel strategically. These visionaries chose Brightflag over alternatives like SimpleLegal because they recognized Brightflag is the future of legal operations: - Brightflag is a modern cloud application, leveraging the latest technologies and integration standards IT teams demand. - Brightflag is optimized for quick and easy configuration; legal teams can implement and evolve with no customization required. - Brightflag invests half its revenue in R&D and updates the software automatically every month, ensuring no customer falls behind. - Brightflag’s customer success team is the trusted guide for legal operations, helping legal teams to see around corners. Want to get a sense of what it’s like to use Brightflag to manage legal operations? Watch our [5-minute video](https://brightflag.com/videos/brightflag-5-minute-overview/). Want to read why legal teams like yours chose Brightflag, in their own words? Read our [customer success stories](https://brightflag.com/success-stories/). Or if you’re ready to speak with an expert about how Brightflag can help you, fill out the form and we’ll be in touch. ## See For Yourself Learn why Brightflag is winning over customers around the world [Book a Demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/) [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/simplelegal-alternative/#mm-0) ![Brightflag](https://cdn.cookielaw.org/logos/6e5cb22a-06d4-45a8-8e7c-9de791a8d106/addb0fdf-b927-4c4e-941d-ba4a86ab3f0c/d9fae9c6-6981-423e-8011-ad9640fd0c94/favicon.png) ## Privacy Preference Center When you visit any website, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. This information might be about you, your preferences or your device and is mostly used to make the site work as you expect it to. The information does not usually directly identify you, but it can give you a more personalized web experience. Because we respect your right to privacy, you can choose not to allow some types of cookies. Click on the different category headings to find out more and change our default settings. However, blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer. [Cookies Policy](https://app.brightflag.com/privacy-policy#cookie) [More Information](https://allaboutcookies.org/) Allow All ### Manage Consent Preferences #### Strictly Necessary Cookies Always Active These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information. View Vendor Details‎ #### Performance Cookies Performance Cookies These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance. View Vendor Details‎ #### Functional Cookies Functional Cookies These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies then some or all of these services may not function properly. View Vendor Details‎ #### Targeting Cookies Targeting Cookies These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising. View Vendor Details‎ Back Button ### Vendors List Search Icon Filter Icon Clear checkbox labellabel ApplyCancel ConsentLeg.Interest checkbox labellabel checkbox labellabel checkbox labellabel Reject AllConfirm My Choices [![Powered by Onetrust](https://cdn.cookielaw.org/logos/static/powered_by_logo.svg)](https://www.onetrust.com/products/cookie-consent/) ![](https://bat.bing.com/action/0?ti=26100497&tm=gtm002&Ver=2&mid=f00911ec-3343-463c-912a-4e43981e7602&bo=1&sid=eb573650350011f0a8855fcbc0e76e89&vid=eb575b60350011f09b02ddb8b6c3fcde&vids=1&msclkid=N&pi=918639831&lg=en-US&sw=1280&sh=1024&sc=24&tl=SimpleLegal%20Alternative&p=https%3A%2F%2Fbrightflag.com%2Fsimplelegal-alternative%2F&r=<=6297&evt=pageLoad&sv=1&cdb=AQED&rn=732462) ## Contact Brightflag # Contact Us Brightflag serves a global community of legal professionals from offices in California, New York, Ireland, and Australia. Contact Brightflag today by filling out the form, or reach out to us at the addresses below. **In North America:** PO Box 4668 PMB 80610 New York NY 10163-4668 United States **In Europe, the Middle East, and Africa:** 77 Camden Street Lower Dublin 2 D02 XE80 Ireland **In Australia and Asia-Pacific:** 65 York Street Suite 30, Level 11 Sydney NSW 2000 Australia First Name Last Name Work Email\* Phone Number Who would you like to speak with?\* Please SelectSalesSupportPublic RelationsRecruiting/HRPartner TeamOther Message [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/contact-us/#mm-0) ![Brightflag](https://cdn.cookielaw.org/logos/6e5cb22a-06d4-45a8-8e7c-9de791a8d106/addb0fdf-b927-4c4e-941d-ba4a86ab3f0c/d9fae9c6-6981-423e-8011-ad9640fd0c94/favicon.png) ## Privacy Preference Center When you visit any website, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. This information might be about you, your preferences or your device and is mostly used to make the site work as you expect it to. The information does not usually directly identify you, but it can give you a more personalized web experience. Because we respect your right to privacy, you can choose not to allow some types of cookies. Click on the different category headings to find out more and change our default settings. However, blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer. [Cookies Policy](https://app.brightflag.com/privacy-policy#cookie) [More Information](https://allaboutcookies.org/) Allow All ### Manage Consent Preferences #### Strictly Necessary Cookies Always Active These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information. View Vendor Details‎ #### Performance Cookies Performance Cookies These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance. View Vendor Details‎ #### Functional Cookies Functional Cookies These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies then some or all of these services may not function properly. View Vendor Details‎ #### Targeting Cookies Targeting Cookies These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising. View Vendor Details‎ Back Button ### Vendors List Search Icon Filter Icon Clear checkbox labellabel ApplyCancel ConsentLeg.Interest checkbox labellabel checkbox labellabel checkbox labellabel Reject AllConfirm My Choices [![Powered by Onetrust](https://cdn.cookielaw.org/logos/static/powered_by_logo.svg)](https://www.onetrust.com/products/cookie-consent/) ![](https://bat.bing.com/action/0?ti=26100497&tm=gtm002&Ver=2&mid=056f9e2b-a0bd-4325-bb0c-d63ea00ff71b&bo=1&sid=e862ce80350011f0b4f97720f9fb4141&vid=e862d580350011f0b2ad43c9fcb3b550&vids=1&msclkid=N&pi=918639831&lg=en-US&sw=1280&sh=1024&sc=24&tl=Contact%20Brightflag&p=https%3A%2F%2Fbrightflag.com%2Fcontact-us%2F&r=<=1284&evt=pageLoad&sv=1&cdb=AQED&rn=193141) ## Legal Document Management [Home](https://brightflag.com/)› [Platform](https://brightflag.com/platform/)› [Documents](https://brightflag.com/platform/documents/) # Manage your legal documents in a single, secure platform. [Book a Demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/) Document management with Brightflag ![Documents in Brightflag's Legal Operations Platform](https://fast.wistia.net/embed/medias/8y48xoz2hy/swatch) ![Documents in Brightflag's Legal Operations Platform](https://embed-ssl.wistia.com/deliveries/ec5bf4755303d576940f58c4163fc95c.webp?image_crop_resized=640x360) Click for sound 0:50 ## Store and find any type of document—and quickly. Upload any type of document to Brightflag, and find it quickly when you need it. Brightflag extracts document metadata and makes the full text searchable. Search results can be filtered by document creator, date, and other attributes, and you can see a preview of the document directly within the browser. ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Document-search.png) ## Brightflag keeps track of versions so you don't have to. Every document in Brightflag is versioned automatically, ensuring that everyone has the latest and greatest. What’s more, Brightflag retains prior versions (unless you don’t want it to), so you can always go back and see what’s changed. Documents can even be checked out and back in to prevent overwriting. ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Document-revisions-2.png) ## Control access down to the individual document. By default, access is determined based on who can access the matter or workroom in which a document is stored. Using Brightflag, access can easily be further restricted at an individual document level, for those times when specific documents require an extra level of privilege. ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Document-permissions-2.png) ## Set up and use your preferred organizing system. Create any number of folders and subfolders within which to organize documents. Drag and drop folders to reorder them, or set them to always appear in alphabetical order. If you upload a folder that contains subfolders and documents, Brightflag will automatically mirror the entire folder structure. ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Document-folders-2.png) ## Works well with the tools you already use. Brightflag integrates out of the box with Microsoft Outlook and Gmail, so you can upload email threads and attachments without leaving your inbox. In addition, you can launch a document’s native editing application from the browser, make changes in it, and your changes will be saved back to Brightflag. ![The Brightflag logo, with animated images of documents, magnifying classes, calendars, cogs, and other illustrations surrounding it. Each illustration is within a circle, and each circle has a line drawn from it to the Brightflag logo.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Integrations.svg) ## Ready to speak to an expert? We'll serve as your trusted guide in evaluating Brightflag. [Book a Demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/) [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/platform/documents/#mm-0) ## Transform Legal Operations # What Brightflag AI can do for your in-house team Brightflag AI helps in-house teams gain visibility into legal work and spend in seconds, automate invoice review, and effectively control costs. Our patented classification model analyzes legal tasks so you can understand your matters and what’s driving spend. Brightflag AI will change the way you work and amplify what you can accomplish. [Book a Demo](https://brightflag.com/demo) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/BF-AI-Web-1.svg) ## Unprecedented insight into legal work and spend Brightflag AI reads every invoice line item and classifies the work performed by outside counsel. It provides you with a comprehensive, real-time understanding of what work is being done, how much it costs, and how much it _should_ cost. ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/InvoiceReviewPage.png) ## Spend less time reviewing invoices Brightflag AI automatically applies your outside counsel guidelines to every invoice, eliminating lengthy invoice reviews. And Brightflag’s generative AI summarizes the work performed on every invoice, providing the context you need to approve invoices directly from email. ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/invoice-review-email-in-a-phone_R2.jpg) ## Meet the newest member of your team Imagine asking which law firms are resourcing your matters most efficiently and getting an answer, not a report. Or asking Brightflag to approve rate increase requests that meet certain criteria without having to click any buttons. That’s the power of Ask Brightflag, the helpful new member of your in-house team. ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Web-Pages-Page-3-1.png) ## Why Brightflag AI It seems like a new AI product or feature is released every day. So which AI will really move the needle for your legal team? For a decade, Brightflag AI has helped in-house teams eliminate time-consuming tasks, effectively control costs, and predictably stay within budget. We couple our innovative AI with outstanding customer support and implementation. Our average implementation time is under 60 days and the AI requires no training or customization. ## Ready to see the future of legal ops? We'll serve as your trusted guide in evaluating Brightflag. [Book a Demo](https://brightflag.com/demo) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2024-Q3-G2-badge-leader.webp) [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/brightflag-ai/#mm-0) ## Brightflag Reporting Overview # Want to Learn More? [Schedule a demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/ "Schedule a demo") Product Overview - Reporting [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/tour-reporting/#mm-0) ## Legal Work Calendar [Home](https://brightflag.com/)› [Platform](https://brightflag.com/platform/)› [Calendar](https://brightflag.com/platform/calendar/) # A secure, centralized system for tracking legal work. [Book a Demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/) Calendaring with Brightflag ![Calendar in Brightflag's Legal Operations Platform](https://fast.wistia.net/embed/medias/5zdy5uugvn/swatch) ![Calendar in Brightflag's Legal Operations Platform](https://embed-ssl.wistia.com/deliveries/db08075322c7f059fa64872ffbb67e1e.webp?image_crop_resized=640x360) Click for sound 0:52 ## Create and track to-dos and key milestones. Create tasks and assign owners and due dates. Attach relevant documents to tasks, split tasks into more specific subtasks, and comment on tasks, all without leaving the secure and privileged environment. With Brightflag, you’ll have more visibility into matter progress than ever before. ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Task.png) ## A shared, up-to-date view of who's working on what. Brightflag gives your corporate legal department a shared view into who’s working on what, increasing alignment and reducing unnecessary back and forth. Each user can see the tasks to which he or she is granted access, maintaining privilege, and the calendar can be filtered by matter or workroom. ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Calendar.png) ## Never miss a due date or key milestone again. Brightflag notifies task owners and followers when a due date or key milestone is approaching, both via email and within the application itself, ensuring important actions are completed in a timely manner. Managers can also see upcoming due dates, providing an additional layer of visibility and oversight. ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Task-notification.png) ## Save time and increase consistency with reusable task lists. Using Brightflag, create best practice playbooks including the tasks, workflows, informational resources, document templates, and organizational structures proven to deliver results. Once created, anyone can use a template with the click of a button, maximizing reuse of knowledge and consistency of work. ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Templates.png) ## Works well with the tools you already use. Brightflag integrates out of the box with Microsoft Outlook and Google Calendar, so you can view task due dates and key milestones without leaving your calendar. Tasks can be added selectively, so that only the most important due dates and key milestones appear on your personal calendar. ![The Brightflag logo, with animated images of documents, magnifying classes, calendars, cogs, and other illustrations surrounding it. Each illustration is within a circle, and each circle has a line drawn from it to the Brightflag logo.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Integrations.svg) ## Ready to speak to an expert? We'll serve as your trusted guide in evaluating Brightflag. [Book a Demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/) [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/platform/calendar/#mm-0) ## Legal Service Requests [Home](https://brightflag.com/)› [Platform](https://brightflag.com/platform/)› [Requests](https://brightflag.com/platform/requests/) # A smarter start, by design Standardize matter intake, triage requests, and see legal's true impact on the business. Legal service requests with Brightflag ![Requests in Brightflag's Legal Operations Platform](https://fast.wistia.net/embed/medias/vzftrjnvkn/swatch) ![Requests in Brightflag's Legal Operations Platform](https://embed-ssl.wistia.com/deliveries/32bcb6ad4de791178dbbe2584a01e0b5.webp?image_crop_resized=640x360) Click for sound 0:55 ## Capture the info you need, when you need it Administrators will be able to create any number of request templates, with each template having its own set of fields and file attachments, ensuring that legal always has the full picture for each request. ![Small animated computer screens with a yellow arrow pointing to one with the Brightflag ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Arrow-pointing-to-Brightflag-icon.svg) ## Support your colleagues, wherever they work Business users will be able to submit requests to legal by filling out a branded web form. Requests can also be submitted directly from your business users’ systems of record using our Request API. ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Diverse-people.png) ## Identify the work to be done, and get to it Your days of going back and forth on email are reaching an end. Organize requests by priority, auto-assign them to members of the legal team, and convert accepted requests into matters with a single click. ![lawyer's daily dashboard](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Matter-attributes.svg) ## Understand legal's workload and value to the business Finally, leaders will have visibility into the true value of legal and be able to answer questions like how many requests legal is receiving and which departments request legal support most often. ![Animated image of a clock in the clouds with a stack of coins and a ribbon off to the side.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Clock-with-Brightflag-icon.svg) ## Enjoy one easy platform, with limitless possibilities Legal Service Requests is being built on the same AI-powered platform as [Brightflag’s Legal Matter Management](https://brightflag.com/platform/matters/) and [Legal Spend Management](https://brightflag.com/legal-spend-management/) modules, providing a unified legal operations management experience. ![The Brightflag logo, with animated images of documents, magnifying classes, calendars, cogs, and other illustrations surrounding it. Each illustration is within a circle, and each circle has a line drawn from it to the Brightflag logo.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Integrations.svg) ## Ready to level up your legal operations? We'd love to give you early access to Legal Service Requests. [Request Early Access](https://brightflag.com/demo/) [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/platform/requests/#mm-0) ## Invoice Review Tour # Want to Learn More? [Schedule a demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/ "Schedule a demo") Invoice review - full page [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/tour-invoices/#mm-0) ## Brightflag Success Stories # Brightflag Customer Success Stories ## Modern e-billing and matter management software, backed by the best customer service you've ever experienced. Previous [![Blue background with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/How-SMBC-Controls-Outside-Counsel-Spend_Webinar_Blog_1200x675_R3_R2-600x314.jpg)\\ \\ How SMBC Saved $2.7M and Transformed Outside Counsel Management\\ \\ \\ Read More](https://brightflag.com/resources/smbc-outside-counsel-management/) [![Lufthansa's logo on a white background with teal circles, for the Lufthansa Brightflag case study.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Brightflag-Blog-CS-Lufthansa-Thumbnail-600x314.jpg)\\ \\ How Lufthansa Controlled Legal Costs and Created an Immediate ROI\\ \\ \\ Read More](https://brightflag.com/resources/brightflag-case-study-lufthansa/) [![Dropbox logo on a white background with teal circles and the Brightflag logo below, on a black background.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Brightflag-Blog-CS-Dropbox-Thumbnail-600x314.jpg)\\ \\ How Dropbox Switched E-Billing Systems and Saved Thousands of Hours\\ \\ \\ Read More](https://brightflag.com/resources/brightflag-case-study-dropbox/) [![Cresco Labs' logo on a white background with teal circular graphics, for the ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Brightflag-Blog-CS-Cresco-Labs-Thumbnail-600x314.jpg)\\ \\ Brightflag Customer Story: Cresco Labs\\ \\ \\ Read More](https://brightflag.com/resources/interview-legal-tech-priorities/) [![Ocado Group's logo, with a small version of the case study to the right, and Brightflag's logo at the bottom on a black background.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Brightflag-Blog-CS-Ocado-Thumbnail-600x314.jpg)\\ \\ Brightflag Case Study: Ocado\\ \\ \\ Read More](https://brightflag.com/resources/brightflag-case-study-ocado/) [![Ironclad's logo on a white background, with a small case study document to the right, and the Brightflag logo along the bottom on a black background.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Brightflag-Blog-CS-Ironclad-Thumbnail-600x314.jpg)\\ \\ Brightflag Case Study: Ironclad\\ \\ \\ Read More](https://brightflag.com/resources/brightflag-case-study-ironclad/) [![Sonnedix logo on a white background with a small copy of the case study on the right, and the Brightflag logo at the bottom on a black background.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Brightflag-Blog-CS-Sonnedix-Thumbnail-600x314.jpg)\\ \\ Brightflag Case Study: Sonnedix\\ \\ \\ Read More](https://brightflag.com/resources/brightflag-case-study-sonnedix/) [![Syngenta logo on a white background with a small sample case study document on the right, and the Brightflag logo at the bottom.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Brightflag-Blog-CS-Syngenta-Thumbnail-600x314.jpg)\\ \\ Brightflag Case Study: Syngenta\\ \\ \\ Read More](https://brightflag.com/resources/brightflag-case-study-syngenta/) [![Toll's logo, next to a small image of the case study, with the Brightflag logo at the bottom on a black background.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Brightflag-Blog-CS-Toll-Thumbnail-600x314.jpg)\\ \\ Brightflag Case Study: Toll\\ \\ \\ Read More](https://brightflag.com/resources/brightflag-case-study-toll/) Next - 1 - 2 - 3 ## The Legal E-Billing Leader on G2 When we say Brightflag is the best customer service you’ve ever experienced, we mean it. Brightflag has the highest satisfaction rating and the most 5-star reviews of any legal e-billing product on G2, the largest and most trusted [software marketplace](https://www.g2.com/products/brightflag/reviews). Previous ![Sophie Nguyen](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Sophie-Nguyen-225x225-1.jpg) > Brightflag has the best customer support services I've ever experienced. — Sophie Nguyen, Legal & Governance Coordinator ![ACME](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Aurecon.svg) ![Lindsey Marandola](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Lindsey-Marandola-225x225-1.jpg) > Brightflag's support is unparalleled. They're easy to get a hold of, quick, thorough, and always a pleasure. — Lindsey Marandola, Director of Legal Operations ![ACME](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Temple-Health.svg) ![Suha Gehrer](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Suha-Gehrer-225x225-1.jpg) > The passion for customers and the can-do attitude are outstanding. Not once have we regretted choosing Brightflag. — Suha Gehrer, Operations & Analytics Head, Legal ![ACME](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Syngenta-Group.png) ![Sheila Dusseau](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Sheila-Dusseau-150x150-1.jpg) > Not only are the analytics outstanding (this is my third e-billing system), but the customer service and collaboration are top-tier. — Sheila Dusseau, Head of Global Legal Operations ![ACME](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Ferring.svg) ![Zoe Baynes-Davidge](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Zoe-Baynes-Davidge-225x225-1.jpg) > The Brightflag team are second to none when it comes to providing support, training, and best practice of the system. — Zoe Baynes-Davidge, Legal Operations Manager ![ACME](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Ocado.svg) ![Nick Cuffe](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Nick-Cuffe-225x225-1.jpg) > Brightflag is joyful to work with. They provide immense support both pre- and post-implementation, and no ask is too much. — Nick Cuffe, Change, Innovation & Technology Manager, Legal, Governance & Regulatory Affairs ![ACME](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/NatWest-Group.png) Next - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 ## Fast Implementation We know legal teams can’t wait extended periods of time to receive value from software. We meet each customer’s initial requirements as quickly as possible, typically in under 45 days, while laying the foundation for them to achieve longer-term goals. ![Large quotation marks with a quote from a Legal Ops Administrator about Brightflag's excellent support.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/LinkedIn-Up-and-Running-2-e1613438709827.png) ## Proactive Training Brightflag customers consistently remark on how easy our software is to use. Even so, we’ve built personalized training sessions for your team and vendors into our onboarding program so everyone feels comfortable before implementation is complete. ![Brightflag excellent customer service quote from a Legal Ops Administrator, with big teal quotation marks and the Brightflag logo.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/LinkedIn-Everything-Easy-2.png) ## Responsive Support Our global support team maintains an average response time of less than one business hour and an average resolution time of less than three business hours, and we continuously expand our library of help center resources for you to consult. ![Large teal quotation marks with a quote from a VP of Global Legal Services about the value Brightflag places on customers.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/LinkedIn-Customer-Centric-2.png) ## Strategic Partnership A named Customer Success Manager works with you to set, track, and achieve goals that are personalized to your team. From regular business reviews to impromptu workshops and strategy sessions, we’re here to be your trusted guide. ![Large teal quotation marks with a quote from an SVP & General Counsel about the quality of customer service Brightflag provides.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/LinkedIn-Strategy-Session-2.png) ## Operate legal like a business. Modern e-billing and matter management software, backed by the best customer service you've ever experienced. [Book a Demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2024-Q3-G2-badges-4up.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Brightflag-Drawer-CTA-Diagram.webp) [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/success-stories/#mm-0) ## Brightflag Reporting Overview # Want to Learn More? [Schedule a demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/ "Schedule a demo") Product Overview - Reporting [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/tour-reports/#mm-0) ## Legal Accruals Software [Home](https://brightflag.com/)› [Platform](https://brightflag.com/platform/)› [Accruals](https://brightflag.com/platform/accruals/) # Legal accruals software ## Legal accruals should not be done in spreadsheets and emails [Book a Demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/) [Take a Tour](https://brightflag.com/tour/) ![background shapes](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/brightflag_rating_badge_adornment.svg) ![5 out of 5 stars](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/brightflag_rating_5.svg)![checkmark](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/rating-checkmark.svg) Validated Reviewer ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2024-Q3-G2-badge-leader.webp) ## Game-changer for our legal team. Kevin Du Enterprise (>1000 emp.) ## Become finance’s best friend Give finance the data they need, when they need it with scheduled accrual reports Accrual collection and reporting dates are configured to your financial close calendar so you never miss a deadline ![Animated image of a clock in the clouds with a stack of coins and a ribbon off to the side.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Clock-with-Brightflag-icon.svg) ## Easy accrual collection No more chasing vendors to submit unbilled estimates and combing through endless spreadsheets Vendors are automatically notified to upload accruals every month and reminded until they submit ![Small animated computer screens with a yellow arrow pointing to one with the Brightflag ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Arrow-pointing-to-Brightflag-icon.svg) ## Ensure accrual accuracy Use an optional review step to identify and fix accrual errors before they reach your finance team Easily review, adjust, and approve accrual submissions to prevent large under- or over-accruals ![Reviewing accruals in legal e-billing software](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Accruals-approval.svg) ## Ready to speak to an expert? We'll serve as your trusted guide in evaluating Brightflag. [Book a Demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/) [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/platform/accruals/#mm-0) ## Legal Vendor Management [Home](https://brightflag.com/)› [Platform](https://brightflag.com/platform/)› [Vendors](https://brightflag.com/platform/vendors/) # Legal Vendor Management Software ## Make decisions about legal vendors using data [Book a Demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/) [Take a Tour](https://brightflag.com/tour/) ![background shapes](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/brightflag_rating_badge_adornment.svg) ![5 out of 5 stars](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/brightflag_rating_5.svg)![checkmark](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/rating-checkmark.svg) Validated Reviewer ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2024-Q3-G2-badge-leader.webp) ## Game-changing solution for in-house legal teams Andrew Smith Enterprise(> 1000 emp.) ## Easy vendor adoption Over 9,000 legal vendors use Brightflag, including all of the Am Law 200 and Global 100 law firms and the leading alternative legal service providers Vendors not already using the system can do so after 30 minutes of training by Brightflag, without making any changes to the way they bill ![Animated people images with the Brightflag logo in the center](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/People-with-Brightflag-icon.svg) ## Get more value out of outside counsel engagements Assess your vendors using quantitative data like spend, and qualitative data like performance Use this data to improve your collaboration with vendors and drive better billing, budgeting, and outcomes ![Animated graphics of a lightbulb, pie chart, quotation bubble, bar chart, and woman arranged together.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Positive-momentum.svg) ## Benchmark rates and resourcing Compare your firms against each other to understand who works most effectively and cost-efficiently Use industry benchmarks to ensure you’re paying the right rate for each piece of work ![Blended hourly rate graph for general counsel looking to do legal spend management.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Blended-hourly-rate-chart.svg) ## Trusted by legal leaders at: ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Ericsson_2018.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Shopify.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Dropbox.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Ironclad.svg) ## Take control of your legal spend. Experience Brightflag with your own data. [Book a Demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/) [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/platform/vendors/#mm-0) ## AI-Powered eCounsel Alternative # eCounsel Alternative The future is here with Brightflag, the AI-powered alternative to eCounsel. [Book a Demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/) ![Small animated computer screens with a yellow arrow pointing to one with the Brightflag ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Arrow-pointing-to-Brightflag-icon.svg) ## Future-focused teams choose Brightflag. ## Turbocharge ELM with AI and ML. [Enterprise Legal Management software](https://brightflag.com/enterprise-legal-management/) like eCounsel centralizes the work of managing relationships with legal vendors. Brightflag goes a step further, leveraging advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning to make this work even easier, even less time consuming, and even more confidence-inspiring. ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Invoice-formats.svg) ## Service packs aren't welcome here. Mitratech’s documentation states, “The Update Manager guides allow a system administrator to install and use the Update Manager application to install update releases and service packs for eCounsel.” _Install service packs?_ Never with Brightflag, the always-current, true cloud alternative to eCounsel. ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Globe-1.svg) ## The \#1-rated ELM software on G2. In a recent third-party research study, 65% of Brightflag customers rated their overall satisfaction a perfect 5 out of 5, compared with only 29% of eCounsel customers. In fact, Brightflag is the #1-rated Enterprise Legal Management software on G2, where buyers can read verified customer reviews. [Read Our Reviews](https://www.g2.com/products/brightflag/reviews) ![Animated icons of charts, cogs, magnifying glasses, and other legal items displayed inside of circles and squares.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Customer-support.svg) ## Software that hasn't fallen out of favor. Since Mitratech acquired eCounsel in 2015, many customers have said that innovation has slowed and they’ve faced pressure from Mitratech to switch to their TeamConnect product. When customers choose Brightflag, they’re choosing a company that thinks long term by investing in R&D and customer success. ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Think-Long-Term-3-2.png) ## Ready to learn more? Book a demo to see why future-focused teams choose Brightflag. [Book a Demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/) [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/ecounsel-alternative/#mm-0) ## Legal Spend Analytics [Home](https://brightflag.com/)› [Platform](https://brightflag.com/platform/)› [Reports](https://brightflag.com/platform/reports/) # Legal Spend Analytics ## Complete visibility into legal work and spend [Book a Demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/) [Take a Tour](https://brightflag.com/tour-reports/) ![background shapes](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/brightflag_rating_badge_adornment.svg) ![5 out of 5 stars](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/brightflag_rating_5.svg)![checkmark](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/rating-checkmark.svg) Validated Reviewer ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2024-Q3-G2-badge-leader.webp) ## Easy to use, unparalleled support. Lindsey Marandola Enterprise(> 1000 emp.) ## Immediate insight into spend Intuitive dashboards show you what’s driving spend, and AI-generated data gives you unprecedented insight into legal costs Reports on any data point with Brightflag’s easy-to-use report builder, and schedule exports for regular email delivery ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Spend-dashboard-7.png) ## Benchmark key metrics Get the data you need to set and track spend, workload, and vendor performance metrics Access industry benchmarks on timekeeper rates and discounts, tailored to your company size and work profile ![An animated billing compliance chart](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Billing-guideline-compliance-chart.svg) ## Use data for strategic change Your Customer Sucess Manager works with you to set spend management goals and helps you continuously improve over time Consolidate your panel of legal providers, set AFAs, and create an effective cost-control program ![Blended hourly rate graph for general counsel looking to do legal spend management.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Blended-hourly-rate-chart.svg) ## Trusted by legal leaders at: ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Ericsson_2018.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Shopify.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Dropbox.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Lufthansa_Logo_2018.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Ironclad.svg) ## Get the answers you need. Experience Brightflag’s legal spend analytics with your own data. [Book a Demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/) [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/platform/reports/#mm-0) ![Brightflag](https://cdn.cookielaw.org/logos/6e5cb22a-06d4-45a8-8e7c-9de791a8d106/addb0fdf-b927-4c4e-941d-ba4a86ab3f0c/d9fae9c6-6981-423e-8011-ad9640fd0c94/favicon.png) ## Privacy Preference Center When you visit any website, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. This information might be about you, your preferences or your device and is mostly used to make the site work as you expect it to. The information does not usually directly identify you, but it can give you a more personalized web experience. Because we respect your right to privacy, you can choose not to allow some types of cookies. Click on the different category headings to find out more and change our default settings. 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View Vendor Details‎ Back Button ### Vendors List Search Icon Filter Icon Clear checkbox labellabel ApplyCancel ConsentLeg.Interest checkbox labellabel checkbox labellabel checkbox labellabel Reject AllConfirm My Choices [![Powered by Onetrust](https://cdn.cookielaw.org/logos/static/powered_by_logo.svg)](https://www.onetrust.com/products/cookie-consent/) ![](https://bat.bing.com/action/0?ti=26100497&tm=gtm002&Ver=2&mid=3d0a0c8d-fd2c-4600-8805-2b43f46800e4&bo=1&sid=efdf29e0350011f0b04b5f5f1c32cf6e&vid=efdf3980350011f0af6971270b85d05b&vids=1&msclkid=N&pi=918639831&lg=en-US&sw=1280&sh=1024&sc=24&tl=Legal%20Spend%20Analytics%20%26%20Reporting%20Software%20%7C%20Brightflag&p=https%3A%2F%2Fbrightflag.com%2Fplatform%2Freports%2F&r=<=3307&evt=pageLoad&sv=1&cdb=AQED&rn=72845) ## Brightflag Integrations Overview [Home](https://brightflag.com/)› [Platform](https://brightflag.com/platform/)› [Integrations](https://brightflag.com/platform/integrations/) # Integrations that support a seamless user experience. [Book A Demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/) ![The Brightflag logo, with animated images of documents, magnifying classes, calendars, cogs, and other illustrations surrounding it. Each illustration is within a circle, and each circle has a line drawn from it to the Brightflag logo.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Integrations.svg) ## Secure, standards-based identity and access management. Brightflag supports the SAML 2.0 standard for single sign-on and the SCIM standard for user provisioning, permissioning, and de-provisioning. This enables Brightflag to be deployed easily across your entire organization, including remote users, while leveraging existing technology infrastructure. ![Animated illustrations of different sign on pages within Brightflag.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Single-sign-on.svg) ## Featured single sign-on integrations: ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Azure.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Google.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Okta_Wordmark_CMYK_Black.png) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/OneLogin.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Ping-Identity.svg) ## Three ways to integrate with accounts payable (AP) systems. Brightflag routes approved vendor invoices directly to AP, enabling a seamless posting and payment process. This can be done by email message, secure FTP, or API. Multiple AP routes can be configured, e.g., if an entity or geography has its own AP system instance or integration requirements. ![Simple boxed illustration of AP integration options](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Finance-integration-options.svg) ## Featured accounts payable integrations: ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Basware.svg) ![Bill.com](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bill.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Coupa.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Oracle2.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Oracle-NetSuite.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/SAP_Logo.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Workday.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Yardi.svg) ## Export legal spend data to enterprise analytics systems. Using Brightflag, users can create and run reports quickly and easily—no waiting on replies from support or IT teams. In addition, Brightflag can be configured to feed data to third-party analytics systems so that organizations can combine legal spend data with other data from the enterprise. ![Legal operations software data exchange illustration showing different features and charts connected to Brightflag's page.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Data-exchange.svg) ## Featured analytics integrations: ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Power-BI.png) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Qlik.png) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Tableau.svg) ## Extended capabilities for your entire legal workflow. Brightflag becomes even more powerful when it’s connected with the rest of your legal technology stack. Dozens of API endpoints facilitate integrations with service desk, insurance claims management, intellectual property management, legal document management, and legal hold software systems, and more. ![Small animated computer screens with a yellow arrow pointing to one with the Brightflag ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Arrow-pointing-to-Brightflag-icon.svg) ## Trusted by legal leaders at: ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Ericsson_2018.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Shopify.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Dropbox.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Lufthansa_Logo_2018.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Ironclad.svg) ## Take control of your legal spend. Experience Brightflag with your own data. [Book a Demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/) [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/platform/integrations/#mm-0) ## Brightflag Legal Management [Home](https://brightflag.com/)› [Why Brightflag](https://brightflag.com/why-brightflag/) # Why Brightflag See why in-house teams at leading companies choose Brightflag. [Book a Demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/) ![Screenshot of Brightflag's general counsel dashboard that has information on vendors, and their spending](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Spend-dashboard.svg) ## The choice for visibility into work and spend In-house legal teams choose Brightflag’s e-billing and matter management platform because it is the most effective solution for gaining insight into legal work and controlling costs. Intuitive dashboards ensure you always know what’s driving spend, while AI insights help you direct your resources strategically. ![Bar chart showcasing legal ops budget tracking for helping with legal spend management.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Budget-overview.svg) ## The AI advantage For 11 years, Brightflag has applied AI to legal work and spend. Our patented models have analyzed billions in legal spend, delivering the insights you need to benchmark firms, make smart staffing decisions, and optimize legal service delivery. AI isn’t a bolt-on at Brightflag—it’s the engine behind our platform. It: - Acts as the first reviewer on every invoice - Highlights trends and opportunities for improvement - Drives budget predictability and more accurate forecasting And with Brightflag’s generative AI agent, you can instantly get answers to questions about your legal work or spend—without building a report or digging through dashboards. ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/InvoiceReviewPage.png) ## Outstanding support Confidently managing the legal team’s heavy workload and finances is hard. That’s why your dedicated Brightflag Customer Success Manager acts as your trusted guide. They’ll share best practices gathered from our work with hundreds of legal teams and develop practical recommendations for how you can improve. Plus, our customer support team responds to queries your team or vendors have in less than 3 hours, with 24/5 coverage to support all time zones. ![Animated icons of charts, cogs, magnifying glasses, and other legal items displayed inside of circles and squares.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Customer-support.svg) ## Fast implementation We know legal teams can’t wait extended periods of time to receive value from software. We implement most customers in under 45 days, while laying the foundation for them to achieve longer-term goals. We’re the only solution to provide full support for PDF invoices, so your firms can submit in the format they prefer with no behavior change needed. ![Legal operations software data exchange illustration showing different features and charts connected to Brightflag's page.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Data-exchange.svg) ## We think long term To truly operate legal a business, you need to continuously level up your operations. That’s why thinking long term is our number-one company value. We invest more in R&D and customer success than we do in sales and marketing because we are committed to helping our customers get better month over month and year over year. ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Think-Long-Term-3-2.png) ## Real results for your in-house team ### 80% average time saved by the in-house team on invoice review. ### 5 days per month on average saved by finance on invoicing, accruals and budgeting. ### 6% average savings realized through budget and discount application, and effective invoice and timekeeper rate review. [See Your Savings with the ROI Calculator](https://brightflag.com/roi-calculator/) ## What legal teams love about Brightflag Brightflag has 76 5-star reviews [by in-house professionals on G2.](https://www.g2.com/products/brightflag/reviews) ### Easy to use, unparalleled support Brightflag has proven itself invaluable in just a few months. We now have insight into data that we never even tracked before, let alone could leverage. Lindsey M. Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) ### User friendly application I like how user friendly it is. It is very intuitive and if you have an issue the help page, especially the video tutorials, are helpful. Traci B. Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) ### Intuitive tech that works! The Brightflag interface provides a fantastic dashboard that gives me the info I need when I need it. Kirsty L. Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) ## See Brightflag in action Learn why Brightflag is winning over in-house teams around the world [Book a Demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/) [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/why-brightflag/#mm-0) ## Brightflag Leadership Team # Brightflag Leadership Meet Brightflag’s legal technology, transformation, and customer success visionaries. ## Ian Nolan **CEO & Co-Founder** Ian co-founded Brightflag, whose mission is to bring the most modern and easy-to-use software to corporate legal departments, accompanied by stellar, proactive customer service. Prior to co-founding Brightflag, Ian spent seven years at CORTBase, a case management software company. ## Alex Kelly **Chief Operating Officer & Co-Founder** Alex co-founded Brightflag after spending more than six years at Matheson, Ireland’s largest law firm, in its financial institutions group. A legal technology thought leader, Alex is a frequent speaker at legal operations conferences on topics related to legal innovation and legal transformation. ## Kevin Cohn **Chief Customer Officer** Kevin has extensive experience building cloud workflow, productivity, and analytics companies. Prior to joining Brightflag, Kevin was Chief Operating Officer at Atypon, a publishing software company (acquired by Wiley), and SVP of Operations at Smartling, a language translation technology and services platform (acquired by Battery Ventures). A Member of the Advisory Board of Legal Operators, Kevin is a passionate advocate for the development of the legal operations industry and the professionals working in it. ## Ashley Hayes **Chief Technology Officer** Ashley has 15 years of experience leading engineering teams at e-invoicing and e-billing software companies. Prior to joining Brightflag, Ashley was Chief Technology Officer at Macalla (acquired by Mobileum) and Head of Product Engineering at BriteBill (acquired by Amdocs). ## Mike Scarpelli **Chief Financial Officer** Mike has 15 years of experience leading finance teams at venture capital and private equity-backed companies, including at Reval, a cloud treasury software company, and ComplySci, a compliance platform. Mike’s career began at PwC, where he spent 9 years in the technology and media practice. ## Dan Cobe **Vice President, Customer Success** Dan leads Brightflag’s customer success and professional services organization, ensuring that corporate legal departments and their vendors are supported by a team of trusted guides. Prior to joining Brightflag, Dan held various customer leadership positions at Smartling, the language translation platform. ## Michael Dineen **Vice President, Data Science** Michael is an experienced data science leader, having spent more than 12 years developing and implementing AI solutions. Part of the core team that built the Brightflag platform, Michael is passionate about the power of AI to transform legal operations. He is a regular speaker on AI, including at universities. Prior to joining Brightflag, Michael worked for Presidion, delivering AI consultancy services for banking, pharmaceutical, and utilities customers. ## Laura Gleeson **General Counsel and Vice President, Legal and Compliance** Laura’s career has spanned senior legal roles both in private practice and in house, giving her first-hand exposure to the importance of legal technology. Prior to joining Brightflag, Laura spent more than ten years at Matheson, Ireland’s largest law firm, where she was a partner in its Finance and Capital Markets group, after which she served as senior counsel at PM Group, a multinational engineering firm. Laura serves as a board director at Make-A-Wish Ireland and has a degree in Law & European Studies and a Master of Laws from the University of Limerick. ## Jake Mendelson **Vice President, Sales** A customer-focused executive, Jake leads Brightflag’s team of sales professionals in partnering with legal operations visionaries to help them adopt legal tech successfully. Prior to joining Brightflag, Jake held various sales leadership positions at Rocketrip, the business travel platform. ## Barry O’Melia **Vice President, Product** Barry has 20 years of experience as a legal technology product leader. Prior to joining Brightflag, Barry spent four years at Relativity, the $3.6 billion leader in e-discovery and compliance software, where he led product for the legal hold, information governance, and data integration verticals. ## Jeff Soriano **Vice President, Marketing** Jeff is an accomplished marketing executive with nearly two decades of experience ranging from startups to $400 million revenue enterprises. Outside of work, Jeff plays six instruments (guitar, bass, drums, piano, trumpet, and ukulele), and shares his passion for sports by coaching youth lacrosse. ## Ingrid Wallace **Vice President, People** Ingrid is an experienced leader who has built and led people teams and programs at multiple scaling technology companies. Prior to joining Brightflag, Ingrid was VP of Organization Development at Boxever, where she built the people function and scaled the organization through its acquisition by Sitecore. [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/about/leadership/#mm-0) ## Brightflag ESG Commitments [Home](https://brightflag.com/)› [About](https://brightflag.com/about)› [ESG](https://brightflag.com/esg) ## Brightflag’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Commitments At Brightflag, we are committed to having a positive impact locally and globally through our Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) programme. We’re also committed to working towards a net zero future. Our annual Ecovadis sustainability report is available to our customers through our Trust Center. ## Key pillars of Brightflag’s ESG programme ## Environment Brightflag has defined targets to reduce our direct and indirect CO2 emissions. We calculate our carbon emissions on an annual basis, identify the areas where we can reduce these emissions and offset CO2 that cannot be reduced or avoided with certified carbon offsets. We fully support our customers in achieving climate neutrality by 2050, a goal endorsed by the United States and the European Union. Brightflag employees engage in community sustainability projects, and we support larger ecological projects through our Carbon Offset partner [One Tribe](https://djzf3d04.eu1.hs-sales-engage.com/Ctc/DQ+23284/djZF3d04/JkM2-6qcW6N1vHY6lZ3mFW2qHtn-3H60gfN6_nWVdkSHkdN7TS0dvTJXWYV7N7qf73gfF9W319kPk65xGRkW87913H5PrMPfW2fBD3g49238cW3CdCxC7bdMdRW86wLn58R0tYHW2xq7bZ7GVqnJW94GNH554k8rQW9170Sw9h-dDcW2-zWc65wqSMgVqny4q6rFZdcW7lhr5s94Pkc4W4Wbt_Y1Vz4K7W6W0Y_v2cqgj7W4TvBVM8SZ0MqW4mDdt18YqsCdW1sL_HQ12hy1fN60sylTrjTd0TFkwS2zw1xQf6LLrHn04) that contribute to the restoration of forests, protection of biodiversity and endangered species and improve the wellbeing of local communities. Brightflag’s carbon offset certificates are available to customers through our Trust Center. ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ESG_Page_Images-03.svg) ## Ethics We have implemented policies and training to establish ethical practices among Brightflag employees and ensure that we operate ethically as a business in our local communities and globally. ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ESG_Page_Images-02.svg) ## Labor and Human Rights Brightflag supports people’s fundamental freedom to develop and grow through multiple Brightflag initiatives, such as our Career Pathways development program, our Thrive at Brightflag wellbeing program, Brightflag Giving, and our Diversity & Inclusion program. In addition, we have established policies to protect our employee’s rights. We also invest directly in our local communities through our fundraising and community volunteering projects. ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ESG_Page_Images-01.svg) ## Sustainable Procurement We expect our values to be reflected throughout our supply chain. Suppliers of services or physical goods to Brightflag must demonstrate sustainable and ethical practices in their operations. ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ESG_Page_Images-04.svg) [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/about/esg/#mm-0) ## Brightflag ROI Calculator [Home](https://brightflag.com/)› [ROI Calculator](https://brightflag.com/roi-calculator/) # Brightflag ROI Calculator Quantify your return on investment (ROI) with Brightflag and get data to build your business case. ## Tell us a little about your legal team and we'll do the rest. What is your annual legal spend?![information icon](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/info-icon.svg)Pre-filled numbers are provided. Use your own data for a more accurate savings figure. Number of in-house attorneys![information icon](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/info-icon.svg)Pre-filled numbers are provided. Use your own data for a more accurate savings figure. Number of in-house paralegals![information icon](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/info-icon.svg)Pre-filled numbers are provided. Use your own data for a more accurate savings figure. Number of administrative & operational staff![information icon](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/info-icon.svg)Pre-filled numbers are provided. Use your own data for a more accurate savings figure. How many of your invoices are in PDF?Mostly PDFsAbout halfNot that many ### Potential ROI: $582,747/year ### ROI Summary Improved Financial Planning & Accounting $111,760 Increased Productivity with Automation $195,987 Spend Reduction and Avoidance $275,000 ## Want to see your full results? What is your annual legal spend? Number of in-house attorneys Number of in-house paralegals Number of administrative and operational staff Do they receive invoices in PDF format ## Want to see your full results? ![download icon](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/download-icon.svg) Download My Results [Data Assumptions ![tab icon](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/tab-icon.svg)](https://brightflag.com/roi-calculator/#tab1) [Detailed Results ![tab icon](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/tab-icon.svg)](https://brightflag.com/roi-calculator/#tab2) ### General Assumptions Number of matters opened per year Number of invoices received per year Number of timekeeper rates to review per year ### In-house Team Average salary of in-house attorneys Fully loaded compensation costs in house attorneys![information icon](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/info-icon.svg)Fully loaded costs are typically 1.25-1.4 times base salary. Average salary of in-house paralegals Fully loaded compensation costs in house paralegals![information icon](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/info-icon.svg)Fully loaded costs are typically 1.25-1.4 times base salary. Average salary of administrative & operational staff Fully loaded compensation costs of administrative & operational staff![information icon](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/info-icon.svg)Fully loaded costs are typically 1.25-1.4 times base salary. ### Improved Financial Planning & Accounting AP Integration![information icon](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/info-icon.svg)Operational and finance staff save 30 minutes per invoice due to automated payment, tracking, and communication on payment status. Financial reporting![information icon](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/info-icon.svg)Improved financial reporting can lead to savings of on average $100 per matter through the identification of high spending and over-spending. Collecting and reporting on accruals![information icon](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/info-icon.svg)Operational and finance staff save 3 days per month collecting, reviewing, and reporting on accruals. Validation of bill-to information and tax information![information icon](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/info-icon.svg)Save one hour of operational and finance staff time and ten minutes of attorney time per PDF invoice due to automated review of bill-to and tax information, and the elimination of invoice rejections and resubmissions. ### Increased Productivity with Automation Time saved managing matters![information icon](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/info-icon.svg)In-house attorneys save 30 minutes for each matter opened, and 10 minutes each day managing active matters. Time saved from invoice review![information icon](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/info-icon.svg)In-house attorneys save 20 minutes per invoice reviewed. Time saved from rate review![information icon](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/info-icon.svg)In-house attorneys save 10 minutes per timekeeper rate reviewed. Time saved creating reports![information icon](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/info-icon.svg)Operational staff save 1 hour per week for every 1 million of spend creating reports, and in-house attorneys save 30 minutes per week. Time saved from PDF digitization![information icon](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/info-icon.svg)Save 10 minutes of attorney time per PDF invoice due to faster review, approval and reporting. ### Spend Reduction and Avoidance Budget application Discount application Improved Outside Counsel Guidelines enforcement Improved vendor compliance with Outside Counsel Guidelines Reductions from timekeeper rate review ### Improved Financial Planning & Accounting AP Integration: $33,654 Financial reporting: $25,000 Collecting and reporting on accruals: $19,385 Validation of bill-to information and tax information: $3,721 ### Increased Productivity with Automation Time saved managing matters: $47,284 Time saved from invoice review: $56,034 Time saved from rate review: $25,240 Time saved creating reports: $30,625 Time saved from PDF digitization: $33,654 ### Spend Reduction and Avoidance Budget application: 1% Discount application: 1% Improved Outside Counsel Guidelines enforcement: 0.5% Improved vendor compliance with Outside Counsel Guidelines: 2% Reductions from timekeeper rate review: 1% Please note that the Brightflag ROI Calculator is a free tool which is designed to provide users with an indicative estimate of potential cost and time savings that may be realised by subscribing to the Brightflag software as a service platform. The time and cost savings results generated by the ROI Calculator are not guaranteed by Brightflag and represent non-binding estimates. The ROI Calculator is intended for use in the United States and for spend incurred in USD$ (US Dollar) only. By proceeding to use the ROI Calculator you are hereby deemed to have acknowledged and agreed to these terms of use. ## Ready to see the future of legal ops? Learn how our legal operations platform can help you manage legal spend, track accruals, build predictive budgets, and more! [Chat with Sales](https://brightflag.com/demo/) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/brightflag_g2-leader_summer23.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Brightflag-Drawer-CTA-Diagram.webp) [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/roi-calculator/#mm-0) ## Brightflag: Modern TyMetrix Alternative [Home](https://brightflag.com/)› [TyMetrix Alternative](https://brightflag.com/tymetrix-alternative/) # Meet Brightflag, a Modern Alternative to TyMetrix See which qualities set us apart, according to legal departments like yours. [Book a Demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/) ![Screenshot of Brightflag's general counsel dashboard that has information on vendors, and their spending](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Spend-dashboard.svg) ### Proven AI Innovation AI is not a buzzword at Brightflag. It’s the power source behind our entire platform and it’s been delivering practical results for in-house legal teams since 2014. ### Fast Implementation Whether you’re making your first legal tech purchase or switching over from a legacy system, we have the people and plans to get you up and running ahead of schedule. ### Strategic Support Great software is only the start of our partnership. We’ll be there with timely responses and expert insights to guide you along a path to long-term transformation. Previous ![Marissa Corda](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Marissa-C-min.jpg) > Brightflag's AI software has made invoice review against our outside counsel policy much more effective and less burdensome. In addition, the overall spend analytics are extremely helpful and something we are looking to further leverage as we consider budget planning. — Marissa Corda, General Counsel ![ACME](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Sonnedix.png) ![Zoe Baynes-Davidge](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Zoe-Baynes-Davidge-225x225-1.jpg) > The platform itself is intuitive and easy to use, and no stone has been left unturned when it comes to providing a brilliant user experience. The Brightflag team are second to none when it comes to providing support, training, and 'best practice' of the system. — Zoe Baynes-Davidge, Legal Operations Analyst ![ACME](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Ocado.svg) ![Valerio Pece](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Valerio-Pece.jpeg) > We always had the good feeling of being listened to and taken into serious consideration because our success meant Brightflag's success. Now we've transformed our e-billing process from mere invoice processing to valuable insight generation. — Valerio Pece, Strategic Productivity Manager ![ACME](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Syngenta-Group.png) Next - 1 - 2 - 3 ### Brightflag is used by hundreds of corporate legal departments around the world, from fast-growing startups to global enterprises, to gain visibility into operations, maximize productivity, and engage with outside counsel strategically. These visionaries chose Brightflag over alternatives like TyMetrix 360 because they recognized Brightflag is the future of legal operations: - Brightflag is a **modern cloud application**, leveraging the latest technologies and integration standards IT teams demand. - Brightflag is **optimized for quick and easy configuration**; legal teams can implement and evolve with no customization required. - Brightflag **invests half its revenue in R&D** and updates the software automatically every month, ensuring no customer falls behind. - Brightflag’s **customer success team is the trusted guide for legal operations**, helping legal teams to see around corners. Want to get a sense of what it’s like to use Brightflag to manage legal operations? Watch our [5-minute video](https://brightflag.com/videos/brightflag-5-minute-overview/). Want to read why legal teams like yours chose Brightflag, in their own words? Read our [customer success stories](https://brightflag.com/success-stories/). Or if you’re ready to speak with an expert about how Brightflag can help you, fill out the form and we’ll be in touch. ## See For Yourself Learn why Brightflag is winning over customers around the world [Book a Demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/) [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/tymetrix-alternative/#mm-0) ## Legal Spend Management # Legal spend management software ## Effectively manage legal spend [Book a Demo](https://brightflag.com/demo) Brightflag legal e-billing and matter management: 5-minute overview ![5-minute overview of Brightflag's Legal Operations Platform](https://fast.wistia.net/embed/medias/b1k97wmtr1/swatch) ![5-minute overview of Brightflag's Legal Operations Platform](https://embed-ssl.wistia.com/deliveries/4726d737c4898ad45a87520372fec901.webp?image_crop_resized=640x360) Click for sound 4:51 # Legal Spend Management: A Guide for In-House Teams The Association of Corporate Counsel found that the average [in-house team legal spend increased](https://www.acc.com/sites/default/files/2023-06/ACC_2023_LDMB_Report_Executive_Summary.pdf) by 29% in 2023 when compared with 2022. To tame that wild spike in costs, companies must adopt a robust legal spend management strategy. ## What Is Legal Spend Management? Legal spend management is the practices, strategies, and tools used by organizations to control and efficiently manage their legal expenses. This typically includes overseeing costs related to outside counsel, alternative legal service providers, and other associated legal fees and expenses. The main objectives of legal spend management are: - **Transparency:** Organizations need to be able to track and monitor legal costs to understand how funds are allocated and used. Transparency allows for better decision-making and ensures no hidden or unexpected costs. - **Cost control:** [Controlling costs effectively](https://brightflag.com/events/5-essential-strategies-for-legal-cost-control/) ensures that legal expenditures are in line with budgets and expectations. - **Value optimization:** Every engagement with outside counsel must deliver business value. Legal spend management gives you the data to make sure firms pair high-quality advice with cost-effective staffing. - **Efficiency:** Legal spend management helps legal departments streamline operations, automate repetitive tasks like invoice review and spend reporting, and make optimal use of both in-house and outside counsel resources. Efficiency gains enable in-house teams to get more high-impact work done every day, ultimately leading to cost savings by reducing time spend on administrative work. By focusing on these core objectives, organizations will develop a comprehensive legal spend management strategy that controls costs and prioritizes business value. This approach allows for better alignment with broader organizational goals, leading to more effective and accountable legal operations. Establishing clear communication and expectations also helps build better relationships with legal service providers. ## Key Features of a Successful Legal Spend Management Program [Legal spend management software](https://brightflag.com/resources/the-benefits-of-legal-spend-management-software/) should be more than just somewhere you go to approve invoices It should have a robust suite of features that help you optimize your legal spending. ### Centralized Spend Tracking Centralized spend tracking creates a unified repository where all legal spend data is stored. It keeps all of your invoices, matters, budgets, and [accruals](https://brightflag.com/videos/legal-ops-101-accrual-accounting/) in one place, making it easier to see where your money is going. Your legal service providers can submit invoices and other spend information through the tool’s vendor portal. Using this spend data, this repository should provide real-time updates on spend and allow users to track all legal expenditures. Secure cloud-based storage solutions offer both accessibility and a backup option for this critical data, so you can access it anytime and always know it’s safe. And new AI solutions like Ask Brightflag ensure you don’t need to spend time creating reports to gain insights about your spend data. Instead, simply request the information from the conversational AI tool and get the insights you need in seconds. The repository should also feature role-based access controls to maintain data integrity, ensuring that only authorized personnel can modify or delete legal spend data. ### Automated Application of Outside Counsel Guidelines A top-tier legal spend management system should come equipped with functionalities that enforce [clear billing guidelines](https://brightflag.com/resources/creating-effective-billing-guidelines/). If any non-compliant charges appear, the tool should flag them for immediate review, eliminating the need for manual oversight. In addition to acting as the first reviewer on each legal invoice so you don’t have to, the system should make it as easy as possible for your attorneys to review and approve invoices. For example, Brightflag sends regular emails to reviewers highlighting invoices awaiting their review, and provides all the context they need to review the invoice directly from their email, such as the details of potential billing issues found by Brightflag AI, and an AI-generated summary of the work performed by outside counsel. Zillow's Mark Allen on How Automated Invoice Review Saves Time and Money ![Video Thumbnail](https://fast.wistia.net/embed/medias/6epv6r8p48/swatch) ![Video Thumbnail](https://embed-ssl.wistia.com/deliveries/74a2c1cf035d477054962a66dded9c56.webp?image_crop_resized=560x315) Click for sound 0:54 Because the legal landscape and your company’s needs are always changing, the tool should allow for easy updates to billing guidelines. This ensures that the system remains aligned with any changes in legal services, rate adjustments, or regulatory shifts. Last, the tool should offer training resources or materials to vendors, ensuring that everyone involved in the billing process understands and complies with the guidelines. This simplifies the invoicing process and enhances the relationship with legal service providers by fostering transparency and collaboration. ### Budgeting At Every Level Of Legal Spend The best practice for legal operations teams is to track budgets at the matter level, the practice area level, and the overall department. In practice, most legal teams don’t do this. It’s simply too hard to track when your information is locked up in a mishmash of emails and spreadsheets. Or, if your legacy software is too clunky and unsophisticated to track each level. A good legal spend management tool lets you set and track budgets at each of the three levels. That way, you always have the information you need to see if you’re trending over or under budget. When you’re on top of your budget, it’s also easier to spot spending anomalies and unexpected charges and take corrective action. Finally, your LSM software should empower you to build the reports you need to be well-equipped for regular and annual budgeting meetings with your finance team. ### Legal Spend Reporting [Legal spend reporting](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-spend-reporting/) helps you transform data into actionable insights. A well-designed legal spend management tool should offer robust tracking and [analytics](https://brightflag.com/resources/data-analytics-for-in-house-legal-guide/) capabilities to facilitate better decision-making. Your software should have customizable dashboards that provide at-a-glance insights into your legal spending. These dashboards can be tailored to show the most relevant metrics, whether you’re interested in spend by vendor, case type, or geographical region. This enables you to quickly grasp the state of your legal expenditures without having to sift through endless spreadsheets. In addition, it should leverage generative AI to provide immediate data insights to you and your team, without the need to create reports. The tool should also offer [detailed reporting options](https://brightflag.com/platform/reports/) that break down legal spend in various ways. Want to know how much you’ve spent on a particular vendor or what matters are driving high spend? The reporting feature should be able to answer those questions and more. The tool should also offer comparison metrics that allow you to assess your performance against your own historical data and industry benchmarks. This comparative analysis provides a clearer picture of how well your legal spend management efforts are faring. Learn how Brightflag's legal e-billing platform helps in-house teams gain complete control over legal spend. Legal Reporting and Analytics with Brightflag ![Reports in Brightflag's Legal Operations Platform](https://fast.wistia.net/embed/medias/7oov9zcry3/swatch) ![Reports in Brightflag's Legal Operations Platform](https://embed-ssl.wistia.com/deliveries/dd72f663df01656d9eae2a4212d32693.webp?image_crop_resized=640x360) Click for sound 0:56 Of course, all the powerful analysis and fancy reports in the world are useless if you don’t have time to dig into them. That’s why all good LSM tools should include a customer success manager to support you. CSM’s operate like an extension of your team, tracking down the trends and offering advice so you can focus on the rest of your work. ## Practical Steps for Implementing Effective Legal Spend Management Implementing an effective legal spend management system requires a combination of strategic planning, collaboration, and regular evaluation to ensure cost efficiency and value. Here are some practical steps to guide you through the process: ### Establish Clear Objectives and Benchmarks The first step in any successful legal spend management strategy is to clearly define what you aim to achieve. Whether it’s achieving 100% visibility into legal spend, or reducing costs by a certain percentage having measurable goals is crucial. These objectives serve as a roadmap, guiding all subsequent actions and decisions. Success in legal spend management also requires the buy-in and collaboration of all stakeholders. That includes everyone from the general counsel and in-house counsel to external vendors and even IT and finance. Regular meetings, updates, and open channels of communication are essential to ensure that everyone is on the same page. Your legal spend management objectives should also be flexible enough to adapt to changes in the legal landscape. Periodically revisiting your goals and benchmarks allows you to make data-driven adjustments, ensuring that your strategy remains relevant and effective even as conditions evolve. ### Collaborate with Legal Service Providers Building a successful legal spend management system isn’t a solo endeavor. It requires a collaborative relationship with your outside counsel and other legal service providers. Working closely with them creates a mutual understanding of your process, ensuring everything is transparent and running smoothly once the software is implemented. Open lines of communication are essential for this collaboration, whether it’s through regular meetings, email updates, or a dedicated communication platform. This is particularly important when it comes to billing, reporting, and other forms of communication. Clearly defined expectations help prevent misunderstandings and disputes down the line. To further streamline the process, it’s crucial to provide clear and comprehensive outside counsel guidelines. These should be communicated to all legal service providers and agreed upon prior to instructing these providers. This ensures that everyone is on the same page on what constitutes acceptable and non-acceptable charges, and what the communication protocols are. However, collaboration isn’t a one-way street. Encouraging regular feedback from your legal service providers provides valuable insights into how the relationship is working and where there might be room for improvement. This feedback loop creates a more collaborative and mutually beneficial relationship. No relationship is without its bumps. When discrepancies or issues arise, addressing them promptly is key to maintaining a healthy partnership. A quick and transparent resolution prevents minor issues from escalating into major problems. ### Review and Adjust Regularly Legal spend management is not a set-it-and-forget-it project. It’s a continuous process that requires regular monitoring and adjustments. The first step in this ongoing effort is to consistently measure outcomes against the objectives and benchmarks you’ve set. Doing this will help you understand how well your strategies are working and where adjustments may be needed. Periodic reviews should extend beyond financial metrics. It’s equally important to examine billing data, vendor performance metrics, and input from both in-house teams and outside legal partners. This comprehensive review offers a more well-rounded view of your legal spend management’s effectiveness. Adjustments may also be needed to align with the changing needs of your organization or the legal landscape. This ensures that your legal spend management remains as effective as possible. A culture of continuous improvement ingrains this process within your legal team. Encourage team members to always look for ways to improve processes, reduce costs, and add value. This mindset will lead to proactive solutions and innovations that can significantly impact your legal spend efficiency. Last, the tools and software you use for legal spend management should not be static. As your needs evolve, ensure that your technological solutions are updated and aligned with your current requirements. Keeping your technology current is crucial for an effective legal spend management system. ## Optimize Your Legal Spend Management with Brightflag Brightflag’s AI-powered legal spend management software enables you to take control of your legal expenses in multiple ways. This includes automated application of your outside counsel guidelines, AI-enable data insights, and effective budget enforcement. With the power of Brightflag’s data analytics, you can gain valuable insights into your spending patterns, helping you make data-driven decisions to control or reduce spend. [Schedule a demo with Brightflag](https://brightflag.com/demo/) to take the first step towards proactive spend management. ## Optimize your legal spending today. Experience firsthand how our platform can revolutionize your legal operations. [Book a Demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/) [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/legal-spend-management/#mm-0) ## Enterprise Legal Management # Enterprise Legal Management Software ## Gain visibility into legal work and control costs [Book a Demo](https://brightflag.com/demo) Brightflag legal e-billing and matter management: 5-minute overview ![5-minute overview of Brightflag's Legal Operations Platform](https://fast.wistia.net/embed/medias/b1k97wmtr1/swatch) ![5-minute overview of Brightflag's Legal Operations Platform](https://embed-ssl.wistia.com/deliveries/4726d737c4898ad45a87520372fec901.webp?image_crop_resized=640x360) Click for sound 4:51 # Enterprise Legal Management Software: A Guide for In-House Teams Over the past ten years, we’ve seen a seismic shift in how in-house counsel gets work done. AI-powered enterprise legal management software has emerged and supercharged technology adoption in legal departments worldwide. Now, legal ops teams need a robust ELM solution to unlock new efficiencies, reveal crucial insights, and provide proactive, data-driven strategies for their organizations. ## What Is Enterprise Legal Management Software? Enterprise legal management (ELM) software provides a comprehensive solution for in-house legal teams looking to boost their team’s productivity and efficiency. It transforms how you manage matters and spend. ELM streamlines administrative tasks like opening matters and tracking their progress so your attorneys can focus on providing high-impact legal advice. With in-depth, real-time reporting, legal ops teams gain a 360-degree view of all legal department activities. An ELM saves time by simplifying invoice review, automating accruals collection and budget reporting, and seamlessly integrating with accounts payable systems. Legal teams also use ELMs to analyze their legal spend and identify potential cost savings. ## The Components Of An Enterprise Legal Management System The core components of an ELM system include matter management, legal spend management, and reporting. ### Matter Management Matter management acts as a centralized system for tracking and organizing all legal matters. It allows legal teams to label, categorize, and track the progress of each matter. This organization ensures that all necessary information is easily accessible. The system also allows the analysis of matters based on various criteria like a matter’s complexity, the practice area, and who is involved. This helps with prioritizing work and allocating resources. ![Video](https://fast.wistia.com/embed/medias/5qw98pv4eh/swatch) ![Matters in Brightflag's Legal Operations Platform](https://fast.wistia.com/embed/medias/5qw98pv4eh/swatch) ![Matters in Brightflag's Legal Operations Platform](https://embed-ssl.wistia.com/deliveries/44ff2e49c33c0599456f0d9b2334d4f9.webp?image_crop_resized=1920x1080) Click for sound 1:00 ### Legal Spend Management A key aspect of legal spend management is e-billing. E-billing simplifies the process of receiving, reviewing, and paying legal invoices, all while ensuring compliance with outside counsel guidelines. Legal spend management provides tools to analyze legal spending, identify trends, and uncover cost-saving opportunities. This analysis includes tracking spend by law firms and matter types. Legal spend management also assists in setting and tracking budgets for different legal matters and automatically collecting monthly accruals, which helps legal ops teams maintain financial discipline and predictability. ### Reporting Tools ELM systems offer dynamic dashboards that provide real-time insights into legal operations, including spend analysis, matter progress, and outside counsel compliance rates. They enable the creation of customizable reports tailored to the legal department’s specific needs. ![Video](https://fast.wistia.com/embed/medias/7oov9zcry3/swatch) ![Reports in Brightflag's Legal Operations Platform](https://fast.wistia.com/embed/medias/7oov9zcry3/swatch) ![Reports in Brightflag's Legal Operations Platform](https://embed-ssl.wistia.com/deliveries/dd72f663df01656d9eae2a4212d32693.webp?image_crop_resized=1920x1080) Click for sound 0:56 ## The Benefits of Enterprise Legal Management Tools Despite unchanged headcounts, corporate legal teams are getting hit with more legal work than ever. At the same time, in-house budgets are flat or decreasing. All that adds up to legal departments that increasingly need to find [ways to do more with less](https://brightflag.com/resources/the-keys-to-efficient-in-house-legal-department-management/). That’s where enterprise legal management software can help. Enterprise legal management solutions transform legal departments’ operations, enhancing efficiency, visibility, and strategic decision-making. ### Improve Visibility Use ELM to understand the work being done in your legal department and track spend across vendors by matter, practice area, and more. To improve your legal operations, you first need [a real-time look](https://brightflag.com/resources/how-gaining-visibility-into-legal-spend-transforms-the-general-counsel-role/) into what is happening in your department. That work starts with understanding your active legal matters. You need to know what vendors are working on those matters, what stage they’re at, and what their legal spend has been so far. As more matters pile up, an ELM helps you identify who on your team has the bandwidth to take point on new work. Finally, you need to understand your legal spend at any given moment from a matter level, a practice area level, and a department-wide view. Armed with this end-to-end visibility, legal ops teams can transition from reactive to proactive management. They can spot inefficiencies, streamline operations, and ensure that all team members are on the same page and working cohesively towards aligned goals. ### Streamline Administrative Work Every moment in-house attorneys spend on administrative tasks is time taken away from addressing core legal matters. It’s like a talented chef spending more time washing dishes than crafting delicious meals. Thanks to ELM software automation, an attorney no longer loses hours each weekday consumed by poring over invoices line by line. Neither are legal ops managers wasting time searching through a maze of disconnected emails and spreadsheets to piece together legal spend. Instead, this software centralizes all the disparate pieces of information into a coherent, easy-to-access, single source of truth. Taking work like invoice review off the plate of your in-house attorneys frees their time to focus on solving legal problems for your business. Reducing time spent on repetitive tasks like reporting and searching for information about ongoing matters also affords legal ops teams the space and time to focus on strategic initiatives with a deeper impact and a higher value for the legal team. ### Enforce Outside Counsel Guidelines AI-powered ELM tools make it easy to check invoice line items against [outside counsel guidelines](https://brightflag.com/resources/tips-for-creating-outside-counsel-guidelines/). Manually checking every line of a hundred-item invoice against your outside counsel guidelines is functionally impossible. In practice, in-house attorneys eyeball the invoice’s bottom line, spot-check the big-ticket items, and then approve the invoice. The result? A company paying over the odds for legal services due to issues like double billing, inadvertently paying for basic research, or inefficient staffing, like several fee earners billing time for attending the same meeting or call. Brightflag’s enterprise legal management solution uses AI to automatically compare line items against outside counsel guidelines and flag discrepancies, overcharges, and violations. This not only ensures transparency in billing but actively contributes to substantial cost savings over time. ### Increase Value Received From Outside Counsel ELM helps you benchmark your vendors, negotiate more cost-effective resourcing, and move work to lower-cost vendors. You can use your ELM’s legal spend management reporting features to understand which law firms offer the best blend of efficiency and expertise to handle your legal matters. With ELM, you can monitor and [assess vendor performance](https://brightflag.com/resources/law-firm-benchmarking-what-it-is-and-how-to-start/) against pre-determined benchmarks. For example, you might discover a particular firm is the best for your IP disputes based on metrics like their hourly rates and how quickly and efficiently they settle matters. With that information, you can approach the firm about taking on all of your intellectual property litigation and get better discounts, thanks to the volume of work you offer. On the other hand, you may find another firm is using a blend of associates and partners that could be more cost-effective compared to their peers working on similar legal matters. Now, you can either negotiate better resourcing on future matters or move that business to a more cost-effective firm. ### Set Realistic Budgets ELM software makes it easy to track legal spend against your budget in real time. [Forecasting legal spend](https://brightflag.com/resources/predicting-legal-spend-taking-away-the-fear/) is difficult. Setting budgets at a matter, practice area, or department level without the data from a modern ELM is throwing darts blindfolded. Using an ELM, you can immediately tap into your historical data to understand your run rate of spend within a specific matter type or practice area. You can use this to make data-driven assumptions about future spend and inform your finance team of the budget you need to effectively serve the business in future financial periods. But the value doesn’t stop there. Your ELM will also automatically track spend to budget and alert you if you’re going over so you can have proactive conversations with the legal team and with finance to course-correct. ![Video](https://fast.wistia.com/embed/medias/y8g9xgok97/swatch) ![Budgets in Brightflag's Legal Operations Platform](https://fast.wistia.com/embed/medias/y8g9xgok97/swatch) ![Budgets in Brightflag's Legal Operations Platform](https://embed-ssl.wistia.com/deliveries/b631db8a1af1dd778dd046a3d8701479.webp?image_crop_resized=1920x1080) Click for sound 0:49 ### Manage Accruals Accruals, also known as Work-In-Progress (WIP), are an essential aspect of financial management for any corporate legal department. Handling unbilled estimates efficiently can significantly improve the partnership between legal and finance teams. Modern ELM systems like Brightflag offer streamlined processes to manage accruals effectively. This starts with automated reminders to vendors to submit their accruals, eliminating the need for legal ops to manually follow up. ELMs provide a secure, central portal where vendors can submit those accruals. That’s music to the ears of any legal ops pro who has wasted time tracking the back-and-forth conversations between their company and an outside vendor to get up-to-date accruals figures. It’s also better for vendors to have a consistent, organized, single source of truth for their financial obligations. By leveraging an ELM system like Brightflag for accrual management, corporate legal departments can significantly enhance their partnership with finance teams. This approach streamlines the accrual process and ensures accuracy, compliance, and improved vendor relations, ultimately contributing to more effective financial management within the organization. ## ELM Is The Next Step In The Digital Transformation Of Your Legal Operations If you’re poised to lead your legal team into the future and wonder where to begin, a trusted and comprehensive ELM solution is your answer. Start by exploring ELM solutions, understanding their features, and evaluating their impact. And when you’re ready to transform your legal operations, [take Brightflag for a test drive](https://brightflag.com/demo/). ## Book a Personalized Demo See how Brightflag's enterprise legal management software can help your legal team to reduce costs, improve productivity and make better decisions. [Book a Demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/) [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/enterprise-legal-management/#mm-0) ## 2024 Legal Predictions [Resources](https://brightflag.com/resources/) › [AI & the Future of Legal Tech](https://brightflag.com/resources/#ai-legal-tech) # 2024 Predictions: Brightflag’s Kevin Cohn on Legal Ops & Legal Tech ![Kevin Cohn, Chief Customer Officer](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Kevin-Cohn-150x150-1.jpg) Kevin Cohn, Chief Customer Officer at Brightflag Updated January 19, 2024 _Editor’s note: Each year, Kevin Cohn, Brightflag’s Chief Customer Officer, offers his predictions for the coming year. Catch up on his [2022 predictions](https://kevinacohn.medium.com/2022-predictions-b31b3b4be2a6) and [2023 predictions](https://kevinacohn.medium.com/2023-predictions-6ad631856d5f)._ I’m back for a third consecutive year to offer my predictions. Read on for my self-scored 2023 predictions, and my 2024 predictions. ## Scoring My 2023 Predictions 01. **Reductions in force continue:** Hit. I take no pleasure in this prediction having come true. According to TechCrunch, [the tech industry has lost more than 240,000 jobs in 2023](https://techcrunch.com/2024/01/18/tech-layoffs-2023-list/), 50% above 2022 levels. The failures of Silicon Valley Bank and First Republic Bank didn’t help. 02. **Growth investment remains frozen:** Hit. It’s a very bad time to need to raise money, to put it mildly. According to Crunchbase, [venture funding in October 2023 was down 24% year over year](https://news.crunchbase.com/venture/global-vc-startup-funding-october-2023-monthly-report-data/), and down by more than two-thirds compared with the 2021 monthly average. 03. **(Some) CLM vendors feel the pain:** Hit. My scoring of this prediction is based in large part on non-public information. Google Trends shows a [cooling-off in buyer interest](https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=2022-12-01+2023-11-30&geo=US&q=%2Fm%2F0j_3h6z). Consolidation is coming; whether it happens this month or next year, I can’t be certain. 04. **Legal ops becomes the GC’s right hand:** Hit. My many conversations with General Counsel this year confirm what I predicted: the head of legal ops increasingly is their go-to person. [Increases in senior-level legal ops compensation](https://brightflag.com/asset/legal-operations-compensation-survey/) also validate this trend. 05. **The U.S. enacts a national privacy law:** Miss. According to Business Insider, this year’s Congress is the [least productive in modern history](https://www.businessinsider.com/kevin-mccarthy-house-least-productive-modern-history-analysis-2023-9). And it’s only gotten worse: a week after that analysis was published, the Speaker of the House was deposed. 06. **Am Law 200 revenue growth halves:** Hit. [Am Law 200 revenue growth was 2.9% in 2022](https://www.alm.com/press_release/am-law-200-weathers-the-storm-in-a-complicated-2022-market/), down from 13.9% in 2021. Is this a reflection of the economy or a sign that Big Law’s glory days are coming to a close? Keep reading to see my prediction for 2024. 07. **AFAs slow, but ALSPs grow:** Unclear. This was a poorly framed prediction. In hindsight, what I was trying to say was that alternatives to hourly billing need not be conflated with alternatives to law firms. I really can’t tell if this has happened or not. 08. **Contract standards break out:** Miss. According to [oneNDA’s global directory](https://www.onenda.org/adopters-directory), year-over-year growth is around 40%. That’s solid, but not a break out. And most adoption has come from startups, meaning the percentage of total NDAs impacted is even lower. 09. **Big Tech makes a legal acquisition:** Miss. Rumors have been swirling for months that Salesforce is close to acquiring a CLM vendor. That would make sense, but I think the rumors are just that, and we’re unlikely to see an acquisition this year. 10. **Brightflag has a great year:** Hit. We added great new customers, launched important features like [PDF Check](https://brightflag.com/press/pdf-check-invoice-validation/) and [enhanced budgeting](https://brightflag.com/press/new-budgeting-features/), and had a blindingly bright billboard on the Las Vegas Strip during CLOC Global Institute. What could be better? Six hits, three misses, and one unclear. Not bad! Okay, let’s move on to my 2024 predictions. ## 2024 Predictions 01. **Legal ops hiring (re)heats up:** While senior legal ops hiring continued apace in 2023, it wasn’t a good year for creating junior and mid-level positions. I expect that trend to reverse in 2024 as more General Counsel realize “do more with less” isn’t a winning strategy. 02. **Legal ops compensation normalizes:** When we conduct and release our third annual legal ops compensation survey early next year, I expect to see something different: consistency. Specifically, I expect the [interquartile range](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interquartile_range) to be smaller. 03. **Legal looks for outside help on A.I.:** Attorneys are indoctrinated in the art of risk avoidance. Today’s climate demands a different mindset: one that encourages and rewards taking calculated risks. I expect legal to follow other departments’ lead on A.I. 04. **The A.I. craze dies down (a bit):** A.I. is transformational, but is it any more transformational than the Internet, smart phone, and social media? I think these are similar and predict we’ll all shift into “we know how to handle change like this” mode in 2024. 05. **Corporate legal’s remit expands:** Legal is already deeply involved with compliance, ESG governance, and privacy efforts. Look for formal ownership to become the norm in 2024, as the General Counsel is the best-positioned executive to lead these functions. 06. **Am Law 100 rate increases slow:** According to Brightflag’s recent report, [Am Law 100 firms increased their rates by under 5% in 2023](https://brightflag.com/asset/law-firm-rates-report/), far less than expected. I expect an even lower average increase in 2024 as Big Law finds itself under continued pressure. 07. **LinkedIn launches community features:** There’s a huge untapped market for technology to support the growing number of online and hybrid professional communities. As the largest professional social network, LinkedIn is well positioned to fill this gap. 08. **SaaS proliferation resumes:** Zylo, a SaaS management software company, this year saw a first-ever [decline in the average number of SaaS products used](https://zylo.com/reports/2023-saas-management-index/). I expect the trend to reverse in 2024, as there are simply too many untapped opportunities. 09. **The CFO remains in the driver’s seat:** Every initiative will come under the CFO’s intense scrutiny, with “no” continuing to be the most common response. General Counsel and [legal operations](https://brightflag.com/resources/what-is-legal-operations/) professionals will need to sharpen their financial acumen to be successful. 10. **Brightflag has a great year:** It’s part of my job to believe this each and every year, and I do believe it. We enter 2024 in a strong financial position and with a better product and team, and more customers, than ever. Again, what could be better? I hope you have a safe and happy holiday season. ##### **Share:** [![linkedin](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-linkedin-white.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://brightflag.com/resources/2024-predictions/&title=2024%20Predictions%3A%20Brightflag%26%238217%3Bs%20Kevin%20Cohn%20on%20Legal%20Ops%20%26%23038%3B%20Legal%20Tech)[![twitter](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-x-white.svg)](https://twitter.com/share?text=2024%20Predictions%3A%20Brightflag%26%238217%3Bs%20Kevin%20Cohn%20on%20Legal%20Ops%20%26%23038%3B%20Legal%20Tech&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbrightflag.com%2Fresources%2F2024-predictions%2F) ![Kevin Cohn, Chief Customer Officer](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Kevin-Cohn-150x150-1.jpg) #### Kevin Cohn [![linkedin](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-linkedin-white.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinacohn/) Chief Customer Officer at Brightflag Kevin is Brightflag's Chief Customer Officer, and previously served as Chief Operating Officer at Atypon, a publishing software company (acquired by Wiley), and SVP of Operations at Smartling, a language translation technology and services platform (acquired by Battery Ventures). Kevin has extensive experience building cloud workflow, productivity, and analytics companies. A Member of the Advisory Board of Legal Operators, Kevin is also passionate advocate for the development of the legal operations industry and the professionals working in it, and is a frequent speaker at major legal operations events. ## Related Articles for You [![Brightflag's Director of Solutions Consulting, Adam Mousy, in a suit jacket and blue dress shirt, smiling in front of a white and blue background, with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/The-Ultimate-Guide-to-Legal-Prompt-Engineering-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ The Ultimate Guide to Legal Prompt Engineering](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-prompt-engineering/) [![Brightflag's Director of Solutions Consulting, Adam Moursey, in a suit jacket and dress shirt, smiling in front of a white and yellow background with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/The-Top-Legal-AI-Companies-to-Know-in-2025-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ The Top Legal AI Companies to Know in 2025](https://brightflag.com/resources/top-legal-ai-companies/) [![Headshots of Kevin Cohn (Brightflag Chief Customer Officer) and Matthew Steer (Deloitte Legal's Associate Director of Legal Management Consulting) in business attire, in front of a teal background, with the webinar title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Social_1200x675-8-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar\\ \\ Deloitte Legal AI Predictions: A Conversation with Brightflag](https://brightflag.com/events/deloitte-brightflag-ai/) #### Want new Brightflag blog posts delivered straight to your inbox? ##### Sign up for our monthly newsletter. By submitting this form, you agree to our [privacy policy](https://brightflag.com/policies/privacy-statement/). [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/resources/2024-predictions/#mm-0) ![Brightflag](https://cdn.cookielaw.org/logos/6e5cb22a-06d4-45a8-8e7c-9de791a8d106/addb0fdf-b927-4c4e-941d-ba4a86ab3f0c/d9fae9c6-6981-423e-8011-ad9640fd0c94/favicon.png) ## Privacy Preference Center When you visit any website, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. This information might be about you, your preferences or your device and is mostly used to make the site work as you expect it to. The information does not usually directly identify you, but it can give you a more personalized web experience. Because we respect your right to privacy, you can choose not to allow some types of cookies. Click on the different category headings to find out more and change our default settings. 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View Vendor Details‎ Back Button ### Vendors List Search Icon Filter Icon Clear checkbox labellabel ApplyCancel ConsentLeg.Interest checkbox labellabel checkbox labellabel checkbox labellabel Reject AllConfirm My Choices [![Powered by Onetrust](https://cdn.cookielaw.org/logos/static/powered_by_logo.svg)](https://www.onetrust.com/products/cookie-consent/) ## Legal Bill Review Software [Home](https://brightflag.com/)› [Legal Bill Review](https://brightflag.com/legal-bill-review/) # Legal Bill Review Software for In-House Teams ## Drive real savings with automated legal bill review [Book a Demo](https://brightflag.com/demo) Legal E-Billing with Brightflag ![E-Billing in Brightflag's Legal Operations Platform](https://fast.wistia.net/embed/medias/pnu2hc5cs4/swatch) ![E-Billing in Brightflag's Legal Operations Platform](https://embed-ssl.wistia.com/deliveries/9bcc140eda98080f076ec381303f2133.webp?image_crop_resized=640x360) Click for sound 1:32 ## So long, manual checklist. Hello, AI assistant So much of legal invoice review is repetitive: checking line items against [law firm billing guidelines](https://brightflag.com/asset/sample-outside-counsel-guidelines/), the agreed fee model, and so on. With Brightflag, this work is done by artificial intelligence, increasing accuracy and freeing the in-house team to focus on high-value activities. ![Legal invoice line item illustration that showcases artificial intelligence tracking legal spend management.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Line-item-classification.svg) ## Understand outside counsel invoices in a matter of minutes Brightflag’s leverages machine learning and generative AI to create a summary of which law firm timekeepers did what work on your legal invoices — just like an experienced lawyer would, but automatically and in seconds. In-house counsel can easily drill down into components of the bill to validate that the proposed charges are appropriate given their instructions to outside counsel. ![Task and activity legal solutions pie chart with illustrations showcasing legal spend management solutions.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Task-and-activity-breakdown.svg) ## Manage legal spend easily and consistently Brightflag ensures that every legal invoice is reviewed with the same level of rigor, driving significant cost savings. Remove billing guideline violations with a single click—there’s no need to review and adjust individual lines—or drill down for fine-grained cost control where judgment is required. [Download Sample Billing Guidelines](https://brightflag.com/asset/sample-outside-counsel-guidelines/) ![legal invoice line item adjustments](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Invoice-line-adjustment.svg) ## Take control, regardless of bill format. Gone are the days of manual data entry and limited functionality for PDFs and scanned legal invoices. Brightflag’s [legal spend management system](https://brightflag.com/legal-spend-management/) delivers a full-featured invoice review experience regardless of whether the legal bills are in LEDES, PDF, or scanned format. This means you get real-time insight into all of your legal spend, not just a portion of it. ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Invoice-formats.svg) ## Embrace full automation where appropriate. Brightflag can be configured to review legal fees and reject or approve legal bills without human involvement, further reducing administrative work. Our customer success team provides guidance on how and when to use this sophisticated capability while complying with financial controls. ![Animated image of an invoice approval process for lawyers, showing each of the steps connected with lines and boxes.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Invoice-automatic-approval.svg) ![Julie Sullivan](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Julie-Sullivan.jpeg) > Brightflag saves us time and money. The review and adjustment process is so much more efficient and less time consuming than before. — Julie Sullivan, Director of Legal Operations ![ACME](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Rimini-Street.svg) ## Save money. Save time. See Brightflag’s legal bill review experience with your own data. [Book a Demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/) [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/legal-bill-review/#mm-0) ## Matter Management Tour # Want to Learn More? [Schedule a demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/ "Schedule a demo") Matter Management Skip to captureSkip to content Brightflag helps in-house teams centralize, track, and report on matters. Want to see how? 1 of 11 Let's go! [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/tour-matter-management/#mm-0) ## AI Legal Management Innovations ## Brightflag launches new AI-powered spend management, matter management, and insights features for corporate legal teams **NEW YORK — April 22, 2025 —** [Brightflag](https://brightflag.com/), the AI-powered enterprise legal management (ELM) platform, today announced a suite of new AI-powered spend management, matter management, and insights features to further optimize legal work and spend for corporate legal teams. “Brightflag has redefined enterprise legal management through its patented AI technology,” said Ian Nolan, co-founder and CEO of Brightflag. “With these new innovations, we’re giving in-house teams even greater control over their legal spend, while expanding our matter management capabilities to deliver end-to-end visibility into legal work.” ### Advanced matter management capabilities Brightflag began expanding its matter management capabilities earlier this year with Matter Updates. This feature gathers status updates from both outside counsel and in-house attorneys, keeping leaders informed on how work is progressing. Today, Brightflag introduced the next phase of its expanded matter management capabilities, including: An updated home page, offering a centralized view of legal work and spend. The ability to create and assign tasks, set due dates, and track progress. Events tracking, allowing teams to stay on top of key milestones and legal deadlines. The Task Management features are available now, with the updated home page and Events functionality becoming available in June. ### Leading the way in spend management Brightflag continues to lead the way in legal spend management with new features that strengthen financial oversight. Budget approval workflows provide finance and legal leadership with greater control and oversight over matter budgets. Any matter budgets created or updated in Brightflag can be routed through multiple levels of approval according to each customer’s policies. Enhanced support for matter-specific hourly rates makes it easier to enforce rate agreements for individual matters. Building on years of innovation in features to negotiate and enforce commercial agreements, this gives in-house teams a new tool to better manage costs. ### Smarter GenAI insights for legal spend and matters In 2024, Brightflag launched the first generative AI assistant for legal work and spend. Ask Brightflag is now used by hundreds of in-house teams to gain insight into their operations in seconds. Today, Ask Brightflag has become even more intelligent. It can now answer questions about vendors, timekeepers, and even individual pieces of work done by vendors. ### Constant Innovation With automatic monthly software updates, Brightflag customers are always equipped with the latest and most powerful innovations. Brightflag is committed to investing in its customers’ success, spending as much on research and development as it does on sales and marketing. To learn more about the new features announced today, [schedule a personalized demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/). ### About Brightflag [Brightflag’s](https://brightflag.com/) AI-powered enterprise legal management (ELM) platform provides complete visibility into legal work and spend. It makes in-house teams more productive by eliminating time-consuming invoicing, reporting, and matter management work, and provides the insights legal leaders need to effectively deliver legal advice to the business. The company serves a global community of legal professionals from offices in New York, Ireland, and Australia. [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/press/innnovation-roadmap/#mm-0) ## Matter Updates Launch # Brightflag provides more visibility into legal work with Matter Updates **New York, NY, Jan 23, 2025**—Today, [Brightflag](https://brightflag.com/) launches Matter Updates to further its goal of providing in-house leaders with complete visibility into legal work and spend. “To effectively deliver legal services, it’s essential that in-house leaders understand how legal work is progressing,” said Ian Nolan, founder and CEO of Brightflag. “Matter Updates ensures that in-house leaders have this information at their fingertips, providing an easy way to get status updates from the internal team and from outside counsel.” Matter Updates enables in-house teams to understand the current state of play for legal work by automatically collecting and reporting on updates from matter participants. It eliminates the need to chase people for information and collate endless spreadsheets. Customers can define which matters require updates and which should be excluded. Updates can be collected from both the lead in-house attorney and outside counsel, enabling better collaboration with legal service providers. Matter participants can provide updates directly from their inbox by clicking on a link in the email notification they receive and typing in their updates. With the comprehensive reporting provided by Matter Updates, in-house leaders always know how matters are progressing and where material changes have occurred that will impact scope, timelines, and budget. Brightflag continually develops new functionality to provide in-house teams with increased visibility into legal work and spend, and has a full roadmap of innovative product releases planned throughout 2025. To learn more about Matter Updates, watch a [two-minute demo video here](https://info.brightflag.com/matter-updates). ### About Brightflag Brightflag’s e-billing and matter management platform provides complete visibility into legal work and helps in-house teams control costs. The intuitive AI-powered platform makes teams more productive by eliminating time-consuming tasks related to invoicing, reporting, and matter management. The company serves a global community of legal professionals from offices in New York, Ireland, and Australia. [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/press/matter-updates/#mm-0) ## Legal Procurement Guide [Resources](https://brightflag.com/resources/) › [General](https://brightflag.com/resources/#general) # Legal Procurement: A Comprehensive Guide ![Brightflag's Michael Theise, Customer Success.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Michael-Theise-300x300-1.jpg) Michael Theise, Customer Success Manager at Brightflag September 23, 2024 It wasn’t that long ago that in-house legal teams would balk at including their organization’s procurement department in their purchasing processes. There was a perception that procurement only looked for the lowest-cost option. On the other hand, the in-house team was focused on partnering with outside counsel that would drive the right outcomes for their business, prioritizing firms they had trusted relationships with. This meant that quality typically trumped cost considerations. While relationships are still important, legal tech has evolved to provide clear insight into legal work and spend. In-house teams can now rely on data as a primary reason to stay with a vendor or make a change. Couple that data with the skills of your organization’s procurement department, and you can establish a more effective vendor acquisition strategy. ## What is Legal Procurement? Legal procurement is the process of identifying, vetting, and contracting with legal service providers. The in-house legal team, including [legal ops](https://brightflag.com/resources/what-is-legal-operations/), works with the company’s procurement team to negotiate with potential legal services vendors and handle the RFP process if needed. Ideally, it is a collaboration that brings together the procurement team’s negotiation skills and experience researching vendors with the legal department’s domain expertise. Legal procurement differs from general procurement in a couple of ways: - **Procurement’s goal is to save the organization money**. The department often focuses on streamlining the purchase process and finding the lowest-cost provider. Their directive is what’s best for the company as a whole, and they typically don’t have insight into the goals of the legal department. - **Legal procurement is a subset of general procurement**. Legal procurement professionals have to take into account more than just hard cost savings. When evaluating outside counsel, they need to consider the area of expertise of the firm, the availability of staff, the quality of their work, and the current relationship with the in-house team. Legal procurement acknowledges that performing legal work to the right standard and quality can save countless dollars in the long run. - **Legal procurement doesn’t typically fit into the standard processes of general procurement**. Legal services may require more specialized RFPs based on the expertise needed, such as when dealing with a high-risk, high-cost matter. Often, legal services contracts require domain-specific knowledge to negotiate. Legal ops have detailed metrics on spend management and [outside counsel performance](https://brightflag.com/resources/outside-counsel-management/) that can aid the legal procurement process, changing what used to be a mostly relationship-based selection process into one that is data-driven. ## Why Legal Procurement is Important When done correctly, legal procurement can improve the quality of legal services provided, decrease legal spend, and build trust with your larger organization. Here are five ways legal procurement can positively impact your sourcing decisions. ### Better Cost Control By following established and approved rules, automation, and benchmarks, you can objectively evaluate your options and make sure you are getting the most value for the spend. You can better negotiate and lower overall costs by streamlining your vendors through the standard processes. According to the [Buying Legal Services Survey](https://www.feitconsulting.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/2018-BLC-LEGAL-PROCUREMENT-SURVEY-FINAL-VERSION.pdf), companies save 21%, on average, when the in-house team and procurement are well-aligned. Just having the general procurement team involved can save 14% on legal spend. ### Improved Legal Services Quality Legal procurement enables legal departments to do their work to the right level of quality. Without legal procurement, in-house counsel may default to sending straightforward, routine work to high-cost outside counsel because they have a relationship with that firm. While that firm may still be selected for complex, high-risk work under legal procurement, the more routine work can be directed to lower-cost legal service providers that are qualified for the low-risk work. ### Efficient Contract Negotiation General procurement negotiates details with potential vendors daily and can manage the minutiae of the negotiation process. They have the skills and experience to negotiate volume discounts and add-on free services like training from firms or better hourly rates. ### Shared Duties Based on Skill Set If done well, the organizational procurement team can take care of many of the non-legal tasks and project management, bringing in the legal team only for specific needs. For example, once the in-house legal team provides the appropriate parameters, the procurement department can handle the back-and-forth of the fee structure negotiation. This keeps the in-house team focused on more strategic work. ### Improved Trust Within Your Organization The procurement department and in-house legal can learn from each other and establish a shared understanding of priorities. The organization can see that legal is taking cost control seriously by going through the procurement process. ## Types of Legal Procurement Legal procurement is the purchasing of legal services that fall outside of the traditional procurement process, and includes tasks like outside counsel selection and optimization. ### Selecting New Outside Counsel You will need to start the legal procurement process if you are presented with a high-cost matter or a new type of work that is outside the area of expertise of your in-house attorneys and current vendors. Or your team may already be stretched too thin and can’t take on an increased number of matters, and may look to add a new vendor to help cover this work. ### Consolidating Your Panel of Law Firms Most in-house firms work with [about ten outside-counsel vendors](https://www.acc.com/sites/default/files/2022-06/ACC_2022_LDMB_Report_Exec_Summary.pdf) on a regular basis, but their slate of outside counsel firms can be in the hundreds. Using legal ops data, you may find opportunities to move more work to a smaller number of vendors so you can negotiate better rates, discounts, or [alternative fee arrangements](https://brightflag.com/resources/alternative-fee-arrangements-examples/). ### Identifying More Efficient Service Providers Many in-house teams are incorporating [Alternative Legal Service Providers (ALSPs)](https://brightflag.com/resources/beyond-traditional-law-firms-an-introduction-to-alternative-legal-service-providers/) into their vendor panel because these technology-focused legal companies can provide value and keep costs down. ALSPs can cover high-volume, low-risk, routine tasks such as e-discovery and document review, saving on outside counsel costs. The [ACC’s 2022 Law Department Management Benchmarking Report](https://www.acc.com/sites/default/files/2022-06/ACC_2022_LDMB_Report_Exec_Summary.pdf) found that more than 80% of respondents use at least one ALSP, up 11% year over year. ![Chart showing ALSPs engaged](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Procurement.png) Use data from your legal spend management tool to determine whether you can move routine tasks from higher-cost firms to an ALSP at a lower cost. A note on legal tech: Legal technology procurement typically follows normal company processes for buying software for the company, so it isn’t considered legal procurement. ## Best Practices in Legal Procurement From creating a standardized legal RFP to using automation to keep the process moving smoothly, there are a few ways to make legal procurement as painless as possible. ### Create a Partnership The most important step is to view legal procurement as a partnership. Spend time learning the basics of your procurement team’s workflow. Show them what you are looking for in legal services and understand what the general procurement department cares about, such as saving money and following standard processes. ### Consider a Legal RFP Consider using a [legal RFP](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-services-rfp/) to effectively compare law firms’ experience, skills, and rates in a measurable way. Your legal RFP should clearly explain what services you need and the price structure you want, request information about staffing and the legal strategy you are looking for, and outline your timeline. ### Establish a Communication Process Another best practice is to develop a structured communication process with your procurement team. Identify a point person for the procurement team to work with, either by a step in the process or a single person to manage each purchase. Clearly define when legal needs to review a contract or negotiate terms and who has the authority to approve. Make it clear that legal has the final say. This helps you avoid an influx of minor tasks that the procurement team can manage and keeps contracts moving through the process smoothly. ### Make Good Use of Your Legal Tech Finally, leverage technology to automate and provide data-driven recommendations. Share your [legal data analytics](https://brightflag.com/resources/the-ultimate-guide-to-legal-data-analytics/) for your vendors, especially any current vendors you are evaluating. Include any general benchmarking studies you’ve done. It can help explain what good looks like and provide data-backed reasons for why you are making the change. ## Continual Optimization With Brightflag If your organization has a procurement group, partnering with them on legal procurement could save you time and decrease your legal spend on legal services. But legal procurement doesn’t stop when the contract is signed. Using your [legal spend management software](https://brightflag.com/platform/reports/), you’ll be able to constantly review and evaluate your vendors so you can continue to optimize. Learn more about how Brightflag can help you analyze spend and measure the value your in-house team is getting from your vendors. [Sign up for a demo today](https://brightflag.com/demo/). ##### **Share:** [![linkedin](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-linkedin-white.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-procurement/&title=Legal%20Procurement%3A%20A%20Comprehensive%20Guide)[![twitter](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-x-white.svg)](https://twitter.com/share?text=Legal%20Procurement%3A%20A%20Comprehensive%20Guide&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbrightflag.com%2Fresources%2Flegal-procurement%2F) ![Brightflag's Michael Theise, Customer Success.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Michael-Theise-300x300-1.jpg) #### Michael Theise [![linkedin](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-linkedin-white.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-theise-a815a68b/) Customer Success Manager at Brightflag Michael Theise is a Customer Success Manager at Brightflag who joined the team after having worked in various legal operations roles at both Biogen and State Street. His unique perspective on the legal operations function allows him to provide novel insights into legal ops best practices and career development. Michael holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the Florida State University College of Business. ## Related Articles for You [![Brightflag's Chief Customer Officer, Kevin Cohn, smiling in a blue polo in front of a white and blue background, with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Key-Takeaways-from-CLOC-Global-Institute-2025-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ Key Takeaways from CLOC Global Institute 2025](https://brightflag.com/resources/cloc-global-institute-2025/) [![Brightflag Co-Founder and COO, Alex Kelly, smiling in a blue checkered dress shirt in front of a white and teal background, with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Why-In-House-Teams-Need-a-Legal-Matter-Tracker-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ Why In-House Teams Need a Legal Matter Tracker](https://brightflag.com/resources/why-in-house-teams-need-a-legal-matter-tracker/) [![Brightflag's Head of Product Marketing, Sarah Scales, smiling in business attire in front of a white and teal background, with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/The-Ultimate-Guide-to-Legal-Change-Management-Sarah-Scales-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ The Ultimate Guide to Legal Change Management](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-change-management/) #### Want new Brightflag blog posts delivered straight to your inbox? ##### Sign up for our monthly newsletter. By submitting this form, you agree to our [privacy policy](https://brightflag.com/policies/privacy-statement/). [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-procurement/#mm-0) ## Brightflag: TeamConnect Alternative [Home](https://brightflag.com/)› [Mitratech TeamConnect Alternative](https://brightflag.com/mitratech-teamconnect-alternative/) # Meet Brightflag, a Modern TeamConnect Alternative See which qualities set us apart, according to legal departments like yours. [Book a Demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/) ![Screenshot of Brightflag's general counsel dashboard that has information on vendors, and their spending](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Spend-dashboard.svg) ### Proven AI Innovation AI is not a buzzword at Brightflag. It’s the power source behind our entire platform and it’s been delivering practical results for in-house legal teams since 2014. ### Fast Implementation Whether you’re making your first legal tech purchase or switching over from a legacy system, we have the people and plans to get you up and running ahead of schedule. ### Strategic Support Great software is only the start of our partnership. We’ll be there with timely responses and expert insights to guide you along a path to long-term transformation. Previous ![Marissa Corda](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Marissa-C-min.jpg) > Brightflag's AI software has made invoice review against our outside counsel policy much more effective and less burdensome. In addition, the overall spend analytics are extremely helpful and something we are looking to further leverage as we consider budget planning. — Marissa Corda, General Counsel ![ACME](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Sonnedix-Logo_Primary_RGB_HQ-1-e1627402382806.png) ![Zoe Baynes-Davidge](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Zoe-Baynes-Davidge-225x225-1.jpg) > The platform itself is intuitive and easy to use, and no stone has been left unturned when it comes to providing a brilliant user experience. The Brightflag team are second to none when it comes to providing support, training, and 'best practice' of the system. — Zoe Baynes-Davidge, Legal Operations Analyst ![ACME](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Ocado.svg) ![Valerio Pece](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Valerio-Pece.jpeg) > We always had the good feeling of being listened to and taken into serious consideration because our success meant Brightflag's success. Now we've transformed our e-billing process from mere invoice processing to valuable insight generation. — Valerio Pece, Strategic Productivity Manager ![ACME](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Syngenta-Group.png) Next - 1 - 2 - 3 Brightflag is used by hundreds of corporate legal departments around the world, from fast-growing startups to global enterprises, to gain visibility into operations, maximize productivity, and engage with outside counsel strategically. These visionaries chose Brightflag over alternatives like Mitratech TeamConnect because they recognized Brightflag is the future of legal operations: - Brightflag is a **modern cloud application**, leveraging the latest technologies and integration standards IT teams demand. - Brightflag is **optimized for quick and easy configuration**; legal teams can implement and evolve with no customization required. - Brightflag **invests half its revenue in R&D** and updates the software automatically every month, ensuring no customer falls behind. - Brightflag’s **customer success team is the trusted guide for legal operations**, helping legal teams to see around corners. Want to get a sense of what it’s like to use Brightflag to manage legal operations? Watch our [5-minute video](https://brightflag.com/videos/brightflag-5-minute-overview/). Want to read why legal teams like yours chose Brightflag, in their own words? Read our [customer success stories](https://brightflag.com/success-stories/). Or if you’re ready to speak with an expert about how Brightflag can help you, fill out the form and we’ll be in touch. ###### You May Also Be Interested In: [Brightflag vs. SimpleLegal](https://brightflag.com/simplelegal-alternative/) \| [Brightflag vs. TyMetrix](https://brightflag.com/tymetrix-alternative/) \| [Brightflag vs. eCounsel](https://brightflag.com/ecounsel-alternative/) [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/mitratech-teamconnect-alternative/#mm-0) ## Understanding Block Billing [Resources](https://brightflag.com/resources/) › [Vendor Billing](https://brightflag.com/resources/#vendor-billing) # What is Block Billing? (And Why You Should Avoid It) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Greg-Cavanaugh-150x150-1.jpg) Greg Cavanaugh, Director of Customer Success at Brightflag Updated November 12, 2024 Long, flowery narratives are great for novels—not for legal invoices. That’s why consolidating multiple tasks and their hours into a single timesheet entry, also known as block billing, can make an outside counsel invoice unnecessarily lengthy and difficult to review. Block billing makes invoice review—already one of the in-house team’s more time-consuming and less desirable tasks—even harder. It can also make it more difficult to understand legal spend on your matters. Fortunately, you can dissuade vendors from block billing and get better control over legal spend with strong outside counsel guidelines and legal spend management software. ## What is Block Billing? Block billing is the practice of including an entire block of time in one legal invoice line item, along with an itemized list of the tasks completed during that block. These billing entries are often long and include tasks that span multiple [UTBMS codes](https://brightflag.com/resources/cracking-the-code-a-beginners-guide-to-understanding-utbms-codes/) but don’t explain how long was spent on each task. For legal billing, it’s best practice for timekeepers to itemize each specific task they performed on your matter in individual line items with time accounted for each task. Traditional [LEDES invoices](https://brightflag.com/resources/utbms-and-ledes-codes-ai/) reflect this expectation, by requiring one UTBMS activity code and one task code per line. When billers itemize line items correctly, reviewers can quickly see what work was done and the time it took to do that task. ### Example of Block Billing Some red flags of block billing include a narrative with several different tasks that encompass a significant amount of time—typically several hours. ![Example of what block billing looks like on a legal invoice, with multiple work descriptions on a single line.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Block-Billing-example.jpg) In the example above, the vendor describes a series of different tasks that totaled 3.42 hours, but when the in-house team does a manual invoice review, it’s impossible to tell how much actual time each individual task took. The tasks in this narrative include preparing for the phone call with the opposition about the settlement, researching a different part of the matter, and drafting a response. Following billing best practices, each of these tasks should be split it onto their own invoice line item. However, this line item has been block-billed and includes all of these tasks in one line item. ### Why Block Billing Is Considered Bad Billing Hygiene Block billing makes it harder to understand your legal spend. It also makes it more difficult for in-house legal departments to review invoices. In an invoice with block billing, reviewers cannot see how much time it took to perform each task. In addition, multiple tasks are sandwiched into one long description. So, work that does not align with your outside counsel guidelines could slip through a manual review. Not only do block-billed lines complicate the manual review process, but they also make it easy to over-apportion time and costs to certain UTBMS task codes, obfuscating the true cost of a matter stage. Brightflag analyzed the [most commonly used task codes](https://brightflag.com/resources/utbms-and-ledes-codes-ai/) on legal invoices. During their review, they found frequent overuse of the L120 task code for strategy and research. Some costs tagged as L120 were actually pre-trial and discovery, making the true costs of each stage of the matter difficult to assess. ## The Negative Impact of Block Billing on Legal Spend Management Because of the lack of transparency, block billing makes invoices more difficult to process and can strain the client-vendor relationship. Here are five ways block billing can negatively impact legal spend management. ### Violates Billing Guidelines If you are like most in-house legal teams, your [outside counsel guidelines](https://brightflag.com/resources/tips-for-creating-outside-counsel-guidelines) prohibit block billing. Submitting a line item invoice with block billing would be a clear violation and should be rejected. Repeated rejections cause more work for your team to review each invoice multiple times, hampering the relationship with that vendor. ### Impedes Cost Control Without the clarity of individual line item billing, it can be difficult to understand the true costs associated with a matter. Legal ops may find it harder to identify areas for improvement and resourcing optimization. Block billing can also leave room for accidental inflated billing. For your outside counsel, combining several tasks in one narrative may take less time than itemizing each task. The lawyer knows they spent four hours today working on various items for your team, but breaking it down by task will take longer than just listing what they accomplished. However, the lawyer may log too much time for one of the tasks or inadvertently [double bill](https://brightflag.com/resources/the-double-billing-dilemma-legal-ops-strategies-for-detection-and-prevention/) for the same work. If this happens repeatedly, it can affect your relationship with that vendor. ### Delays Payments It takes longer to process an invoice with block billing because the invoice review has to be more detailed. That’s assuming the client didn’t reject the invoice for block billing in the first place. If so, it would need to be resubmitted it for yet another review. Legal Ethics and a Lack of Transparency Law firms are encouraged to follow certain guidelines set by the [ABA Ethics Rules of Professional Conduct](https://www.americanbar.org/groups/professional_responsibility/publications/model_rules_of_professional_conduct/rule_1_5_fees/), including charging reasonable fees for their billable time. Combining multiple tasks into one line item can raise questions about the reasonableness of what is being charged and for what work, even if it is all legitimate. In a blog post, [Rees Morrison](https://www.lawdepartmentmanagementblog.com/different-inter/) provided a block billing example with a variety of tasks, including drafting an email, legal research, and working on an invalidity claim chart, for a total of 8.7 hours. But unless the particular tasks are broken out, “block billing can make unreasonable amounts of time (3.4 hours for an email on a discrete issue) impossible to detect.” ## Detecting and Preventing Issues with Block Billing While it’s always better if your vendors don’t use block billing, AI-enabled legal spend management tools can help detect and manage it when it occurs. At Brightflag, our AI-enabled e-billing software can detect block-billed lines automatically. It can understand and flag when a line item contains multiple activities. With this functionality, customers can automatically reject block-billed line items or pay those items at a discounted rate due to the block billing. When lines are block-billed, Brightflag also goes further than the standard LEDES format by apportioning multiple UTBMS codes to one line, splitting the time spend per task code for a more accurate view of costs. Amy Drury, Senior Intellectual Property Paralegal at Dropbox, saw [how the AI-enabled tools simplified invoice review](https://brightflag.com/resources/brightflag-case-study-dropbox/) when they implemented Brightflag. “Invoice review and opening matters is really quick, which is a huge win for our lawyers in particular. We have also seen significant invoice write-downs in areas where vendors were not complying with the agreed billing guidelines,” she said. Want to see how Brightflag’s spend management tools with AI can save your team time and reduce legal spend? [Sign up for a demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/). ##### **Share:** [![linkedin](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-linkedin-white.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://brightflag.com/resources/block-billing/&title=What%20is%20Block%20Billing%3F%20%28And%20Why%20You%20Should%20Avoid%20It%29)[![twitter](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-x-white.svg)](https://twitter.com/share?text=What%20is%20Block%20Billing%3F%20%28And%20Why%20You%20Should%20Avoid%20It%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbrightflag.com%2Fresources%2Fblock-billing%2F) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Greg-Cavanaugh-150x150-1.jpg) #### Greg Cavanaugh [![linkedin](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-linkedin-white.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregcavanaughrva/) Director of Customer Success at Brightflag Greg Cavanaugh is Brightflag's Director of Customer Success. Greg previously served as an Account Management Team Lead at Mitratech, and the Director of Account Management and Customer Support at Acuity ELM. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from George Mason University. ## Related Articles for You [![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Social_1200x675-1-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar\\ \\ Webinar: Effective Legal Invoice Review in 2024](https://brightflag.com/events/legal-invoice-review-in-2024/) [![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Social_1200x675-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar\\ \\ Brightflag Platform Tour and New AI Demo](https://brightflag.com/events/platform-tour-may-24/) [![Brightflag's Director of Client Success, Greg Cavanaugh, in a black t-shirt in front of a white and teal background, with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/How-to-Detect-and-Prevent-Double-Billing-from-Law-Firms-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ How to Detect and Prevent Double Billing from Law Firms](https://brightflag.com/resources/the-double-billing-dilemma-legal-ops-strategies-for-detection-and-prevention/) #### Want new Brightflag blog posts delivered straight to your inbox? ##### Sign up for our monthly newsletter. By submitting this form, you agree to our [privacy policy](https://brightflag.com/policies/privacy-statement/). [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/resources/block-billing/#mm-0) ## General Counsel Software [Home](https://brightflag.com/)› [For General Counsel](https://brightflag.com/solutions-general-counsel/) # General Counsel Software ## Transforming Legal Service Delivery for General Counsel Manage outside counsel and in-house lawyers, negotiate pricing, and evaluate quality of service with confidence [Book a Demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/) ![Screenshot of Brightflag's general counsel dashboard that has information on vendors, and their spending](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Spend-dashboard.svg) ## Trusted by legal leaders at: ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Ericsson_2018.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Shopify.svg) ![Volvo](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/volvo.png) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Dropbox.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/santander.svg) ## Strategic Legal Resourcing Budget, capacity, risk, complexity of work, and more - there’s a lot to consider when putting your resourcing plan in place. Plan how to resource work in the short, medium, or long term with confidence using reports on all internal and external matters, blended rates, pricing analysis, and matter analysis. Clearly see the amount and nature of work which you’ve been outsourcing to [ALSPs](https://brightflag.com/resources/beyond-traditional-law-firms-an-introduction-to-alternative-legal-service-providers/) or law firms and at what rate. Make informed decisions on adjusting your resourcing mix, insuring your internal team are doing valuable work or build the business case to make your next hire. Our A.I. uses all of the data contained in invoices from your outside counsel and visualizes it so you can see exactly how you’ve been resourcing work. And with all internal and [external matters](https://brightflag.com/resources/law-firms-e-billing-software/) recorded within Brightflag, it's the general counsel software you get the full picture of your legal spend. ![Blended hourly rate graph for general counsel looking to do legal spend management.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Blended-hourly-rate-chart.svg) ## Budget Visibility The Key Performance Indicators you need, immediately. Track your outside counsel budget at a glance with out-of-the-box reports on total spend by outside counsel, practice area, and more. Our accruals tracking capabilities mean you always have the clearest picture of where your budget is going. Keep your legal spend to expected levels with cost control on outside counsel invoices. Brightflag automatically enforces your [attorney billing guidelines](https://brightflag.com/resources/tips-for-creating-outside-counsel-guidelines/) so you can be confident you’re paying for what you intend to. Need information on something specific to your legal organization? We can help. We work with you at any time to build the custom reports you require to guide your team. Brightflag general counsel software provides up-to-date budget and work completed information on every matter, including those that matter most for you and your senior management colleagues, so you can plan what’s next with confidence. ![Screenshot if 3 different sections displaying how much mergers & acquisitions were consumed](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Budget-hierarchy.svg) ## Efficient Delivery of Legal Services You and your legal team work closer with your wider organization thanks to Brightflag. Automate manual processes like invoice approvals and matter intake so your lawyers have more time to finalize matters for and provide trusted advice to other teams. Integrate your [enterprise legal management software](https://brightflag.com/enterprise-legal-management/) with other business-critical software so teams like finance get the data they need from legal without any bottlenecks. Make collaboration on matters the heart of your team’s relationship with outside counsel. With insights from your Brightflag data you can be sure you’re working with the right partner for the right matters. We help optimize your [e-billing](https://brightflag.com/legal-e-billing/) process so your team spends less time chasing payments for your law firms and more time doing high-impact work. ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/AP-route-configuration.svg) ## What industry leaders say Brightflag has freed up valuable time for my legal team, by modernising invoicing. We were up and running with Brightflag quickly and were soon generating reports that advised our leadership team where to save legal costs and allocate resources. Kate Carlile, Chief Legal Officer at Toll Group [Find Out More](https://brightflag.com/resources/brightflag-case-study-toll/) ## Try Brightflag now See how Brightflag can help your legal team. Book your demo today! [Book a Demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/) [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/solutions-general-counsel/#mm-0) ## Legal Operations Software [Home](https://brightflag.com/)› [For Legal Operations](https://brightflag.com/solutions-legal-operations/) # Legal Operations Software ## Elevate Your Legal Operations to Best-in-Class Intelligent legal operations software combining ease of use, data-driven insights, and efficiency for global teams [Book a Demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/) ![Screenshot of Brightflag's general counsel dashboard that has information on vendors, and their spending](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Spend-dashboard.svg) ## Trusted by legal operations teams at: ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Ericsson_2018.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Shopify.svg) ![Volvo](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/volvo.png) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Dropbox.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Ocado.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/santander.svg) ## Your Team's System of Record Brightflag’s [matter management](https://brightflag.com/platform/matters/) is the foundation for your in-house [legal operations](https://brightflag.com/resources/what-is-legal-operations/), providing a record of everything your legal team and outside counsel are working on which they can update as required. Customize matter intake workflows for different types of legal work to make sure your lawyers can collect information they need. Assigning matter leads gives you a clear picture of which matters you’re resourcing with outside counsel and which are worked in-house. Help your corporate legal operations team more effectively project manage legal work with documents, status updates and project plans, all in one place. ## Implement Efficient Processes Help your legal department get more work done by configuring Brightflag legal operations platform to take manual processes out of your lawyers’ daily routine. Let our smart [A.I. technology](https://brightflag.com/resources/ai-invoice-review-how-it-works/) do the heavy lifting and make manual invoice review a thing of the past. Instead of sending emails, use Brightflag to put in place suitable approval processes, send notifications to your outside counsel, and transfer any required information to your accounts team. Brightflag is your trusted sidekick making the legal team run smoothly. ![Legal invoice line item illustration that showcases artificial intelligence tracking legal spend management.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Line-item-classification.svg) ## Manage Your Outside Counsel Accruals, spend reports by law firm, customizable [outside counsel guidelines](https://brightflag.com/resources/tips-for-creating-outside-counsel-guidelines/), and rate requests from external timekeepers – all centralized in Brightflag with a dedicated portal for your outside counsel. Help your legal operations team work closer with their legal services partners. ![Reviewing accruals in legal e-billing software](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Accruals-approval.svg) ## Control External Legal Spend Automate enforcement of your billing guidelines and track your [savings on external legal spend](https://brightflag.com/platform/vendors/). Use A.I.-powered [legal bill review](https://brightflag.com/platform/invoicing/) to compare law firms' invoices against your billing guidelines and flag savings to keep spend down and individual matters within budget. Brightflag gives you the flexibility to create different sets of billing guidelines. Put in place the right reviews for different types of legal work. Confidently forecast your legal spend with accruals capabilities that give visibility on the work your outside counsel hasn’t yet billed for. You’ve got visibility and greater control over your external legal spend. ![Legal e-billing software screen](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Invoice-review.svg) ## In-Depth Reporting Out-of-the-box [reporting](https://brightflag.com/platform/reports/) lets legal departments build a dashboard with information on everything from spend by month to pricing analysis. Drill down and compare your law firms’ blended rates or build a custom report if you want to analyse something specific to your business. Brightflag modern legal operations software provides a deep understanding of how your legal team works. You can be confident every decision to improve processes or resource legal work is backed by data. ![vendor scorecard](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Vendor-scorecard.svg) ## Try Brightflag now See how Brightflag can help your legal team. Book your demo today! [Book a Demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/) [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/solutions-legal-operations/#mm-0) ## Data Compliance Guide [Resources](https://brightflag.com/resources/) › [AI & the Future of Legal Tech](https://brightflag.com/resources/#ai-legal-tech) # A Guide to Ensure Data Compliance in Legal Ops Tools ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/neil-toomey.jpg) Neil Toomey, Compliance Manager at Brightflag Updated April 28, 2025 Modern companies rely on thousands of software tools and applications to keep the business running. A single vulnerability in any of these tools can open the floodgates to data breaches, putting your entire operation at risk. Your data security, as they say, is only as strong as your weakest link. Cybersecurity isn’t just about fortifying your own defenses; it extends to every software tool your company uses. So, as your [legal ops](https://brightflag.com/resources/what-is-legal-operations/) team considers its [next legal tech investment](https://brightflag.com/resources/choosing-best-first-legal-tech-purchase/), you need to have the information to ensure your technology partners take [data compliance regulations](https://brightflag.com/videos/legal-ops-101-sarbanes-oxley-act-sox-compliance/) as seriously as you do. Because they’re not just protecting your sensitive data. They’re safeguarding your reputation. ## What is Data Compliance? Data compliance is all about the policies your organization establishes around gathering, storing, tracking, using, and protecting personal data from clients, customers, users, and site visitors. Those policies must adhere to an evolving regulatory patchwork of local, national, and international laws, such as the [General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)](https://gdpr-info.eu/), the [California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)](https://oag.ca.gov/privacy/ccpa), and industry-specific regulations such as the [Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/laws-regulations/index.html). While the specifics of each differ slightly, each is designed to protect people against the loss, theft, misuse, and mishandling of their data. These laws don’t just protect consumers. They also govern employee data and the data in business relationships, like those between in-house counsel and their technology providers. ## Why Does Data Compliance Matter? Employees, customers, and business partners are more aware of data privacy concerns than ever before. Ensuring your company (and the third-party vendors who serve you) meet stringent data compliance standards is no longer something to brag about; it’s the baseline expectation. Hacks and data breaches cost U.S. companies an average of $9.5 million per incident, according to a 2023 IBM report. More sobering, and harder to quantify, is the reputational damage and broken customer trust those companies suffer from poor data management. Implementing data compliance serves your organization beyond matters of prevention. Meeting the [certification and accreditation standards](https://brightflag.com/resources/vendor-security-why-legal-ops-should-require-iso-accreditation/) of the various data compliance requirements provides a blueprint for your organization to systematize how it gathers, processes, and stores data. That leads to high-quality, consistent data that you can use to make more informed decisions about your company’s future. ## Critical Data Compliance Standards There’s a cacophony of different compliance standards based on the needs of different industries, the regulations of different countries, and the best practices of different information technology associations. However, SOC 2 Compliance and ISO 27001 Compliance are important because they are internationally recognized, carefully-documented, and independently verified. ### SOC 2 Compliance A company achieves [SOC 2 compliance](https://secureframe.com/hub/soc-2/what-is-soc-2) to show it can defend against cyber attacks and security breaches. Before contracting with a third-party vendor, you should confirm they have this American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) certification from a recent CPA audit. During their audit, CPAs check that a company explicitly and transparently describes how they collect customer data, what kinds of data they collect, and how they use that sensitive information. Next, CPAs ensure safeguards such as granular access controls are in place to monitor data and detect any unauthorized access. Access controls ensure that only approved staff can physically or digitally access data. As part of the compliance program, CPAs also review the company’s information technology plans to make sure a plan exists to respond swiftly to an incident and mitigate the fallout. ### ISO 27001 Compliance [ISO 27001: 2013](https://www.checkpoint.com/cyber-hub/cyber-security/what-is-iso-27001-compliance/) is a widely recognized international standard for managing information security. It provides a systematic approach to managing sensitive company information so that it remains secure. This involves people, processes, and IT systems by applying a risk management process. Companies must conduct thorough risk assessments to identify potential threats to their data and information systems. They need to implement appropriate risk management strategies to mitigate identified risks, ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data. ISO 27001 requires the establishment of an Information Security Management System (ISMS), which includes defining roles and responsibilities related to information security. This structure should ensure adequate oversight and management of information security issues within the company. To meet ISO 27001 standards, companies must undergo a rigorous external audit performed by an accredited certification body. This audit assesses whether the ISMS complies with the standard’s requirements and involves an extensive review of the organization’s information security policies, procedures, and practices. Achieving ISO 27001 certification demonstrates a commitment to information security at all levels of the organization and can significantly enhance a company’s reputation, build customer trust, and provide a competitive advantage. Additionally, it helps in aligning with global data protection regulations, including GDPR. ## Important Data Privacy Laws to Be Aware Of In addition to compliance standards, there is a variety of data privacy laws that you and your vendors should be aware of. ### General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) [GDPR](https://gdpr.eu/what-is-gdpr/) is one of the most comprehensive data privacy laws. It was established by the European Union (EU), but its reach is global. This is because a business becomes subject to the law any time the organization collects, processes, or stores the personal data of EU citizens — even if the organization has no physical presence in the EU. Compliance with GDPR requires protection of “ [personal data](https://gdpr.eu/what-does-it-stand-for/),” which is defined very broadly. It can include any information that could be used to identify a person on its own or in conjunction with other information. Personal data subject to GDPR is often found in legal invoices, contracts, and documents. It is vital that you identify where protected data is held in your legal department, as well as with vendors that store personal data on your behalf. Ask to see your vendor’s policies on: - How data is stored and processed - When data is deleted - Where data is stored and customer choices for venue GDPR requires all holders of protected personal data to implement seven [principles of data protection](https://gdpr.eu/faq/) and facilitate personal data protection in line with consumer privacy rights. Failing to comply with GDPR can lead to significant fines. In 2023 alone, over [€4.4 billion in fines](https://www.gdprregister.eu/news/new-record-for-gdpr-fines-over-four-billion-euros-in-penalties/) were imposed for GDPR violations. The largest individual fine to date went to Meta at €1.2 billion. ### California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) Together, [CCPA and CPRA](https://iapp.org/resources/topics/ccpa-and-cpra/) form the most robust consumer privacy protection in the United States. The laws apply to any for-profit business that collects or sells data about California residents. As with GDPR, the determining factor for jurisdiction is where the owner of the personal data resides. The compliance requirements for CCPA and CPRA are very similar to those of GDPR. For example, privacy policies must be established that: - Describe consumer rights, including rights to opt out of data collection - Define the categories of data collected - List categories of data sold or disclosed in the prior 12 months Additionally, qualifying businesses under the law must implement a training program for any employees designated as protected personal data handlers. ### Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) HIPAA is a US law that specifically applies to personal health information (PHI), most commonly held by healthcare organizations. The law established the [HIPAA Privacy Rule](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/laws-regulations/index.html), which prohibits the sharing or selling of PHI. Any data that identifies an individual’s health information can be considered PHI. Compliance with HIPAA begins with identifying where your organization collects or stores PHI. This extends to understanding how your vendors hold or process that data. Ask to see their policies for HIPAA compliance, which may be separate from other data privacy policies. ### Other Data Privacy Laws Many other countries have adopted data privacy laws with requirements similar to GDPR. In most cases, this means they reach beyond their borders if the personal data at issue belongs to one of their citizens. These countries have each adopted their own laws: - Canada – Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act ( [PIPEDA](https://www.priv.gc.ca/en/privacy-topics/privacy-laws-in-canada/the-personal-information-protection-and-electronic-documents-act-pipeda/r_o_p/)) - Brazil – General Data Protection Law ( [LGPD](https://www.dlapiperdataprotection.com/index.html?t=law&c=BR#)) - China – Personal Information Protection Law ( [PIPL](https://www.china-briefing.com/news/the-prc-personal-information-protection-law-final-a-full-translation/)) - Singapore – Personal Data Protection Act ( [PDPA](https://www.pdpc.gov.sg/overview-of-pdpa/the-legislation/personal-data-protection-act/data-protection-obligations)) - South Africa – Protection of Personal Information Act ( [POPIA](https://pagelschulenburg.co.za/who-does-popia-apply-to/)) and Promotion of Access to Information Act ( [PAIA](https://inforegulator.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/PAIA-for-the-public.pdf)) ## What You Need to Know About Your Tech Provider’s Policies and Controls If you’re planning to add new legal tech in the near future, your IT or information security team will likely want to review the tech provider’s data compliance policies and practices. It’s best to anticipate this necessary step in the buying journey and to let the relevant teams know ahead of time when you’re planning to make a purchase. The legal tech provider should assist in this process by being able to quickly provide you with documentation of all of their data compliance certifications, such as SOC2 and ISO 27001, and their data governance policies and controls during the sales process. That documentation should cover: ### Data Protection This policy governs data collection, data storage, and data use. Businesses should aim to collect only the data necessary to achieve their goal and no more. They should also not store that data for longer than necessary. ### Risk Management Providers must show they proactively address risks and vulnerabilities they discover in their platform. Those actions include encrypting data, installing firewalls, and updating software with security patches and other upgrades. Many organizations also institute employee training to teach them how to avoid phishing and other scams. Businesses should also regularly inventory and back up their data collection. Finally, your legal tech vendor shouldn’t treat risk management as a task that’s ever complete. They need to show they regularly review their security measures and privacy controls. ### Incident Response Despite the best efforts of even the most diligent IT team, data breaches can happen. Every provider you consider must have an organized strategy for minimizing the damage in the event of a data incident and, if necessary, getting operations up and running again. An incident response plan must outline the types of incidents that require action, what those actions are, and the roles and responsibilities of those that will carry out those actions. The response to most incidents will be first to contain the threat so it can’t do further damage. Then, the IT team will work to eradicate the threat. In the aftermath, the organization will recover all the data it can and notify customers and other stakeholders. Your vendor should review, test, and update this plan often in light of changing technology and new security threats. ## In-App Functionalities To Look For With Your Vendor After you’ve reviewed your vendor’s certification and internal best practices, it’s time to turn your attention to the controls available at the user level within your vendor’s application. You need the ability to restrict which of your users access what information to ensure data compliance. You should also have the ability to look back and see who took a given action and when. ### Granular Access Controls Your legal tech software should empower you to follow the principle of least privilege. This principle states that administrators give users the minimum access necessary to do their jobs. So, users only see what they need to see and no more. Similarly, access controls let you control who can view, comment on, or edit data. Administrators can grant that access based on standard user roles or custom permissions. For example, [Brightflag](https://brightflag.com/why-brightflag/) comes out of the box with user roles like administrator and ordinary user. An administrator can perform most actions in Brightflag. An ordinary user can only perform limited actions, such as approving invoices and editing matters assigned to them. However, you can make custom permission sets that give certain users access to a blend of administrative and ordinary user functionalities. ### Audit Your legal tech provider should record audit trails that you can review. Audit trails act as a comprehensive digital ledger that provides transparency and oversight over all activities within a system. Their role is essential in maintaining the integrity of data, ensuring compliance with policies and regulations, and safeguarding against malicious activities. Audit trails keep track of who accesses data and what changes are made. This can quickly reveal unauthorized access or modifications to data, which could indicate a data breach or misuse. Audit trails also reveal who was involved in the processes or actions that led to an error. This can be crucial for addressing training needs, updating procedures, or taking corrective actions. By regularly reviewing audit trails, anomalies or unusual patterns can be detected. For instance, if a user accesses sensitive data outside of their usual working hours or modifies data they typically don’t interact with, it can trigger an investigation. ## Brightflag Takes Data Compliance Seriously Data compliance will become increasingly important as more governing bodies formalize  data protection practices into privacy regulations,  laws, and mandates. Now is when you should assess your current legal ops tools for regulatory compliance and consider upgrading or switching if necessary. Brightflag is GDPR, CCPA, and CPRA compliant, ISO/IEC 27001:2013 certified, and SOC 1 and SOC 2 compliant. We provide a [Trust Center](https://brightflag.com/security/) with all the information you and your IT and information security teams need to understand our security policies and controls because we value transparency and security. Ready to learn more about why leading legal ops teams choose Brightflag? [Book a demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/) today. ##### **Share:** [![linkedin](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-linkedin-white.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://brightflag.com/resources/data-compliance/&title=A%20Guide%20to%20Ensure%20Data%20Compliance%20in%20Legal%20Ops%20Tools)[![twitter](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-x-white.svg)](https://twitter.com/share?text=A%20Guide%20to%20Ensure%20Data%20Compliance%20in%20Legal%20Ops%20Tools&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbrightflag.com%2Fresources%2Fdata-compliance%2F) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/neil-toomey.jpg) #### Neil Toomey [![linkedin](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-linkedin-white.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/in/neil-toomey-345b771aa/) Compliance Manager at Brightflag Prior to joining Brightflag, Neil served as a Quality and Compliance Analyst at eir evo, and has extensive professional experience leading compliance and health & safety initiatives. He holds an Advanced Diploma in Data Protection Law, a Graduate Diploma in Compliance from University College Dublin, and a Master of Science (MS) from University of Galway. ## Related Articles for You [![Brightflag's Director of Solutions Consulting, Adam Mousy, in a suit jacket and blue dress shirt, smiling in front of a white and blue background, with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/The-Ultimate-Guide-to-Legal-Prompt-Engineering-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ The Ultimate Guide to Legal Prompt Engineering](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-prompt-engineering/) [![Brightflag's Director of Solutions Consulting, Adam Moursey, in a suit jacket and dress shirt, smiling in front of a white and yellow background with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/The-Top-Legal-AI-Companies-to-Know-in-2025-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ The Top Legal AI Companies to Know in 2025](https://brightflag.com/resources/top-legal-ai-companies/) [![Headshots of Kevin Cohn (Brightflag Chief Customer Officer) and Matthew Steer (Deloitte Legal's Associate Director of Legal Management Consulting) in business attire, in front of a teal background, with the webinar title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Social_1200x675-8-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar\\ \\ Deloitte Legal AI Predictions: A Conversation with Brightflag](https://brightflag.com/events/deloitte-brightflag-ai/) #### Want new Brightflag blog posts delivered straight to your inbox? ##### Sign up for our monthly newsletter. By submitting this form, you agree to our [privacy policy](https://brightflag.com/policies/privacy-statement/). [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/resources/data-compliance/#mm-0) ## Brightflag's Ninth Anniversary # Brightflag Celebrates Ninth Anniversary, Highlights Addition of Innovative AI-Powered Features and Industry Awards **New York, NY April 20, 2023** – [Brightflag](https://brightflag.com/), the platform and trusted guide in-house teams rely on to manage matters, spend, and outside counsel, today celebrates its ninth anniversary. Founded in 2014, Brightflag has been a pioneer in leveraging innovative AI technologies to transform outside counsel management – helping corporate legal teams better control costs, gain insight into their spend, and improve strategic decision-making. The anniversary comes as market conditions drive in-house teams to prioritize spend visibility and cost control measures, while advances in AI encourage re-evaluating how new technologies can further improve efficiency. “Over the past nine years Brightflag has been privileged to serve as the platform of choice for hundreds of in-house legal teams worldwide” said Ian Nolan, CEO and co-founder of Brightflag. “We are fortunate to be recognized as a market leader and look forward to continuing to help our customers improve their legal operations for many years to come.” Brightflag’s recent achievements include: - Hundreds of customers added, including household names like Bill.com, Snap Inc., Sky and Zendesk - New features released, such as a dashboard that provides users with instant visibility into the tasks awaiting their review, a new reporting interface that emphasizes fast navigation and customizable filters, and an upgraded Timekeeper Rates Review experience which provides immediate insight into requests for increased rates and allows users to quickly take action. - AI innovations launched, such as [PDF Check](https://brightflag.com/events/how-ai-enables-more-efficient-legal-spend-management/), which automatically verifies that the correct bill-to information is included on every PDF invoice, and Cost Center Budgeting, which allows the legal team to track departmental budgets while providing AI-powered forecasting of potential budget overruns. - Recognized as a [Spring 2023 Enterprise Legal Management (ELM) Leader](https://www.g2.com/products/brightflag/reviews) by G2. - Published the [2023 Legal Operations Compensation Survey Report](https://brightflag.com/asset/legal-operations-compensation-survey/) to promote pay transparency in legal operations. The report received over 500 downloads in the first two weeks following publication. “The legal operations profession continues to grow, and in-house teams increasingly recognize the critical role technology serves in helping them understand legal spend, predict and control costs, and benchmark outside counsel,” said Alex Kelly, COO and co-founder of Brightflag. “We are laser-focused on helping in-house teams achieve these goals.” **About Brightflag** Brightflag is is the platform and trusted guide in-house legal teams rely on in-house teams rely on to manage matters, spend, and outside counsel. The company serves a global community of legal professionals from offices in New York, Ireland, and Australia. [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/press/ninth-anniversary/#mm-0) ## Brightflag Acquires Joinder # Brightflag Makes First Acquisition, Adding Joinder to Legal Operations Platform **(November 3, 2021)** Brightflag, the AI-powered legal operations platform, today announced its acquisition of Joinder, the system of record that legal professionals at more than 1,000 organizations use to securely track activities, collaborate with colleagues, and store work assets. The acquisition expands the Brightflag team to 150 legal experts, technology visionaries, and customer success advocates with offices in California, New York, Ireland, and Australia. Joinder will now be known as [Brightflag Workspace](https://workspace.brightflag.com/) and form an integral part of the Brightflag Legal Operations Platform. For many corporate legal departments, project management, communication, and storage solutions are spread across several disparate tools, making it difficult to operate as a team and employ best practice workflows. Brightflag Workspace is an elegant solution to this problem, combining task management and calendaring, document collaboration and storage, and in-app communication in a secure and privileged environment. The combination of Brightflag and Brightflag Workspace offers an end-to-end solution for legal operations, from intake to outside counsel management to strategic planning. “The feedback from Joinder users unanimously matched our own first impression: It’s the most intuitive and impressive collaboration platform designed for legal professionals we’ve ever seen,” said Ian Nolan, Brightflag CEO and co-founder. “We’re excited to empower corporate legal departments with a best-in-class product that addresses an additional set of legal operations requirements and we’re thrilled to be gaining a group of exceptionally talented colleagues in the process.” “Brightflag shares our view of what legal innovation should look like and has a proven record of delivering secure, cloud-based solutions that are easy to adopt and use,” said Don Keller, Joinder CEO and co-founder. “That fundamental alignment will enable us to quickly integrate our complementary strengths and provide a comprehensive solution that modern legal professionals can trust in the most demanding scenarios.” On November 10, Brightflag will host a series of global webinars to discuss the acquisition, expand on its vision, and demonstrate the Legal Operations Platform. **About Brightflag** The [Brightflag Legal Operations Platform](https://brightflag.com/resources/what-is-legal-operations/) is where corporate legal departments gain visibility into operations, maximize productivity, and engage with outside counsel strategically. Brightflag is a recognized leader in artificial intelligence and machine learning and has invested more than 100,000 hours in the development of its patented solution. The company serves a global community of legal professionals from offices in California, New York, Ireland, and Australia. [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/press/joinder-acquisition/#mm-0) ## Brightflag's AI Assistant # Brightflag launches the first GenAI assistant for legal spend and matters **New York, NY, November 21, 2024** – Today Brightflag, the AI-powered e-billing and matter management platform for corporate legal departments, launched Ask Brightflag, the first generative AI assistant for legal spend and matters. E-billing and matter management tools serve two purposes: They perform tasks, such as flagging potential billing issues on an invoice, and they provide insight into the legal team’s work. Ask Brightflag is a step change for how legal teams interact with this technology, allowing in-house team members to manage legal spend and matters using conversation instead of clicks. They can ask Brightflag for exactly what data they need or what action they want taken and get a result in seconds. The launch comes at a time when generative AI is changing the way people work, and transforming the operations of in-house legal teams. “For a decade, Brightflag has been developing AI that helps in-house teams gain visibility into legal work and control costs,” said Ian Nolan, founder and CEO of Brightflag. “With the launch of Ask Brightflag, we are bringing the management of legal spend and matters into the age of generative AI”. “Ask Brightflag gives in-house teams easy access to the most important information and empowers them to do their best work,” said Kevin Cohn, Chief Customer Officer at Brightflag. “In a time when legal departments are being asked to ‘do more with less,’ the answer is to embrace generative AI like Ask Brightflag in a responsible way.” Ask Brightflag is available to select customers now as part of an early access program and will be rolled out to all customers over the coming months. To see how Ask Brightflag works, [watch a two-minute demo video here](https://info.brightflag.com/ask-brightflag). **About Brightflag** Brightflag’s e-billing and matter management platform provides complete visibility into legal spend and helps in-house teams control costs. The intuitive AI-powered platform makes teams more productive by eliminating time-consuming tasks related to invoicing, reporting, and matter management. The company serves a global community of legal professionals from offices in New York, Ireland, and Australia. [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/press/ask-brightflag/#mm-0) ## Legal E-Billing Software # Legal e-billing software ## Complete visibility into legal spend [Book a Demo](https://brightflag.com/demo) Brightflag legal e-billing and matter management: 5-minute overview ![5-minute overview of Brightflag's Legal Operations Platform](https://fast.wistia.net/embed/medias/b1k97wmtr1/swatch) ![5-minute overview of Brightflag's Legal Operations Platform](https://embed-ssl.wistia.com/deliveries/4726d737c4898ad45a87520372fec901.webp?image_crop_resized=640x360) Click for sound 4:51 # Legal E-Billing: A Guide for In-House Teams For in-house legal teams, sifting through stacks of paper invoices, reviewing thousands of invoice line items, and ensuring timely payments takes too much time and effort. Enter legal e-billing, a modern solution designed to streamline, standardize, and simplify the entire billing process. [Modern corporate legal teams are turning to e-billing](https://brightflag.com/resources/brightflag-customer-experience-legal-spend/) because it improves accuracy, saves time, and increases outside counsel guideline compliance rates. In this guide, we’ll explain what legal e-billing is and the benefits it can provide for in-house teams. We’ll also highlight how AI is transforming legal billing by eliminating administrative tasks and increasing the in-house team’s ability to control costs. ## What is Legal E-Billing? Legal e-billing is the electronic submission, review, approval, and payment of legal invoices. It streamlines the traditional paper-based billing process by leveraging technology to manage and track legal expenses more efficiently. This is particularly beneficial for in-house legal departments that manage a significant volume of invoices every month from various law firms. ## How Legal E-Billing Elevates Legal Operations E-billing is more than a digital version of your traditional billing process. It transforms how in-house legal departments operate. Here are some of the ways it does that: - **Centralized repository:** Invoices submitted by email are difficult to manage. It’s easy to lose them and difficult to retrieve them when they get sent to the wrong person. In-house legal teams eliminate those risks by transitioning to a legal electronic billing system that automatically routes invoices to the correct approver and tracks the invoice’s approval status. - **Quicker approvals:** Some e-billing systems include AI-powered invoice review, which significantly speeds up the invoice approval process. Less time spent on review means your team’s time is freed up for higher-impact work. Plus, faster approvals lead to quicker payments, which keeps your law firms happy. - **Enhanced accuracy:** Electronic billing, especially when underpinned by AI invoice review, reduces the chance of invoicing errors. AI can automatically validate invoices to ensure accurate information and immediately kick errors back to your law firm to correct. This reduces the time legal and finance need to spend fixing billing mistakes. - **Better cost tracking and analytics:** Many e-billing systems have built-in analytics tools that allow clients to track their legal spend and review cost metrics. This is invaluable because it allows legal departments to confidently budget, forecast, and make data-driven decisions around resourcing and vendor selection. - **Increased transparency:** With electronic billing systems, you can quickly review detailed breakdowns of billed hours and expenses. This ensures you only pay for services that meet your guidelines and deliver value to your business. - **Standardized billing formats:** E-billing systems present invoices in a standardized format, making it easier for clients to understand and review invoices. - **Integration with Accounts Payable:** Legal e-billing can be integrated with your finance team’s AP system. This ensures finance get the legal invoicing data they need, while the legal team can manage spend in a system tailor-made for legal invoices. Legal E-Billing with Brightflag ![E-Billing in Brightflag's Legal Operations Platform](https://fast.wistia.net/embed/medias/pnu2hc5cs4/swatch) ![E-Billing in Brightflag's Legal Operations Platform](https://embed-ssl.wistia.com/deliveries/9bcc140eda98080f076ec381303f2133.webp?image_crop_resized=640x360) Click for sound 1:32 ## What an Effective Legal E-Billing Process Looks Like An effective legal e-billing process aims to streamline the invoicing and payment process between in-house teams and their outside counsel, increase visibility into spend, and ensure accurate tracking and reporting of legal expenses. Each element contributes to the transformation of your legal department into a strategic business partner than can confidently control costs and save time by automating routine tasks. ### Accept Invoices Through a Single Portal In a well-designed e-billing solution, law firms can submit their invoices electronically through a secure portal. This stage can include automatic validation checks, powered by AI, that screen for common errors or non-compliance with billing guidelines and significantly reduce the time spent on manual checks. Some e-billing systems require that law firms submit invoices using the Legal Electronic Data Exchange (LEDES) file format. However, international and boutique firms may not have the ability to produce a LEDES file. In addition, your finance team may require invoices in PDF format. For both these reasons, it’s best to search for an e-billing system that fully supports the submission and review of both LEDES and PDF invoices. Some e-billing systems can automatically extract information from PDF invoices and analyze it using AI, so you get the same great invoice review experience while your firms can submit invoices in the format they prefer. In addition, this ensures 100% of your data is available for reporting and analytics. ### Classify Legal Work It’s important to classify the legal work carried out on invoices into a common set of legal tasks and activities so that you can better understand the work your outside counsel are billing for and whether it delivers business value. The Uniform Task-Based Management System (UTBMS) was established 30 years ago to do just that. It aims to standardize how timekeepers describe and define their work on legal invoices. It’s a great system, but it’s still fallible. After all, every attorney interprets work a little differently. This inconsistency makes it difficult to trust your data. So, an effective e-billing tool should rely on artificial intelligence to analyze and classify invoice line items. A machine is better at standardizing definitions for tasks, expenses, and billing rates, which eliminates any ambiguity. ### Review and Approve Invoices Once an invoice is submitted and the legal work it contains is classified, automated workflows within the e-billing software route it to the appropriate person or department for review. Invoices that appear to violate billing guidelines can be flagged for further scrutiny. Automated notifications can be sent to reviewers to remind them of pending invoices, making the process more user-friendly. Brightflag’s e-billing platform uses generative AI to generate summaries of the work performed on each invoice and deliver them straight to your email inbox. If you’re happy with the invoice based on the summary, you can approve it and get back to delivering legal services. If the invoice requires a more in-depth review, you can open the invoice in Brightflag and review the issues Brightflag has flagged for your attention. ### Report on Spend [Legal spend reporting](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-spend-reporting/) is another crucial aspect of an effective e-billing process. Your e-billing system should allow for easy tracking and analyzing of legal spend. It should offer customizable dashboards and reporting features that can break down expenses by matter, practice area, or outside counsel. You can also generate reports based on various metrics like law firm performance, cost by matter type, or historical spend. This lets you identify trends, monitor budget compliance, and evaluate the return on investment for your outside counsel engagements. Modern e-billing systems like Brightflag enable deeper insight into your spend and matters using AI-generated data. For example, you can see which firms routinely violate your outside counsel guidelines so you can have strategic conversations about billing behavior with them. Or, you can view the typical cost of completing different types of work. ### **Get Answers to Your Spending Questions** Imagine asking your e-billing platform which law firms are resourcing your matters most efficiently and getting an immediate answer, not a report. Or asking it to approve rate increase requests that meet certain criteria without having to click any buttons. Conversational AI tools, like Ask Brightflag, make this possible. You can ask Brightflag to provide the insights you need in seconds, saving your team even more time. ### Solicit Feedback Continuous improvement is vital for the long-term success of any e-billing process. Regular meetings with internal stakeholders and outside counsel can provide valuable feedback that can be used to refine and improve the process. Billing guidelines and policies should also be reviewed and adjusted periodically to ensure they align with the objectives of your legal team. ## Why Software Makes It Easier to Manage Legal Invoices By making the billing process more efficient and transparent, software saves the legal team time and money and improves the working relationship between legal departments and their external service providers. ### Automation Using software in the billing process introduces a level of automation that is impossible to achieve with manual methods. Automated systems can instantly scan invoices for violations of billing guidelines, such as non-billable tasks or incorrect rates, and flag them for further review. This eliminates the need for time-consuming manual checks, reduces errors, and speeds up approval. Automation also simplifies the tracking of outside counsel billing practices, making it easier to identify areas for improvement and cost savings. This can be especially useful when understanding how to resource future work, including making insource/outsource decisions, and moving work to more cost-efficient vendors. And, generative AI assistants can be used to automate data analysis and reporting, providing you with immediate answers to your spending questions. ### Greater Cost Control Legal costs can quickly spiral out of control. It’s impossible to manage those costs properly if your data is siloed in emails and spreadsheets. Legal e-billing software centralizes that information. You gain immediate visibility into what you’re spending, and with whom, which you can use to make data-driven decisions to better manage your costs. ### Reduced Human Error While human oversight is still crucial, software reduces the margin of error in the invoice review process. Automated checks and validation processes can catch errors that might be missed manually. They can save time by preventing redundant data entry and reducing mistakes. By streamlining the process and ensuring that information is consistent on every invoice, billing software helps to ensure that data is accurate and up to date. All of these factors contribute to the improved accuracy of financial data, allowing organizations to make more informed decisions. ### Real-Time Feedback Billing software can provide real-time feedback to law firms at the time of invoice submission. This immediate feedback allows for quick corrections, leading to greater billing accuracy and and faster payment times for your firms. Billing software can also alert your outside counsel when outside counsel guideline violations are found on their invoices. This drives greater adherence to billing guidelines in future submissions. ### Centralized Documentation One of the significant benefits of using billing software is the centralized documentation it provides. Every action taken on an invoice, from submission to approval and payment, is recorded in the system. This provides a clear audit trail and ensures accountability and traceability. Having a comprehensive document management system makes it easier to meet regulatory requirements like those in the Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Act, which mandates strict financial reporting and record-keeping standards. Invoice and payment records can be quickly accessed and searched, making it easy to identify discrepancies in billing, ensure accuracy, and flag any potential issues. This helps prevent fraud and ensures that all billing processes are conducted promptly and accurately. ## Embrace Legal E-Billing and Streamline Your Invoice Review If you still use emails and spreadsheets to handle your billing, consider this your cue to upgrade to a cloud-based management solution. Brightflag’s e-billing software solution has unique AI capabilities that allow corporate legal teams to make faster and more informed legal spend management decisions. Our system makes it easier to follow outside counsel guidelines for external legal counsel, potentially cutting your legal expenditures by as much as 20%. If you’re ready to take control of your legal spend, [book a Brightflag demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/). ## Book a Personalized Demo See how Brightflag's legal e-billing software can help your legal team to reduce costs, increase productivity and make better decisions. [Book a Demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/) [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/legal-e-billing/#mm-0) ## Brightflag Terms of Use ## Brightflag Website Terms of Use ##### Last modified: 20 March 2025 Welcome to Brightflag (“we” “our”, or “us”). These Website Terms of Use (“Terms”) govern your use of our public facing corporate website [https://www.brightflag.com](https://www.brightflag.com/) (the “Site”). By accessing or using the Site, you agree to comply with these Terms. ### 1) Introduction The Site provides information about the Brightflag SaaS application(the “Platform”), services provided by Brightflag to our customers (the “Services”), marketing, information, blogs, and other related content. These Terms govern your use of the Site only. The Services we provide through the Platform are governed by separate software subscription agreements entered into with our customers. Your use of the Site is also governed by our [Privacy Notice](https://app.brightflag.com/privacy-policy), which outlines how we collect, use and protect your personal data. For information on how we use cookies and similar tracking technologies on the Site, please refer to the [Cookies Policy](https://app.brightflag.com/privacy-policy#cookie). When you visit the Site, you will be prompted to accept or manage your cookie preferences through a cookies banner. ## 2) Access and Use of the Site ### 2.1) Access to the Site We aim to keep the Site available at all times but do not guarantee uninterrupted access. We may restrict or suspend access for maintenance, security, or other operational reasons. ### 2.2) Permitted Uses You may use the Site for: - Browsing and accessing publicly available content. - Contacting us for inquiries or support. - Using interactive features in compliance with these Terms. ### 2.3) Prohibited Uses By using the Site, you agree not to: - Use the Site in any way that violates any applicable law or regulation. - Interfere with or disrupt the Site’s security, functionality, or infrastructure. - Attempt to gain unauthorised access to the Site, its systems or networks. - Use automated means (e.g. bots, scrapers) to access or interact with the Site without our consent. - Reverse-engineer, scrape or data-mine the Site. - Post or transmit harmful, defamatory, or abusive content. We reserve the right to take action, including suspending access to the Site, if these rules are violated. ## 3) Accounts, Usernames and Passwords If any section of the Site requires you to authenticate to an account using login credentials: - You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your username and password. - You must notify Brightflag immediately of any unauthorized use of your account. - Brightflag is not responsible for any loss or damage resulting from your failure to protect your login credentials. ## 4) Security Testing and Site Hosting Please note that the Site is hosted by a third-party provider and is intended solely for the use of non-production data. While we make every effort to ensure the Site is secure and protected from unauthorised access, you may not conduct any unauthorized security testing, including but not limited to penetration testing, vulnerability scanning, or other forms of security assessment on the Site or its underlying infrastructure. Any such activity requires written consent from us. Unauthorized testing may result in the suspension of access to the Site and potential legal action. ## 5) Changes to the Site and Terms We may modify, update, or discontinue any part of the Site at any time without prior notice. We may also update these Terms periodically. Continued use of the Site after changes means you accept the revised Terms. ## 6) Service Suspension and Termination We may suspend or terminate your access to the Site at our sole discretion, with or without prior notice, if we believe you have violated these Terms or if required by law. ## 7) Intellectual Property Rights All content on the Site – including text, graphics, logos, and software- is owned or licensed by Brightflag and is protected by intellectual property laws. You may not copy, distribute, or modify any content without our prior written consent. ## 8) Site Features and Content ### 8.1) Content Accuracy The information on the Site is provided for general informational purposes only. While we strive to provide accurate and relevant information, we do not guarantee that all content on the Site is error-free, complete or suitable for your needs. ### 8.2) User-Submitted Content If you submit content (e.g. comments, feedback): - You grant us a worldwide, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, and distribute it. - You represent that you have the legal right to share such content. - We may remove content that violates these Terms. ## 9) External Links The Site may contain links to third-party websites. We do not endorse or control these external sites and are not responsible for their content or privacy practices. Please use any third-party links at your own discretion. ## 10) Our Liability To the maximum extent permitted by law: - We provide the Site “as is” without warranty of any kind. - We are not liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages resulting from your use of the Site. ## 11) General Provisions - **Governing Law:** These Terms are governed by the laws of Ireland and the courts of Ireland shall have exclusive jurisdiction - **Severability:** If any of these Terms are found to be invalid, the rest remain in effect. - **No Waiver:** Failure to enforce any right in respect of these Terms does not constitute a waiver of that right. ## 12) Contacting Us If you have any questions about these Terms, please contact us at [notices@brightflag.com](mailto: notices@brightflag.com) or write to us at the appropriate office [listed here](https://brightflag.com/contact-us/). [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/terms-of-use/#mm-0) ## Legal Budgeting Strategies [Resources](https://brightflag.com/resources/) › [Budgeting & Planning](https://brightflag.com/resources/#budgeting-planning) # The Way to More Productive, Predictable Legal Budgeting ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Alex-Kelly-150x150-1.jpg) Alex Kelly, Chief Operating Officer & Co-Founder at Brightflag Updated April 28, 2025 ## The Challenges and Impacts of Legal Budgeting [Budgeting](https://brightflag.com/resources/annual-planning-advice-from-legal-ops-leader-elizabeth-murphy-miller/) is a cornerstone of corporate finance. It simultaneously sets the expectation for what should be spent, and establishes a means of measuring what actually is. The challenge with corporate legal services is that the work inherently defies neat and predictable calculations. After all, how are you supposed to budget if the majority of your expenses are incurred when responding to unforeseen events? And even after a matter is brought to your team’s attention, how can you estimate cost if strategy, duration, and outcome are still up in the air? There are no easy answers to either question. Which makes it no surprise that legal spend management has historically been less precise than Finance or Legal would prefer. There’s hope to be found in two facts, however. First, consistent adoption of a few fundamental habits can take you further than you probably think. And second, specialized software has arrived to make [estimating, controlling, and reporting legal spend so much simpler](https://brightflag.com/resources/how-e-billing-helps-legal-departments-stress-less-during-budget-season/). [![Cover page of Brightflag's Legal Department Budget Planning Guide on a blue background, with a button suggesting that people download it to learn more.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/BRI6871_BlogCTAThumbs_AnnualPlanningGuide.jpg)](https://brightflag.com/asset/legal-department-budget-planning/) Now, let’s help you find faster and smarter answers to the legal budgeting questions that are always top of mind. ## How Much Should We Be Spending? Behavior has a funny way of conforming to expectations, so make sure yours are clear from the start. Proceeding without a budget immediately cedes a certain degree of control whereas even budgets that ultimately get overrun can still inspire accountability and generate useful feedback. At a high level, there are two complementary budgeting styles at your disposal: ### Top-level Budgets Set a fiscal-year target for the entire team, for an entity, for a business department, for a matter category, for a matter group, and/or for a law firm. (Ex. $500,000 for HR in FY 2021.) ### Matter-level Budgets Set granular expectations for the life of a matter, for each matter phase, for each law firm working on a matter, or for each business quarter. (Ex. $1 million for Matter A in its entirety, with less than than $300,000 incurred pre-trial.) Setting top-level budgets, specifically for the entire team, is by far the most common practice. Most legal departments are missing a significant cost control opportunity, however, by leaving the majority of their matters without any more specific budget applied. Considering a fear of budget inaccuracy is almost certainly at the root of this budget inconsistency, the real question is how to pick the “right” number. ## Leveraging Data The answer is to rely on historical data, and in particular, detailed classifications of the time spent and fees charged by your law firms. Since 2014, Brightflag has been training its proprietary machine learning engine to [read and interpret legal invoices](https://brightflag.com/platform/invoicing/) with increasing accuracy. By transforming narrative descriptions into structured data, we provide corporate legal teams with the context they need to set budgets with confidence. For example, imagine you’re about to begin litigation proceedings similar to three other matters you’ve managed in recent years. Using Brightflag, you can see how each of those analogues played out in terms of: - Time spent on individual phases, tasks, and activities - Seniority of timekeepers who did the work - Fees charged individually (or blended hourly) As you can see, Brightflag already makes it easy to [set budgets with confidence](https://brightflag.com/legal-department-budget-planning/) using historical data as a guide. ## How Much Have We Spent Relative to Our Expectations? Would spending $10 million be a welcome result or a fireable offense? It’s all relative to expectations. So given the range of those potential reactions, spend-versus-budget is a metric you’ll want to monitor early and often. Historically, legal ops professionals have had the unenviable task of retrieving the component parts (approved invoices, pending invoices, and [accruals](https://brightflag.com/events/becoming-an-accruals-pro-with-courseras-director-of-legal-operations/)) from several different sources and assembling them into a coherent whole. Brightflag simplifies budget reporting by [capturing all of the relevant context on a single screen](https://brightflag.com/platform/budgets/) that always reflects up-to-the-second data. Brightflag also shows how many matters are rolling up to the budget. This is a helpful tool for understanding and driving adoption of matter budgets, and users can view the list of matching matters and take appropriate action. [iframe](cid:frame-17C9C164FF0308ADD1CB4B674C761DA2@mhtml.blink) _See how Brightflag's cutting-edge budgeting features make tracking legal spend easier than ever._ ## How Much More Do We Anticipate Having to Spend? Three things are true about every financial forecast. On the first day it’s equal to the budget. On the last day it’s equal to the actual spend. And on every day in between there’s at least a little uncertainty. So what would really help calm the nerves of any GC [or CFO](https://brightflag.com/resources/cfo-legal-department-reports/) is a forecast that clarifies what will be spent but hasn’t been… yet. Most organizations fall well short of that gold standard due to a reliance on one of two faulty techniques: ### “Peanut Butter Math” The first misstep comes from what we affectionately refer to as “peanut butter math” — taking what you’ve spent so far and spreading a proportional amount evenly over the remaining time. If you’re halfway through the fiscal year, for example, just double the actual spend and maybe add 10% to account for the unknown. In this case, the obviously risky assumptions negate the understandably appealing simplicity. ### Individual Forecasts The other approach is to ask the people who are closest to the work—your attorneys and law firms—to provide individual forecasts. This exercise is far from an exact science, however, and the manual coordination requires a time commitment most teams would hesitate to make. ## Leveraging A.I. for Legal Budgeting The most sustainable solution actually comes from A.I., a technology with [legal operations](https://brightflag.com/resources/what-is-legal-operations/) implications that extend far beyond invoice review. Because Brightflag’s A.I. classifies all of the work being done by your law firms, and by other Brightflag customers’ law firms, it can make informed predictions about future spend. In fact, Brightflag automatically generates a 95% confidence forecast range for each top-level budget. If Brightflag’s AI predicts that the budget will be exceeded, it will even tell you the date on which that’s most likely to happen. Our end goal is to make it easier than ever to take preventive or corrective action when it appears likely that a budget will be exceeded. After all, once a law firm has performed work on your behalf, there’s only so much you can do to control costs. ## Learn the Keys to Successful Legal Budgeting From budgets to billing guidelines to benchmarks, there’s a wide range of levers you can pull for tighter legal cost control. Confirm which ones are (and aren’t yet) working in your favor with help from our [Complete Legal Cost Control Checklist](https://brightflag.com/asset/legal-cost-control-checklist/). And if you’re curious to know more about how Brightflag can help you streamline your legal budgeting process, [book a demo today](https://brightflag.com/demo/). [iframe](cid:frame-EAF7B681E88A69B5E9D3382D0E032662@mhtml.blink) ##### **Share:** [![linkedin](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-linkedin-white.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-budgeting/&title=The%20Way%20to%20More%20Productive%2C%20Predictable%20Legal%20Budgeting)[![twitter](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-x-white.svg)](https://twitter.com/share?text=The%20Way%20to%20More%20Productive%2C%20Predictable%20Legal%20Budgeting&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbrightflag.com%2Fresources%2Flegal-budgeting%2F) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Alex-Kelly-150x150-1.jpg) #### Alex Kelly [![linkedin](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-linkedin-white.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexkellybrightflag/) Chief Operating Officer & Co-Founder at Brightflag Alex co-founded Brightflag after spending more than six years at Matheson—Ireland’s largest law firm—where he worked in its financial institutions group. A legal technology thought leader, Alex is a frequent speaker at legal operations conferences on topics related to legal innovation and legal transformation. Alex is also host of the In-House Outliers podcast, which shines a light on in-house legal professionals, and explores the impacts of the legal operations function. ## Related Articles for You [![Sinead Kenny, Brightflag's Director of Customer Insights, smiling in front of a white and red background, in a red dress shirt, with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/How-to-Use-Legal-Analytics-Tools-to-Improve-In-House-Strategy-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ How to Use Legal Analytics Tools to Improve In-House Strategy](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-analytics-tools/) [![White and blue background with Brightflag's logo and the webinar title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Social_1200x675_B-1-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar\\ \\ How In-House Leaders Approach Annual Financial Planning](https://brightflag.com/events/how-in-house-leaders-approach-annual-financial-planning/) [![Director of Customer Insights at Brightflag, Sinead Kenny, smiling in a red dress shirt in front of a white and yellow background, with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/How-to-Secure-Budget-for-New-Legal-Tech-Tools-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ How to Secure Budget for New Legal Tech Tools](https://brightflag.com/resources/secure-budget-for-new-legal-technology/) #### Want new Brightflag blog posts delivered straight to your inbox? ##### Sign up for our monthly newsletter. By submitting this form, you agree to our [privacy policy](https://brightflag.com/policies/privacy-statement/). [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-budgeting/#mm-0) ## Legal Spend Management Solution # Accounts Payable Software Alternative ## Managing legal spend in your AP system? Brightflag’s specialized solution could save you significant time and money. [Book a Demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/) ![Simple boxed illustration of AP integration options](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Finance-integration-options.svg) Systems such as SAP Ariba, NetSuite, and Coupa offer a reliable means of tracking and managing general business spend. But with a more specialized set of tools, your in-house legal team could unlock a transformative advantage and start enjoying a spend management strategy defined by: - ![lawyers](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Magnifying-glass.svg) Rapid Invoice Review - ![optimize billing guidelines](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Checkmark.svg) Confident Billing Compliance - ![legal reporting solutions](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Line-chart.svg) Powerful Pricing Analytics - ![workflow](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Cogs.svg) Finance Team Integration - ![outside cousnel](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Group-of-people.svg) Complete Customer Support ## Rapid Invoice Review Running invoice review through an accounts payable system may add some visibility to the process, but it won’t address efficiency. Brightflag’s solution starts with A.I. trained to instantly interpret the meaning of each line item and automatically bring any potential billing guideline violations to your attention. For some customers, this innovation alone has reduced their monthly administrative workload by more than 70%. ![Configuring invoice review workflows in legal e-billing software](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Invoice-review-workflow.svg) ## Confident Billing Compliance Some accounts payable tools can be configured to track overall budget compliance, but none are set up to verify whether the billed expenses that become legal spend are compliant to begin with. Brightflag’s platform is the product of millions of invoices worth of machine learning, helping us enforce guidelines as effectively as your most diligent employee (in a fraction of the time). What’s more, resolving the violations identified along the way typically translates to an average incremental cost savings equal to 5% of outside legal spend. \\* Actual cost savings may be higher or lower depending on unique circumstances of your business. [Get Sample Billing Guidelines](https://brightflag.com/resources/tips-for-creating-outside-counsel-guidelines/) ![legal invoice line item adjustments](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Invoice-line-adjustment.svg) ## Powerful Pricing Analytics AP tools can confirm how much you spent with who, but Brightflag’s insights go several layers deeper. Our A.I.-powered invoice review process generates data you can immediately use to analyze blended rates by law firm, practice area, or business region. You can also share this intelligence across your team by using out-of-the-box templates or creating custom visual reports — all at no additional cost. As a result, you’ll start making resource selection and price negotiation decisions from a much stronger position. ![Reviewing accruals in legal e-billing software](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Accruals-approval.svg) ## Finance Team Integration One of the most important outcomes an accounts payable system achieves is transparency between teams. Brightflag preserves this key quality with a suite of complementary integrations. By building automated connections between our platform and products like SAP Ariba, NetSuite, and Coupa, finance leaders can easily see all they need to know about legal spend. [Learn About Integrations](https://brightflag.com/platform/integrations/) ![The Brightflag logo, with animated images of documents, magnifying classes, calendars, cogs, and other illustrations surrounding it. Each illustration is within a circle, and each circle has a line drawn from it to the Brightflag logo.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Integrations.svg) ## Complete Customer Support Implementing new technology doesn’t have to be hard. Brightflag designs a personalized onboarding and implementation plan for every customer, helping the vast majority of teams get up and running within 90 days\*\*. From there, a dedicated Customer Success Manager will continue the partnership by building and monitoring strategies in alignment with your long-term business goals. And while you consistently improve your legal operations, we’ll be working hard to incorporate your feedback into our own product innovations. \\*\\* Actual duration may be shorter or longer depending on unique circumstances of your business. ![Animated graphics of a lightbulb, pie chart, quotation bubble, bar chart, and woman arranged together.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Positive-momentum.svg) ## What industry leaders say Brightflag has freed up valuable time for my legal team, by modernising invoicing. We were up and running with Brightflag quickly and were soon generating reports that advised our leadership team where to save legal costs and allocate resources. Kate Carlile, Chief Legal Office at Toll Group [Find Out More](https://brightflag.com/resources/brightflag-case-study-toll/) ## See For Yourself Learn why today’s top teams are managing legal spend with Brightflag [Book a Demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/) [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/ap-system-alternative/#mm-0) ## Improving Legal Accruals [Resources](https://brightflag.com/resources/) › [Accruals & Financial Close](https://brightflag.com/resources/#accruals-financial-close) # There’s A Better Way To Handle Your Legal Accruals ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Greg-Cavanaugh-150x150-1.jpg) Greg Cavanaugh, Director of Customer Success at Brightflag Updated November 20, 2024 In many legal departments, trying to collect accurate legal accruals on a timely schedule is like playing the worst game of telephone ever created. Finance emails you asking for unbilled estimates. You email billing departments at dozens of firms. Those billing administrators have to check that all their attorneys have submitted their work-in-progress (WIP). After all of this back-and-forth, you hope they follow up with an email that contains the information you need. If not, you have to chase their estimates with, you guessed it, another email. You then have to compile all of these documents from all of these firms together into one place. Finally, you send the whole mess to finance, praying nothing has been missed. Accruals don’t have to involve a tangled web of confused communications. With the right [legal spend management tools](https://brightflag.com/legal-spend-management/), legal ops can create a smooth workflow for the finance team to have an accurate, up-to-date picture of legal spend, enabling them to confidently close the books every financial period. ## What Are Legal Accruals? [Legal accruals](https://brightflag.com/videos/legal-ops-101-accrual-accounting/) are the estimated costs of legal work performed by law firms, provided by the in-house team to the finance department as part of the accrual method of accounting. Accrual accounting is a method of financial accounting where revenue and expenses are recorded on the company’s balance sheet in the month in which services are performed. In other words, the date on which an invoice is received or approved is irrelevant. For example, if legal work is performed by outside counsel in February, it needs to be recorded as an expense in February by the finance team, even if the invoice for that work is submitted in March, approved in April, and paid in May. In contrast, cash-basis accounting records expenses in the month in which they’re paid and revenues when they’re collected. Accrual accounting is used by all public companies and most private ones. This is where legal accruals come into play. Since law firms send invoices after the month in which the work was performed, in-house legal teams need to collect legal accruals for work-in-progress from their firms to give to the finance team. ## Why Collecting Accurate Accruals Is So Important Ultimately, collecting accruals is about giving your company’s shareholders an accurate picture of how your business is doing in any given financial period. Shareholders, and your [finance team](https://brightflag.com/solutions-office-of-the-cfo/), need a full picture of revenue earned and costs incurred in a period. Legal costs are rarely among the largest costs incurred by a business. However, they still make up a significant portion. Accruals also give your legal team near-term visibility into legal spend and spend to budget. This information helps you spot areas where spend is higher than anticipated weeks before you receive a legal invoice. Which, in turn, allows you to course-correct with your firms faster. When you get accrued expenses right, you show your finance team that legal understands business needs and is a savvy financial operator. That’s a surefire way to have finance singing legal’s praises as a business leader. And it doesn’t hurt to be best friends with the department that holds the purse strings come [budget season](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-budgeting/). On the other hand, when you get accruals wrong, you risk a slap on the wrist for under-accruing or over-accruing. Worse, you’ll eventually be seen as a department that doesn’t understand how to operate like a business. Coursera's MaryBeth Blair on the Benefits of Automating Accruals ![Video Thumbnail](https://fast.wistia.net/embed/medias/5jnxgz3z42/swatch) ![Video Thumbnail](https://embed-ssl.wistia.com/deliveries/0e621e39e4982935c2bbe06584b5ef9f.webp?image_crop_resized=640x360) Click for sound 0:42 _Coursera's MaryBeth Blair outlines the benefits of an automating accruals_ ## Why Gathering Accurate Accruals Is So Difficult Gathering accurate accrual data is difficult because legal teams so many firms to collect accrual information from every month. And each of these firms is instructed on multiple legal matters. The scale of this collection operation is enormous, and the potential for human error is massive. Here’s just a few obstacles in-house teams face when it comes to collecting accruals. ### Misaligned Priorities Your firms may not understand why collecting accurate accruals every month is important to you or how to send accruals to you in the right format. Most law firms operate on the cash-basis accounting method, so they don’t feel the same pressures your finance team does for recording work-in-progress within the month it was performed. ### Manual Processes For most in-house teams, the process of collecting accruals is too manual. Each firm sends you a spreadsheet each month. If you don’t have a reliable system in place to remind them, they might forget to send it. Or, you might miss it in your inbox amidst the hundreds of other unopened emails you haven’t gotten to yet. All of that leads to lots of back-and-forth emails between you and your law firms to track down that spreadsheet. Meanwhile, the pressure mounts for you to collect all these spreadsheets in one place and send them to your finance team before the deadline. In other words, it’s a massive headache each and every month. ### Too Little Time It’s hard to review those accruals for accuracy and adjust them accordingly when you spend all your time in the days before the deadline just trying to track the spreadsheets down. That means you’re often delivering inaccurate accruals to your finance team. That leads to bigger true-ups and that’s not a great way to make fast friends with the folks in accounting. ### No Training Most in-house legal professionals have not been trained in finance and accounting principles, so it’s hard to get your head around the concepts and terms. That leaves you wondering exactly what data your finance team needs, why, and the best format in which to report it. ### Variability Legal work is not like other, more stable forms of business expense. In other departments, you might know you need to order 1,000 pens every six months. It’s predictable. In the legal department, you’ll have some matters that report legal spend this month but not next month. That means you need to know what’s going on with every matter as you review each accrual. ## Avoiding Incorrect Legal Accruals If your accrual estimates are too low or too high (also known as under-accrued or over-accrued), then the finance team must complete a “true-up” in a future month to make the books right. Small true-ups are common and not a big deal. Big true-ups, however, can be painful. It’s especially bad if a big true-up coincides with the end of a fiscal quarter or, worse, the end of a fiscal year. One reason is that under-accruing or over-accruing can affect bonus calculations for employees. The bigger problem is that they can affect public disclosures and stock prices. While an in-house team member getting fired for under- or over-accruing might sound extreme, it’s not unheard of. Accuracy is paramount for in-house teams, the finance team, and ultimately the company’s shareholders. The best legal teams collect comprehensive accruals every financial period and leave time in the collections calendar to review them for accuracy. After all, firms can sometimes add an extra zero to the accruals for one matter, resulting in a significant over-accrual. On the other hand, certain outside counsel attorneys may forget to log their hours in their internal time tracking tool by the accrual deadline, leading to an under-accrual. When the in-house team reviews the accruals, they can use their knowledge of which matters have a heavy or light workload to spot such under- or over-accruals before they lead to true-ups in future financial periods. ## How to Improve Your Legal Accrual Management System Improving your [accrual management system](https://brightflag.com/platform/accruals/) starts with clearly communicating your expectations and processes to law firms. You must impress upon them how important accruals are to you, and why they need to be on time and accurate. Explain that part of how you judge outside counsel’s performance is through timely, accurate accruals. Then, help law firms serve you better by automating accrual collection and reporting. Automated reminders to your outside counsel makes it way easier for your firms to remember to submit accruals on time. Automated follow-ups, with clear cutoff dates included, keep your needs top of mind for outside counsel, too. You need legal spend management software that sends these automated reminders and that accepts bulk uploads from your firms so they can finish the work quickly and all in one go. All this automation also saves your legal ops team the headache of chasing down law firms for that last accrual on a single, overlooked matter. [![Illustration of workers coordinating on a project, in front of a yellow background, with the text ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/BRI6871_BlogCTAThumbs_BookaDemo.jpg)](https://brightflag.com/demo/) Legal spend management tools like Brightflag make it easy to collect all those accruals. But it also allows them to be analyzed. And for the reports your finance team needs to be produced in exactly the format they’re looking for. Brightflag can gather those accruals along with approved, rejected, and pending invoices to give the finance teams an up-to-date and accurate look at your spend. ## Be a Better Partner to Your Finance Team with Improved Accrual Management By embracing improved accrual management practices, you’re not just tidying up the legal department’s books. You’re actively contributing to the overall financial health and transparency of your organization. Accurate and timely management of legal accruals bridges the gap between legal operations and financial reporting. It gives your finance colleagues a clear and current picture of the company’s fiscal position, helping them make informed decisions and forecasts. This collaborative effort, supported by tools like Brightflag, paves the way for a better partnership between legal and finance teams. Imagine a future where under- or over-accruing is a rarity rather than the norm. And where legal and finance teams rely on data-driven insights for planning and strategy. This is the power of improved accrual management. It transforms how your department is perceived, elevating it from a cost center to a value driver within your company. It’s time to redefine the relationship between legal and finance, and it starts with better accrual management. [Schedule a demo with Brightflag](https://brightflag.com/demo/) to discover how to make this transformation a reality. ##### **Share:** [![linkedin](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-linkedin-white.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-accruals/&title=There%26%238217%3Bs%20A%20Better%20Way%20To%20Handle%20Your%20Legal%20Accruals)[![twitter](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-x-white.svg)](https://twitter.com/share?text=There%26%238217%3Bs%20A%20Better%20Way%20To%20Handle%20Your%20Legal%20Accruals&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbrightflag.com%2Fresources%2Flegal-accruals%2F) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Greg-Cavanaugh-150x150-1.jpg) #### Greg Cavanaugh [![linkedin](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-linkedin-white.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregcavanaughrva/) Director of Customer Success at Brightflag Greg Cavanaugh is Brightflag's Director of Customer Success. Greg previously served as an Account Management Team Lead at Mitratech, and the Director of Account Management and Customer Support at Acuity ELM. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from George Mason University. ## Related Articles for You [![Sarah Scales, Brightflag's Head of Product Marketing, smiling in business attire on a teal backdrop, with MaryBeth Blair's headshot to the right, below the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/How-Coursera-Transformed-Their-Accruals-Process-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ How Coursera Transformed Their Accruals Process](https://brightflag.com/resources/how-coursera-transformed-their-accruals-process/) [![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Automate-Accruals-with-Brightflag-600w-1-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar\\ \\ Webinar: Automating Accruals with Brightflag](https://brightflag.com/events/automating-accruals-with-brightflag/) [![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Becoming-an-Accruals-Pro-600w-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar\\ \\ Webinar: Becoming an Accruals Pro with Coursera’s Director of Legal Operations](https://brightflag.com/events/becoming-an-accruals-pro-with-courseras-director-of-legal-operations/) #### Want new Brightflag blog posts delivered straight to your inbox? ##### Sign up for our monthly newsletter. By submitting this form, you agree to our [privacy policy](https://brightflag.com/policies/privacy-statement/). [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-accruals/#mm-0) ## Brightflag: CounselLink Alternative [Home](https://brightflag.com/)› [CounselLink Alternative](https://brightflag.com/lexisnexis-counsellink-alternative/) # Meet Brightflag, a Modern Alternative to CounselLink See which qualities set us apart, according to legal departments like yours. [Book a Demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/) ![Screenshot of Brightflag's general counsel dashboard that has information on vendors, and their spending](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Spend-dashboard.svg) ### Proven AI Innovation AI is not a buzzword at Brightflag. It’s the power source behind our entire platform and it’s been delivering practical results for in-house legal teams since 2014. ### Fast Implementation Whether you’re making your first legal tech purchase or switching over from a legacy system, we have the people and plans to get you up and running ahead of schedule. ### Strategic Support Great software is only the start of our partnership. We’ll be there with timely responses and expert insights to guide you along a path to long-term transformation. Previous ![Marissa Corda](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Marissa-C-min.jpg) > Brightflag's AI software has made invoice review against our outside counsel policy much more effective and less burdensome. In addition, the overall spend analytics are extremely helpful and something we are looking to further leverage as we consider budget planning. — Marissa Corda, General Counsel ![ACME](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Sonnedix-Logo_Primary_RGB_HQ-1-e1627402382806.png) ![Zoe Baynes-Davidge](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Zoe-Baynes-Davidge-225x225-1.jpg) > The platform itself is intuitive and easy to use, and no stone has been left unturned when it comes to providing a brilliant user experience. The Brightflag team are second to none when it comes to providing support, training, and 'best practice' of the system. — Zoe Baynes-Davidge, Legal Operations Analyst ![ACME](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Ocado.svg) ![Valerio Pece](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Valerio-Pece.jpeg) > We always had the good feeling of being listened to and taken into serious consideration because our success meant Brightflag's success. Now we've transformed our e-billing process from mere invoice processing to valuable insight generation. — Valerio Pece, Strategic Productivity Manager ![ACME](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Syngenta-Group.png) Next - 1 - 2 - 3 Brightflag is used by hundreds of corporate legal departments around the world, from fast-growing startups to global enterprises, to gain visibility into operations, maximize productivity, and engage with outside counsel strategically. These visionaries chose Brightflag over alternatives like Wolters Kluwer Passport because they recognized Brightflag is the future of legal operations: - Brightflag is a **modern cloud application**, leveraging the latest technologies and integration standards IT teams demand. - Brightflag is **optimized for quick and easy configuration**; legal teams can implement and evolve with no customization required. - Brightflag **invests half its revenue in R&D** and updates the software automatically every month, ensuring no customer falls behind. - Brightflag’s **customer success team is the trusted guide for legal operations**, helping legal teams to see around corners. Want to get a sense of what it’s like to use Brightflag to manage legal operations? Watch our [5-minute video](https://brightflag.com/videos/brightflag-5-minute-overview/). Want to read why legal teams like yours chose Brightflag, in their own words? Read our [customer success stories](https://brightflag.com/success-stories/). Or if you’re ready to speak with an expert about how Brightflag can help you, fill out the form and we’ll be in touch. ## See For Yourself Learn why Brightflag is winning over customers around the world [Book a Demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/) [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/lexisnexis-counsellink-alternative/#mm-0) ## Legal Department Software [Home](https://brightflag.com/)› [Legal Department Software](https://brightflag.com/legal-department-software/) # Legal Department Software ## Gain complete visibility into legal work and spend Gain insight into your operations, streamline workflows, and increase value from outside counsel engagements. [Book a Demo](https://brightflag.com/demo) ![Screenshot of Brightflag's general counsel dashboard that has information on vendors, and their spending](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Spend-dashboard.svg) ## AI-Powered Legal Spend Management Brightflag's e-billing solutions make invoicing easy. Its patented AI invoice review engine acts as the first reviewer on every invoice, saving your team time while controlling costs. Automated, real-time spend-to-budget reporting gives legal leadership and finance the data they need to proactively manage spend. And streamlined accruals collection and reporting gives you predictability, without the headaches of managing endlesss emails and spreadsheets. ![Adjusting an invoice using legal e-billing software](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Invoice-review-checklist.svg) ## Smarter Matter Management Brightflag's matter management solution provides one central hub for information about legal work. It ensures in-house teams can easily manage and report on matters, and stay on top of how work is progressing. ![lawyer's daily dashboard](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Matter-attributes.svg) ## Reporting and Insights Dashboards and easy-to-use custom reporting help you identify what's driving legal work and take action to control costs. AI-powered benchmarking enables you to compare outside counsel rates, discounts, resourcing, and performance, to ensure you're getting the most value from outside counsel. Plus, your generative AI assistant answers questions about legal work and spend in seconds. ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Web-Pages-Page-3-1.png) ![Julie Sullivan ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Julie-Sullivan-160x160-optimized.jpeg) > Brightflag saves us time and money. The review and adjustment process is so much more efficient and less time consuming than before. — Julie Sullivan , Director of Legal Operations ![ACME](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Rimini-Street.svg) ## Book a Personalized Demo See how Brightflag's legal department software can help your team to reduce costs, improve productivity and make better decisions. [Book A Demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/) [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/legal-department-software/#mm-0) ## Legal Operations Podcast ![Video Thumbnail](https://embed-ssl.wistia.com/deliveries/9bd8eb3916fa44a3ff81e66cae8a3a0c.jpg?image_crop_resized=1920x1080) # ![In-House Outliers](https://embed-ssl.wistia.com/deliveries/fb5447afceafe4dfd859728fb8631383.png) In-House Outliers shares the stories and secrets of those who have taken unconventional paths and challenged conventional notions of how corporate legal departments should operate. Play Subscribe for updates ## Audio-Only Episodes [![](https://fast.wistia.net/embed/medias/0qk1sz5w9q/thumbnail-640.webp)\\ \\ **Embracing New Challenges with Kimberly-Clark's Darek Kochman**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=0qk1sz5w9q) [![](https://fast.wistia.net/embed/medias/5ewvjdoo9b/thumbnail-640.webp)\\ \\ **Valuing Understanding with Momentive Technologies' Jeff Barlow**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=5ewvjdoo9b) [![](https://fast.wistia.net/embed/medias/m2w7vp11bx/thumbnail-640.webp)\\ \\ **Thinking Holistically with Vinted's Charles Stanley**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=m2w7vp11bx) [![](https://fast.wistia.net/embed/medias/2cusif8kjf/thumbnail-640.webp)\\ \\ **Designing Solutions with FanDuel's Laura Revie**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=2cusif8kjf) [**Rising to the Challenge with Brightflag's Laura Gleeson**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=7mowv6ey5b) [**Drawing Connections with Leaf Home's Bridget Franklin**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=eronvom64n) [**2025 Predictions with Brightflag's Kevin Cohn**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=8zp3vmj4rd) [**Leveraging Your Expertise with Legal Ops Leader Nicole Arbiv**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=310q2lz9fx) [**Strength Through Partnership with Cox Media Group's Eric Greenberg**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=75rc4po2xy) [**Building Upwards with ITGC's Sarah Irwin**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=tu9bg5z4bm) [**Forward Thinking with DHL's Tiffani Huynh**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=7n8yw6pqf6) [**Process Innovation with Legal Ops Leader Reeta Sharma**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=lj7frcyguy) [**Strategic Thinking with Tala's Damier Xandrine**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=uc2ccusycn) [**A Thoughtful Approach with Legal Operations Leader David Krebs**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=pqy1j7hgwr) [**Finding Your Voice with Saint-Gobain North America’s La-Toya Hackney**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=gg735xjo97) [**Learning to Prioritize with Keurig Dr. Pepper's Brandy Musick**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=sjigdmt31h) [**Looking to the Future with Brightflag's Alex Kelly**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=be9qhd28yf) [**Embracing Community with One Medical's Louisa Toy**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=rxl1261uhb) [**Looking Upstream with Enfusion's Matthew Campobasso**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=g09dmrpmko) [**Making Big Impacts with Trend Micro's Brent Dyer**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=rnfouypsiw) [**Pushing the Envelope with Splunk's Chris Beahn**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=kylkrgnpxn) [**Bridging the Gaps with Legal Leader Samara Abrams**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=q04y0ih41j) [**Live from CGI 2024 with Timothy Melchior (Trane Technologies) and Tom Rice (TravelPerk)**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=s7j01kus4k) [**Live from CGI 2024 with Stéphanie Hamon (Norton Rose Fulbright) and Kshitij Dua (HashiCorp)**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=dscjrnf1ut) [**Live from CGI 2024 with Jason Winmill (Buying Legal Council) and Katrina Gowans (IFM Investors)**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=yhqqvvfg4c) [**Live from CGI 2024 with Heather Torres (Sonnedix) and Denise Doyle (Extreme Networks)**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=y5f7pvftu2) [**Redefining Efficiency with Legal Leader Kaylyn Nichols**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=oqc59sonlj) [**Developing a Plan with Stripe's Chad Hallberg**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=20gay85gbq) [**Spearheading Innovation with Legal OS's Lorna Khemraz**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=kcbiypgmsy) [**Owning the Process with Zendesk's Martinique Aguero**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=5zr17q0qqd) [**Always Improving with Motive's Savannah Ramsey**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=n4lvr3sjr3) [**New Ways of Thinking with Legal Operations Leader Sol Brody**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=b4xu1q7ziq) [**Embracing the Power of A.I. with Michael Dineen**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=17i7tvusj6) [**Gaining New Insights with FanDuel's Jessica Williams**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=it6kliqa3i) [**Managing Strategically with FARFETCH's André Barrow**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=dufmd59vsz) [**Reflecting and Looking Ahead with Brightflag's Ian Nolan**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=mczdu1z3sx) [**Diving Into the Data with Temple Health's Lindsey Marandola**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=6kazft9oe3) [**Enabling Efficiency with Syngenta's Stano Gejdos**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=5utn8sh675) [**Striking a Balance with Compass Legal Operations and Wellness' Ashlee Best**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=pqf24c5r93) [**Remaining Agile with Vantage Risk Companies' Kristen Hart**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=mltf811e0b) [**2024 Predictions with Brightflag's Kevin Cohn**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=sqjhx8poaq) [**Streamlining Change with Rimini Street’s Alisa De Dominicis**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=mu24lk0qdr) [**Creating Opportunities with Legal Operations Leader Laurie David-Henric**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=cx2igoub3e) [**Following Your Own Path with SMBC Group's Kimberly Williams**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=mrqj4gkmwf) [**Evolving Your Mindset with Glowmind's Victoria Swedjemark**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=xz383n496n) [**Staying Ahead of the Curve with Ferring Pharmaceuticals' Curt McDaniel**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=bobvx982nb) [**Creative Problem-Solving with Zillow’s Mark Allen**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=sxvc9a2kau) [**Developing a Continuous Growth Mindset with The New York Times' Lyndsey Cain**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=83cudyas01) [**Building Confidence in Change with TotalEnergies’ Eric O’Donnell**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=qvks0n5cuy) [**Paving the Way with LegalOps.com's Connie Brenton**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=jqngoa9ir4) [**Leveraging Solutions with LinkSquares' Ashlyn Donohue**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=a0dlqtnjyb) [**Maximizing Resources with the University of Cambridge's Christine Baer**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=uvehlmtn0y) [**Staying Dynamic with Legal Operations Leader Amy Brookbanks**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=3bp7xpz9qx) [**Minisode: Live from CGI with HashiCorp's Kshitij Dua**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=s0awwu5h78) [**Honing in on the Details with Block's Mandy Savoca**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=i34q9dbk17) [**Broadening Perspectives with Contentsquare's Jeremy Hopkins**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=1lg1usuk8z) [**Asking the Right Questions with TravelPerk's Tom Rice**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=3uzj4d1yom) [**Establishing Purpose with Melius Law's John Bennett**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=koqmvtogse) [**Starting the Conversation with CLOC Australia's Katrina Gowans**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=m24m0p6dbh) [**Bridging the Knowledge Gap with Reveal-Brainspace's Cat Casey**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=la8s478lp0) [**Proactive Problem-Solving with Melio's Jonathan Polk**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=mdn0g7a98u) [**Finding a Path Forward with Human Interest's Brooks Hall**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=42gpm47crr) [**Leveraging Data with Biogen's Michael Theise**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=xd8k1vacim) [**Developing a Process with TLB's Electra Japonas**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=4btaph0vsy) [**Live from CLOC Global Institute with Organon's Stacy Lettie and Ventas, Inc.'s Ryan Buoscio**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=p9p4kyxkhz) [**Live from CLOC Global Institute with UpLevel Ops' Liz Lugones and CoverMyMeds' Mary Zolene Agbovi**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=fdp2to11f8) [**Live from CLOC Global Institute with Manulife's Laurie David-Henric and InnoLaw Group, PLLC's Lara Trope**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=decb54sz82) [**Live from CLOC Global Institute with modCounsel's Denise Doyle and Marsh McLennan's Farrah Pepper**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=ywr0nuo9cj) [**Live from CLOC Global Institute with Contentful's Ashley Adams and Epiq's Brenda Hansen**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=9pf2r8hb0j) [**On the Cutting Edge with Ironclad's Alex Su**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=0myptjzhzx) [**The Value of Team Leadership with MongoDB's Andrew Stephens**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=of49c4ge8w) [**Finding the Answers with easyJet's Helen Lowe**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=ox11lh0dw3) [**Elevating Insights with Hitachi Energy’s Lenor Marquis**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=d3vcq4c8v9) [**Learning to Lead with Ohio Northern University’s Lisa Lang**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=f4eqgdlds0) [**Facilitating Collaboration with Toll’s Kate Carlile**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=ksacewrk7n) [**Forging Your Own Path with DocuSign’s Sandy MacDonnell**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=nsqvuuqcfn) [**Always Learning with Plaid's Jo Vong**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=n0o0i584q0) [**Valuing Empathy with Toyota's Meyling Ly Ortiz**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=9isuvsepgi) [**Finding Balance with Cox Media Group's Letitia Haynes**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=o05d5f5152) [**Building Connections with Checkout.com's Niamh Casey**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=opg9qnv9zw) [**Spearheading Transformation with Datadog's Laurie Ehrlich**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=uh7jco5ua8) [**Broadening Your Skillset with Plus Power’s Tara Young**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=jg7ets33hk) [**Prioritizing Authenticity with High Desert Legal Ops’ Susan Packal**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=cswo7po97n) [**Embracing Innovation with Trellis’ Nicole Clark**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=n1fpn8hyy7) [**Making a Real Impact with BeiGene's Eric Ortman**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=1idhtwvbz5) [**Building Professional Relationships with Lufthansa’s Kathrin Veith**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=mmhiyvz20o) [**Developing Culture with Level7 Legal's Charlotte Smith**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=cfa4md7921) [**Navigating Adversity with Zendesk’s Sheena Ferrari**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=9fpnjc6zfm) [**2023 Predictions with Brightflag’s Kevin Cohn**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=opt5x63hms) [**Becoming a Legal Ops Generalist with Live Nation’s Stephanie Lamoureaux**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=8obar5ej60) [**Getting Involved in Sustainability with ENGIE Impact’s Christine Uri**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=3tgpxd1ien) [**The Impact of Legal with Micro Focus’s Jessica Vander Ploeg**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=v1i178tar9) [**The Legal Ops Mindset With Elizabeth Miller, VP and Head of Legal Operations at Marqeta**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=ckgc89b7j8) [**The Reality of Legal Operations with Peloton’s Tommie Ferreira**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=qonb3qjkz0) [**Relationship Building in Legal Ops With Rosella Tibig, Operations Expert and CAPM at SAP**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=1blmisxiib) [**The Path to Legal Operations with iManage's Megan Ostling**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=4v4qknxhx2) [**Structuring Legal Ops in Fast-Paced Businesses with Netflix's John Elliott**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=3hzmre61ng) [**Navigating Legal Ops in Large Organizations with Cloud Software Group's Adrienne Schaal**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=ow342vxqfw) [**How Wendy Riggs Helped Streamline Legal Technology at Zynga, Twitter and Airbnb**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=j0w72lzj56) [**How to Transition from Lawyer to Legal Ops Leader with TomTom's Matilde Montanari**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=ox678ahbnm) ## Video Episodes [![](https://fast.wistia.net/embed/medias/b5s2s3gfsg/thumbnail-640.webp)\\ \\ **Learning to Lead with Ohio Northern University’s Lisa Lang**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=b5s2s3gfsg) [![](https://fast.wistia.net/embed/medias/8aenkr6ghq/thumbnail-640.webp)\\ \\ **Valuing Empathy with Toyota's Meyling Ly Ortiz**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=8aenkr6ghq) [![](https://fast.wistia.net/embed/medias/xsvvn7lny1/thumbnail-640.webp)\\ \\ **Building Connections with Checkout.com's Niamh Casey**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=xsvvn7lny1) [![](https://fast.wistia.net/embed/medias/j9lu61d3va/thumbnail-640.webp)\\ \\ **Spearheading Transformation with Datadog's Laurie Ehrlich**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=j9lu61d3va) [**Making a Real Impact with BeiGene's Eric Ortman**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=4seo5geshv) [**Shifting Away From the Hourly Rate with Value Strategies Ken Callander**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=l9v71kqz89) [**Why Operations is Key to Scaling your Legal Department with Stephanie Corey**](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/?wchannelid=a2qmat8i1v&wmediaid=1gqkzegi3o) # Enter your email to learn about new episodes. EMAIL ADDRESS Subscribe for updates By subscribing, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy. # Alex Kelly, Co-Founder & COO, Brightflag Alex Kelly co-founded Brightflag after spending more than six years at [Matheson](https://www.matheson.com/), Ireland’s largest law firm, working as a corporate lawyer in its financial institutions group. A legal technology thought leader, Alex is passionate about supporting the legal operations community and is a frequent speaker at legal operations conferences on topics related to [legal innovation](https://brightflag.com/why-brightflag/) and legal transformation. When he’s not talking about all things legal operations, he’s usually spending time with his wife and two daughters and swimming in the beautiful Irish sea. ![Alex Kelly]() [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/#mm-0) ## Brightflag Bill.com Integration # Brightflag Releases Bill.com Integration, Uniting Corporate Legal & Finance Teams **June 15, 2021 —** Brightflag, the AI-powered [legal spend management](https://brightflag.com/legal-spend-management/) and [matter management software](https://brightflag.com/platform/matters/), today announced the launch of its Bill.com integration, continuing its commitment to simplifying collaboration between corporate legal and finance departments. This latest product expansion ensures the powerful financial insights that in-house legal teams gain via Brightflag are easily captured and applied in compliance with the workflows and requirements of the wider business. Brightflag customers using Bill.com can now automatically ensure invoices submitted by legal vendors include the correct cost code allocations and currencies before reaching financial approvers. Both line item data and invoice summary documents are synced between Brightflag and the accounts payable (AP) system with no manual effort required. All data remains protected by SOC 1 Type II compliant controls. “Brightflag has always been focused on helping in-house legal teams better align with the rest of the business,” said Barry O’Melia, Brightflag’s VP of Product. “When we build integrations with business-critical tools like Bill.com, we’re making it easy for Legal to meet expectations shared by every department without taking time away from the essential work only Legal can deliver.” The Bill.com integration is available to all Brightflag customers at no additional charge and can be configured in a matter of hours. The resulting solution compounds these initial time savings by removing the effort (and errors) associated with manual data entry from recurring financial workflows. **About Brightflag** Brightflag was the first company to apply artificial intelligence and machine learning to [enterprise legal management](https://brightflag.com/enterprise-legal-management/) (ELM) software and has invested more than 100,000 hours in its development. Using Brightflag, corporate legal teams achieve visibility into their operations, streamline internal workflows, and engage with outside counsel more efficiently. Brightflag serves a global community of corporate legal teams and their outside counsel partners from offices in New York, Dublin, and Sydney. [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/press/bill-com-integration/#mm-0) ## Legal Ops Compensation Insights # Top Quartile of Legal Ops Pros Earn More Than $234,000 Annually, According to Brightflag & Legal Operators Survey ### _New report examines state of compensation in legal operations_ **NEW YORK, April 20, 2022** — Brightflag, the AI-powered [legal operations platform](https://brightflag.com/platform/), has partnered with [Legal Operators](https://legaloperators.com/), the fastest growing community of legal operations professionals, to announce findings from the 2022 Legal Operations Compensation Survey. The report captures detailed data intended to help legal operations professionals, General Counsel, and HR leaders better understand fair market compensation amid a shifting employment landscape. “The rise of remote work, the ongoing Great Resignation, and the increased focus on DE&I initiatives across all industries have prompted significant employment changes, especially in legal operations,” said Kevin Cohn, Chief Customer Officer at Brightflag. “Our intention with this survey was to provide a clearer baseline for job candidates and hiring managers to consider as they grow their careers and departments.” “The relative youth and rapid growth of legal operations are part of what make it such an exciting profession, but those factors have also made it difficult to find consensus around fair market compensation,” said Colin McCarthy, CEO & Founder of Legal Operators. “We were delighted by the strong response that made this survey possible, and we’re eager to share these valuable insights with the community.” Key findings from the report include: - The most senior legal ops professional in an organization makes, on average, $193,000 in total compensation - Those in other legal ops roles make, on average, $144,000 in total compensation - California remains the center of the legal ops movement, accounting for 26% of survey respondents - Although gender diversity is strong in legal ops, pay equality is not — particularly in senior roles - Although a law degree is not a prerequisite for a successful legal ops career, it does command a compensation premium To view the full research report, please visit: [brightflag.com/comp-survey/](https://brightflag.com/asset/legal-operations-compensation-survey/) To join a live discussion of the research findings and implications today at 1pm ET, please visit: brightflag.com/comp-survey-webinar/. **Survey Methodology** The 2022 Legal Operations Compensation Survey ran from January 24, 2022, to February 28, 2022, and received 241 responses from qualified legal operations professionals. The results reflect this moment in time, with job market trends continuing to evolve. **About Brightflag** The Brightflag Legal Operations Platform is where corporate legal departments gain visibility into operations, maximize productivity, and engage with outside counsel strategically. Brightflag is a recognized leader in artificial intelligence and machine learning and has invested more than 100,000 hours in the development of its patented solution. The company serves a global community of legal professionals from offices in California, New York, Ireland, and Australia. [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/press/legal-ops-compensation/#mm-0) ## Brightflag Partnership Expansion # Brightflag Expands Partnership Strategy With New VP of Alliances ### Legal tech innovator adds enterprise software veteran John Joyce **March 31, 2021 –** Brightflag, the A.I.-powered [legal spend management](https://brightflag.com/legal-spend-management/) and [matter management](https://brightflag.com/platform/matters/) platform, today announced the hiring of John Joyce as Vice President of Alliances. This appointment will accelerate the company’s plans to strengthen its partner community and present in-house legal teams with comprehensive solutions to their evolving business needs. Having most recently led business development for document management and e-signature provider PandaDoc, Joyce brings more than 20 years of experience building strategic alliances with leading companies like Amazon, Microsoft, Salesforce, and Intuit. He will now lead Brightflag’s global alliances strategy, simultaneously advancing existing relationships and driving new partner development. “The legal industry is in a critical period of transformation, and we appreciate that no single company can deliver everything that in-house legal teams require,” said Ian Nolan, CEO of Brightflag. “We’re excited to see John apply his extensive experience toward discovering and supporting more partners who can complement Brightflag’s core strengths with their own unique expertise.” Brightflag partners with a wide variety of strategic experts, such as UpLevel Ops, Mosaic Consulting, and Norton Rose Fulbright, and software providers, such as Coupa and Okta, to build compelling, fully-integrated customer experiences that deliver more value to all parties. “With new technical innovations and operational best practices emerging seemingly every month, in-house legal teams are understandably feeling overwhelmed,” said Stephanie Corey, Co-Founder and General Partner of UpLevel Ops. “There’s tremendous value in uniting the best technology vendors and operations experts to provide cohesive solutions that can quickly drive meaningful business transformations.” **About Brightflag** Brightflag is cloud software used by corporate legal teams to manage their engagements with law firms and alternative legal service providers. Using Brightflag, customers realize greater value for money from their legal service providers, are more productive in their daily work, and translate data gleaned from their engagements into informed decisions about future legal work. Founded in 2014, Brightflag serves a global community of corporate legal teams from offices in Dublin, New York, and Sydney. [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/press/partnership-vp-alliances/#mm-0) ## Legal Operations Training Guide [Resources](https://brightflag.com/resources/) › [Legal Ops & Career Development](https://brightflag.com/resources/#legal-ops-career-development) # Learning Legal Ops: A Beginner’s Guide to the Best Legal Operations Training ![Brightflag's Michael Theise, Customer Success.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Michael-Theise-300x300-1.jpg) Michael Theise, Customer Success Manager at Brightflag Updated April 28, 2025 New to legal ops? Then, chances are, you already know what it means to “learn on the fly”. For many newcomers, getting up to speed with the legal ops function means collaborating closely with experienced team members and tracking down the correct information proactively — all while keeping pace in a high-expectation, fast-moving environment. The good news? There are plenty of great legal operations training resources out there to help you hit the ground running. In this guide, we’ve rounded up the best tools and legal operations training options to help you learn the ropes and streamline performance. ## CLOC Core 12 A great starting point is the resources available from the Corporate Legal Operations Consortium, or “CLOC”. They cover everything from the [basics of the function](https://cloc.org/what-is-legal-ops/) to a comprehensive framework for understanding key legal ops competencies and responsibilities: the [CLOC Core 12](https://cloc.org/cloc-core-12/). The Core 12 also outlines the operations functions that legal operations teams should have at [different stages of maturity](https://cloc.org/blog/cloc/evolution-of-cloc-core-competencies-observations-from-a-maturing-market/). Familiarizing yourself with CLOC’s model — and researching projects and initiatives that align with each of the 12 core responsibilities — is a great way to get a holistic understanding of the role legal ops plays within corporate legal departments. It’s also a sound basis for understanding [how to structure a legal ops team](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-operations-team-structure/), highlighting the ideal approach for in-house legal teams looking to apportion and prioritize initiatives like legal tech implementations, metrics tracking, process improvements, and more. ## Brightflag’s Legal Ops 101 Videos Next up, we have Brightflag’s own “ [Legal Ops 101](https://brightflag.com/?s=legal+ops+101&post_type%5B%5D=events&post_type%5B%5D=videos&post_type%5B%5D=post&post_type%5B%5D=asset&search-type=all)” video series. The series provides an in-depth breakdown of core legal ops concepts and terminology, along with insights into legal department optimization. And unlike several other legal operations courses, it’s completely free to access. So, whether you’re looking for advice on assessing outside counsel law firms, insights into legal data analytics, or simply a crash course on [your first 100 days in a legal ops role](https://brightflag.com/videos/legal-ops-101-your-first-100-days/), we’ve got you covered. There are also plenty of [additional professional development resources](https://brightflag.com/resources/) available on the Brightflag blog to answer your questions on everything from [legal change management](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-change-management/) to the [latest legal technology trends](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-technology-trends/). ## LinkedIn Looking to learn from industry leaders? LinkedIn is a great platform to follow seasoned legal ops professionals for advice and best practices. Many established legal operations professionals offer advice and thought leadership on this platform, making it an excellent option when you’re looking for solutions to specific challenges. The LinkedIn legal ops community is also fairly active and responsive, so this can be a good place to get quick answers to pressing questions, build your network, and seek out personalized advice. Which industry leaders should you be following? There are a lot of great legal ops minds out there. But to get you started, we recommend: - [Kevin Cohn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinacohn/) - [John Bennett](https://www.linkedin.com/in/legaloperations-generalcounsel-coo-fractional/) - [Stephanie Corey](https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephcorey-ulo/) - [Lindsey Marandola](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsey-marandola-zionts-j-d-610555124/) - [Krysta Johnson](https://www.linkedin.com/in/krystabjohnson/) - [Jenn McCarron](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennmccarron/) - [Connie Brenton](https://www.linkedin.com/in/conniebrenton/) ## Legal Operations Events In-person events are one of the best ways to network and learn from legal ops professionals at the forefront of the industry. Events also often feature panel discussions and presentations on the latest legal ops trends and issues. And many events offer a diversity of in-house voices, from legal operations managers to General Counsel and beyond. This make them a great place to get acquainted with anything from the latest tech to the most pressing [strategic considerations facing legal ops teams](https://brightflag.com/resources/what-is-legal-operations/). Some of the most significant events to keep an eye out for include: - [CLOC Global Institute](https://cloc.org/events/) - LegalOps.com’s [Running Legal Like a Business](https://rllb-2025.legalops.com/) - [The Alternative In-House Technology Summit](https://www.alternativeevents.co.uk/in-house/) - [ACC Legal Ops Con](https://www.acc.com/services-initiatives/legal-operations) To learn more about these and other events, start with our blog article on [legal ops conferences](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-operations-conferences-2025/). You can also keep an eye on [Brightflag’s events page](https://brightflag.com/events/) for a comprehensive list of upcoming conferences and summits. And if you can’t make it out to any events in person? The [CLOC forum](https://cloc.org/community-connect/) provides another easy option for connecting with other industry professionals. ## Legal Ops Podcasts, Blogs, and Webinars Our final suggestion for tapping into legal ops expertise and insights is to look for video and blog content produced by long-standing pros. Podcasts, blogs, and webinars offer a flexible and informal way to stay up-to-date with legal ops trends and insights, whether you’re at the office or on the go. In many cases, you’ll get unique insights into how others have tackled the types of problems your team faces, like tips for implementing new technology or advice for making legal service delivery more efficient. Worth checking out are BrightFlag’s [In-House Outliers podcast](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/), the [Pearls on Gloves Off](https://open.spotify.com/show/0DrT5PPH1gKOJQWkygHPV9?si=75f792c7ad224f30) podcast by former CLOC president Mary O’Carroll, [CLOC Talk](https://cloc.org/podcasts/), [Technically Legal](https://www.tlpodcast.com/), and [The Legal Ops Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/1XujSKF9tuz4hWYCTWhpkI?si=a82cfe1824094a4d) from legal ops powerhouses Alex Rosenrauch and Elliot Leibu. ## Keep Up With the Latest in Legal Ops, With Brightflag Working your way through the legal operations training resources listed above should give you a good grounding in the essentials of the function. But, like any fast-paced industry, there are always new tools, tech, trends, and best practices to keep track of in the legal ops space. And staying well-informed on how others are handling legal project management and overall strategic planning is part of the job. Staying ahead in legal ops can be challenging, but it’s easier when you have the latest updates delivered straight to your inbox. At Brightflag, we cover everything from how to manage legal work and costs effectively to the latest in AI and legal technology, recent trends, and more. [Sign up for Brightflag’s newsletter](https://brightflag.com/brightflag-newsletter/) to stay informed — and make sure you’re always one step ahead. ##### **Share:** [![linkedin](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-linkedin-white.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-operations-training/&title=Learning%20Legal%20Ops%3A%20A%20Beginner%26%238217%3Bs%20Guide%20to%20the%20Best%20Legal%20Operations%20Training)[![twitter](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-x-white.svg)](https://twitter.com/share?text=Learning%20Legal%20Ops%3A%20A%20Beginner%26%238217%3Bs%20Guide%20to%20the%20Best%20Legal%20Operations%20Training&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbrightflag.com%2Fresources%2Flegal-operations-training%2F) ![Brightflag's Michael Theise, Customer Success.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Michael-Theise-300x300-1.jpg) #### Michael Theise [![linkedin](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-linkedin-white.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-theise-a815a68b/) Customer Success Manager at Brightflag Michael Theise is a Customer Success Manager at Brightflag who joined the team after having worked in various legal operations roles at both Biogen and State Street. His unique perspective on the legal operations function allows him to provide novel insights into legal ops best practices and career development. Michael holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the Florida State University College of Business. ## Related Articles for You [![Brightflag's Director of Customer Insights, Sinead Kenny, smiling in a red shirt in front of a white and blue background, next to the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/The-12-Legal-Department-KPIs-In-House-Teams-Should-Track-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ The 12 Legal Department KPIs In-House Teams Should Track](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-department-kpis/) [![Brightflag Customer Success Manager Michael Theise, in a blue suit with a red tie, smiling in front of a white and teal background with the text ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/How-to-Build-a-Legal-Operations-Team-Structure-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ How to Build a Legal Operations Team Structure](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-operations-team-structure/) [![Geometric shapes interlocking in blue and teal with the Brightflag logo at the top and the text ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Report_Promotion_Thumbnail-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Download\\ \\ 2025 Legal Operations Compensation Report](https://brightflag.com/asset/legal-operations-compensation-2025/) #### Want new Brightflag blog posts delivered straight to your inbox? ##### Sign up for our monthly newsletter. By submitting this form, you agree to our [privacy policy](https://brightflag.com/policies/privacy-statement/). [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-operations-training/#mm-0) ## Legal Cost Control Solutions [Home](https://brightflag.com/)› [Cost Control](https://brightflag.com/solutions-legal-cost-control/) # Legal Cost Management Software Solutions [Book A Demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/) ![An animated billing compliance chart](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Billing-guideline-compliance-chart.svg) ## Trusted by legal leaders at: Budgets are being cut even as legal caseloads surge. Brightflag’s [AI-powered legal spend management solution](https://brightflag.com/legal-spend-management/) helps in-house teams overcome the unique challenges of legal spend and realize reductions in direct and indirect costs. ## Budgeting is the first step in legal cost control. Brightflag provides a single interface for requesting, approving, and tracking changes to budgets. Machine learning is used to predict how much spend is likely to be incurred, delivering the spend predictability that has eluded in-house teams for decades, and creating confidence in legal cost control initiatives. ![Screenshot showing a line graph indicating if a budget forecast is paid, approved, accrued, or unspent](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Budget-forecast.svg) ## Enforce billing guidelines consistently. Legal invoice review is the final step in controlling spend, but is rarely done well. So much of it is repetitive, especially checking narrative lines against [attorney billing guidelines](https://brightflag.com/resources/tips-for-creating-outside-counsel-guidelines/). With Brightflag, this work is done by AI, increasing invoice review accuracy and freeing the in-house team to focus on high-value activities. After implementing Brightflag, our clients reduced outside counsel spend by up to 20% and [administrative work by up to 80%](https://brightflag.com/resources/brightflag-case-study-ocado/). ![Adjusting an invoice using legal e-billing software](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Invoice-review-checklist.svg) ## Make discretionary adjustments quickly and easily. Brightflag’s AI creates a summary of which timekeepers did what work—just like an experienced lawyer would, but automatically and in seconds. Reviewers can drill down to adjust individual lines where required. This ensures that every invoice is reviewed with the same level of rigor, driving significant cost savings. ![legal invoice line item adjustments](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Invoice-line-adjustment.svg) ## Use historical data to forecast and reduce future costs. Compare similar historic matters to resource work strategically. Delve into the data to understand the hours worked, the resourcing profile, and the costs for individual tasks and activities, to identify and negotiate the most beneficial fee models. Historical data can also be used to inform vendor review. ![A screenshot showing different projects & the amount of fees, hours, and rates that will be allocated to each task](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Compare-matters.svg) ## Realize discounts through vendor consolidation. Brightflag highlights opportunities for vendor consolidation and makes it easy to implement and enforce volume discounts. Multiple discount tiers can be configured for each vendor, and Brightflag ensures that the correct discount is applied regardless of whether or not it was included on the invoice. ![Blended hourly rate graph for general counsel looking to do legal spend management.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Blended-hourly-rate-chart.svg) ## Take control of your legal spend. Experience Brightflag with your own data. [Book a Demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/) [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/solutions-legal-cost-control/#mm-0) ## $28M Funding Announcement [Resources](https://brightflag.com/resources/) › [AI & the Future of Legal Tech](https://brightflag.com/resources/#ai-legal-tech) # Brightflag Announces $28M Funding Round ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Ian-Nolan-150x150-1.jpg) Ian Nolan, CEO at Brightflag Updated October 24, 2023 In what has been a challenging year by any measure, we feel fortunate to be entering the final weeks of 2020 with such positive news to share. Backed by the support of new lead investor One Peak Partners, and in continued partnership with Sands Capital Ventures, Frontline Ventures, and Tribal Ventures, Brightflag is poised to take bold action in the months ahead. ## **The Right Time** It may take several years to process all the unexpected developments we’ve lived and worked through in 2020, but there are at least three trends we already know to be true within corporate legal departments: - **Workloads are only growing. New business risks, impending regulatory changes, and continued economic uncertainties are putting pressure on legal departments like never before. How the work is split among in-house staff and outside counsel may fluctuate, but the overall volume will continue on its upward trajectory.** - **Cost control is paramount.** The rush to reduce expenses across all business teams at the onset of the COVID-19 crisis shined a bright light on [legal spend management](https://brightflag.com/legal-spend-management/) practices. Even as cost-cutting measures begin to ease for some, companies will continue pushing for greater financial accountability, efficiency, and predictability from their legal departments. - **Tech is under investigation.** The exponential rise of remote work in 2020 provided many companies with a stark assessment of their digital transformation efforts. According to [recent research](https://www.gartner.com/en/legal-compliance/trends/legal-state-of-the-function) from Gartner, in-house legal leaders most frequently cited “technology solutions and adoption levels” as their top operational weakness revealed by COVID-19. In many ways, Brightflag is already built for the future that 2020 has made reality. Our easy-to-use software eliminates, automates, or accelerates countless administrative tasks standing between in-house legal professionals and the more strategic services their companies are counting on them to deliver. Our proprietary AI enables true cost control at every stage of legal work — from matter creation through invoice review. It creates entirely new data sets that legal departments can use to evaluate law firm performance, negotiate value-driven pricing agreements, and predict budget overruns well in advance. And to make sure customers are realizing those benefits within weeks of choosing Brightflag, our expert team stands ready with proven implementation plans, proactive training, and strategic recommendations. ## **The Road Ahead** Our new funding gives us the opportunity to aggressively expand the capabilities of the Brightflag platform and compound the value customers realize as a result. We’ll continue to lead the way on AI innovation, building it into every area of our platform — matter management, spend management, and vendor management — while continuing to improve our game-changing AI-assisted invoice review experience. We’ll facilitate more sophisticated strategic analysis, giving customers creative options to explore their own data while we gather relevant benchmarks to share. We’ll reduce friction wherever possible, developing more integrations with business-critical tools while preserving the easy user experience that legal, finance, and procurement professionals expect from Brightflag. **And to do all of that, we’ll need to welcome dozens of talented individuals onto our team.** [We’re hiring](https://brightflag.com/careers/) across every department over the next few quarters, so if you don’t see what you’re looking for among our current open roles, just [follow us here](https://www.linkedin.com/company/brightflag/) for future updates. ##### **Share:** [![linkedin](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-linkedin-white.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://brightflag.com/resources/28m-funding-round/&title=Brightflag%20Announces%20%2428M%20Funding%20Round)[![twitter](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-x-white.svg)](https://twitter.com/share?text=Brightflag%20Announces%20%2428M%20Funding%20Round&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbrightflag.com%2Fresources%2F28m-funding-round%2F) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Ian-Nolan-150x150-1.jpg) #### Ian Nolan CEO at Brightflag Ian Nolan is Co-Founder and CEO of Brightflag. He has spent his entire career building software for the legal industry. Ian received his Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) Degree from the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, and holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree from Dublin City University. ## Related Articles for You [![Brightflag's Director of Solutions Consulting, Adam Mousy, in a suit jacket and blue dress shirt, smiling in front of a white and blue background, with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/The-Ultimate-Guide-to-Legal-Prompt-Engineering-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ The Ultimate Guide to Legal Prompt Engineering](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-prompt-engineering/) [![Brightflag's Director of Solutions Consulting, Adam Moursey, in a suit jacket and dress shirt, smiling in front of a white and yellow background with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/The-Top-Legal-AI-Companies-to-Know-in-2025-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ The Top Legal AI Companies to Know in 2025](https://brightflag.com/resources/top-legal-ai-companies/) [![Headshots of Kevin Cohn (Brightflag Chief Customer Officer) and Matthew Steer (Deloitte Legal's Associate Director of Legal Management Consulting) in business attire, in front of a teal background, with the webinar title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Social_1200x675-8-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar\\ \\ Deloitte Legal AI Predictions: A Conversation with Brightflag](https://brightflag.com/events/deloitte-brightflag-ai/) #### Want new Brightflag blog posts delivered straight to your inbox? ##### Sign up for our monthly newsletter. By submitting this form, you agree to our [privacy policy](https://brightflag.com/policies/privacy-statement/). [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/resources/28m-funding-round/#mm-0) ## Next-Gen AI Features # Brightflag announces the next generation of AI for legal e-billing and matter management ##### New AI features enable in-house legal departments to leverage outside counsel more effectively, control costs more confidently, and increase strategic value **New York, New York, April 30, 2024**– Today Brightflag announced new AI features that represent a leap forward in legal e-billing and matter management software. The new features build on Brightflag’s decade of experience developing AI models trained specifically for the legal industry. The new Invoice Summaries feature provides invoice reviewers with all the information they need to take action directly from their inbox, including a Brightflag AI-generated summary of the work done by outside counsel. These summaries give every reviewer the insight and assurance they need to approve invoices directly from their email so they can get back to delivering legal advice to the business. “Summarization is a great use case for generative AI, but as anyone who’s used a general-use product knows, accuracy isn’t guaranteed,” said Michael Dineen, VP of Data Science at Brightflag. “Invoice Summaries builds on our deep experience working with legal data, ensuring highly accurate output that attorneys can rely on to get their jobs done faster and with greater confidence.” Of course, some invoices need more attention. That’s why Invoice Summaries are accompanied by a complete re-imagining of the Invoice Review Experience, making it easier than ever to conduct an in-depth review, assisted by Brightflag AI. Reviewers can explore problematic billing behavior, resourcing, and outside counsel tasks and activities quickly and easily, all powered by Brightflag AI. “Outside counsel makes up half of in-house budgets, and half of the legal department’s overall contribution to the business, so it’s critical that management of outside counsel be optimized using the latest technologies,” said Barry O’Melia, VP of Product at Brightflag. “Taken together, Invoice Summaries and the new Invoice Review Experience further cement Brightflag as the very best solution for managing legal spend.” Invoice Summaries and the new Invoice Review Experience are available in beta today. Finally, Ask Brightflag unlocks the full potential of data and workflows through a conversational user interface accessible to every person in the legal department. This powerful new way of working, enabled by Brightflag AI, opens new possibilities for managing matters, vendors, and spend, with the ease of use General Counsel, attorneys, and legal operations deserve and the security legal departments demand. “Ask Brightflag is the future of e-billing and matter management,” said Kevin Cohn, Brightflag’s Chief Customer Officer. “Imagine asking which law firms are resourcing your matters most efficiently and getting an answer, not a report. Or asking Brightflag to approve rate increase requests that meet certain criteria without having to click any buttons. That’s the power of Ask Brightflag.” Ask Brightflag is being previewed today, with customer availability later this year. With automatic monthly software updates, Brightflag customers are always equipped with the latest and most powerful technology and AI innovations. To learn more about the new AI features announced today, and to take advantage of Brightflag’s e-billing and matter management buyout program, [schedule a personalized demo](https://brightflag.com/demo). ### About Brightflag Brightflag’s e-billing and matter management platform provides complete visibility into legal spend and helps in-house teams control costs. The intuitive AI-powered platform makes teams more productive by eliminating time-consuming tasks related to invoicing, reporting, and matter management. The company serves a global community of legal professionals from offices in New York, Ireland, and Australia. [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/press/next-gen-ai/#mm-0) ## Tracking Legal Spend [Resources](https://brightflag.com/resources/) › [Budgeting & Planning](https://brightflag.com/resources/#budgeting-planning) # Tracking Legal Spend: The Questions All Good Budget Reports Answer ![Brightflag's Michael Theise, Customer Success.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Michael-Theise-300x300-1.jpg) Michael Theise, Customer Success Manager at Brightflag Updated December 24, 2023 Budgeting isn’t the first thing most people think about when they think of the legal function. But, if you’re a senior legal leader or a [legal operations](https://brightflag.com/resources/what-is-legal-operations/) professional, budgeting inevitably takes up a significant portion of your time and headspace. The good news is, budgeting doesn’t have to be a struggle. When you know the questions your finance team and CFO will ask about your legal budget, and you have the data on hand to answer them, [annual budgeting](https://brightflag.com/events/navigating-annual-financial-planning/) can be transformed from a stressful exercise to an arena where legal teams flex their business muscle. That’s because money is the language of business. And for legal to be seen as a creator and protector of business value, they need to be able to confidently control their budget using informed legal spend management strategies. In this blog, we cover the budget questions you can expect from your finance team, and the reports you can use to answer them. ## How Much Has Legal Spent This Year? This seemingly straightforward question is not so easy to answer if you don’t have [the data you need](https://brightflag.com/platform/reports/). If you don’t have a system of record for tracking legal spend, it can be very difficult to get a sense of what you have spent in a given financial period. Because in the absence of a dedicated legal e-billing system, your accounts payable (AP) team is the only team that keeps track of legal spend. That means that in order to get an up-to-date report on legal spend, you have to request this information from AP. But AP has its own set of priorities. So legal usually waits days, if not weeks, to get a response to their request for a spend report, by which time the report is out of date. And the cycle repeats. This can leave you in the very awkward position of being asked how much legal has spent during meetings with your CFO, finance team, and/or with leadership—and having to answer ‘I don’t know’. If you have an e-billing and legal matter management system in place, answering this question gets so much easier. In [Brightflag](https://brightflag.com/why-brightflag/), legal leadership can access a dashboard that immediately shows them total legal spend for this financial year. You can also slice and dice this data with different metrics to look at other time periods. Or you can zoom in on spend in particular departments, with certain vendors and law firms, or within specified types of legal work, such as litigation or intellectual property. ![Brightflag screenshot showing the software's overall legal spend breakdown.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Overall-spend-breakdown.jpg) ## How is Legal Spend Tracking to Budget? After finding out what you’ve spent so far this year, you’ll need to compare this to how much was budgeted to see if you’re going to meet or overshoot your budget projections. Good budget reports provide the metrics to immediately surface your budget for the given financial period and how much you’ve spent so far. They give you a sense of whether you’re on track to come in under budget for the year, or whether spend is pacing higher than you expected. Armed with these budget reports, legal teams can spot potential budget overruns early, allowing for strategic decision-making to mitigate the risk of overrun. ![Screenshot of the Brightflag platform screen that is tracking legal spend compared to the overall fiscal year budget.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Overall-Budget-screenshot.jpg) There are three levels at which you can track spend to budget, ranging from least to most sophisticated. ### Tracking Overall Spend to Budget If you’re new to budgeting, start by tracking spend to budget at the overall level. Every legal team has an overall budget, whether you’re aware of it or not. It’s determined by your finance team and is in the profit and loss (P&L) statement for your company. Find out the budgeted amount if you don’t know it already, and use your legal e-billing system or reports from AP to track spend against it. ### Tracking Spend to Budget by Vendor, Department, or Type of Legal Work If you’re already [tracking your budget](https://brightflag.com/platform/budgets/) at the overall level, you can get more sophisticated by tracking budgets at the department level, vendor/outside counsel law firm level, or by the type of legal work. It’s best to align with your finance team on the optimal way to set up these sub-budgets for your business. In the example below, the legal department has decided to track budgets for litigation and intellectual property spend. This way, they can make sure these two high-spending categories of work are under control, which gives them certainty that they will not exceed their overall budget for the year. ![Screenshot of the Brightflag platform screen showing legal spend tracking broken up into different sub-categories, including litigation and intellectual property.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Litigation-IP-Screenshot.jpg) ### Tracking Spend to Budget by Matter The best legal teams track budgets at the level of [individual matters](https://brightflag.com/platform/matters/). This can be thought of as a bottom-up approach to budgeting, and is compatible with the top-down approach of tracking budgets at the overall, department, entity, or category of work level. Setting budgets at the matter level instills a budgeting mindset in all in-house counsel team members and outside counsel law firms working on your legal matters. And by ensuring that all individual matters stay within budget, you gain certainty that you can stay within your overall budget for the year. It can be difficult to track matter spend to budget—particularly in real-time—without an e-billing system, as most accounts payable systems do not track spend at the matter level. However, if you do have an e-billing system, it should allow you to report on matter spend to budget. ![Screenshot of a Brightflag legal spend report showing the breakdown of matter spend compared to the legal budget.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Matters-Spend-vs-Budget-screenshot.jpg) ## How Much Budget Does the Legal Department Forecast They Will Need Next Year? Answering this question with confidence is the holy grail of legal budgeting. If you can forecast with confidence the amount of spend legal will need to support the business in the next financial period, the task of ensuring you stay within budget gets ten times easier. Many in-house professionals assume that this question is impossible to answer, given the unpredictable nature of legal spend. However, when you have the right reports in-hand, many types of legal spend are more predictable than they seem. They can typically be broken into three categories: ### 1\. Legal Spend You Can Predict with an Annual Plan This type is based on the needs and future plans of your business. For example, legal employment spend is a function of the number of employees the business plans to hire next year, and commercial spend is a function of the number of customers or the volume of revenue your sales team plans to add. You can use reports on historical data on legal spend and assumptions from the annual plans of other functions to forecast this spend. ### 2\. Other Legal Spend You Can Predict Some legal costs appear unpredictable because they aren’t part of annual planning. In these instances, you can use a combination of historical data and investigation to get a pretty good estimate of future expenditures. For example, you can’t predict when your next inbound litigation case will arise, but you can report on the number of lawsuits your company has experienced in the past and how much the associated legal services cost. Correlate that to your organization’s growth, and you can come up with a relatively reliable estimate. ### 3\. Legal Spend You Can’t Predict Some future events simply can’t be anticipated. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic could not reasonably be predicted, but had a significant impact on corporate legal department expenses for many businesses. It’s better to disregard these in your legal budgeting and reporting. Instead, use the data and reports available to you to plan for what you can reasonably anticipate. For more detail on the keys to legal spend management, you can read our Predicting Legal Spend ebook. ## Leading the Way with Optimized Legal Budget Reports Legal budgeting might seem like a challenge. But if you have reports that can help you answer questions on how much your legal department has spent, how spend is tracking in relation to the legal department budget, and how much budget legal will need next year, annual legal budgeting doesn’t have to be such a struggle. In fact, you’ll be showing that your legal department speaks the language of business, and can confidently control their finances through cost-effective legal spend management initiatives. Interested in learning how Brightflag can help your legal team level up their legal spend tracking and budget planning capabilities? [Book a demo today](https://brightflag.com/demo/). ##### **Share:** [![linkedin](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-linkedin-white.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://brightflag.com/resources/tracking-legal-spend/&title=Tracking%20Legal%20Spend%3A%20The%20Questions%20All%20Good%20Budget%20Reports%20Answer)[![twitter](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-x-white.svg)](https://twitter.com/share?text=Tracking%20Legal%20Spend%3A%20The%20Questions%20All%20Good%20Budget%20Reports%20Answer&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbrightflag.com%2Fresources%2Ftracking-legal-spend%2F) ![Brightflag's Michael Theise, Customer Success.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Michael-Theise-300x300-1.jpg) #### Michael Theise [![linkedin](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-linkedin-white.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-theise-a815a68b/) Customer Success Manager at Brightflag Michael Theise is a Customer Success Manager at Brightflag who joined the team after having worked in various legal operations roles at both Biogen and State Street. His unique perspective on the legal operations function allows him to provide novel insights into legal ops best practices and career development. Michael holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the Florida State University College of Business. ## Related Articles for You [![Sinead Kenny, Brightflag's Director of Customer Insights, smiling in front of a white and red background, in a red dress shirt, with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/How-to-Use-Legal-Analytics-Tools-to-Improve-In-House-Strategy-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ How to Use Legal Analytics Tools to Improve In-House Strategy](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-analytics-tools/) [![White and blue background with Brightflag's logo and the webinar title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Social_1200x675_B-1-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar\\ \\ How In-House Leaders Approach Annual Financial Planning](https://brightflag.com/events/how-in-house-leaders-approach-annual-financial-planning/) [![Director of Customer Insights at Brightflag, Sinead Kenny, smiling in a red dress shirt in front of a white and yellow background, with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/How-to-Secure-Budget-for-New-Legal-Tech-Tools-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ How to Secure Budget for New Legal Tech Tools](https://brightflag.com/resources/secure-budget-for-new-legal-technology/) #### Want new Brightflag blog posts delivered straight to your inbox? ##### Sign up for our monthly newsletter. By submitting this form, you agree to our [privacy policy](https://brightflag.com/policies/privacy-statement/). [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/resources/tracking-legal-spend/#mm-0) ## Reduce Legal Spend Strategies [Resources](https://brightflag.com/resources/) › [Cost Control](https://brightflag.com/resources/#cost-control) # 6 Strategies to Reduce Legal Spend ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Adam-Moursy-150x150-1.jpg) Adam Moursy, Director, Solutions Consulting at Brightflag Updated December 27, 2024 Increasingly, in-house teams get tasked with reducing legal spend. But it’s usually unrealistic to reduce legal spend in absolute terms when your business keeps growing. Instead, focus on cost control — keeping costs in check or reducing the relative cost of legal service delivery — as your business grows. It’s up to legal to educate finance and business leadership about what is realistic and how your legal budget supports their goals. Your legal department can control costs and reduce legal spending in several ways, proving to your organization you take your financial responsibilities seriously. Here are six opportunities for reducing legal spend, including their benefits and what to keep in mind when implementing them. ## 1\. Create a System of Record “Frankensteined systems that don’t talk to each other make it hard to understand spend,” [said Chad Meyers](https://brightflag.com/events/how-smbc-controls-outside-counsel-spend/), VP and Head of Outside Counsel Management at SMBC. A single system of record to manage your legal spend helps you quickly, easily, and more accurately know what you are spending and with whom. Knowing what you’re spending is the first step towards reducing legal costs. Streamline all the information about your legal spend into one [e-billing and matter management system](https://brightflag.com/platform/). Doing so means you can easily access all the details about your matters and spend, from intake to invoice — no spreadsheets required. ### Key Benefits and Potential Cost Savings A system of record gives you a holistic view of your total spend so you can dig into what’s driving expenses. The system provides real-time reporting on legal spend, enabling legal ops and legal leadership to understand and mitigate spending trends. For example, if you notice a rapid increase in spend for employment work, it may be time to hire an employment lawyer in-house to reduce the cost of delivering these legal services. A system of record also helps with strategic planning and data-driven decision-making. Access to real-time spend data means legal leadership can better track spend against budget and ensure spend does not exceed budget each financial period. When you have consistent metrics from a single source of truth, you can report to your stakeholders the value of the legal department, including trends in the types of legal matters you manage. These reports and dashboards can also help you build a case for additional internal headcount and resources to help you reduce external spend. ### Implementation Challenges and How to Overcome Them Without an e-billing solution, your legal team will have a harder time getting the spend insights they need to develop a reliable budget and understand trends or risks. However, you can leverage this fact to create a line item in the budget to purchase an e-billing tool in the upcoming year. When implementing a new e-billing system, change management can be daunting for staff and vendors who are used to current processes. Like any major initiative, focus on the benefits, including time saved. Provide training so those affected can see how a single system can simplify their work. ### How This Works in Practice Chris Young, General Counsel at [Ironclad](https://brightflag.com/resources/brightflag-case-study-ironclad/), understood he needed to optimize his team’s financial analytics to build trust with the business. “We want to maintain, if not exceed, the same standards as any other department when it comes to generating and sharing valuable data insights,” Young explained. “Because ultimately that’s the way to move beyond the stubborn perceptions around in-house legal and build a reputation as a genuine business enabler.” [![Illustration of workers coordinating on a project, in front of a yellow background, with the text ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/BRI6871_BlogCTAThumbs_BookaDemo.jpg)](https://brightflag.com/demo/) ## 2\. Enforce Your Outside Counsel Guidelines Your [outside counsel guidelines](https://brightflag.com/resources/tips-for-creating-outside-counsel-guidelines/) define what provides value for your organization and what you won’t pay for. Applying your outside counsel guidelines to every invoice keeps you from paying for work that you do not consider valuable to your organization. Use your e-billing system to ensure your guidelines are applied consistently and completely to each invoice, flagging potential violations. ### Key Benefits and Potential Cost Savings AI-enabled legal e-billing software can automatically flag and even reject invoice line items that violate specific guidelines, helping to reduce costs by ensuring you don’t pay for work that the firm’s overhead should already cover. ### Implementation Challenges and How to Overcome Them It’s difficult for every attorney to be well-versed enough in your guidelines to do a complete and consistent review. A manual review process is time-consuming and violations could slip through. An automatic review process through your e-billing software saves time by flagging any issues for review and makes sure you aren’t paying for line items not aligned with your guidelines. ### How This Works in Practice Before the [Ocado Group](https://brightflag.com/resources/brightflag-case-study-ocado/) implemented e-billing software with automatic review, the legal department’s invoice review process was manual and time-consuming. They knew it was error-prone, costing more than it should in legal spend and staff time. Within the first year of implementing their e-billing software, they could consistently apply billing guidelines, confirm negotiated discounts, and flag violations. Ocado saved 5% against a target of 3.3%. [![Image of Brightflag's Sample Outside Counsel Guidelines document cover page, next to the text ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/BRI6871_BlogCTAThumbs_SampleOutsideCounselGuide.jpg)](https://brightflag.com/asset/sample-outside-counsel-guidelines/) ## 3\. Develop a Budget Culture When your legal team creates and tracks against budgets for their departments and individual matters, they are more likely to recognize when they need to reduce spend. It’s not just an end-of-year conversation, but an ongoing process of proactive management. Create a budget for each practice area of your legal team, such as IP or corporate, and have owners for each sub-budget. Require a budget for matters that engage outside counsel. Ensure everyone knows and understands their respective budgets and the budget to actuals as matters progress. ### Key Benefits and Potential Cost Savings A budget brings predictability to managing the legal needs of the business. The budget enables your legal team to track and measure where spend is higher than expected and proactively manage these trends. Your team members and outside counsel will become more accurate with their budget estimates over time as they get used to costing matters upfront. ### Implementation Challenges and How to Overcome Them Budgeting individual matters can be overwhelming if your department doesn’t have a budgeting culture. It’s not always easy to know where to start. Working with your finance team can create a structure to make the task more digestible. In a webinar, [Mark Allen](https://brightflag.com/events/controlling-legal-costs-in-2024/), Director of Legal Operations and Strategy at Zillow, suggested you work with finance to understand the threshold they care about. For example, they may care the most about predicting spend on matters over $50k. So, if you think your matter will be more than $50k, you need to have a budget or forecast for it. Because you will be creating legal budgets for each of those higher dollar matters, there is a good chance you will manage as much as 80% of your budget with just 20% of your matters. ### How This Works in Practice Creating a budget culture should extend to your outside counsel as well. Tim Casey, the General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer for mobility and lifestyle enhancement products company [Numotion](https://brightflag.com/events/best-practices-for-legal-budgeting/), has a rule regarding budgeting with outside counsel: No surprises. In addition to building strong relationships with a few firms, he includes them in his budgeting process. “I use my outside counsel to help me budget that spend for the year. It’s my data and it’s their data,” he said “If we start getting outside of that, I want to know.” ## 4\. Benchmark Your Vendors Using your e-billing software’s reporting features, you can build an objective perspective of how your outside counsel is performing and assess value more holistically with data. Your data, coupled with industry norms and benchmarks, can help you maximize value from outside counsel and potentially consolidate the number of firms you work with. Prompt your internal matter leads to complete a standardized survey when closing a matter. Ask your leads to report on the quality of work, budget management, communication, and whether the lead would recommend using them again. You can combine this qualitative data with quantitative data on their blended rate, cost per matter, billing hygiene, and outside counsel guideline compliance to compare your vendors. ### Key Benefits and Potential Cost Savings Benchmarking your vendors across several attributes will help you understand which vendors are performing the best — and not just on cost or highest discounts, but on other important metrics like timeliness of response and billing hygiene. You can send more work for those top vendors and negotiate better discounts. You can also share this information with your vendors, highlighting where they aren’t performing as well as other firms so you can talk about how they can improve. ### Implementation Challenges and How to Overcome Them The survey is another step in closing a matter, so make sure it is straightforward enough that your internal matter leads will use it consistently. Some e-billing tools, like Brightflag, have a built-in survey to make this as easy as possible. For long-term matters, do quarterly check-ins to avoid recency bias. Share the benchmark reports with your in-house team regularly so they can incorporate the data as they select which outside counsel to use. Also, share relevant information with your outside counsel, who are typically hungry for this type of information. ### How This Works In Practice On a webinar, [Bill Novomisle, SVP of Legal Operations at Cresco Labs](https://brightflag.com/events/outside-counsel-benchmarking/), shared that he benchmarked his essential, non-value-adding tasks his outside counsel will bill for, such as internal communications. He found that his best-performing firms handling larger matters would spend between 10-12.5% of their overall budget on these essential non-value-add tasks. That became his benchmark, and he would point it out to firms over 12.5%. Typically, within two quarters, he would find that firms above the benchmarks were within the preferred range on those non-value-add tasks. [iframe](cid:frame-0739393901CAC515B61674C2E01F30E1@mhtml.blink) _Zillow's Mark Allen explains how to approach vendor benchmarking to enable better cost savings_ ## 5\. Hire In-House vs. Outside Counsel (Where Feasible) Outside counsel is the most expensive way to manage a matter, so it’s important to consider whether other options, such as internal counsel or ALSPs, could be better for specific types of work. Trusted outside counsel is often the best bet for high-risk, low-volume matters. But there are often more cost-effective options for other types of work, such as hiring in-house counsel when you have a steady stream of a particular type of work. Alternatively, consider flex resources and [alternative legal service providers](https://brightflag.com/resources/beyond-traditional-law-firms-an-introduction-to-alternative-legal-service-providers/) (ALSPs) for spikes of medium-to-low-risk, high-volume work. ### Key Benefits and Potential Cost Savings Not all work is well-suited for in-house teams or ALSPs, such as one-off matters requiring deep specialization in a particular area. But far more work can be sent to lower-cost resources than an in-house team typically sends. Track the risk and complexity of matters to see which ones top firms unnecessarily send. ### Implementation Challenges and How to Overcome Them Before insourcing a matter, you must ensure you aren’t overburdening your team. Have your team track their time over a month or a quarter — that will help you discover where there might be room to add or where there might be opportunities to delegate to another team member so an attorney can take on additional work. ### How This Works In Practice [Cresco Labs’](https://brightflag.com/events/outside-counsel-benchmarking/) legal department uses its e-billing software to track why it engages a firm, such as on general advisory for a subject area. This tracking helps the department understand when it needs to increase headcount. Suppose Bill, the SVP of Legal Operations, spends $200k annually for general labor advice, for example. In that case, he can hire someone in-house and eliminate or radically reduce that outside counsel spend. This assumes the advice concerns a repeatable need, and a large matter that won’t repeat doesn’t skew the data. ## 6\. Workflow Automation Automating your workflows streamlines your processes, making them faster, more efficient, and more accurate. Identify the repetitive tasks that can slow down your processes, such as manual matter intake and invoice review. Use your e-billing and matter management software to automate these tasks, saving time and improving the consistency of the information. ### Key Benefits and Potential Cost Savings Saving time is as important as cost reduction. For example, you can set up automatic NDA reviews and train other staff to manage that workflow. This [legal workflow automation](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-workflow-automation/) can save legal departments hundreds of hours. ### Implementation Challenges and How to Overcome Them: Streamlined processes that save time are typically an easy sell to your legal team. Provide clear training on how the automated workflows work and how to spot-check to make sure they are functioning properly. ### How This Works in Practice Before SMBC implemented a legal spend management solution, its matter-opening workflow involved too many moving parts and too many handoffs. Information was scattered among shared drives, creating a game of email ping-pong to get missing details. It took up to several days to open a matter. By implementing a system with matter templates that helped automate intake, the SMBC legal department [saved 300 hours](https://brightflag.com/events/how-smbc-controls-outside-counsel-spend/) on matter openings alone in the first nine months. ## Boost Your Efficiency with AI-Powered Invoice Review and Spend Analytics Your legal technology continues to improve and provide new functionality to help you reduce legal spend. AI-enabled tools supercharge your legal tech, saving time and accelerating your spend reduction efforts across your legal department. With invoice review powered by AI, you turn an arduous and manual process into one that consistently applies your outside counsel guidelines and saves time for your attorneys. Legal spend analytics tools help you better balance internal and external resources. Brightflag has provided clients with AI-powered tools that deliver results for over a decade. If you are ready to save time and reduce legal spend, [book a demo today](https://brightflag.com/demo/) to see Brightflag’s e-billing software in action. ##### **Share:** [![linkedin](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-linkedin-white.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://brightflag.com/resources/reduce-legal-spend/&title=6%20Strategies%20to%20Reduce%20Legal%20Spend)[![twitter](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-x-white.svg)](https://twitter.com/share?text=6%20Strategies%20to%20Reduce%20Legal%20Spend&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbrightflag.com%2Fresources%2Freduce-legal-spend%2F) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Adam-Moursy-150x150-1.jpg) #### Adam Moursy Director, Solutions Consulting at Brightflag Adam Moursy is a Solutions Consultant at Brightflag. He holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from the University of Limerick, with a minor in Economics and Politics. Adam previously worked as a Consultant with KPMG Ireland on business and risk management, and has developed expertise in the field of legal technology—particularly e-billing, matter management, and legal AI—after working for nearly a decade in the space. ## Related Articles for You [![Brightflag's VP of Sales, Jake Mendelson, smiling in a dress shirt in front of a red and white background, with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/6-Elements-Every-Legal-Technology-Business-Case-Needs-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ 6 Elements Every Legal Technology Business Case Needs](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-technology-business-case-elements/) [![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/What-is-Legal-Expense-Tracking-1-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ What is Legal Expense Tracking?](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-expense-tracking/) [![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Social_1200x627-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar\\ \\ How SMBC Controls Outside Counsel Spend](https://brightflag.com/events/how-smbc-controls-outside-counsel-spend/) #### Want new Brightflag blog posts delivered straight to your inbox? ##### Sign up for our monthly newsletter. By submitting this form, you agree to our [privacy policy](https://brightflag.com/policies/privacy-statement/). [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/resources/reduce-legal-spend/#mm-0) ## CLOC 2024 Conference [Resources](https://brightflag.com/resources/) › [Legal Ops & Career Development](https://brightflag.com/resources/#legal-ops-career-development) # What to Expect at CLOC 2024 ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Adam-Moursy-150x150-1.jpg) Adam Moursy, Director, Solutions Consulting at Brightflag April 10, 2024 At CLOC Global Institute 2024, you’ll find yourself at the heart of the legal operations industry. This isn’t just any conference; it’s the biggest gathering for folks working to make in-house legal teams smarter, faster, and more connected. Whether you’re hunting for fresh ideas, eager to meet others in the field, or just looking to stay ahead of the curve, this year’s CLOC conference is where you need to be. It’s all about learning from each other, grabbing new tools for your toolkit, and reshaping how your team tackles its biggest challenges. ## What Is CLOC? The Corporate Legal Operations Consortium (CLOC) started as a spark of innovation among tech professionals in the Bay Area during the early 2010s. These trailblazers saw an opportunity to revolutionize corporate legal departments by integrating technology and business innovation into their practices. Their mission was clear: transform how legal teams work, ensuring they can meet their business’s legal needs more efficiently and strategically. Fast-forward to today, and their vision is a global phenomenon. CLOC now stands as a testament to the power of community and innovation. The organization has helped propel the growth of the legal operations function on a global scale. It’s not just a group anymore; it’s a movement redefining the role of in-house legal departments. While CLOC Global Institute, held annually in Las Vegas, Nevada, is the organization’s largest conference, it’s far from the only one. As an international movement, CLOC also has an annual [CLOC EMEA Summit](https://cloc.org/event-calendar/cloc-emea-summit/) for members in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. There’s also a [CLOC APAC Summit](https://cloc.org/cloc-returns-to-the-asia-pacific-region-with-the-2024-apac-summit-in-sydney-reconnecting-the-regional-ecosystem/) for members in the Asia-Pacific region. While this article covers what to expect at the CLOC Global Institute, the information you learn, and the benefits you gain, are going to be similar at all three of these events and equally worthwhile. ## What You’ll Learn At CLOC Global Institute 2024 At CLOC Global Institute 2024, you’re stepping into a community unlike any other. Becoming a legal ops professional doesn’t include textbooks or classroom time. Instead, the industry has been forged from trial, experimentation, real-world learning, and shared wisdom. The emphasis at CLOC Global Institute 2024 is on collaboration and open dialogue. You’ll have the chance to directly ask your peers about the processes, tools, and strategies that have transformed their work. This is an opportunity to uncover firsthand accounts of successes and hurdles that will give you a well-rounded perspective on overcoming challenges. But CLOC Global Institute 2024 isn’t just about swapping stories; it’s a prime spot for diving into the latest legal tech. Here, you can get honest feedback on vendors, discover the most coveted new technologies, and learn which services are backed by the best customer support. This is a chance for you and your peers to peek into the future of legal ops together. Take the time to discuss emerging innovations and brainstorm ways to drive positive transformation within your legal departments. ## The Benefits of Attending CLOC 2024 ### Networking Joining your [regional CLOC group](https://cloc.org/regional-groups-cloc/) before you ever set foot in Las Vegas will set you up for success. These groups often host meetups during CLOC, so you already know a few friendly faces amid the sea of attendees. Plus, engaging in a regional meetup before CLOC primes you for the networking bonanza. Even if everyone starts as a stranger when you arrive, that feeling won’t last long. The legal operations community is open and friendly, and CLOC Global Institute encourages this atmosphere. Every coffee break, every queue, and every booth is an opportunity to connect with your peers. Then there’s the braindate program, a unique feature of CLOC that pairs you with peers for focused discussions. These sessions are gold mines for shared knowledge and fresh perspectives, whether one-on-one or in small groups. And don’t forget the networking breakfasts and lunches. More than just meals, they’re structured for mingling, designed to break the ice and foster connections. You’ll gather insights and experiences from across the legal ops spectrum by sharing a table with new faces daily. By immersing yourself in CLOC’s networking opportunities, you leave with more than just new knowledge—you build a community that supports and enriches your legal ops journey. So, ready your business cards, open your agenda, and step into CLOC 2024 prepared to connect, learn, and grow. ### Learn the Latest Legal Tech At CLOC Global Institute 2024, you’ll find yourself in the heart of legal tech’s biggest showcase. The vendor exhibit hall at CLOC is the largest of any legal ops conference. It presents a prime opportunity to see the latest innovations in legal technology firsthand. To make the most of the vendor exhibit hall, start with a plan. Consider the legal technologies your department needs within the next year or two. What are your priorities? Where could new tools make the biggest difference? Websites like G2 or the CLOC message boards can offer recommendations and reviews on everything from e-billing, matter management, and legal project management tools to contract lifecycle management (CLM) tools to help you identify top vendors in each category. For those new to legal tech, beginning with a [legal spend management system](https://brightflag.com/resources/7-reasons-to-make-legal-spend-management-your-top-priority/) can provide a solid foundation for your tech stack. It’s a critical tool for controlling costs and gaining visibility into your legal operations. And if you’re in the market—whether you’re starting fresh or considering a switch from an older system—Brightflag is here to help. We invite you to [reach out and schedule a chat with us during the event](https://brightflag.com/cloc-demo/). But don’t let your shopping list limit you. The vendor hall at CLOC is also a fantastic place to discover new technologies you might not have considered before. Who knows? You might stumble upon a solution that addresses a need you didn’t even know you had. Plus, let’s be honest—checking out who has the coolest swag is half the fun. Embracing the latest tech positions your legal department at the forefront of innovation. CLOC Global Institute 2024 offers the perfect setting to explore, evaluate, and envision the future of legal tech for your team. ### Learning From The Sessions At each session, you can expect discussions on how to improve your strategic planning, effectively manage your vendors, and integrate cutting-edge technologies for better collaboration within the in-house team and with the wider business. CLOC offers a variety of content tracks and multiple sessions for each time slot, so make sure to [take a look at the agenda](https://events.cloc.org/event/b38d7a48-9af8-4c61-809f-3eb28f208ab3/websitePage:6c7da269-f1c3-4d03-99d1-c1cea34f2f6b) in advance and pick out your must-see sessions. Depending on your interests, you can learn to select the most effective generative AI tools and fine-tune outside counsel approaches. Or, sit on case studies showing how your peers have implemented successful environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives and advanced diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) strategies. No matter which content track you follow, you’ll discover best practices, hear perspectives from legal ops leaders, and gain essential skills for the contemporary legal ops professional. Through sessions on leveraging data for decision-making, optimizing workflows, excelling in project and change management, financial management, and AI automation, attendees learn to enhance productivity and innovate within their legal teams. ## What You Learn in Vegas Shouldn’t Stay in Vegas Attending CLOC Global Institute 2024 is bound to leave you buzzing with inspiration and a suitcase full of actionable insights (and swag) for your legal department. The real challenge? Making sure that post-conference glow translates into tangible improvements for your team. To bridge the gap between inspiration and action, take a moment before the conference whirlwind dies to jot down your key takeaways. Pick one or two standout ideas you’re committed to exploring or implementing in the first 90 days post-conference. This focused approach ensures you harness the energy and insights from CLOC to look forward and create real, positive change within your legal operations. And remember, Brightflag will be there too. Don’t miss the opportunity to drop by booth #123 for a chat with us, or [schedule some 1:1 time for a more in-depth chat](https://brightflag.com/cloc-demo/). Whether you’re curious about the latest in legal spend management or just want to share your experiences and learnings, we’d love to meet you. Our team is excited to connect, exchange ideas, and explore how Brightflag can support your amazing work. See you at CLOC Global Institute 2024! ##### **Share:** [![linkedin](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-linkedin-white.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://brightflag.com/resources/cloc-global-institute/&title=What%20to%20Expect%20at%20CLOC%202024)[![twitter](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-x-white.svg)](https://twitter.com/share?text=What%20to%20Expect%20at%20CLOC%202024&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbrightflag.com%2Fresources%2Fcloc-global-institute%2F) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Adam-Moursy-150x150-1.jpg) #### Adam Moursy Director, Solutions Consulting at Brightflag Adam Moursy is a Solutions Consultant at Brightflag. He holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from the University of Limerick, with a minor in Economics and Politics. Adam previously worked as a Consultant with KPMG Ireland on business and risk management, and has developed expertise in the field of legal technology—particularly e-billing, matter management, and legal AI—after working for nearly a decade in the space. ## Related Articles for You [![Brightflag's Director of Customer Insights, Sinead Kenny, smiling in a red shirt in front of a white and blue background, next to the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/The-12-Legal-Department-KPIs-In-House-Teams-Should-Track-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ The 12 Legal Department KPIs In-House Teams Should Track](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-department-kpis/) [![Brightflag Customer Success Manager Michael Theise, in a gray business shirt, smiling in front of a white and yellow background, with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Legal-Ops-Training-1-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ Learning Legal Ops: A Beginner’s Guide to the Best Legal Operations Training](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-operations-training/) [![Brightflag Customer Success Manager Michael Theise, in a blue suit with a red tie, smiling in front of a white and teal background with the text ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/How-to-Build-a-Legal-Operations-Team-Structure-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ How to Build a Legal Operations Team Structure](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-operations-team-structure/) #### Want new Brightflag blog posts delivered straight to your inbox? ##### Sign up for our monthly newsletter. By submitting this form, you agree to our [privacy policy](https://brightflag.com/policies/privacy-statement/). [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/resources/cloc-global-institute/#mm-0) ## Managing Legal Spend [Resources](https://brightflag.com/resources/) › [Cost Control](https://brightflag.com/resources/#cost-control) # Are You Managing Legal Spend or Merely Paying Bills? ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Greg-Cavanaugh-150x150-1.jpg) Greg Cavanaugh, Director of Customer Success at Brightflag Updated December 27, 2024 Ensuring that your bills are promptly paid is generally considered a good foundational habit for staying on top of your legal spend. And, unsurprisingly, it will make your vendors quite happy too. But there is a big difference between merely closing out invoices and actively managing legal spend. Let’s dive into a few key questions that you should be asking yourself to help determine how squared away your cost control practices are, and where you might want to improve in order to ensure true legal spend management. ## Do You Have Documented Legal Billing Guidelines? Every legal department has a unique perspective on what acceptable [outside counsel billing practices](https://brightflag.com/legal-e-billing/) look like. Only a limited portion, however, convert their personal opinions into explicit guidelines that can be objectively enforced. Expert legal spend managers will provide their law firms with written confirmation of: - Which tasks and activities are valid billable services - Which services require additional authorization - Which timekeeper(s) should perform certain services - How invoices should be prepared and submitted The less clarity you create surrounding these topics, the more likely you are to find yourself merely paying bills. Because as you leave your [legal billing guidelines](https://brightflag.com/asset/sample-outside-counsel-guidelines/) open to a wider range of possible interpretations, it becomes harder to identify, challenge, and resolve every invalid expense. [![Image of Brightflag's Sample Outside Counsel Guidelines document cover page, next to the text ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/BRI6871_BlogCTAThumbs_SampleOutsideCounselGuide.jpg)](https://brightflag.com/asset/sample-outside-counsel-guidelines/) ## Do You Have Defined Budgets? Every management strategy needs an objective, a plan, and a method for measuring progress. The primary objective of [legal spend management](https://brightflag.com/legal-spend-management/) is to prevent costs from exceeding predetermined thresholds, otherwise known as budgets. Any in-house legal team operating without these financial targets is merely paying bills. Whether or not their organization is satisfied with the sum of those bills is a separate matter. For example, executives may be delighted to learn at year’s end that expenses decreased 10% annually. But the absence of any specific objective at the start would still make legal spend management a misnomer. It’s also important to separate budget planning from budget compliance. Corporate legal services are a notoriously unpredictable cost category and overspending initial estimates sometimes becomes a strategic imperative. But the occasional overrun doesn’t diminish the value of financial forecasting as a practice. Managing legal spend means you’ve analyzed the data and initiated the conversations required to set the most credible target possible. (And this simple act of naming a number remains one of the most powerful accountability measures available.) ## Do You Proactively Discuss Resourcing Plans? [Engaging outside counsel always involves a certain degree of deference](https://brightflag.com/resources/outside-counsel-services-prestigious-or-problematic/). You’re acknowledging their superior subject matter expertise and implicitly trusting their legal opinions. But that humility shouldn’t necessarily extend to the topic of service delivery. Letting your law firms unilaterally decide who works on what tasks, at what rate, and for how long can only be defined as merely paying bills. The first step toward adopting a more managerial stance is easy though: Make it a conversation. Request a preliminary resourcing plan from outside counsel and speak up if something doesn’t sound quite right. - “What are the main issues you need to research first?” - “Why is the discovery phase expected to last that long?” - “Is this something an associate can handle on their own?” These kinds of questions won’t reveal cost-saving opportunities every time, but they will at least add a valuable layer of accountability as you work to refine your own perspective of what legal services should cost. Because that’s the long-term goal of legal spend management — to be the one leading the conversation and setting the expectation. And as we’ll discuss later, it’s where developing your own pool of benchmark data becomes a dramatic strategic advantage. [iframe](cid:frame-BA2AECB30A73F32599871783BD360B4C@mhtml.blink) _Zillow's Mark Allen explains how vendor benchmarking can drive huge cost savings._ ## Can You Accurately Predict Impending Costs? If suspense is a feeling you closely associate with opening legal invoices, then it’s safe to say you’re merely paying bills. Because one telltale sign of true legal spend management is the confidence that you know what’s coming. Consistently [setting budgets](https://brightflag.com/platform/budgets/) and proactively discussing resourcing plans will go a long way toward fostering that predictability. An even more concrete factor to consider, however, is your accruals reporting process. Requesting formal updates on work that’s already planned or in-progress creates one more opportunity to preview — and potentially reshape — your financial future before it becomes reality. The main challenge of managing legal accruals, though, is trust. If you can’t depend on the numbers to arrive in an accurate format and timely fashion, then there’s little value in the exercise. That’s why more in-house legal teams are favoring [e-billing software](https://brightflag.com/legal-e-billing/) that standardizes reports and automates steps in a way that simplifies the accruals process for both sides. ## Can You Promptly Identify Overspending? Anyone working in corporate law will inevitably encounter a scenario where expenses exceed expectations. But, as previously mentioned, higher-than-estimated spending is not categorically bad. The more relevant concern is if and when you can identify these discrepancies. If there are no quantitative criteria to compare spending against, then merely paying bills becomes your policy by default. Assuming you have set a budget, however, the next step is tying it into your spend tracking system. Standard e-billing software can help address overspending by automatically identifying budget breaches and sending immediate alerts to your team. But this is still a fundamentally reactive approach. The ideal legal spend management solution takes action earlier. Instead of incurring and resolving overages, in-house legal teams can now leverage [A.I.-powered forecasting tools](https://brightflag.com/resources/product-update-budgeting-forecasting/) to predict such incidents before they ever occur. ## Do You Review Every Invoice Line Item? Invoices ultimately tell the story of your legal spend. The trouble is, that story might be strewn across thousands of pages co-authored by hundreds of collaborators who submit their contributions in multiple formats. [Legal invoice review](https://brightflag.com/platform/invoicing/) is by no means a passive reading process either. [You’ll need to verify](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-invoice-review-how-to-do-it-effectively/) that the billing guidelines, budgets, and resourcing plans you previously discussed with outside counsel are actually being honored in their financial statements. Given all those complexities, and all the other priorities competing for your team’s attention, the impulse to skim or skip pages is understandable. But anything less than an exhaustive review of your financial records would fall short of managing legal spend. So how do you overcome all these obstacles and move beyond merely paying bills? Simple. Employ software so smart that you can trust it to do the reading for you. [A.I.-assisted invoice review](https://brightflag.com/resources/ai-invoice-review-how-it-works/) now gives legal departments a way to maintain complete financial awareness without sacrificing team productivity or analytical accuracy in the process. [iframe](cid:frame-58A433753266AD072DD9892148A1698C@mhtml.blink) _See how Brightflag's A.I.-backed e-billing platform automates the time-consuming invoice review process._ ## Does Data Determine Your Strategy? Which law firms have the best record of complying with your billing guidelines? What is an appropriate budget for a matter of this type? How should work be divided among law firm employees? You need quantitative evidence to answer these kinds of questions with confidence. Otherwise, you’ll be relying on gut instincts and personal anecdotes. And if you’ve made it this far into the article, you know that neither of those two is an ingredient for expert legal spend management. The good news is you already have all the data you need. The bad news is much of it is locked in an unusable format: Line item narratives. And that’s a problem only software can solve. The most powerful advantage of [A.I.-assisted invoice review](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-invoice-review-how-to-do-it-effectively/) is the ability to transform legal service descriptions into structured data. That means, in addition to rates and subtotals, the tasks and activities within legal invoices can now be quantified and analyzed as well. This technical innovation has dramatically increased the sophistication of [legal spend reporting](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-spend-reporting/). Departments can now draw on a wealth of data that enables them to benchmark law firm performance, [negotiate fee models](https://brightflag.com/resources/alternative-fee-arrangements-examples/), and set exacting budgets. ## One Final Question Hopefully the preceding seven questions have helped illuminate your answer to the article’s headline. Each “yes” would offer progressively stronger evidence that you’re expertly managing legal spend. But if you’re not yet meeting that standard, there’s one more thought to consider: Are your current tools and processes actually designed for anything more than merely paying bills? If not, [book a demo with Brightflag](https://brightflag.com/demo/), and see how our intuitive, AI-powered platform can transform what your in-house team is capable of. ##### **Share:** [![linkedin](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-linkedin-white.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://brightflag.com/resources/managing-legal-spend/&title=Are%20You%20Managing%20Legal%20Spend%20or%20Merely%20Paying%20Bills%3F)[![twitter](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-x-white.svg)](https://twitter.com/share?text=Are%20You%20Managing%20Legal%20Spend%20or%20Merely%20Paying%20Bills%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbrightflag.com%2Fresources%2Fmanaging-legal-spend%2F) ## Related Articles for You [![Brightflag's VP of Sales, Jake Mendelson, smiling in a dress shirt in front of a red and white background, with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/6-Elements-Every-Legal-Technology-Business-Case-Needs-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ 6 Elements Every Legal Technology Business Case Needs](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-technology-business-case-elements/) [![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/What-is-Legal-Expense-Tracking-1-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ What is Legal Expense Tracking?](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-expense-tracking/) [![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Social_1200x627-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar\\ \\ How SMBC Controls Outside Counsel Spend](https://brightflag.com/events/how-smbc-controls-outside-counsel-spend/) #### Want new Brightflag blog posts delivered straight to your inbox? ##### Sign up for our monthly newsletter. By submitting this form, you agree to our [privacy policy](https://brightflag.com/policies/privacy-statement/). [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/resources/managing-legal-spend/#mm-0) ## Brightflag Platform Tour [‹ All On-Demand Webinars](https://brightflag.com/resources/#on-demand-webinar) # Brightflag Platform Tour ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Adam-Moursy-150x150-1.jpg) Adam Moursy, Director, Solutions Consulting at Brightflag ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Sinead-Kenny-150x150-1.jpg) Sinead Kenny, Director, Customer Insights at Brightflag ![Webinar: Brightflag Platform Tour](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Social_1200x675.jpg) Ready to transform how you manage legal spend in 2024? Watch this on-demand platform tour to see how Brightflag helps Clorox, Shopify, Volvo, and other leading companies automate billing, gain visibility over spend, and effectively control legal costs. Our Director of Customer Insights, Sinead Kenny, also explains how in-house teams use Brightflag data to drive savings on law firm rates. ![Video Thumbnail](https://embed-ssl.wistia.com/deliveries/92f5b43de4c2d671b2ace19bd21f9f7fe0dee7e9.webp?image_crop_resized=1760x900) Click for sound 33:00 ## Related Resources [![Brightflag's Chief Customer Officer, Kevin Cohn, smiling in a blue polo in front of a white and blue background, with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Key-Takeaways-from-CLOC-Global-Institute-2025-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ General \\ \\ **Key Takeaways from CLOC Global Institute 2025**](https://brightflag.com/resources/cloc-global-institute-2025/) [![Brightflag's Director of Customer Insights, Sinead Kenny, smiling in a red shirt in front of a white and blue background, next to the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/The-12-Legal-Department-KPIs-In-House-Teams-Should-Track-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **The 12 Legal Department KPIs In-House Teams Should Track**](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-department-kpis/) [![Brightflag's Director of Customer Insights, Sinead Kenny, smiling in front of a white and yellow background with a red button-down shirt on, next to the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/How-to-Conduct-an-Effective-Law-Firm-Panel-Review_Sinead_Kenny-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ Vendor Benchmarking \\ \\ **How to Conduct an Effective Law Firm Panel Review**](https://brightflag.com/resources/law-firm-panel-review/) [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/events/brightflag-platform-tour/#mm-0) ## Legal Digital Transformation Guide [Resources](https://brightflag.com/resources/) › [AI & the Future of Legal Tech](https://brightflag.com/resources/#ai-legal-tech) # A Guide to Enacting Legal Digital Transformation ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Alex-Kelly-150x150-1.jpg) Alex Kelly, Chief Operating Officer & Co-Founder at Brightflag April 11, 2024 Legal digital transformation encompasses the adoption of digital tools and technologies aimed at streamlining workflows, improving productivity, and reducing costs for in-house teams. Digital transformation helps corporate legal departments streamline internal processes and drive better outcomes for their business. By understanding both the opportunities and obstacles of digital transformation, in-house legal professionals can navigate this transformative journey. And they can feel empowered to strategically use technology to enhance their department’s performance and achieve their business objectives. ## What is Legal Digital Transformation? Legal digital transformation encompasses the integration of digital technology into all facets of a legal department, marking a shift from manual processes to digital solutions. This includes automating workflows, improving data management, and enhancing decision-making processes to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and improve the accuracy and accessibility of information. In recent years, the importance of digital transformation in the legal department has grown significantly. Corporate demands for legal services have grown as the number and variety of regulations that apply to businesses in the digital world increase. At the same time, business expectations have shifted toward faster turnaround times while expecting legal costs and in-house staffing to remain low, further driving the need for digitalization. Additionally, the shift to remote work has underscored the necessity for digital document management and collaboration tools to maintain productivity. ## Why In-House Teams Should Embrace Legal Digital Transformation Legal ops professionals play a crucial role in advocating for digital transformation. By demonstrating the benefits of digital transformation to the wider in-house team, such as improved efficiency, cost savings, and enhanced decision-making, they can effectively alleviate concerns and encourage acceptance of new technologies within the legal department. ### Efficiency Efficiency gains are a key advantage of legal digital transformation. By using technology, time-consuming and repetitive tasks can now be automated, freeing in-house team members up to do more strategic legal work. For instance, automating the invoice review process streamlines invoicing and eliminates this administrative task from your in-house attorneys’ to-do lists, meaning they can spend more time providing legal advice and resolving matters. Legal OS's Lorna Khemraz on How AI Frees Up Time ![Video Thumbnail](https://fast.wistia.net/embed/medias/l562uy7z2q/swatch) ![Video Thumbnail](https://embed-ssl.wistia.com/deliveries/ebdecc5a96f0a634d0338119b13f2ae159c8045b.webp?image_crop_resized=640x360) Click for sound 0:32 _Lorna Khemraz, Lead Counsel at Legal OS, shares how AI can help free up time for in-house teams_ Additionally, centralized repositories for paperwork enable easy access to essential documents, enhancing collaboration and reducing the time spent searching for information. Legal technology solutions can help legal departments with [workflow optimization](https://brightflag.com/resources/automate-accelerate-invoice-approval-workflow/) and allow them to spend more time focussing on their strategic initiatives. ### Unlocked Data Legal teams increasingly need to rely on data to drive informed decision-making. Robust data analysis enables legal departments to identify cost-saving opportunities and allocate resources more effectively. However, extracting and utilizing this data presents significant challenges. Legal data often resides in isolated systems, and may be in unstructured formats that cannot be mined for meaningful analysis. Legal matter management tools like Brightflag offer a solution by centralizing and analyzing data. This helps provide insights into trends and opportunities for optimization in real-time. In addition, new technology like AI can turn unstructured data, such as invoice data that lives on PDFs, into useful data to drive analysis. Through centralized data management and advanced analytics, legal departments can unlock the full potential of their insights for data-driven, strategic decision-making and enhance operational efficiency. ### Cost Management Digital transformation helps enhance cost management within corporate legal departments. With the help of artificial intelligence, organizations streamline invoice review. They also ensure each outside counsel engagement follows their billing guidelines. This automation ensures the in-house team only pays for work that drives value for their business. It also guarantees that precious dollars from the legal budget do not go towards items that should be part of the firm’s overhead, like administrative and training time. Organizations that centralize billing information also enable real-time tracking of [legal spend](https://brightflag.com/legal-spend-management/), facilitating the identification of spending trends and cost drivers. Moreover, predictive analytics empower teams to set and adjust budgets based on historical data, proactively addressing potential overruns. Using data insights, legal teams can make informed decisions about vendor engagement, renegotiate terms, and optimize costs by consolidating work with top-performing firms. Automated processes further enhance efficiency, allowing professionals to focus on high-value activities, ultimately driving cost savings and improving overall financial performance. ### Enhanced Compliance Legal departments use digital tools to ensure important actions are centrally tracked and auditable, enhancing compliance with relevant regulations. For example, for U.S. companies, approving invoices in a legal spend management solution ensures each action within the approval workflow is clearly tracked. This helps ease Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance. If the in-house team needs to provide information for an internal or external audit, clear event tracking within their digital tools and easy reporting functionality ensure they can quickly fulfill the auditor’s requirements. ## 4 Aspects Of In-House Work Ripe For Legal Digital Transformation There are several facets of in-house legal work that are primed for digital transformation. Embracing digital tools not only revolutionizes how legal departments operate but also improves efficiency and effectiveness. 1. **Legal spend management:** Digitizing legal spend management is paramount for optimizing costs and increasing efficiency. By using digital tools, organizations can automate invoice processing, review, and approval and ensure adherence to billing guidelines. This enables real-time tracking of legal expenditures and facilitates budget monitoring. It also empowers data-driven decision-making to optimize legal spend. 2. **Matter management:** Centralizing [matter management](https://brightflag.com/platform/matters/) processes streamlines workflows and enhances collaboration among legal teams. Digital matter management platforms provide a centralized repository for matter information. This enables efficient task assignment, document storage, and progress tracking. It also fosters transparency, improves efficiency, and ensures better resource allocation across matters. 3. **Contract management:** Digital contract management solutions streamline the entire contract lifecycle, from creation to renewal. By automating contract creation, approval workflows, and renewal processes, organizations can improve efficiency, minimize risks. They can also ensure compliance with contractual obligations. Advanced features such as contract analytics and intelligent search capabilities further enhance visibility into contract portfolios. This enables proactive risk management and strategic decision-making. 4. **Knowledge management:** This allows organizations to capture, organize, and disseminate legal knowledge and expertise effectively. Legal resources, precedents, and best practices are centralized. This allows legal teams to access relevant information quickly, facilitate knowledge sharing, and enhance decision-making. Advanced search functionalities and collaboration tools further enhance knowledge accessibility and promote continuous learning and improvement within the legal department. ## How To Bring Legal Digital Transformation To Your Department Implementing legal digital transformation requires a strategic approach. Consider the following steps to get you started: 1. **Communication:** Establish clear communication channels for sharing information about the digital transformation initiative amongst your team and stakeholders. 2. **Culture change:** Sell people on the vision, showing them how the changes will improve their day-to-day. Use [change management techniques](https://brightflag.com/videos/legal-ops-101-change-management/) to identify detractors and get them to buy into the adoption journey. 3. **Technology assessment:** Conduct a thorough assessment of existing technology infrastructure within the department. Identify any gaps or areas for improvement that can be tackled by your transformation process. 4. **Measurement of improvements:** Define [key performance indicators (KPIs)](https://brightflag.com/resources/how-to-choose-track-and-report-on-the-legal-department-kpis-that-matter-most/) to measure the success of your digital transformation efforts. This could include efficiency gains, cost savings, enhanced customer experience, and improved compliance. ## Navigate Legal Digital Transformation with Brightflag By embracing digital transformation, legal professionals can focus on strategic tasks and deliver better outcomes. [Book a demo today](https://brightflag.com/demo/) and discover how Brightflag can revolutionize your legal operations, empowering you to navigate the complexities of legal spend management with confidence and ease. ##### **Share:** [![linkedin](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-linkedin-white.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-digital-transformation/&title=A%20Guide%20to%20Enacting%20Legal%20Digital%20Transformation)[![twitter](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-x-white.svg)](https://twitter.com/share?text=A%20Guide%20to%20Enacting%20Legal%20Digital%20Transformation&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbrightflag.com%2Fresources%2Flegal-digital-transformation%2F) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Alex-Kelly-150x150-1.jpg) #### Alex Kelly [![linkedin](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-linkedin-white.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexkellybrightflag/) Chief Operating Officer & Co-Founder at Brightflag Alex co-founded Brightflag after spending more than six years at Matheson—Ireland’s largest law firm—where he worked in its financial institutions group. A legal technology thought leader, Alex is a frequent speaker at legal operations conferences on topics related to legal innovation and legal transformation. Alex is also host of the In-House Outliers podcast, which shines a light on in-house legal professionals, and explores the impacts of the legal operations function. ## Related Articles for You [![Brightflag's Director of Solutions Consulting, Adam Mousy, in a suit jacket and blue dress shirt, smiling in front of a white and blue background, with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/The-Ultimate-Guide-to-Legal-Prompt-Engineering-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ The Ultimate Guide to Legal Prompt Engineering](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-prompt-engineering/) [![Brightflag's Director of Solutions Consulting, Adam Moursey, in a suit jacket and dress shirt, smiling in front of a white and yellow background with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/The-Top-Legal-AI-Companies-to-Know-in-2025-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ The Top Legal AI Companies to Know in 2025](https://brightflag.com/resources/top-legal-ai-companies/) [![Headshots of Kevin Cohn (Brightflag Chief Customer Officer) and Matthew Steer (Deloitte Legal's Associate Director of Legal Management Consulting) in business attire, in front of a teal background, with the webinar title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Social_1200x675-8-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar\\ \\ Deloitte Legal AI Predictions: A Conversation with Brightflag](https://brightflag.com/events/deloitte-brightflag-ai/) #### Want new Brightflag blog posts delivered straight to your inbox? ##### Sign up for our monthly newsletter. By submitting this form, you agree to our [privacy policy](https://brightflag.com/policies/privacy-statement/). [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-digital-transformation/#mm-0) ## Outlook Integration Launch # Brightflag Introduces Microsoft Outlook Integration For Matter Management ### New features link two critical systems for corporate legal departments **April 7, 2021** — Brightflag, the AI-powered [legal spend management](https://brightflag.com/legal-spend-management/) and [matter management software](https://brightflag.com/platform/matters/), today announced the launch of its Microsoft Outlook integration, limiting the need to transition between tools and keeping essential context within easy reach. This latest product development will be followed by several releases throughout 2021 focused on applying Brightflag’s machine learning leadership and modern design principles to more elements of the platform. With the new integration, Outlook users can now sync emails, attachments, and notes directly into a legal matter managed in Brightflag without leaving their inbox. Once in Brightflag, they can also search through this information by keyword without switching back to Outlook. “Considering the volume of emails and attachments circulating around most legal departments, every bit of extra speed can exponentially increase productivity,” said Brightflag CEO Ian Nolan. “With our latest integration, Outlook users will now find that relevant correspondence is either already there or easily retrieved when managing matters in Brightflag.” Security and compliance remained top priorities for Brightflag while developing this convenient new solution. Outlook assets uploaded to Brightflag are protected with SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001:2013 compliant controls that safeguard the entire platform. Centralizing all relevant matter materials also helps customers preserve clear and simple audit trails. The Microsoft Outlook integration is available to all Brightflag customers at no extra charge and can be configured in less than an hour. [Click here for more information about Brightflag and the Microsoft Outlook integration.](https://brightflag.com/platform/matters/) **About Brightflag** Brightflag is cloud software used by corporate legal teams to manage their engagements with law firms and alternative legal service providers. Using Brightflag, customers realize greater value for money from their legal service providers, are more productive in their daily work, and translate data gleaned from their engagements into informed decisions about future legal work. Founded in 2014, Brightflag serves a global community of corporate legal teams from offices in Dublin, New York, and Sydney. [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/press/microsoft-outlook-integration/#mm-0) ## Brightflag Raises $28M # Brightflag Raises $28M to Give Enterprises Greater Control Over Legal Work **(December 9, 2020)** Brightflag, the AI-powered [legal spend management](https://brightflag.com/legal-spend-management/) and matter management platform, today announced the completion of a $28 million growth equity investment led by [One Peak](https://onepeak.tech/), with participation from existing investors Sands Capital Ventures and Frontline Ventures. Brightflag will use the funds to expand its international footprint while accelerating product innovation to sustain its best-in-class customer experience. According to a recent [Gartner survey](https://www.gartner.com/en/legal-compliance/trends/legal-state-of-the-function), the share of corporate legal operations leaders responsible for coordinating law firm billing and tracking outside counsel spend metrics increased in the past two years alone by 53 and 32 percentage points, respectively, becoming a key priority for enterprises. However, the report also suggests that enabling tools are not keeping pace with these evolving priorities. Nearly half of survey respondents cited technology solutions and adoption rates as their most prominent operational weakness revealed during the COVID-19 crisis. “For the second time in the last 15 years, companies are grappling with the legal and financial implications of a global recession,” said Brightflag CEO and co-founder Ian Nolan. “Brightflag is providing corporate legal departments with unparalleled visibility into their operations as they work to maximize the strategic value of their spending.” Brightflag’s proprietary AI solution gives a data-based perspective of not only the rates and subtotals billed within a legal invoice, but the specific tasks and activities performed as well. The resulting insights have already helped brands like Dropbox, Volvo, and AccuWeather better evaluate law firm performance, refine resourcing strategies, and sharpen financial forecasts. “Brightflag has transformed the way we manage our legal spend,” said Dan Cook, VP of Legal at Dropbox. “We’ve automated away several time-consuming processes, gained complete visibility into how we’re tracking against budget, and been supported by top-notch customer service at every step.” “We are incredibly excited to back Brightflag and its founders as we see enormous potential in accelerating digital transformation within the legal department and redefining its role from cost center to essential business partner,” said Humbert de Liedekerke, Managing Partner of One Peak. “We look forward to supporting the company in its next phase of growth.” Despite COVID-19, Brightflag managed to almost double its annual recurring revenue (ARR) in the past year. To continue on that trajectory in 2021, Brightflag intends to hire approximately 60 new employees between its US and global teams over the next year. **About Brightflag** Brightflag enables organizations to take control of their legal spend with AI-powered software that’s easy to use and backed by proactive customer support. Brightflag processes billions of dollars of legal spend annually on behalf of its customers, resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars in savings and tens of thousands of hours in avoided administrative work. Founded in 2014, Brightflag serves a global community of in-house legal teams and their vendors from its offices in Dublin, New York, and Sydney. **About One Peak** One Peak is a growth equity firm investing in technology companies in the scale-up phase. The firm provides growth capital to exceptional entrepreneurs with a view to transform innovative and rapidly growing businesses into lasting, category-defining leaders. In addition to Brightflag, One Peak’s investments include HighQ, Neo4j, DocPlanner, Spryker Systems, Concentra Analytics, Quentic, Coople, DataGuard, Keepit and PandaDoc. [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/press/brightflag-raises-28m/#mm-0) ![Brightflag](https://cdn.cookielaw.org/logos/6e5cb22a-06d4-45a8-8e7c-9de791a8d106/addb0fdf-b927-4c4e-941d-ba4a86ab3f0c/d9fae9c6-6981-423e-8011-ad9640fd0c94/favicon.png) ## Privacy Preference Center When you visit any website, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. This information might be about you, your preferences or your device and is mostly used to make the site work as you expect it to. The information does not usually directly identify you, but it can give you a more personalized web experience. Because we respect your right to privacy, you can choose not to allow some types of cookies. Click on the different category headings to find out more and change our default settings. 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View Vendor Details‎ Back Button ### Vendors List Search Icon Filter Icon Clear checkbox labellabel ApplyCancel ConsentLeg.Interest checkbox labellabel checkbox labellabel checkbox labellabel Reject AllConfirm My Choices [![Powered by Onetrust](https://cdn.cookielaw.org/logos/static/powered_by_logo.svg)](https://www.onetrust.com/products/cookie-consent/) ## In-House vs. Outside Counsel [Resources](https://brightflag.com/resources/) › [Vendor Benchmarking](https://brightflag.com/resources/#vendor-benchmarking) # In-House vs. Outside Counsel: Choosing the Right Option ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Greg-Cavanaugh-150x150-1.jpg) Greg Cavanaugh, Director of Customer Success at Brightflag Updated November 27, 2024 General counsel are like tightrope walkers carrying a balancing pole. On one end of the pole are in-house counsel. They know your business, and they’re cost-effective. On the other end of the pole are your outside counsel. They come armed with deep expertise, wide experience, and a steep price to match. The choice of whether to handle a legal matter with in-house vs. outside counsel comes down to factors ranging from areas of specialized knowledge to budget and bandwidth. Getting this balance right isn’t just about dodging legal pitfalls; it’s about transforming your legal department into a more agile, strategic unit that adds real value to your business. ## What Is In-House Counsel? In-house counsel are attorneys employed directly by a company, either full-time or part-time. Their primary responsibility lies in providing legal advice and guidance to the company’s executives, managers, and employees. In-house counsel are deeply entrenched in the mechanics of the business they serve. They possess an intimate understanding of the company’s operations, goals, and legal requirements. ## What Is Outside Counsel? Outside legal counsel are third-party vendors that provide legal services and legal advice. They handle large, novel, or complex legal matters like litigation, mergers, and acquisitions because they have a deeper bench of attorneys with specialized experience. Because law firms focus solely on providing legal services, they are likely to have a broader range of skills and expertise. This is handy for corporate legal departments when the in-house team doesn’t have enough work in one area to warrant a full-time attorney. For example, a company that only occasionally opens new locations would likely work with outside counsel with real estate experience when it expands its physical footprint, rather than hiring a real estate attorney in-house who won’t have a steady stream of work. Outside counsel can also approach your business with an objective view of company strengths, weaknesses, and needs. The disadvantages of outside counsel include higher costs, a more conservative approach to legal risk, and their divided attention. Outside counsel focuses on managing legal risks. In-house counsel shares this concern for risk, but their day-to-day immersion in the company gives them the perspective to balance those risks against the company’s larger strategic objectives. For that reason, in-house teams can provide a more nuanced approach to legal decision-making that external attorneys may find challenging to replicate despite their best efforts. Outside counsel will try hard to understand a client’s business, but they will never have the depth of understanding of an in-house staff member. According to a [2022 Legal Value Network survey](https://mailchi.mp/blicksteingroup/lppm-survey), while 79% of law firms believe they make a strong effort to understand their clients’ businesses, only 47% of the clients agree. [![The cover of Brightflag's Am Law 100 Rates Report on a blue background, with the text ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/BRI6871_BlogCTAThumbs_AMLAW100.jpg)](https://brightflag.com/asset/law-firm-rates-report/) ### Where Do Alternative Legal Service Providers Fit Into the Mix? [Alternative Legal Service Providers (ALSPs)](https://brightflag.com/resources/beyond-traditional-law-firms-an-introduction-to-alternative-legal-service-providers/) are specialized service providers that offer a range of legal services outside the traditional law firm model. These organizations typically leverage technology, process efficiency, and lower cost structures to provide legal services. Their growth reflects a shift in the legal industry towards more versatile and cost-effective solutions for legal work. Corporate legal departments generally outsource high-volume, repeatable tasks like discovery or contract management to these providers. ## When to Consult With In-House Counsel In-house counsel can be a valuable company resource in many situations due to their in-depth knowledge of the organization and its values and priorities. Here are some of the key examples of when a company should consider consulting with their in-house counsel: ### Day-To-Day Legal Business In-house counsel usually serve as the first point of contact for any legal questions within the organization. They can provide quick, reliable advice on a range of legal issues. In-house counsel provide a more cost-effective solution for routine and predictable legal needs than outsourcing to expensive law firms. They can manage tasks without the additional overhead that come with instructing external counsel. They can also help maintain legal budgets by judiciously determining when to engage outside counsel, such as when a seemingly simple or routine legal question for the business actually raises complex, niche, or high-risk legal questions. ### Policy Development and Enforcement In-house counsel should play a key role in ensuring company policies are legally sound and that employees adhere to those policies to minimize the organization’s legal exposure. They should also update policies to match changing laws and business practices. Again, in-house counsel may decide to engage outside counsel if particularly complex questions arise during policy development. ### Internal Business Strategy In-house counsel have deep knowledge of the organization’s needs and the relevant laws governing the company’s work. At their best, in-house counsel should embed in all other business divisions. They should know those divisions’ goals and activities. That way, they can provide proactive, helpful legal advice. The in-house team also contributes to the overall business strategy through effective legal spend management and aligning their internal practices with the company’s objectives. ### Regulatory Compliance Compliance has always been critical in industries like healthcare, finance, and tech, where the regulatory landscapes are complex and change frequently. But data privacy laws like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), and a confusing tangle of environmental, sustainability, and governance (ESG) rules promise to expand the number and types of industries touched by state, federal, and international regulations. In-house counsel advises on how to comply with complex legal requirements cost-effectively and efficiently. They can also help companies navigate the often-changing landscape of regulations and work with external regulators on behalf of the company. ### Contract Drafting and Negotiation Contracts are the lifeblood of the business. In some cases, ALSPs handle contract reviews to reduce cycle times, but in-house counsel should review and draft the templates for those contracts. In-house counsel know how to ensure a contract aligns with the company’s goals and needs while providing adequate protection and risk management. Making those contracts easier to sign, and keeping them up to date with the company’s evolving risk tolerance and financial goals, is a tremendous value add to the company. In-house counsel should also help resolve any disputes during the negotiation process. ### Employee Relations Employees are a critical asset for any company but can also present legal challenges. In-house counsel guides hiring, termination, compensation, benefits, and workplace safety issues. They can also help companies navigate sensitive situations like discrimination claims, harassment allegations, or disputes with labor unions, often with the help of outside counsel. In-house teams must collaborate closely with HR on these points. They can proactively help by ensuring HR policies are watertight before issues arise. ### Intellectual Property While the IP registrations might be best left to an alternative legal service provider, the internal team develops a company’s IP strategy. They should work with the research and design team to understand their plans, draw up registration plans, and determine when to end patents or trademarks that are no longer in use for cost efficiency. ### Litigation and Dispute Resolution Litigation and dispute resolution can be costly and time-consuming, but they are sometimes necessary to protect a company’s interests. In-house counsel advise on dispute resolution strategies, including negotiation, mediation, and arbitration. They can also represent the company in court, working closely with outside counsel if the case requires specialized expertise. ## When to Hire Outside Counsel While in-house counsel can handle many legal issues, there are times when it makes sense to bring in outside counsel. By outsourcing routine or specialized tasks to outside counsel, in-house teams should free up time to focus on strategic initiatives and high-level decision-making. You want an [outside counsel team](https://brightflag.com/resources/its-ok-to-play-favourites-identifying-your-core-outside-counsel-team/) that understands your industry, the regulatory environment in which you operate, your competitors, your company’s corporate vision, and long-term growth drivers. Here are some of the key situations when a company should consider hiring outside counsel: ### Complex Legal Matters One of the most common reasons a company hires outside counsel is for complex legal matters. In-house counsel typically have a broad range of legal expertise, but there are times when specialized knowledge and experience are required. For example, a company facing a complex antitrust investigation may need to hire outside counsel with expertise in antitrust law. Similarly, if a company is considering a merger or acquisition, it may need to hire outside counsel with experience in corporate law and due diligence. Hiring outside counsel with the necessary expertise ensures your company receives the best possible legal advice and representation. ### Litigation and Dispute Resolution Litigation and dispute resolution can be costly and time-consuming, but they are sometimes necessary to protect a company’s interests. In-house counsel plays an important role in advising on dispute resolution strategies, including negotiation, mediation, and arbitration. However, in some cases, as matters progress without a speedy resolution, hiring outside counsel with litigation experience is often the best choice. [Outside counsel can provide a fresh perspective](https://brightflag.com/resources/outside-counsel-services-prestigious-or-problematic/) and offer strategies and tactics that in-house counsel may have yet to consider. Additionally, outside counsel can help reduce the burden on in-house counsel, allowing them to focus on other legal matters. ### International Legal Matters Companies that conduct business internationally may face legal issues requiring outside counsel’s expertise. International legal matters can be complex and require an understanding of local laws and regulations. Hiring outside counsel with experience in other jurisdictions can help ensure that the company complies with local laws and regulations. Additionally, outside counsel can help companies navigate cross-border legal issues, including contract disputes, intellectual property issues, and compliance matters. ### Legal Matters That Exceed the In-House Team’s Bandwidth While in-house counsel can provide legal services, more cost-effective options may exist. For example, a company with a small legal team may need help handling a sudden influx of legal matters. A [2023 Axiom Law survey](https://www.axiomlaw.com/resources/articles/2023-in-house-survey-report) of 300 in-house counsel at every level of the hierarchy found three-fourths are facing headcount freezes. If in-house lawyers are feeling overwhelmed, opting to delegate work to outside counsel or an ALSP for some time can give them the space they need to focus on their work and deliver better results. Eighty-nine percent of all in-house counsel are dissatisfied with their current position. Outside counsel also allows you to free up time for your in-house team, which can pay dividends in terms of their overall productivity. That’s music to the ears of the sixty-one percent of in-house lawyers who describe themselves as extremely stressed and burned out, citing a lack of resources to support the job’s increasing demands. They say both the volume and complexity of the work are increasing. In these cases, hiring outside counsel on an as-needed basis can be a cost-effective solution. Hiring outside counsel, or an alternative legal service provider, allows companies to pay only for the legal services they need, rather than hiring additional in-house counsel for the long term. You can scale outsourced work up or down based on the company’s changing needs, which provides flexibility in legal service delivery. ### Niche Work Outside the In-House Team’s Experience Outside counsel brings specialized expertise in niche legal areas where in-house teams may need more experience, such as emerging technologies, complex tax structures, or specific regulatory frameworks. They help companies adapt to rapidly evolving legal landscapes in specialized fields, ensuring compliance and strategic advantage. ### For an Impartial, Macro View of the Business Companies are turning to their legal teams more and more for advice beyond the law. While it can be helpful for in-house teams to serve as strategic advisors to the executive team, there are times when an outside perspective is useful. Outside counsel can offer an unbiased analysis of business strategies, legal risks, and compliance issues without the internal politics or biases that may affect in-house teams. They can also serve as mediators in internal conflicts, providing a neutral viewpoint that helps resolve disputes objectively. ## Understanding Your Legal Spend To make an informed decision about in-house vs. outside counsel, you first need to understand your current spend. You need visibility into how many matters you have running, and how many of those are with outside counsel. It’s important to understand which outside counsel are using their resources effectively. You don’t want partners billing time working on discovery, but you also don’t want important legal strategy set by associates. Outcomes also matter. You need to track which outside counsel are resolving matters favorably. To wrap their arms around all of that, GCs need reliable data. That’s where an [enterprise legal management (ELM) system](https://brightflag.com/enterprise-legal-management/) like Brightflag comes in. Legal departments use tools like Brightflag to conduct regular [spend analysis](https://brightflag.com/legal-spend-management/) of vendors. That historical data then informs future budgets on similar matters. The team can estimate how changing variables like the [fee arrangement](https://brightflag.com/resources/alternative-fee-arrangements-examples/) might make outsourcing matters more (or less) cost-effective. ## Making the Decision These are just a few common instances that can influence an organization’s decision when choosing between in-house and outside counsel for a particular legal matter. Though the decision isn’t always so cut-and-dry, knowing the strengths of each can go a long way towards making a decision that ultimately benefits your organization—legally, strategically, and [financially](https://brightflag.com/legal-spend-management/). To learn more about how Brightflag gives you the data you need to make the right call on how to distribute legal matters, [try a demo today](https://brightflag.com/demo/). ##### **Share:** [![linkedin](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-linkedin-white.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://brightflag.com/resources/outside-legal-counsel/&title=In-House%20vs.%20Outside%20Counsel%3A%20Choosing%20the%20Right%20Option)[![twitter](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-x-white.svg)](https://twitter.com/share?text=In-House%20vs.%20Outside%20Counsel%3A%20Choosing%20the%20Right%20Option&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbrightflag.com%2Fresources%2Foutside-legal-counsel%2F) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Greg-Cavanaugh-150x150-1.jpg) #### Greg Cavanaugh [![linkedin](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-linkedin-white.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregcavanaughrva/) Director of Customer Success at Brightflag Greg Cavanaugh is Brightflag's Director of Customer Success. Greg previously served as an Account Management Team Lead at Mitratech, and the Director of Account Management and Customer Support at Acuity ELM. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from George Mason University. ## Related Articles for You [![Brightflag's Director of Customer Insights, Sinead Kenny, smiling in front of a white and yellow background with a red button-down shirt on, next to the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/How-to-Conduct-an-Effective-Law-Firm-Panel-Review_Sinead_Kenny-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ How to Conduct an Effective Law Firm Panel Review](https://brightflag.com/resources/law-firm-panel-review/) [![Headshots of Brightflag Customer Success Managers Juliet Manso and Micheal Theise smiling in front of a teal background, with the webinar name ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Social_1200x675_B-1-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar\\ \\ How to Track Legal Department Metrics](https://brightflag.com/events/how-to-track-legal-department-metrics/) [![Brightflag's Director of Customer Insights, Sinead Kenny, smiling in a red shirt in front of a white and blue background, with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/The-Complete-Guide-to-Legal-Vendor-Management-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ The Complete Guide to Legal Vendor Management](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-vendor-management/) #### Want new Brightflag blog posts delivered straight to your inbox? ##### Sign up for our monthly newsletter. By submitting this form, you agree to our [privacy policy](https://brightflag.com/policies/privacy-statement/). [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/resources/outside-legal-counsel/#mm-0) ## New Budgeting Features # Brightflag launches new budgeting features to provide corporate legal teams with greater control over their legal spend ### _Brightflag’s new budgeting options allow in-house teams to better align and partner with their finance team._ **New York, NY, September 13, 2023**– Brightflag, the [modern e-billing and matter management platform](https://brightflag.com/) that enables corporate legal teams to operate like a business, today launched several new budgeting features to help corporate legal teams confidently manage their legal spend. These updates come at a time of intense scrutiny over budgets, as the challenging macroeconomic environment leads companies to value cost efficiency and predictability more highly than ever. The new budgeting features enable legal teams to collaborate with their vendors to set, enforce, and report on matter budgets on a fiscal quarter, fiscal year, or life-of-matter basis. In addition, the new features extend Brightflag’s existing budgeting capabilities which enable in-house to track matter budgets by phase and by month, and to set top-down budgets at the overall, department, legal entity, or vendor level. With the new capabilities, Brightflag customers can align their processes with the planning preferences of their finance team. In some companies, finance teams prefer to set budgets by fiscal year, while others require more granularity and therefore use monthly or quarterly budgets. In-house teams can use Brightflag to create budgets at the level of granularity preferred by the finance team, easing the budgeting process. “Brightflag’s mission is to enable legal teams to create and protect business value by effectively controlling their budget,” said Ian Nolan, Brightflag CEO and co-founder. “Our new features enable legal teams to improve their budgeting and be an even more effective financial steward for their business”. To learn more, [join the webinar on September 26th](https://brightflag.com/events/budget-better-with-brightflag/), where Brightflag’s Director of Customer Insights Sinead Kenny and Customer Success Team Lead Maureen Casey will explain how Brightflag enables legal teams to manage their budget effectively. **About Brightflag** Brightflag is modern e-billing and matter management software for legal teams and their finance partners to operate like a business, backed by outstanding customer service. Clorox, Shopify, Volvo, and other leading companies use Brightflag to create and protect business value by effectively controlling their budget. It’s the only platform that has AI at its core powering e-billing, financial reconciliation, financial planning, and vendor benchmarking. [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/press/new-budgeting-features/#mm-0) ## Legal Budget Planning Guide # Legal Department Budget Planning Guide Get everything you need to take charge of your legal team’s financial planning and craft an effective budget for the upcoming fiscal year, including: - A customizable Legal Department Budget Planning Template to help streamline the development of an accurate legal budget - Expert annual planning tips from legal operations leaders Dawn Hinz, Adrienne Schaal, and Suha Gehrer - A breakdown of 4 financial planning best practices Access your free copy today. [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/legal-department-budget-planning/#mm-0) ## Legal AI Roadmap [Resources](https://brightflag.com/resources/) › [AI & the Future of Legal Tech](https://brightflag.com/resources/#ai-legal-tech) # Building a Legal AI Roadmap ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Sarah-Scales-150x150-1.jpg) Sarah Scales, Head of Product Marketing at Brightflag April 29, 2024 AI is everywhere these days—from AI-generated images seeping into our social media feeds, to the AI that helps your day-to-day work by detecting spam before it hits your inbox. With the explosion of AI-enabled legal software, many in-house teams are now eager to [implement legal AI tools](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-ai-tools/). And rightly so; AI is a transformative technology that can eliminate vast amounts of administrative work from legal teams’ desks so that they can focus on delivering valuable legal services. But the reality is that most teams are so overwhelmed by the sheer number of options and amount of information available that even taking that first step towards implementing AI feels daunting. As with any large project, the best way to approach the lofty goal of implementing AI in your legal department is to break it into more manageable chunks. To do this, it’s best to use a technology roadmap. ## What is a Technology Roadmap? A technology roadmap is a step-by-step plan that helps you decide how to implement new technology like AI in the short, medium, and long term. It helps you prioritize use cases and pick a starting point for adoption, as well as chart a long-term strategy. An AI technology roadmap is not only useful for planning. It’s a great tool to communicate your vision for AI transformation and gain buy-in from the rest of the in-house team and the broader organization. To help cut you through the noise and take action to improve your legal department with AI, we’ve compiled a guide for developing an AI roadmap that will help you: - Identify your team’s biggest pain points - Understand the AI technology that can address these pain points - Develop a strategy and timeline for implementing AI solutions - Secure buy-in for AI tools ## Step 1: Identify the Legal Department’s Biggest Pain Points You can’t solve a problem if you don’t know what the problem is. It sounds trite, but you might be surprised at how few legal departments sit down with their team members to truly establish what their collective needs are before forging ahead with implementing legal technology. So before deciding what cutting-edge AI tech to implement, it’s best to assess what work is draining your team’s resources so you can prioritize solving problems in those areas. Developing a holistic picture of what your in-house team’s most pressing needs are can be as simple as scheduling an open discussion with legal leadership and your practice area leads. Or you can send out a survey to all members of the in-house team to gauge what they need the most help with. However you decide to open those lines of communication though, you’ll want to ensure the feedback you receive touches on these three questions: ### What tasks do you do each week that you wish you didn’t have to? Here at Brightflag, a common refrain we hear from in-house attorneys is: “I didn’t go to law school to spend my days analyzing and approving invoices.” There are various examples of this kind of work, which ends up falling to the legal team but eats up their time and drains their motivation. Beyond the time-consuming aspects of the work, tasks like [legal invoice review](https://brightflag.com/resources/ai-invoice-review-how-it-works/) fail to engage the specialized knowledge and problem-solving skills of your team members. The work ultimately becomes not just an inefficient use of their time, but an inefficient use of their potential. Brightflag's Michael Dineen on How AI Automates the Tasks Attorneys Want to Avoid ![Video Thumbnail](https://fast.wistia.net/embed/medias/wa8dpxnpol/swatch) ![Video Thumbnail](https://embed-ssl.wistia.com/deliveries/7b85d43e59b95f97b9f92bc28387496ebcb7fb41.webp?image_crop_resized=640x360) Click for sound 0:46 _Brightflag's VP of Data Science on how AI can transform legal work._ AI won’t be able to take every mundane task off their plate. But when you survey your team, ask them to list out the work that they have the hardest time applying their strengths to. Because the more of this work you can address with AI, the more engaged your team will be—and the more value they’ll return to your organization. ### What tasks take up the most of your time? Legal AI tools really shine when it comes to automating relatively straightforward, recurring work that takes up a lot of your legal department’s valuable time. While AI can’t solve tasks that require deep legal expertise, processes within most high-volume types of legal work are ripe for automation. Legal contract review, for instance, typically requires the specialized knowledge of a legal team member, but also involves a lot of tedious processes: Line-by-line reviews to identify changes in key contract language, researching whether revisions conflict with the organization’s standard terms and conditions, making the necessary approvals (or adding new recommendations), etc. Reporting on legal spend and matters is another area that involves a combination of strategic and administrative tasks. It takes a mind that truly understands your business’s legal and financial objectives to ask the right questions about your spend and matters. For example: Are we adequately resourced on our highest-risk work? Are we getting good value from the outside counsel we engage the most? However, the process of creating reports that answer these strategic questions is often far more resource-intensive than in-house teams would like. Legal ops have to struggle with understanding the field names in your reporting tool, try to apply the right filters, and check the results to ensure the right information is returned. But with the right AI technology, these mundane processes within this high-value task can be stripped out. As you gather information on what tasks take up the bulk of each team member’s time, your legal team’s biggest inefficiencies will start to come into focus. And this will ultimately inform which category of AI tool can give your legal department the most time back. ### Where can we better apply our resources? From internal headcounts to outside counsel spend, the resources available to legal departments have stagnated—or even dwindled—in recent years. That means it’s more important than ever that every dollar in the legal budget is applied strategically. If, when speaking with your legal team, they mention that they feel the department’s resources are over-stretched or could be better leveraged, there are AI solutions that can help. Modern e-billing platforms like Brightflag, for example, not only use AI to automate the invoice review process. They can also go one step further, harnessing AI’s computing capabilities to [surface strategic insights from your billing data](https://brightflag.com/resources/how-e-billing-helps-legal-departments-stress-less-during-budget-season/). This allows legal teams to benchmark vendors and make the business case for internal hires with clear-cut data. With this increased clarity into spend, and a trusted AI tool lending a hand with identifying billing guideline violations, legal teams can rest easy knowing they’re being as efficient as possible with their legal spend. ## Step 2: Prioritize Pain Points and Match Them to the Relevant AI Technology Now that you’ve received your legal team’s feedback, the areas where AI could be most effectively applied to their workflows will start to come into sharper focus. You can prioritize pain points by how much time will be saved by solving each one, and where the greatest cost efficiencies come into play. You can also consider if there are quick wins related to user satisfaction: taking the most maligned tasks off your attorneys’ plates is a great way to build trust and show the benefits of AI transformation. Once you do this, you’ll have a long list of pains that need addressing. But how can you be sure which AI-enabled tools can solve them? We’ve written [a companion piece](https://brightflag.com/resources/a-guide-to-using-legal-ai-software-tools-for-in-house-teams/) that covers the 5 key types of AI software tools and the pains they solve for. As a brief overview: [![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Ingles.png)](https://brightflag.com/resources/a-guide-to-using-legal-ai-software-tools-for-in-house-teams/) Many in-house teams start their legal technology journeys by implementing a legal spend management tool because it automatically eliminates painful processes like invoice review and helps in-house teams effectively manage their resources. After all, outside counsel spend makes up about 50% of the in-house team’s budget and accounts for about the same proportion of work delivered by the legal team. So managing this spend effectively has [an outsized impact](https://brightflag.com/resources/brightflag-customer-experience-legal-spend/) on the in-house team’s budget and resource management. Your team may have other pressing pain points—which is why this process really should be informed by the unique needs of your team. ## Step 3: Outline Your AI Roadmap: Now, Next, and Future At this stage in your journey, you’ll likely realize that your team would benefit from implementing multiple legal AI solutions. However, your budget will likely dictate that you can choose only one to implement in the near term. That’s okay, though—”not now” doesn’t mean “never.” And thanks to the research you’ve done into the available AI tools and how well they match up with your team’s priorities, plotting out your next moves should be a lot easier than it seemed initially. Our recommendation is to build your roadmap around the framework of “Now, Next, and Future.” ##### **Now (in the next 6 months):** Which category of legal AI tool addresses the most commonly surfaced pain points your team grapples with, and/or has the greatest ability to help you control costs? This is the tool you should go with for your first AI implementation. ##### **Next (within the next 1–2 years):** This AI tool addresses real pain points that some or all of your team members face, but does not represent the largest area of opportunity. You can position this tech as a fast-follow to the first tool—which makes it all the more important to pick a first tool that has a quick implementation time and immediate [return on investment (ROI)](https://brightflag.com/roi-calculator/). That way you can build momentum, and use your first success to push for your next project. ##### **The Future (within the next 2–3 years):** These are the AI solutions that won’t dramatically move the needle in terms of the time, cost, or headaches they save your legal team in the short term, but are nonetheless worth exploring when the budget becomes available. It’s important to note that innovation in AI technology continues to grow. As the explosion of new AI products and features in the last 12 months has shown us, this field is very much still evolving. That means if you pick the right vendor in each legal tech category, you’ll not only benefit from the latest innovations, but also from future features your vendor releases that will further unlock AI’s potential for your legal team. How do you ensure you pick the right vendor? We cover that in a separate post. But to give you a quick hint, pick a vendor with a proven track record in AI innovation and clear plans to continue evolving its AI solutions for the benefit of its customers. ## Step 4: Present Your Roadmap to Your Legal Team You’ve researched where your in-house team needs the most help, identified which legal AI tools best address those needs, and plotted your course for adopting those tools. Now it’s time to present the fruits of all your hard work to your in-house team. This is a great opportunity to show your team that you paid close attention during your listening tour earlier on. You can do so by illustrating the specific instances where the AI tool(s) you’ve chosen to pursue will alleviate their most pressing pain points. If the legal team highlighted that their biggest time-suck was legal invoice review, for example, you can underscore how your chosen solution [leverages AI to automatically review invoices](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-workflow-automation/), removing this task from their large to-do lists. If executed well, your legal department should walk away from these conversations feeling just as excited about implementing your AI roadmap as you are. After all, the AI tools you’ve chosen will not only ease the burden of their workloads—they will also position your entire in-house team at the forefront of your organization’s journey towards true AI-powered innovation. ## Step 5: Build a Business Case for AI with Key Stakeholders Your in-house team is now on board with your vision, and it’s time to get the ball rolling on implementing your first AI tool. But first you’ll need to secure a budget for it with key decisionmakers in your organization—namely your GC and CFO. This step involves building a strong business case for your chosen legal AI tool that illustrates how much it will save your legal department—and the organization at large—in terms of time, money, and headaches avoided. Here are three main benefits you’ll want to touch on when building this business case. Keep in mind that [numbers will speak volumes](https://brightflag.com/resources/cfo-legal-department-reports/) here, so you’ll want to ensure you have quantifiable data backing each of these benefits to really bolster your argument. ### Cost Savings Money is the language of business, so showcasing the sheer amount of dollars that can be saved with the help of a legal AI tool is something that will resonate with senior stakeholders your organization. Many AI vendors are more than happy to give you an estimate of how much you can expect to save based on the volume of work their tool automates. Brightflag even provides an [ROI calculator](https://brightflag.com/roi-calculator/), which can give prospective users ballpark figures on the total value the software provides. ### Increasing the Legal Team’s Efficiency Though this benefit seems like it would carry more weight with your GC than your CFO, time is money—and there is real, demonstrable value in freeing up more hours every week for your legal team to focus on doing their best work. [Case studies](https://brightflag.com/resources/brightflag-case-study-syngenta/) are great resources you can point to for concrete examples of the efficiencies that a particular AI tool can provide. Showing key stakeholders how other legal teams are leveraging AI technology to keep hundreds of hours of work off their plates annually is a surefire way to gain buy-in for an AI tool. ### Organizational Growth and Strategy Illustrating the time and cost savings that would result from automating tasks with AI is a great start. But there is also appeal in the speed and depth of strategic data insights that AI can provide. Making it clear that an AI tool could effectively serve as a high-speed legal data analyst for your legal team—capable of pulling detailed reports on legal spend, [outside counsel comparisons](https://brightflag.com/resources/law-firm-benchmarking-what-it-is-and-how-to-start/), and more in seconds—will pique both your GC and CFO’s interest in further exploring AI’s capabilities. ## Selecting Your Legal AI Tool Once you’ve received buy-in to move ahead with your first legal AI purchase, you can move confidently into the next phase of the process: researching and selecting the best legal AI provider for your team. We’ll cover that in more detail in our next post. And if you, like many in-house teams, are focused on e-billing and matter management as your “Now” solution, consider learning more about Brightflag. Our patented AI technology has helped hundreds of legal teams better control their spend and surface the data insights they need to strategically engage with outside counsel—and we’d be happy to show you how with [a personal demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/). ##### **Share:** [![linkedin](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-linkedin-white.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-ai-roadmap/&title=Building%20a%20Legal%20AI%20Roadmap)[![twitter](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-x-white.svg)](https://twitter.com/share?text=Building%20a%20Legal%20AI%20Roadmap&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbrightflag.com%2Fresources%2Flegal-ai-roadmap%2F) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Sarah-Scales-150x150-1.jpg) #### Sarah Scales Head of Product Marketing at Brightflag Sarah Scales is the Head of Product Marketing at Brightflag. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Law and Political Science from Trinity College Dublin, as well as a post-graduate diploma in Software Product Management from Technological University Dublin. Sarah's extensive experience in the legal technology space has served to make her a subject matter expert on a wide variety of topics related to legal operations and in-house legal workflows, including legal invoice review, outside counsel guidelines, legal cost control, and more. ## Related Articles for You [![Brightflag's Director of Solutions Consulting, Adam Mousy, in a suit jacket and blue dress shirt, smiling in front of a white and blue background, with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/The-Ultimate-Guide-to-Legal-Prompt-Engineering-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ The Ultimate Guide to Legal Prompt Engineering](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-prompt-engineering/) [![Brightflag's Director of Solutions Consulting, Adam Moursey, in a suit jacket and dress shirt, smiling in front of a white and yellow background with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/The-Top-Legal-AI-Companies-to-Know-in-2025-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ The Top Legal AI Companies to Know in 2025](https://brightflag.com/resources/top-legal-ai-companies/) [![Headshots of Kevin Cohn (Brightflag Chief Customer Officer) and Matthew Steer (Deloitte Legal's Associate Director of Legal Management Consulting) in business attire, in front of a teal background, with the webinar title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Social_1200x675-8-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar\\ \\ Deloitte Legal AI Predictions: A Conversation with Brightflag](https://brightflag.com/events/deloitte-brightflag-ai/) #### Want new Brightflag blog posts delivered straight to your inbox? ##### Sign up for our monthly newsletter. By submitting this form, you agree to our [privacy policy](https://brightflag.com/policies/privacy-statement/). [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-ai-roadmap/#mm-0) ## Legal Department Strategy Guide [Resources](https://brightflag.com/resources/) › [General](https://brightflag.com/resources/#general) # How to Create a Legal Department Strategy (And Why It Matters) ![Brightflag Director of Legal and Compliance Laura Gleeson, smiling in business attire.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Laura-Gleeson-150x150-1.jpg) Laura Gleeson, General Counsel and Vice President at Brightflag November 26, 2024 It’s a challenge almost every legal team faces at some point. Despite the hard work you’ve put into keeping everything on track, your efforts seem to go mostly unnoticed in the broader business. Worse still, it feels like the legal team’s ideas and objectives don’t match up with everyone else’s — which makes it hard to prove the value you bring to the company. The solution? Take a step back and look at the bigger picture. Crafting a well-structured, forward-thinking legal department strategy can help you mitigate risk, boost efficiency, and manage legal spending. It can also help your team refine the vision of the legal department while enhancing your image within the company and ensuring you’re aligned with broader business priorities. Here’s everything you need to know to kick things off. ## What is a Legal Department Strategy? And Why Does Your Team Need One? First, it’s worth defining exactly what you’re trying to do before you get started (think of it as due diligence). An in-house legal department strategy is a structured plan that outlines the legal department’s mission, strategic goals, core functions and focus areas. It also serves as a guiding framework that helps your team to allocate their resources effectively and to deliver value to the larger organization. A well-designed legal department strategic plan helps your team to: - Communicate the legal department’s value as a business partner to the broader organization - Create alignment between the legal team and overall organizational objectives - Develop a shared sense of purpose within the team - Define clear and achievable goals and objectives - Effectively manage resources and legal spending - Deliver efficient legal services - Proactively manage and mitigate risks - Leverage technology strategically to streamline workflow - Prioritize investments into new technologies and resource management systems - Continuously measure and enhance performance It’s also essential that your strategy doesn’t just reflect current practices; it should empower your team to proactively plan for future business needs and to scale operations as the company grows. ## What Should Be Included in Your Legal Department’s Strategic Plan? From the list above, you should already be able to pick out some of the core elements to include in your strategic plan. Naturally, exactly what goes in will vary from company to company, but most plans will include the following sections: ### Mission statement and goals Craft a clear, overarching mission statement for your department and specific, measurable departmental goals, which are essential to effectively track progress. When drafting the mission statement, you start by considering what the broader organization needs, how the legal department is currently perceived, and what your team can offer. Next, you’ll need to define the in-house legal department goals and objectives that make the most sense for your team. Measurable goals for legal departments are those that support their mission statement. For example, suppose your mission is to deliver more efficient, impactful legal services while reducing legal spending. In that case, a specific goal might be to decrease spending on outside counsel law firms by 10% over the next fiscal year. ### Risk management framework Your company faces unique risks – from regulatory changes to industry-specific threats. Identifying and proactively managing these risks is a crucial part of an effective strategy. In other words, if you know there are specific risks incoming over the next few years, like regulatory changes, you should also be preparing for those risks as a vital part of your strategic plan. ### Technology and automation roadmap Integrating technology and automation thoughtfully is one of the best ways to increase efficiency. Consider deploying tools like matter management systems and AI-powered platforms to handle repetitive tasks and optimize workflows. In fact, [recent data](https://www.legaldive.com/news/ai-software-use-growing-among-house-legal-departments-report/720051/) shows that more than a third of legal departments are already seeing the benefit of using tools like matter management systems and AI to streamline their operations. However, it is essential to align tech deployments with business goals rather than adopting a “kitchen sink” approach. So, your strategy should also include criteria for evaluating and selecting new technology. If your team has a legal operations professional, this can be a great project for them to tackle. [![Cover page of Brightflag's AI e-book on a blue background, with the text ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/BRI6871_BlogCTAThumbs_AIeBook.jpg)](https://brightflag.com/asset/implementing-legal-ai/) ### Resource analysis To meet the growing demands for legal services within the business, in-house leaders need to consider not only the resources they have today but also the ones they’ll need tomorrow. To that end, your strategic plan should include an analysis that outlines the skills and capabilities of your in-house counsel team and your current outside counsel law firm partners, and projections for what you’ll need in the future. This “gap analysis” enables you to set out budget expectations with your finance team, and make sure that you’re adequately resourced to meet your organization’s future needs. ### Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and other metrics KPIs and metrics allow your team to track progress and ensure alignment with broader business goals. For example, the department’s efficiency and contributions to the company can be monitored by tracking metrics like the average time to resolve legal requests or budget compliance. These performance metrics also help you demonstrate the value of the legal team to other departments. So be sure to include KPIs that are relevant to stakeholders outside the legal department and aligned with overall business objectives and benchmarks. ## How to Create a (Great) Legal Department Strategy Okay, so now you have a starting point for creating your team strategy. But… how do you actually get started? Let’s break it down step by step. ### Step 1: Pick your team Start by recruiting team members who have an interest in shaping the strategy, as well as central stakeholders who bring valuable insights and skills to the process. There may be specific people you want to include (and that’s fine), but it also helps if everyone who is genuinely interested is given a chance to invest in the idea. In addition, remember that a core goal here is to align the legal team’s strategic priorities with those of other business functions. So make sure the people you include on your strategy team keep that objective at the forefront of your mind. ### Step 2: Assess your current state Next up, take a long, hard look at where things are today. Where is your team really delivering value for the business? And where and why are they coming up short? Try to gather as much information as you can during this stage by requesting input from team members, reviewing past projects and analyzing your current workflows. It will help if you reach out to members of other teams and consult with business leadership to better understand the organization’s overall strategic direction and plans. Doing so can give you some great insights that are sure to shape your strategic direction. For example, suppose you find out that legal matters are moving along too slowly to meet the needs of stakeholders, while members of your own team complain that manual tasks are eating up everyone’s time. In that case, automation might form a cornerstone of your strategy. Other things to take note of at this stage include: - The skills each legal team member brings to the mix and skill sets that may be lacking - The legal services your team currently provides and the ones you need to have in place to match the company’s strategic direction and plans for the future ### Step 3: Establish guidelines, priorities and KPIs Based on the pain points that emerged in step two, set the strategic priorities for your plan. These should include: - High-level priorities, like your general guidelines for how resources are allocated or your ideas for aligning the legal department with other business functions and - Specific priorities or goals, like reducing the time required for contract reviews. When it comes to picking priorities, focus your efforts on the most impactful and feasible points to tackle first. For example, suppose your most glaring problem is that your team is often way over budget while one of the company’s priorities is to implement lean operations. In that case, your initial priority might be to implement a solution for monitoring and evaluating legal spending. This step is also where you can start shaping your mission statement and specific objectives for your team, along with the KPIs or other indicators you’ll use to measure success. ### Step 4: Establish timelines and allocate resources Okay, so now you’ve got your laundry list of what needs to be fixed. Time to settle on a solution for each issue and set some milestones to keep your team on track. Important questions to ask for each of the issues you’ve identified include: - How are we going to solve this problem? - How soon is it feasible to implement the solution? - What resources do we need to use to implement this solution? - Which team members are responsible for implementing the solution? An important consideration at this stage is what tools and approaches are available to help you solve each issue. For example, could you be [using AI or software to more effectively manage legal spend](https://brightflag.com/events/how-ai-enables-more-efficient-legal-spend-management/)? In practice, answering these types of questions is often the starting point for your tech and automation roadmap. But remember to apply any new solutions thoughtfully and to really map out how they contribute to solving a specific problem. It’s also a good idea at this stage to have [an action plan](https://www.projectmanager.com/training/make-action-plan) in place for each of the issues you’ve identified. Then, set up regular rhythms for check-ins with relevant team members (and members of other teams), as well as a timeline for implementing each solution. ### Step 5: Implement, monitor and improve your strategy Finally, remember that you’ll need to adapt your strategy based on new information and priorities. A good goal is to strive for continuous improvement, not a set of commandments. Build mechanisms to regularly assess what’s working (and what’s not) and keep your plan flexible so you can make changes as needed. Remember to also keep checking how your plan aligns with the needs of the company as a whole and be prepared to make changes if things aren’t lining up. ## The Pitch: Presenting Your Plan to Other Stakeholders Once you have an initial draft of your legal strategy in place, it’s time to get more feedback from outside your department. Remember, part of the benefit of a solid strategic plan is that it allows you to demonstrate the value of the legal department to business leadership and to market the value of different in-house legal department functions. To make the most impact, keep your presentation short and sweet and emphasize factors like: - Alignment with corporate strategic goals - Cost savings - KPIs and other performance metrics Then, open the floor to questions and be genuinely willing to take suggestions on board. This can be a great opportunity for your general counsel to show that the legal department is flexible, and tofoster a sense of inclusion and buy-in that will make it easier to garner support for your strategic initiatives in the future. ## Strategic Decision-making Made Easy By now, you should have a clearer idea of what it takes to roll out an effective legal strategy. But, let’s be honest, putting it all together can feel a little daunting. The good news? It doesn’t have to be. Brightflag’s AI-powered matter management platform is designed to help legal teams simplify their strategic decision-making. With Brightflag, your team benefits from instant insights into legal matters, complete visibility into legal work and spending, and a full suite of automation features designed with busy legal teams in mind. All of these factors make identifying and prioritizing important strategic issues a piece of cake. Ready to see it in action? [Book a demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/). Our friendly team would be happy to show you how we can help you develop a tremendous legal department strategy. The easy way. ##### **Share:** [![linkedin](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-linkedin-white.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-department-strategy/&title=How%20to%20Create%20a%20Legal%20Department%20Strategy%20%28And%20Why%20It%20Matters%29)[![twitter](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-x-white.svg)](https://twitter.com/share?text=How%20to%20Create%20a%20Legal%20Department%20Strategy%20%28And%20Why%20It%20Matters%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbrightflag.com%2Fresources%2Flegal-department-strategy%2F) ![Brightflag Director of Legal and Compliance Laura Gleeson, smiling in business attire.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Laura-Gleeson-150x150-1.jpg) #### Laura Gleeson [![linkedin](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-linkedin-white.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-gleeson-2928b821/) General Counsel and Vice President at Brightflag Laura’s career has spanned senior legal roles both in private practice and in house, giving her first-hand exposure to the importance of legal technology. Prior to joining Brightflag, Laura spent more than ten years at Matheson, Ireland’s largest law firm, where she was a partner in its Finance and Capital Markets group, after which she served as senior counsel at PM Group, a multinational engineering firm. Laura serves as a board director at Make-A-Wish Ireland and has a degree in Law & European Studies and a Master of Laws from the University of Limerick. ## Related Articles for You [![Brightflag's Chief Customer Officer, Kevin Cohn, smiling in a blue polo in front of a white and blue background, with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Key-Takeaways-from-CLOC-Global-Institute-2025-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ Key Takeaways from CLOC Global Institute 2025](https://brightflag.com/resources/cloc-global-institute-2025/) [![Brightflag Co-Founder and COO, Alex Kelly, smiling in a blue checkered dress shirt in front of a white and teal background, with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Why-In-House-Teams-Need-a-Legal-Matter-Tracker-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ Why In-House Teams Need a Legal Matter Tracker](https://brightflag.com/resources/why-in-house-teams-need-a-legal-matter-tracker/) [![Brightflag's Head of Product Marketing, Sarah Scales, smiling in business attire in front of a white and teal background, with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/The-Ultimate-Guide-to-Legal-Change-Management-Sarah-Scales-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ The Ultimate Guide to Legal Change Management](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-change-management/) #### Want new Brightflag blog posts delivered straight to your inbox? ##### Sign up for our monthly newsletter. By submitting this form, you agree to our [privacy policy](https://brightflag.com/policies/privacy-statement/). [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-department-strategy/#mm-0) ## New VP of Product # Brightflag Accelerates Innovation With New VP of Product ### Barry O’Melia brings 20+ years of legal tech expertise **NEW YORK** — April 21, 2021 — Brightflag, the AI-powered [enterprise legal management](https://brightflag.com/enterprise-legal-management/) platform, today announced the appointment of legal technology veteran Barry O’Melia as the company’s new Vice President of Product. O’Melia will align Brightflag’s product vision, customers’ emerging requirements, and his own industry perspective to deliver easy-to-use innovations that offer practical value to corporate legal departments. O’Melia was formerly the leader of multiple product groups at Relativity, the e-discovery and compliance software leader [recently valued at $3.6 billion](https://www.wsj.com/articles/silver-lake-to-invest-in-legal-and-compliance-software-firm-relativity-11616080500). Prior to Relativity, O’Melia spent more than a decade specializing in big data analysis with e-discovery provider Digital WarRoom. “Investing in product innovation starts with hiring and empowering world-class people,” said Brightflag CEO Ian Nolan. “Barry’s extensive experience leading product teams and serving legal departments makes him a perfect fit for Brightflag and a significant asset to our customers.” “In-house legal is a community of brilliant minds, complex challenges, and high standards, and that’s always inspired me to bring my best work,” said O’Melia. “What Brightflag is doing with AI is already unique within the industry, and our modern infrastructure leaves us with no limitations as we look to quickly build out new capabilities with an everyday impact on our customers’ priorities.” Following the company’s [$28 million funding round](https://brightflag.com/press/brightflag-raises-28m/) in November and its year-over-year doubling of annual recurring revenue in 2020, this announcement marks the third new executive hire made by Brightflag this year. ## About Brightflag Brightflag is cloud software used by corporate legal teams to manage their engagements with law firms and alternative legal service providers. Using Brightflag, customers realize greater value for money from their legal service providers, are more productive in their daily work, and translate data gleaned from their engagements into informed decisions about future legal work. Founded in 2014, Brightflag serves a global community of corporate legal teams from offices in Dublin, New York, and Sydney. [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/press/vp-product-innovation/#mm-0) ## Legal Operations Optimization [Resources](https://brightflag.com/resources/) › [Legal Ops & Career Development](https://brightflag.com/resources/#legal-ops-career-development) # Keys to Legal Operations Optimization in 2025 ![Brightflag's Michael Theise, Customer Success.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Michael-Theise-300x300-1.jpg) Michael Theise, Customer Success Manager at Brightflag December 20, 2024 Whether it’s overseeing contracts or keeping up with regulatory deadlines, your in-house legal team is expected to keep a lot of plates spinning. And even as the tasks pile up, you still need to find ways to maximize your resources and boost the value legal adds to the business—also known as legal operations optimization. In this environment, it’s no surprise that many corporate legal departments are tasking legal operations professionals with looking for ways to streamline the more mundane aspects of legal work, and free the in-house team up to focus on more impactful tasks. But what’s the best way to accomplish this? It all starts with investigating your options for legal operations optimization to see how your legal team’s workflows could be improved. Here are four tips to get you started. ## Legal Ops Tip \#1: Take Stock of Current Workloads First, you’ll need to get a handle on where the bulk of the team’s time is going. That means looking at what different members of the legal team are currently working on and whether there are low-impact tasks that could be taken off their plates. If you have a matter management system in place, use the data analytics gathered from it to investigate current workloads and identify any trends. That might include asking questions like: - Which business functions have requested increased legal support lately? - Which matters are taking up the most time? - Are there still tasks and legal processes being completed manually that could be automated? It’s also worth surveying team members across the legal department to get their opinions on the tasks they feel are most time-consuming, least rewarding, and/or least impactful. Team feedback can often reveal pain points that aren’t immediately obvious from metrics alone — which might lead to opportunities to improve project management, or automate recurring tasks with the help of technology solutions. Answering these questions isn’t always straightforward, but the point is to gather as much data as you can so you can make informed decisions about what needs to change (or make the case for change with general counsel or other decision-makers). ## Legal Ops Tip \#2: Leverage Automation For many legal departments the budget for new tech is tight. But when it comes to doing more with your limited resources—while also driving better outcomes—automation is your best friend. In fact, there are very few legal operations optimization initiatives that will give your team better “bang for your buck” than process or workflow automation. A good strategy is to use the data the legal operations teams has gathered about pain points and outdated methodologies as a starting point for identifying where tech can add value. For example, if legal ops finds that some people are spending hours on outside counsel invoice review, it may be worth investigating whether legal invoicing software can be used to automate some steps and free up time. From there, you’ll need to [make the case for investing in tech](https://brightflag.com/asset/legal-technology-business-case-guide/) with other stakeholders in the legal department or broader business. That may mean showcasing examples of how your proposed software or platform would solve issues and free up time. It also likely requires tying the investment to projected improvements in cost savings using hard metrics like return on investment (ROI). If you already have an existing system, like matter or vendor management software, consider whether upgrading to a system with better automation capabilities could deliver immediate efficiency gains. For example, are there features available in more modern solutions that could address the bottlenecks and inefficiencies you’ve identified? ## Legal Ops Tip \#3: Experiment with Artificial Intelligence (AI) AI is everywhere, and there’s already a lot of buzz about how new generative AI systems are going to revolutionize in-house legal work. There are also a LOT of AI options out there, which can make picking one piece of legal tech (and integrating it into your workflows), somewhat overwhelming. The thing is, legal teams that don’t integrate AI into their day-to-day are going to be left behind, so your team must have [an action plan for AI adoption](https://brightflag.com/asset/implementing-legal-ai/). It’s also not always the best approach to let members of your team tap into general-purpose GenAI solutions, because those offerings aren’t tailored for legal workloads. This means they may lead to inaccuracies in legal matters, and could even expose your organization to data privacy or compliance risks. We recommend looking into specialized “Legal AI” tools that have been trained on legal data and terminology. The best models can handle many everyday legal tasks, including invoice review, contract management, and e-discovery (i.e., identifying, collecting and reviewing electronic data for legal matters). And most come with information security and compliance credentials. An added benefit is that Legal AI tools are already designed to meet specific in-house needs, like e-billing, matter management, IP management, or legal research. So, you can pick out a couple of areas where you think GenAI would add the most value and test it out before integrating it into other workflows. [![Cover page of Brightflag's AI e-book on a blue background, with the text ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/BRI6871_BlogCTAThumbs_AIeBook.jpg)](https://brightflag.com/asset/implementing-legal-ai/) ## Legal Ops Tip \#4: Work on Legal’s Brand This point may seem out of place in a list about tech and gathering data, but reviewing how your legal department fits into the broader business is a big part of legal operations optimization. The truth is, no matter how hard your team is working, perception is everything. And if you aren’t working on how other business functions perceive the legal team’s efforts, most of your hard work is going unnoticed. How do you change that? Start with a satisfaction survey to get real-time feedback from other teams. It would be best if you talk to key stakeholders outside the legal department to find out how they view their current relationship with legal and where there may be room for improvement. Your goal is to gather as much information as possible on pain points and inefficiencies — just like you did when reviewing workloads within the team. You might uncover some interesting disconnects here that you weren’t even aware were an issue. But once you have that information, you can work on tackling the most significant problems. For example, if legal is seen as “The Department of No,” think about how you can strengthen your department’s connection with other business functions. Try and find ways to have legal review embedded in their planning so your team can offer helpful advice right from the start of a new project or initiative. ### Common Pain Points - **Slow service delivery** — which could be improved by monitoring response times and finding ways to improve - **Overshooting your budget** — which might require you to improve your financial management process by setting and reporting on cost control targets - **Complex and inaccessible processes** — e.g., other team members may find the intake process for legal requests confusing - **A disconnect from business goals** — Which may require legal leadership to reevaluate and realign how the department contributes to business objectives—likely by implementing key performance indicators (KPIs) Depending on the nature of the problems at hand, it may be possible to resolve them individually. However, it may also be worth tackling inefficiencies as part of a larger strategic planning initiative — like an [in-depth legal department strategy](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-department-strategy/) — that aligns improvements with business value. Whatever strategy you use to resolve pain points, be sure to communicate your successes, both within and beyond the legal team. Doing so enhances the legal brand within the company and increases your chances of getting buy-in for future improvements. ## Legal Operations Optimization with Brightflag Using the tips above, you’re already well on your way to optimizing your department’s legal operations. But if you want to make that process even more straightforward, it may be worth looking into an all-in-one legal operations platform like Brightflag. Brightflag’s [AI-powered offering](https://brightflag.com/brightflag-ai/) ensures you have complete visibility into legal work and spend to maximize productivity and help with strategic decision-making. It also simplifies the process of matter management and document management to make improving legal service delivery easier than ever. Interested to learn how it works? [Book a demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/) and let our helpful team walk you through how to tackle your legal operations the easy way. ##### **Share:** [![linkedin](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-linkedin-white.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-operations-optimization/&title=Keys%20to%20Legal%20Operations%20Optimization%20in%202025)[![twitter](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-x-white.svg)](https://twitter.com/share?text=Keys%20to%20Legal%20Operations%20Optimization%20in%202025&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbrightflag.com%2Fresources%2Flegal-operations-optimization%2F) ![Brightflag's Michael Theise, Customer Success.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Michael-Theise-300x300-1.jpg) #### Michael Theise [![linkedin](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-linkedin-white.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-theise-a815a68b/) Customer Success Manager at Brightflag Michael Theise is a Customer Success Manager at Brightflag who joined the team after having worked in various legal operations roles at both Biogen and State Street. His unique perspective on the legal operations function allows him to provide novel insights into legal ops best practices and career development. Michael holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the Florida State University College of Business. ## Related Articles for You [![Brightflag's Director of Customer Insights, Sinead Kenny, smiling in a red shirt in front of a white and blue background, next to the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/The-12-Legal-Department-KPIs-In-House-Teams-Should-Track-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ The 12 Legal Department KPIs In-House Teams Should Track](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-department-kpis/) [![Brightflag Customer Success Manager Michael Theise, in a gray business shirt, smiling in front of a white and yellow background, with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Legal-Ops-Training-1-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ Learning Legal Ops: A Beginner’s Guide to the Best Legal Operations Training](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-operations-training/) [![Brightflag Customer Success Manager Michael Theise, in a blue suit with a red tie, smiling in front of a white and teal background with the text ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/How-to-Build-a-Legal-Operations-Team-Structure-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ How to Build a Legal Operations Team Structure](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-operations-team-structure/) #### Want new Brightflag blog posts delivered straight to your inbox? ##### Sign up for our monthly newsletter. By submitting this form, you agree to our [privacy policy](https://brightflag.com/policies/privacy-statement/). [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-operations-optimization/#mm-0) ## Paralegal Career Change Guide [Resources](https://brightflag.com/resources/) › [Legal Ops & Career Development](https://brightflag.com/resources/#legal-ops-career-development) # The Best Alternative Career for Paralegals (+Other Roles to Consider) ![Brightflag Director of Legal and Compliance Laura Gleeson, smiling in business attire.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Laura-Gleeson-150x150-1.jpg) Laura Gleeson, General Counsel and Vice President at Brightflag Updated November 27, 2024 During my time leading legal teams, I’ve seen some interesting career transitions. The legal assistant turned sci-fi author or the corporate lawyer who gave up their role to open a restaurant, for example. But one transition I hope to see more of in the coming years is paralegals pursuing a career change and discovering legal ops. Until recently, becoming a lawyer was one of the few ways paralegals could significantly grow their future earnings, take on a more dynamic workload, and learn new skills in their field. But that’s a significant commitment in both time and education, and it may not get you the fulfillment you are looking for. The skills you hone as a paralegal provide a strong foundation for many career paths, including legal ops, which offers a way to expand your skills, take on projects aligned with your interests, and command a higher salary. ## But First, Why Leave a Paralegal Job? A career as a paralegal is a solid and rewarding long-term option for many people, but if you are ready for a paralegal career change, here are a few reasons why it could be time to look for a role outside of a corporate paralegal. - **You are burnt out:** Legal work can be high-stress and high-stakes, depending on the types of matters you work on. Between tight deadlines and long hours, paralegals can suffer from burnout. - **You want more earning potential:** According to Indeed.com, the average salary for a paralegal is just under $60,000 per year. Brightflag did an extensive study of legal ops job descriptions and found junior positions with three years of experience start at $67,000, and many roles earn more than six figures. - **You don’t feel like you’re being challenged:** While you learned a lot when you first started as a paralegal, you now feel like you know your role inside and out. You’re not being challenged anymore and are constantly looking for ways to improve your processes for better outcomes. If any of those sound familiar, you should definitely look at the growing field of legal operations. ## Why Legal Ops is an Ideal Career Switch for a Paralegal Many of the skill sets needed for [legal ops roles](https://brightflag.com/resources/from-analysts-to-managers-examples-of-legal-operations-jobs-for-your-team) are inherent to a paralegal job, especially if you are already interested in technology and creating more efficient processes. For example, as a paralegal, you regularly take on dynamic challenges, such as managing workflows, assisting with intake, or helping with your legal team’s knowledge and document management. You understand what tasks need to be done in what order for the best outcome. In your legal support role, you are doing this work. In legal ops, you would be finding and implementing ways to improve these processes. To excel as a paralegal, you have to be an excellent communicator with great listening and writing skills. You are accustomed to working with people in the legal profession and across the organization, know what they need, and understand the standards they expect. You know how to dig into a complex question to find the right answer. And a big benefit to making a paralegal career change to legal ops is that you already know [legal tech](https://brightflag.com/resources/choosing-best-first-legal-tech-purchase/). Even if you move to a legal ops role at a company with different legal tech, you know the basics of working with essential tools like legal spend and matter management systems. ### Skills Legal Ops Recruiters Look for in Paralegals - **Project management:** Legal ops roles often involve identifying and scoping a project to solve a problem and [managing that project](https://brightflag.com/resources/from-analysts-to-managers-examples-of-legal-operations-jobs-for-your-team/#:~:text=A%20Legal%20Operations%20Specialist%20manages,and%20efficiently%20and%20recommend%20improvements.) to an effective completion. To get started with this as a paralegal, offer to help with your department’s next legal tech project, such as researching possible vendors, helping with evaluation, or assisting with implementation. At Brightflag, we’ve seen many paralegals get their start in legal ops by helping their team implement an e-billing and matter management tool. - **Vendor management:** From legal tech to outside counsel, legal ops takes a holistic view of the legal department to understand how to optimize vendor relationships. If you don’t work directly with vendors today, see if there’s an opportunity for you to gain exposure. - **Budgeting:** [Managing legal billing](https://brightflag.com/legal-e-billing/) and spend is a key part of legal ops, so it’s important to understand the legal department’s budget and what decisions are made to create it. You can show some experience by helping set and track budgets on the matters you work on. - **Institutional knowledge of the core business:** Paralegals already have this in spades. ## How to Make the Shift from Paralegal to Legal Ops If you are interested in pursuing a legal ops career path, here are some steps you can take now to prepare you for the role: First, become well-versed in the legal tech your organization uses. Look for training and best practice guides so you know how to use the technology to its fullest. You will also need to understand the basics of [legal data analytics](https://brightflag.com/resources/the-ultimate-guide-to-legal-data-analytics/). Legal ops is data-driven, and makes suggestions for improvement based on what is happening — or not happening — in the legal department. Check out Brightflag’s resources to learn the basics of [data analytics for legal ops](https://brightflag.com/videos/legal-ops-101-data-analytics/). Then, dig into the analytics you have access to from the legal tech your team uses. What reports are available? How is information presented? Find out who is pulling reports on legal data today in your department and ask them to walk through some of the reports with you to help you understand how the data influences their decisions. Don’t be afraid to reach out to people currently in a legal ops role. Legal operations is a famously welcoming space. Connect with legal ops professionals for help or advice, hear what they are talking about, and [expand your network](https://brightflag.com/resources/finding-your-online-legal-ops-community/). You can also listen to Brightflag’s [In-House Outliers podcast](https://brightflag.com/legal-operations-podcast/) to gain insights into the career journeys of other legal ops professionals. In each episode, you’ll hear from legal ops professionals who can help you find your niche within the community — and ensure the jump from paralegal to legal ops is a smooth one. [![An illustration of a group of people sitting around a table having a discussion, on a light blue background, with the text ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/BRI6871_BlogCTAThumbs_Newsletter.jpg)](https://brightflag.com/brightflag-newsletter/) ## 5 Alternative Careers Paralegals Should Consider If spending your day looking for ways to improve processes and leverage technology to enhance legal department efficiency doesn’t sound interesting to you, you don’t have to give up on your job search. Here are five alternative paralegal career change options that could be a good fit. ### Attorney As a paralegal, you get a front-row seat to the work an attorney does. You see the matters they work on. You gather the documents they use as part of their matter management. Becoming a lawyer can be a natural next step for a paralegal, especially if you already have a law degree. Think about whether you want to be an in-house attorney or work in a law firm. Typically, attorneys work in-firm first before moving to in-house, so that may add to the time it takes to get to your ideal role. Next step if this role interests you: Before you jump into further legal training or education, talk to the in-house lawyers you work with every day to understand what the role is really like and what skills you’ll need to develop to be successful in the role. ### Compliance Manager Another in-house role that requires strong attention to detail and analytical skills is a compliance manager / officer. This role works with the company to [identify and manage regulatory risk.](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/compliance-officer.asp) They maintain the organization’s internal controls and processes to make sure those controls are followed. Compliance manager / officers have to research, understand, and be able to explain complex regulations and laws. Because the compliance officer makes sure the company abides by those regulations, they must have high ethical standards. This role often works closely with the organization’s GC. Compliance officers are common across most industries but are essential for healthcare, financial services, and other highly regulated sectors. **Next step if this role interests you:** Talk with someone currently in a compliance officer role in an industry you want to work in. A compliance officer for a large financial services firm may have a different day-to-day than one at a retail company. ### Contracts Manager or Analyst If you have high attention to detail and enjoy digging into the nuance of a contract, consider a role as a contract manager or analyst. In this position, you would help [draft, review, and manage contracts](https://insightglobal.com/blog/what-is-contract-administrator/) for your organization. The contracts manager often works closely with in-house counsel — especially for mid-size and large organizations — to ensure agreements align with the goals of the company. The role also leverages technology to help automate some of the steps of contract review. **Next step if this role interests you:** To get a feel for the role and understand the scope, take a look at the topics included in the certification programs, such as the Certified Contract Management Associate, Certified Professional Contracts Manager, or Certified Commercial Contracts Manager. These certification programs are not required to be hired as a contracts manager, but if the syllabi sound interesting, it could be a good fit. ### Project Manager If you are interested in taking your organizational skills outside of the legal profession, consider a project manager role. As a project manager, you will be [responsible for coordinating projects](https://www.pmi.org/about/what-is-a-project-manager), from identifying goals and scope to maintaining timelines and ensuring success. Project managers exist in every industry, from government agencies to technology companies to non-profits and even within the legal department. As a paralegal, you likely manage parts of projects or orchestrate different pieces to make sure everything comes together on time. If you enjoy that aspect of your role, this might be a good option as a paralegal career change. **Next step if this role interests you:** Look into obtaining a project management qualification or certification such as the [Project Management Professional (PMP) certification](https://www.pmi.org/certifications/project-management-pmp) or PRINCE2 practitioner training. Also, spend some time looking through job descriptions for project management roles to understand how project management might differ across industries. ### Human Resources Professional As a paralegal, you have to be a skilled communicator. You work closely with attorneys, other paralegals, employees in other departments, and vendors. And you know a thing or two about confidentiality and problem-solving. If these are aspects of your paralegal role you enjoy most, consider moving to human resources. HR typically handles five areas: talent management, compensation and benefits, training, workplace safety, and HR compliance, such as adhering to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) in the U.S. Larger HR teams may have individuals for each role, while smaller teams may have a few generalists who can work across several roles. Different HR positions require different education and skills. A [Human Resources Assistant](https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/careers/what-does-an-hr-assistant-do), for example, typically requires an associate degree in Business Administration and experience as an administrative assistant or similar duties. If you are more interested in becoming a recruiter, you will likely need a bachelor’s degree with some additional training in human resources or talent management — either within your degree program or outside of it. **Next step if this role interests you:** Talk to your HR team. Ask them about the different roles and what they do on a daily basis. See if they can introduce you to HR professionals in other industries so you can understand how the role changes based on the industry. ## Or Maybe It’s Time to Look for a Different Paralegal Role? The paralegal profession helps you build skills that can open doors for a number of alternative careers. But before you make your paralegal career change and jump to a different role, make sure you are looking for a new challenge, not just a new office. For example, if you enjoy elements of a paralegal career but not the types of matters, or if the organization’s larger industry isn’t interesting to you, consider finding a different in-house legal team or practice area. Are you sick of the constantly changing demands of a litigation matter? Try a role with an IP focus, where deadlines are more predictable. Maybe you are tired of working on patent applications. Try corporate, where work is more varied. Another reason you might be ready for a move is the pay. If you are making less than the average salary for a paralegal, see if there is another paralegal job that pays more while you gain more experience. ## Understand Your Value Paralegal skills can open many doors to new career paths. With advancements in legal tech, legal ops continues to be a rapidly growing field and a natural transition for paralegals looking for an alternative career. But before you accept a new position, make sure you understand the standard compensation for that role. Check out Brightflag’s [2024 Corporate Legal Operations Compensation Study](https://brightflag.com/asset/legal-operations-compensation-survey/) to learn what to expect—and negotiate—in your new role. And whatever path you choose in your paralegal career change, good luck with your next move! ##### **Share:** [![linkedin](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-linkedin-white.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://brightflag.com/resources/paralegal-career-change/&title=The%20Best%20Alternative%20Career%20for%20Paralegals%20%28%2BOther%20Roles%20to%20Consider%29)[![twitter](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-x-white.svg)](https://twitter.com/share?text=The%20Best%20Alternative%20Career%20for%20Paralegals%20%28%2BOther%20Roles%20to%20Consider%29&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbrightflag.com%2Fresources%2Fparalegal-career-change%2F) ![Brightflag Director of Legal and Compliance Laura Gleeson, smiling in business attire.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Laura-Gleeson-150x150-1.jpg) #### Laura Gleeson [![linkedin](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-linkedin-white.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-gleeson-2928b821/) General Counsel and Vice President at Brightflag Laura’s career has spanned senior legal roles both in private practice and in house, giving her first-hand exposure to the importance of legal technology. Prior to joining Brightflag, Laura spent more than ten years at Matheson, Ireland’s largest law firm, where she was a partner in its Finance and Capital Markets group, after which she served as senior counsel at PM Group, a multinational engineering firm. Laura serves as a board director at Make-A-Wish Ireland and has a degree in Law & European Studies and a Master of Laws from the University of Limerick. ## Related Articles for You [![Brightflag's Director of Customer Insights, Sinead Kenny, smiling in a red shirt in front of a white and blue background, next to the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/The-12-Legal-Department-KPIs-In-House-Teams-Should-Track-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ The 12 Legal Department KPIs In-House Teams Should Track](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-department-kpis/) [![Brightflag Customer Success Manager Michael Theise, in a gray business shirt, smiling in front of a white and yellow background, with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Legal-Ops-Training-1-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ Learning Legal Ops: A Beginner’s Guide to the Best Legal Operations Training](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-operations-training/) [![Brightflag Customer Success Manager Michael Theise, in a blue suit with a red tie, smiling in front of a white and teal background with the text ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/How-to-Build-a-Legal-Operations-Team-Structure-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ How to Build a Legal Operations Team Structure](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-operations-team-structure/) #### Want new Brightflag blog posts delivered straight to your inbox? ##### Sign up for our monthly newsletter. By submitting this form, you agree to our [privacy policy](https://brightflag.com/policies/privacy-statement/). [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/resources/paralegal-career-change/#mm-0) ## Legal Operations Skills [Resources](https://brightflag.com/resources/) › [Legal Ops & Career Development](https://brightflag.com/resources/#legal-ops-career-development) # 6 Essential Legal Operations Skills for 2025 ![Brightflag's Michael Theise, Customer Success.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Michael-Theise-300x300-1.jpg) Michael Theise, Customer Success Manager at Brightflag Updated January 22, 2025 Working in legal operations is all about creating efficiencies so that your legal department can do its best work. What some legal operations professionals fail to remember, though, is that their own professional development plays a big role in that process. Taking the time to refine a few key legal operations skills can not only help you position yourself as a legal ops leader, but it can have a beneficial impact on your legal team’s capabilities. As the [ACC 2024 Chief Legal Officers Survey](https://www.acc.com/sites/default/files/2024-01/ACC_2024_Chief_Legal_Officers_Survey_Key_Findings.pdf) pointed out, 40% of Chief Legal Officers focus on operational efficiency above all other strategic initiatives. This means it is vital that the legal operations skills you develop have a clear connection to measurable benefits within the business. With this in mind, let’s look at the top legal operations skills that can help grow your career, along with tips on how to develop them. ## Budgeting Your budget is the key to accurately forecasting legal spend, allocating your legal team’s limited resources effectively, and using data to strengthen your partnership with finance. With nearly half of CLOs reporting [orders to cut costs](https://www.acc.com/sites/default/files/2024-01/ACC_2024_Chief_Legal_Officers_Survey_Key_Findings.pdf), it’s more vital than ever to have a handle on budgeting for your legal department. If you start cutting blindly, you may wind up faced with burnout or emergency requests to cover spend that you didn’t plan for. Instead, build up your financial planning acumen to budget more effectively. ### How To Develop Budgeting Skills Dive into financial planning, communicate with finance, and pull accurate financial data. Get started with these resources: - [Legal Ops 101: Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)](https://brightflag.com/videos/legal-ops-101-financial-planning-analysis-fpa/). Budgeting basics and keys to partnering with finance. - [What the CFO Wants](https://brightflag.com/events/what-the-cfo-wants-communicating-effectively-about-legals-finances/). Tips for communicating financial data effectively and building a case for additional legal budget. - [Legal Spend Management](https://brightflag.com/legal-spend-management/). Guide to managing legal expenses and creating a legal spend strategy. ## Internal Stakeholder Management You need to be able to explain legal department priorities in a way that makes sense to the rest of the business. The best way to communicate persuasively with your internal stakeholders is to first build solid relationships with senior leaders, the broader in-house legal team, and other business departments. For example, [building trust with finance](https://brightflag.com/resources/4-paths-legal-ops-can-take-to-win-finances-trust/) can help gain an essential advocate for your legal team’s needs when budget cuts roll around. Relationship building isn’t a quick fix, but it can pay dividends if you put in the effort. ### How To Develop Internal Stakeholder Management Skills A good place to start relationship building is in your own house. Gaining buy-in from the general counsel before you start advocating across the organization will ensure you’re representing the legal department as a whole. Next, identify your most important internal stakeholders beyond the legal department and learn about the pressures driving them. For example, if finance is frustrated by incomplete or untimely reports from legal, learn how to create [stress-free legal finances](https://brightflag.com/events/stress-free-legal-finances/). The right software can help build positive ties between departments. [Dropbox](https://brightflag.com/resources/brightflag-case-study-dropbox/) found that adopting Brightflag not only made their AP system run seamlessly, it also removed frustrations between their legal and finance teams. You should also look for opportunities to collaborate with departments that have overlapping priorities. For instance, work with procurement to streamline contract management processes. No matter who you are working with, practice strong [communication and collaboration](https://brightflag.com/resources/using-successful-communication-and-collaboration-to-establish-a-legal-ops-function/) to build trust and establish relationships that can benefit you and your stakeholders for years to come. ## External Stakeholder Management Collaborating with internal stakeholders is vital, but learning to manage your relationships with vendors and outside counsel is also crucial to your success. After all, those relationships define a large amount of your work and expenses. Outside counsel alone comprises [nearly 50% of the average legal budget](https://www.acc.com/sites/default/files/2023-06/ACC_2023_LDMB_Report_Executive_Summary.pdf). With so much work handled externally, it’s important to build up your ability to manage vendor relationships and give feedback effectively. Implementing data-driven evaluations like [law firm benchmarking](https://brightflag.com/resources/law-firm-benchmarking-what-it-is-and-how-to-start/) streamlines these interactions. Ultimately, improving your external stakeholder relationships will help you improve several outcomes, such as more effective resourcing and ensuring billing behavior aligns with expectations. ### How To Develop External Stakeholder Management Skills Look critically at your existing relationships with outside counsel and other vendors. Do you have billing agreements or [outside counsel guidelines](https://brightflag.com/videos/legal-ops-101-outside-counsel-guidelines/) that are meaningful and regularly followed? If not, it’s time to review what’s working and what requires clarification. Consider holding regular relationship reviews with your top 10 firms. These forums are a best practice for [outside counsel management](https://brightflag.com/resources/outside-counsel-management/) and can be used to share data and align on expectations. Once you have expectations set, follow up to compare outside counsel performance against those criteria. [Performance evaluation reports](https://brightflag.com/press/outside-counsel-performance-reports/) can simplify this review process. Communicating feedback is simpler with the right data. For example, [Cresco Labs used Brightflag to assess all of their external vendors](https://brightflag.com/resources/interview-legal-tech-priorities/) accurately, which enabled them to discuss each vendor’s performance with confidence. ## Rightsourcing The [Corporate Legal Operations Consortium (CLOC)](https://cloc.org/what-is-legal-ops/) describes the present role of legal operations as innovators that strategically drive efficiency and lower costs. Matching work assignments to the best available resource is one of the best ways for legal operations to maximize that role. [Rightsourcing](https://brightflag.com/resources/what-is-rightsourcing-and-how-to-apply-its-benefits/) describes the method for making these matches. It might involve internal assignments, outsourcing to outside counsel, or outsourcing to an alternative legal service provider. Sorting out how to get it all done without burning out or blowing the budget requires more than just identifying the lowest cost option. Take it from Paragon Legal, a leading company in the [rightsourcing space](https://brightflag.com/resources/what-is-rightsourcing-and-how-to-apply-its-benefits/) that sources interim legal talent for in-house departments. President & COO Jessica Markowitz says rightsourcing is “about making the decision that will maximize the value your department can deliver.” ### How To Develop Rightsourcing Skills Before you can make rightsourcing decisions, you need to understand your data. Take a deep dive to identify all of the matters you are currently running and how much of each matter is assigned to external spend. Using [matter management software](https://brightflag.com/platform/matters/) like Brightflag can help you draw up this data quickly and accurately. Next, compare what your data is telling you with the business and legal department objectives you want to achieve. For example, if you find that you have become overly reliant on outside counsel to the detriment of your legal spend budget, this is a sign that you can find savings by considering other resources. Once you have a grasp of where things stand, take a look at all of your options to get work done. This should be a broad exercise, including in-house assignments, flexible talent, and alternative legal service provider hires. Consider details like your available headcount, the risk level of each assignment, and whether the work needs to be completed by someone embedded with your team. ## Reporting and Data Analysis Adopting a data-driven mindset helps you make better strategic decisions. And developing your own skill in reporting and data analysis positions you to highlight your team’s successes and advocate for the resources you need. If this all sounds like drowning in spreadsheets, there’s good news. Generative AI tools like [Ask Brightflag](https://brightflag.com/press/next-gen-ai/) make data accessible through conversational user interfaces. This makes it easy to pull reports quickly without a secondary degree in Excel. ### How To Develop Reporting and Data Analysis Skills You can develop your data analysis skills through practical application. Acquaint yourself with the basics of data analysis. This includes things like recognizing that correlation and causation are not the same — just because data is linked does not mean one data point caused the other. Beginner data courses can be found online and through local professional associations. When you’re ready to start evaluating your organization’s data, set meaningful legal department KPIs to narrate how you’re progressing toward your goals. This will also give you a chance to re-evaluate your plans and change course when your data supports it. Next, consider how you expect to use your data. For example, you may want to identify the most cost-effective outside counsel in your roster, clarify how many contracts have been completed this quarter, or determine how much a certain matter type should cost. Consider what data types you would need to report on to measure progress toward your goals. Some common data sets to consider are: - Legal spend. Separate this by markers such as vendor, matter type, and department. - Matter details. Keep track of how much is assigned to each resource and how matters are tracking against budget. - Timekeeper mix. Check how external stakeholders are billing and which resources are being billed for different types of work. The data types you need will include numeric data for finance reporting, date and time data for tracking time devoted to projects, and boolean data for separating matters completed versus open. Once you have data to review, it’s time to flex your data interpretation muscles. Compare reports back to your KPIs and department goals. If you aren’t moving in the direction you expected, evaluate whether a change in course is warranted by your findings. For more help developing your data analysis and reporting skills, check out these resources: - [Legal Ops 101: Data & Analytics](https://fast.wistia.net/embed/channel/8p659ckajl?wchannelid=8p659ckajl&wmediaid=qq3iv631rv). This video course will help you identify the best metrics and learn to use data insights to drive your decision-making. - [Legal Spend Management Guide](https://brightflag.com/legal-spend-management/). Learn how you can use legal spend management software to streamline financial reporting. ## Legal Technology Knowledge Legal tech helps legal operations professionals improve efficiency, accuracy, and productivity while keeping legal spend down. But with so many options on the market and the legal tech industry [growing every year](https://www.statista.com/topics/9197/legal-tech/#editorsPicks), it’s important to be a savvy shopper. You might already know that sticking with old tech can make your legal department slower and more expensive. But, did you know that upgrading to the right technology can save legal budget and even pay for itself? In 2022, [Lufthansa](https://brightflag.com/resources/brightflag-case-study-lufthansa/) was able to recoup the equivalent of its annual Brightflag subscription cost within the first three months of the year. ### How To Develop Legal Technology Knowledge You don’t have to recreate the wheel when you learn about legal tech. Ask your network what they’re using and whether they’d recommend it. There are also numerous reviews on platforms like G2 and Gartner that provide a peek into what platforms are proving successful. Stay on top of trends and learn what types of new tech are benefitting in-house legal departments by attending conferences or reviewing [trend reports](https://www.acc.com/resource-library/2023-legal-technology-report-house-legal-professionals). Finally, don’t be afraid to get in the weeds to build your confidence. Take advantage of webinars and platform tours to see what different tech solutions can provide. ## Support Legal Operations Skills Development With Brightflag As you build your legal operations skills, keep in mind that you’re most effective when you partner with good vendors that act as an extension of your team. The right partner supports your skill development by bringing deep experience in specific areas and knowledge of best practices drawn from working with hundreds of customers. Brightflag is a [trusted guide](https://brightflag.com/resources/what-exactly-is-a-trusted-guide-how-brightflag-supports-its-customers/), offering the aid you need to develop your legal operations and legal spend management skills. With the help of Brightflag’s best practices to handle legal matters efficiently and control outside counsel spend, you get support to grow in scale and sophistication. You can also take advantage of an extensive resource library dedicated to the legal ops profession. [Book a demo today](https://brightflag.com/demo/) to learn more about how Brightflag can support you and your legal team. ##### **Share:** [![linkedin](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-linkedin-white.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-operations-skills/&title=6%20Essential%20Legal%20Operations%20Skills%20for%202025)[![twitter](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-x-white.svg)](https://twitter.com/share?text=6%20Essential%20Legal%20Operations%20Skills%20for%202025&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbrightflag.com%2Fresources%2Flegal-operations-skills%2F) ![Brightflag's Michael Theise, Customer Success.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Michael-Theise-300x300-1.jpg) #### Michael Theise [![linkedin](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-linkedin-white.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-theise-a815a68b/) Customer Success Manager at Brightflag Michael Theise is a Customer Success Manager at Brightflag who joined the team after having worked in various legal operations roles at both Biogen and State Street. His unique perspective on the legal operations function allows him to provide novel insights into legal ops best practices and career development. Michael holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the Florida State University College of Business. ## Related Articles for You [![Brightflag's Director of Customer Insights, Sinead Kenny, smiling in a red shirt in front of a white and blue background, next to the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/The-12-Legal-Department-KPIs-In-House-Teams-Should-Track-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ The 12 Legal Department KPIs In-House Teams Should Track](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-department-kpis/) [![Brightflag Customer Success Manager Michael Theise, in a gray business shirt, smiling in front of a white and yellow background, with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Legal-Ops-Training-1-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ Learning Legal Ops: A Beginner’s Guide to the Best Legal Operations Training](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-operations-training/) [![Brightflag Customer Success Manager Michael Theise, in a blue suit with a red tie, smiling in front of a white and teal background with the text ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/How-to-Build-a-Legal-Operations-Team-Structure-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ How to Build a Legal Operations Team Structure](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-operations-team-structure/) #### Want new Brightflag blog posts delivered straight to your inbox? ##### Sign up for our monthly newsletter. By submitting this form, you agree to our [privacy policy](https://brightflag.com/policies/privacy-statement/). [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-operations-skills/#mm-0) ## Best Legal AI Tools [Resources](https://brightflag.com/resources/) › [AI & the Future of Legal Tech](https://brightflag.com/resources/#ai-legal-tech) # The 6 Best Legal AI Tools for In-House Teams ![Michael Dineen, Brightflag's Director of Data Science, smiling in a gray dress shirt and glasses.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Michael-Dineen.jpeg) Michael Dineen, Director of Data Science Updated December 16, 2024 Contrary to what the recent surge of attention surrounding artificial intelligence would have you believe, AI technology has been quietly working in the background of the tools you’ve been using every day for over a decade now—serving search recommendations on Google, making personalized viewing suggestions on your streaming platforms, and even [assisting legal teams with invoice review](https://brightflag.com/resources/you-dont-need-aba-litigation-codes-for-invoice-review-if-you-have-a-i/). But now, with the advent of generative AI tools like [ChatGPT](https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt), the technology has been thrust back into the spotlight. And legal professionals that were previously slow to adopt AI are quickly realizing that they’ll have to secure AI solutions—and fast—if they don’t want to get left behind. But with so much hype surrounding these tools, how can your in-house legal team sift through all the noise and find the legal AI tools that would serve them best? And what’s the easiest place to get started when it comes to AI? Join us as we explore the different types of legal AI tools on offer today, and give some examples of products to try in each category. [![Cover page of Brightflag's AI e-book on a blue background, with the text ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/BRI6871_BlogCTAThumbs_AIeBook.jpg)](https://brightflag.com/asset/implementing-legal-ai/) ## General-purpose Generative AI Tools General-purpose AI tools are a great place to start to get a feel for what generative AI can do for your in-house team. In recent years, many companies have developed general-purpose AI chatbots that leverage large language models (LLMs) to answer questions and perform tasks for users through a conversational interface. You can experiment with one of the tools mentioned below to get a better understanding of their functionality. These tools are not purpose-built for the legal industry, so you can test them out by asking just about anything, like giving you restaurant recommendations for your upcoming trip to New York. You can also ask them legal-specific questions, like providing a brief summary of the judicial appeals system in Germany, or an overview of recent case law in a particular legal practice area. It’s important to know that many companies now have policies regarding the entry of sensitive or private data into general-purpose AI tools. Check your organization’s requirements before entering confidential information into these systems. It’s also important to note that these systems are great for providing quick answers and broad overviews of topics where accuracy is not paramount. However, as they are not tailor-made for legal, where accuracy and reliability of data are so crucial, its best not to rely on them for accurate responses. ### ChatGPT OpenAI made waves when it released ChatGPT in late 2022. With hundreds of millions of users, it is one of the most widely used generative AI chatbots. Users interact with ChatGPT by sending it text queries, known as prompts. Since ChatGPT is free to use, it can be useful for early experimentation with generative AI. However, ChatGPT has been known to hallucinate, or generate false information, when it does not have an answer within its dataset. So, it’s important to verify information that comes from ChatGPT. ### Microsoft Copilot Microsoft Copilot is a generative AI chatbot built into the Microsoft Office suite. It can be used as a chatbot, like ChatGPT, to get answers to text-based queries. Copilot can also be integrated with other Microsoft applications like Word, Excel, and Outlook to provide in-context suggestions, like help with an Excel formula or improvements to the tone of an Outlook email. Microsoft and Open AI have a partnership, which means that Copilot is built on the same large language models as ChatCPT. ### Google Gemini Similar to Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini is a generative AI chatbot integrated with the Google suite of tools. It can be used in conjunction with YouTube, Google Maps, and Google Workspace. In addition, if you live outside of the EU you may notice Gogoel Gemini increasingly showing up in your Google search results. Google leverages Gemini to provide quick summaries in response to common search queries. ## Spend and Work Management AI Tools In-house legal teams manage a large workload and a significant legal budget on behalf of their business. To effectively deliver legal services, they need to be able to effectively manage their spend and make the best use of their limited resources. Enter AI. For a decade, AI has been helping in-house teams save time and control costs. Machine learning models, supported by natural language processing can be used to read every line item across the thousands of law firm invoices legal teams receive each year. This data can then be used to automatically apply outside counsel guidelines, and to create an accurate and consistent data set for ongoing analysis and reporting. In addition, generative AI has started to transform how in-house teams manage legal work and spend, enabling them to manage legal spend and matters using conversation instead of clicks. ### Brightflag Brightflag is an intuitive, AI-powered e-billing and matter management platform that helps in-house teams gain complete visibility into legal spend and control costs. Brightflag has been using AI for over a decade to help in-house teams gain insight into their spending. Its machine learning model reads line item narratives on legal invoices, automatically applies outside counsel guidelines, and builds up an accurate and consistent data set for reporting. [iframe](cid:frame-7FFB826A4A253E079C005A086C23A901@mhtml.blink) _Zillow's Mark Allen explains how AI-backed invoice review has saved his team time and money._ More recently, Brightflag launched the first generative AI assistant for legal spend and matters. Ask Brightflag helps in-house teams gain insight into their legal work and spend in seconds, without the need to create a report. Its proprietary generative AI model, tailor-made for legal, understands legal data structures and ensures accuracy. ## Legal Research AI tools AI-driven legal research tools have received lots of attention since the dawn of the genAI era. As a time-intensive, text-heavy process, legal research, and subsequent legal document drafting, are often seen as the types of work that are most prone to genAI disruption. Like research done by junior lawyers, however, it’s important to closely check the work done by legal research tools to ensure accuracy and comprehensiveness. ### Harvey One of the most buzzy generative AI legal startups, Harvey is designed to help law firms and large companies speed up legal research. Harvey is built on OpenAI’s models and therefore is built on the same foundation as ChatGPT. Harvey also supplements this data with case law and a law firm or organization’s proprietary work product. ## Contract Management AI Tools Contract management benefits from AI by helping in-house teams streamline the time-consuming tasks of contract review and drafting. Generative AI is being used by many Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) providers to help reviewers draft more consistent contract clauses. ### Ironclad Ironclad’s Jurist AI legal assistant leverages generative AI to help in-house teams leverage automation throughout the contract drafting and review process. Users can ask Jurist questions like: ‘Identify any risks in this lease agreement, focussing on the indemnity and termination clauses’ and can ask it to update documents, like updating an offer letter so it can be used for a UK candidate. ## Try an AI-Powered Legal Tech Tool for Yourself Understanding the use cases for different AI tools is one thing, but there’s no substitute for actually taking the technology for a spin and seeing firsthand how it can take on legal tasks and change your department’s workflows. As mentioned above, free general-purpose AI tools make it easy to run your own experiments in real-time. With ChatGPT, for example, it would only take a few minutes and a few prompts to gauge its utility across various practice areas and content formats. Moving beyond free generative AI tools, many AI-backed legal software solutions are more than happy to provide legal teams with a hands-on look at their product. Brightflag, for example, offers self-guided interactive demos of their platform. This allows you to experience firsthand what it would be like to apply Brightflag’s AI-backed tools to tasks like [legal invoice review](https://brightflag.com/tour-invoices/) and matter management. You can give the interactive demo a try below: [iframe](cid:frame-9D72AFF71F548AEF3E08B4598F0DC8AF@mhtml.blink) ## Let’s Get Started Congratulations. You’ve taken an important first step in your journey to understanding what legal AI tools are capable of—and finding the one that will return the most value for your in-house team. If you’d like to learn how Brightflag’s modern, AI-powered e-billing and matter management platform can transform your legal operations check out our interactive product tour below, or [schedule a personalized demo today](https://brightflag.com/demo/). ##### **Share:** [![linkedin](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-linkedin-white.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-ai-tools/&title=The%206%20Best%20Legal%20AI%20Tools%20for%20In-House%20Teams)[![twitter](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-x-white.svg)](https://twitter.com/share?text=The%206%20Best%20Legal%20AI%20Tools%20for%20In-House%20Teams&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbrightflag.com%2Fresources%2Flegal-ai-tools%2F) ![Michael Dineen, Brightflag's Director of Data Science, smiling in a gray dress shirt and glasses.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Michael-Dineen.jpeg) #### Michael Dineen [![linkedin](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-linkedin-white.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-dineen-2b8207117/) Director of Data Science Michael Dineen first joined Brightflag in 2016 as a Data Scientist, ultimately working his way up to his current role as Director of Data Science. Prior to joining Brightflag, Michael served as a Senior Analytics Consultant with Presidion. He holds a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Business Intelligence and Data Mining from Technological University Dublin, as well as a post-graduate diploma in Software Development. Michael is widely regarded as a legal technology thought leader, with technical expertise in AI and machine learning. ## Related Articles for You [![Brightflag's Director of Solutions Consulting, Adam Mousy, in a suit jacket and blue dress shirt, smiling in front of a white and blue background, with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/The-Ultimate-Guide-to-Legal-Prompt-Engineering-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ The Ultimate Guide to Legal Prompt Engineering](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-prompt-engineering/) [![Brightflag's Director of Solutions Consulting, Adam Moursey, in a suit jacket and dress shirt, smiling in front of a white and yellow background with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/The-Top-Legal-AI-Companies-to-Know-in-2025-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ The Top Legal AI Companies to Know in 2025](https://brightflag.com/resources/top-legal-ai-companies/) [![Headshots of Kevin Cohn (Brightflag Chief Customer Officer) and Matthew Steer (Deloitte Legal's Associate Director of Legal Management Consulting) in business attire, in front of a teal background, with the webinar title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Social_1200x675-8-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar\\ \\ Deloitte Legal AI Predictions: A Conversation with Brightflag](https://brightflag.com/events/deloitte-brightflag-ai/) #### Want new Brightflag blog posts delivered straight to your inbox? ##### Sign up for our monthly newsletter. By submitting this form, you agree to our [privacy policy](https://brightflag.com/policies/privacy-statement/). [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-ai-tools/#mm-0) ## Brightflag Platform Tour [‹ All On-Demand Webinars](https://brightflag.com/resources/#on-demand-webinar) # Brightflag Platform Tour ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Tej-Sechania-scaled.jpg) Tej Sachania, Solutions Consultant ![Brightflag Platform Tour](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Social_1200x675.jpg) In this platform tour, you’ll get a comprehensive demo of Brightflag’s AI-powered enterprise legal management platform. Plus, we’ll cover all of the innovative new features we launched at CLOC Global Institute. Watch the platform tour now to learn how Brightflag can help you: - Manage legal work and resourcing - Eliminate manual work from the invoicing process - Report on spend across practice areas, business entity, and more ![Video Thumbnail](https://embed-ssl.wistia.com/deliveries/48764b21c083704aaaf17e1544b79411.webp?image_crop_resized=1200x675) Click for sound 24:31 ## Related Resources [![Brightflag's Chief Customer Officer, Kevin Cohn, smiling in a blue polo in front of a white and blue background, with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Key-Takeaways-from-CLOC-Global-Institute-2025-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ General \\ \\ **Key Takeaways from CLOC Global Institute 2025**](https://brightflag.com/resources/cloc-global-institute-2025/) [![Brightflag's Director of Customer Insights, Sinead Kenny, smiling in a red shirt in front of a white and blue background, next to the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/The-12-Legal-Department-KPIs-In-House-Teams-Should-Track-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **The 12 Legal Department KPIs In-House Teams Should Track**](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-department-kpis/) [![Brightflag's Director of Customer Insights, Sinead Kenny, smiling in front of a white and yellow background with a red button-down shirt on, next to the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/How-to-Conduct-an-Effective-Law-Firm-Panel-Review_Sinead_Kenny-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ Vendor Benchmarking \\ \\ **How to Conduct an Effective Law Firm Panel Review**](https://brightflag.com/resources/law-firm-panel-review/) [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/events/platform-tour-may/#mm-0) ## Legal Vendor Management Guide [Resources](https://brightflag.com/resources/) › [Vendor Benchmarking](https://brightflag.com/resources/#vendor-benchmarking) # The Complete Guide to Legal Vendor Management ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Sinead-Kenny-150x150-1.jpg) Sinead Kenny, Director, Customer Insights at Brightflag December 26, 2024 Achieving strategic value, quality service, and cost efficiency is a top priority for legal operations and corporate legal teams in today’s fast-paced business environment. In fact, a structured and proactive approach to vendor management is one of the easiest ways to streamline costs, foster better collaboration and ensure consistent, high-quality service. In this guide, we run through all the steps you need to take to keep your vendor management program running like a well-oiled machine and ensure efficient, mutually beneficial relationships with all your outside counsel. ## What is Legal Vendor Management? As the name suggests, legal vendor management is the process of choosing, engaging with, and managing the performance of external legal vendors. These may include law firms, alternative legal service providers, and other types of organizations that sell services to in-house legal teams. For example, imagine your company is involved in an essential corporate merger. Choosing between multiple firms to handle this matter might involve evaluating their expertise in mergers and acquisitions, their historical performance on similar cases, and their proposed costs. In this context, vendor management helps ensure you select the right firm for the job and that their work aligns with your strategic goals and budget. A key aspect of vendor management is using [legal procurement best practices](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-procurement/) to balance engaging the right providers with cost efficiency—helping your in-house team to deliver optimal outcomes for the business. These practices include competitive bidding, where vendors submit proposals to secure work; performance metrics, which track factors like case outcomes and adherence to budgets; and periodic vendor audits to assess value delivered. ## What is a Vendor Management Program? Getting the most out of vendor management requires taking a structured approach. Specifically, your team should have a vendor management program in place that covers factors like performance evaluation, cost management and efficient use of your available resources. By centralizing these functions, your team can better align vendor services with organizational goals while maintaining control over legal spending. Technology should also play an important role in maximizing the effectiveness of a vendor management program. Tools like Brightflag’s e-billing system allow for automation of tasks such as spend analysis, performance tracking, and invoicing. These platforms centralize vendor data, provide actionable insights in real-time, and streamline workflows—empowering your team to make strategic, data-driven decisions while reducing administrative burdens. A robust program should also cover how your team will address problems or inefficiencies as they arise. Finally, measuring and sharing success is central to building trust and driving ongoing support for your strategy. It is important to establish metrics such as cost savings, reduced resolution times, or improved service delivery. These results can then be used to demonstrate the program’s impact and strengthen buy-in across your organization. ## Why is Legal Vendor Management Important? There are a wide range of benefits to having an effective vendor management system. The most common ones include: **Cost control:** A vendor management program gives your team a clearer view of legal spending. That allows you to identify any areas where you could be saving costs as well as potential opportunities to negotiate more favourable rates. **Better vendor performance:** A sound vendor management system also clarifies factors like current vendor performance and allows you to set benchmarks for improvement. That raises accountability and makes it easier to quickly spot the partners that are really driving value for your organization. **Improved vendor selection:** By centralizing vendor information, vendor management systems allow your team to make the best vendor selections based on criteria like area of practice and cost efficiency. Many systems also provide a view into vendor diversity by allowing vendors to provide demographic details (e.g. gender or sexual orientation) that can help your team meet corporate diversity targets when onboarding potential vendors. However, you must remember that vendor diversity extends beyond being a mere corporate target; it is an important driver of innovative legal solutions and can align your department with broader ESG goals. **Operational efficiency:** Finally, having all your vendor data in one place reduces administrative overheads and streamlines your team’s workflows — freeing up time for them to tackle the more important tasks in their day-to-day. ## How to Create an Effective Vendor Management Program Setting up a vendor management system that ticks all the right boxes and maximizes your benefits can be a challenge — so it helps to do your due diligence and take a systematic approach. Here are our five steps for implementing an effective and efficient vendor management program: **1\. Create a system of record** **2\. Take stock of current relationships** **3\. Prioritize impactful “fixes”** **4\. Share successes** **5\. Review and monitor vendor relationships** Let’s run through each step in more detail: ### 1\. Create a system of record The first step is to create a comprehensive record of the vendors you’re working with and which [legal matters](https://brightflag.com/resources/what-is-a-legal-matter/) they’ve worked on or are working on. Ideally, you’ll also need to be able to track how effectively they’re providing services from a single dashboard, but all of that is easier said than done. There are many standard business tools available that can be used in this context, ranging from simple spreadsheets to accounting or project management software. But because none of those systems are designed specifically with legal teams in mind, they may still come up short when it comes to giving you honest, actionable insights. Our advice? Invest in a legal-specific e-billing and vendor management system that tracks vendors, spending, and performance all in one place. This makes the vendor management process significantly easier. ### 2\. Take stock of current relationships Once all your vendor information is easily accessible, it’s time to take a closer look at what different providers bring to the table. Here are some key tips: #### Gather general context How many vendors are you working with? And do any of them cover similar practice areas? If the answer to the second question is yes, it’s worth digging into why that’s the case. It may be that one of the similar firms you work with offers expertise in a highly niche area (e.g., regulatory compliance within one aspect of your industry) in addition to the general practice areas they cover. To find out, you’ll need to speak to the members of your team who work most closely with each outside firm or possibly even to members of the broader business if they have the authority to instruct outside counsel. And if you find out, there are no objective differentiating factors? It may be time to consolidate similar services under one provider. This can help you strengthen that vendor relationship and drive cost efficiency within your team (e.g. they may give volume discounts). #### Map pain points When talking to members of your in-house team and other business functions, be sure to get their feedback on any pain points they’re experiencing with current providers. How do they find working with specific firms? What frustrates them in those relationships? And how would they like to see them improve? Gathering that information can go a long way towards helping you refine how (and which) vendors slot into your broader ecosystem. #### Monitor spending efficiency and performance. Use data from your accounting or e-billing system to monitor legal spending and current vendor performance. Remember, the goal is to improve efficiency. Ideally, you should use a system that allows you to review individual matters, the time spent on them, any hiccups that arose, how these were resolved, and the pricing. From there, it’ll be easier to identify the best outside counsel options. #### Talk to finance Lastly, talk to the finance department to understand what vendor relationships look like from their perspective. Which vendors are providing timely accruals that keep finance on track? Are all the firms you work with sticking to your billing guidelines? Factors like repeated overbilling, poor adherence to budget or failure to follow guidelines all influence the efficiency and value add to your vendor relationships. So, you should definitely take stock of these issues as part of planning your vendor management priorities. ### 3\. Prioritize impactful “fixes” Once you have a clearer view of where current legal vendors are coming up short, you may be tempted to make sweeping changes to your system. However, it’s often a better idea to start by prioritizing specific, immediate “fixes” that would go a long way towards solving your team’s most pressing pain points. For example, suppose your main problem is poor communication from one of your primary partners. In that case, it may be as simple as a conversation highlighting specific examples where this problem has impacted your team’s workflows. Or recirculating billing guidelines to fix billing inconsistencies across providers. A bigger efficiency fix might be consolidating services under a single firm or firms. But if you decide to do so, we recommend doing it in one practice area first. Make that more minor change, and then monitor to ensure instructions are going to your selected provider(s) before rolling out a more considerable consolidation. As you make changes, keep in mind that it’s essential to understand the context of any legacy relationships between senior members of your company and outside counsel. If there’s a legacy reason for using a specific firm, it’s worth discussing your plans with internal stakeholders before enacting any changes. ### 4\. Share successes As your vendor management strategy gains momentum, keep internal stakeholders updated on the success of the changes you’ve made. That might be cost savings, more streamlined and efficient legal service delivery, or a stronger relationship with other internal teams, like finance. Where it makes sense, use specific metrics to measure success — like percentage reduced legal spend, time to resolve legal requests or time spent processing invoices. By making these “wins” visible, you build trust and confidence in your processes. And that can be the key to rolling out bigger changes or even an [overarching legal department strategy](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-department-strategy/) that reshapes how your team adds value to the business. ### 5\. Review and monitor vendor relationships Finally, keep in mind that changes aren’t necessarily “one-time fixes.” Reviewing, monitoring, and improving vendor relationships over time is often the key to long-term success. Especially if you can build a relationship that is closely collaborative and mutually beneficial. Be sure to also update vendors as your team’s goals and legal priorities change and to clearly outline new processes to be followed and any new expectations on both sides. By doing that, you create an environment of continuous improvement — one geared towards helping both you and your vendors grow over time. And one that ensures your outside providers become trusted, value-adding, and cost-effective business partners. ## Legal Vendor Management Simplified with Brightflag While getting your vendor management program up to scratch can be tricky, it doesn’t have to be a Herculean task. Brightflag’s [legal vendor management solution](https://brightflag.com/platform/vendors/) is designed to streamline every aspect of your outside partner relationships, from making it easy to adopt new vendors, to providing the metrics you need to make real-time, data-driven performance decisions and benchmark vendor services. All while keeping all your vendor information right where you need it — at your fingertips. [Book a demo today](https://brightflag.com/demo/) and see how Brightflag can transform your legal vendor management strategy. ##### **Share:** [![linkedin](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-linkedin-white.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-vendor-management/&title=The%20Complete%20Guide%20to%20Legal%20Vendor%20Management)[![twitter](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-x-white.svg)](https://twitter.com/share?text=The%20Complete%20Guide%20to%20Legal%20Vendor%20Management&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbrightflag.com%2Fresources%2Flegal-vendor-management%2F) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Sinead-Kenny-150x150-1.jpg) #### Sinead Kenny Director, Customer Insights at Brightflag Sinead is the Director of Customer Insights at Brightflag, and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Law and Accounting from the University of Limerick. She previously worked as a Solicitor with Matheson LLP, Ireland's largest law firm, and is widely regarded as a thought leader in the legal technology space. ## Related Articles for You [![Brightflag's Director of Customer Insights, Sinead Kenny, smiling in front of a white and yellow background with a red button-down shirt on, next to the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/How-to-Conduct-an-Effective-Law-Firm-Panel-Review_Sinead_Kenny-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ How to Conduct an Effective Law Firm Panel Review](https://brightflag.com/resources/law-firm-panel-review/) [![Headshots of Brightflag Customer Success Managers Juliet Manso and Micheal Theise smiling in front of a teal background, with the webinar name ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Social_1200x675_B-1-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar\\ \\ How to Track Legal Department Metrics](https://brightflag.com/events/how-to-track-legal-department-metrics/) [![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/The-Metrics-Every-In-House-Team-Should-Track-Social-1200x675-1-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar\\ \\ Webinar: The Metrics Every In-House Team Should Track](https://brightflag.com/events/metrics-in-house-teams-should-track/) #### Want new Brightflag blog posts delivered straight to your inbox? ##### Sign up for our monthly newsletter. By submitting this form, you agree to our [privacy policy](https://brightflag.com/policies/privacy-statement/). [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-vendor-management/#mm-0) ## Outside Counsel Management [Resources](https://brightflag.com/resources/) › [Vendor Benchmarking](https://brightflag.com/resources/#vendor-benchmarking) # Best Practices for Outside Counsel Management ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Alex-Kelly-150x150-1.jpg) Alex Kelly, Chief Operating Officer & Co-Founder at Brightflag February 20, 2024 Managing your outside counsel is about more than just picking the best firms. That’s a solid start, but you must also keep a close eye on their work to ensure they’re doing a great job at a reasonable cost. Successful [legal operations](https://brightflag.com/resources/what-is-legal-operations/#:~:text=Kevin%20Cohn%2C%20Chief%20Customer%20Officer,the%20actual%20practice%20of%20law.) are about striking the right balance between expertise and efficiency, ensuring the firms you choose align with your company’s values and financial goals. In-house legal teams need a strategic approach to outside counsel management underpinned by a blend of clear guidelines, transparent communication, and the right technology. ## Know When To Send Work To Outside Counsel By thoughtfully assessing each matter’s risk and complexity, in-house attorneys can make informed decisions about when to leverage the strengths of the in-house team and when to enlist outside counsel’s specialized skills. This strategic approach ensures that legal departments can manage their staffing effectively while achieving optimal organizational outcomes. [Keeping work in-house](https://brightflag.com/resources/outside-legal-counsel/) is often the most cost-effective approach. However, outsourcing is often necessary. For example, matters that require specialized legal expertise, not present within the in-house team, should be considered for outsourcing. This is particularly true for litigation or high-stakes matters where the strategic advantage external counsel offers can be invaluable. Or when in-house teams are stretched thin, outsourcing helps your legal department ensure timely and effective legal responses. In-house teams must assess their workload and capabilities realistically, identifying when external support is needed to maintain the quality and efficiency of legal services. The best practice is to assign a risk score and a complexity score to all matters. High-risk, high-complexity matters likely need to be handled by firms with the required expertise in that practice area. On the other hand, in-house attorneys can typically handle high-risk, low-complexity work that doesn’t require niche legal expertise. In these cases where risk remains high, it pays to have internal expertise with deep knowledge of your company’s risk appetite to manage the matter. Plus it’s more cost-effective and efficient to manage this type of work in-house. Ferring Pharmaceuticals' Curt McDaniel on the Importance of Law Firm Oversight ![Video Thumbnail](https://fast.wistia.net/embed/medias/ettlglfd3e/swatch) ![Video Thumbnail](https://embed-ssl.wistia.com/deliveries/cda3f2b2df8681b3f98a7e0b40524a92.webp?image_crop_resized=640x640) Click for sound 0:39 _Ferring Pharmaceuticals' Curt McDaniel shares his approach when it comes to contracting outside counsel._ Finally, for high-volume, routine, low-risk work, consider outsourcing to [alternative legal service providers (ALSPs)](https://brightflag.com/resources/beyond-traditional-law-firms-an-introduction-to-alternative-legal-service-providers/) or simply cutting that work if possible. If neither option is available, you should assign that legal work in-house, ideally to a junior attorney, paralegal, or administrator. ## Codify Your Needs By clearly documenting your legal department’s priorities, preferences, and procedures in [outside counsel guidelines (OCGs)](https://brightflag.com/resources/tips-for-creating-outside-counsel-guidelines/), you establish a blueprint that your firms can follow to ensure their services align with your company’s goals and legal strategy. Your OCGs should be concise and use clear examples to illustrate your point. The document should align with your internal policies and company values so your outside counsel acts as an extension of your organization. For example, you could require firms to abide by your DEI rules or travel and stipend policies. Use outside counsel guidelines to establish how you want outside counsel to staff your legal matters for optimal legal spend. For example, you’ll want to lay out what work is typically appropriate for associates versus senior partners at the firm. This document also outlines what activities are and are not permissible for billing hours. You might limit how many hours firms can bill toward internal communications or bar multiple fee earners from billing for the time they spend in the same meeting together. Finally, your OCGs lay down the commercial terms for the contract. This includes timekeeper rates, alternative fee arrangements, and outside counsel’s obligations for reporting potential conflicts. ## Establish a Relationship Manager Designate lead contacts in both your in-house team and the external firm to manage the overall firm relationship outside of the context of individual matters. These go-to contacts create an efficient communications channel, allowing opportunities to improve your business relationship. Relationship managers should be conversant about the legal aspects of the work, but, more importantly, they should have strong interpersonal and management skills to navigate any conflicts or tough conversations about performance and costs. Their ability to understand and articulate the needs and goals of both sides can turn potential conflicts into opportunities for strengthening the partnership. Request regular relationship reviews where you can provide feedback on the firm’s performance and cost-effectiveness at the macro level and inform them of your upcoming needs and priorities to help them deliver more value for you. These sessions are an opportunity to review the relationship holistically, beyond just the invoices and case outcomes, to ensure strategic alignment and satisfaction from your team and the law firm. Trust us; they’ll be happy for the feedback and the opportunity to deepen their relationship with you. Establishing this open line of communication not only enhances the efficiency of ongoing projects but also lays the groundwork for long-term collaboration and trust. ## Require A Budget for Every Matter Setting a [legal budget](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-budgeting/) at the outset of each engagement is essential for managing legal spend and for having productive outside counsel relationships. Establishing a budget helps keep legal costs under control and serves as a critical planning tool for both the in-house team and the external firm, enabling better resource allocation and project management. While it may seem awkward to discuss pricing upfront, open discussions about budget constraints and financial expectations help foster transparency, making it easier to address any financial concerns as they arise. And your firms will appreciate knowing where you stand on money matters instead of finding out when you feel they’ve overbilled, and they need to put a significant discount on the last invoice. By involving outside counsel in budgeting discussions, you invite them to partner in cost management, encouraging them to think creatively about delivering the most value within your budget. This collaborative approach leads to more innovative solutions and a stronger, more trusting relationship between your organization and legal service providers. You can also use the opportunity of discussing the budget to explore the potential for [alternative fee arrangements](https://brightflag.com/resources/alternative-fee-arrangements-examples/) on the matter, providing further certainty on costs and expectations. Requiring a budget also encourages regular communication about the progress of matters, allowing for timely adjustments if the scope of work changes. It’s a practice that ensures financial predictability and aligns legal strategy with business objectives, ensuring every dollar spent on legal services is an investment towards your company’s success. ## Actively Manage Your Budget After setting a budget for your legal matters, the next step is to manage that budget actively with your outside counsel partners. Legal matters are dynamic, and changes are inevitable. So, it’s crucial to monitor your legal spend regularly. Hold regular check-ins with your outside counsel on each matter’s budget to ensure everything is on track. These check-ins provide an opportunity to identify budget overruns early and to discuss necessary adjustments with your outside counsel. [Legal spend management tools](https://brightflag.com/legal-spend-management/) like Brightflag are invaluable in this regard. They offer real-time visibility into your spend, allowing you to monitor the budget closely against actual spend for each matter. For example, Brightflag alerts you when spend is trending over budget. That way, you can intervene promptly and discuss budget concerns with your law firms before costs escalate uncontrollably. It’s important for legal leaders to not just focus on individual matter budgets, but to also consider the bigger picture by tracking legal spend in the aggregate. This means looking at overall spend, as well as analyzing spend by firm and by business unit. These more comprehensive views give you the perspective to make data-informed decisions about managing your legal resources. By both assessing the budget in aggregate and diving into the specifics of your legal spend, you can uncover the root causes of budget overruns and take corrective action. Whether it’s a matter that’s become more complex than initially anticipated or a particular firm consistently exceeding budget without clear justification, having detailed data at your fingertips allows you to address issues directly and efficiently. Active budget management, supported by robust legal spend management technology, empowers legal departments to maintain control over their finances. It facilitates a more collaborative and transparent relationship with outside counsel, ensuring that legal spend aligns with both the expectations of in-house counsel and the organization’s strategic objectives. ## Streamline Invoice Review Outside of budget management, consider leveraging technology to automate manual processes for your team and your outside counsel. One of the most time-consuming tasks for corporate legal departments is [legal invoice review](https://brightflag.com/platform/invoicing/). However, with the advent of legal e-billing systems like Brightflag, this process can be automated and streamlined, making it more efficient and less prone to human error. Zillow's Mark Allen on How Automated Invoice Review Saves Time and Money ![Video Thumbnail](https://fast.wistia.net/embed/medias/6epv6r8p48/swatch) ![Video Thumbnail](https://embed-ssl.wistia.com/deliveries/74a2c1cf035d477054962a66dded9c56.webp?image_crop_resized=560x315) Click for sound 0:54 _Zillow's Mark Allen discusses how Brightflag's automated invoice review has saved his organization's legal team significant time and money._ One of the key advantages of using [legal e-billing software](https://brightflag.com/legal-e-billing/) is its ability to enforce outside counsel guidelines automatically. The system can identify and address guideline violations without requiring manual review, saving significant time and resources. It can auto-reject invoices that don’t comply with set rules and auto-approve those that do. This level of automation ensures that the invoice review process is efficient and consistent. Legal e-billing tools serve your outside counsel, too. For example, Brightflag provides a [vendor portal](https://brightflag.com/platform/vendors/) where outside counsel can submit accruals and access information about invoice approval and payment statuses. This self-service option benefits both parties; it simplifies the submission process for outside counsel and allows in-house teams to easily access the data they need, fostering a transparent and collaborative relationship. ## Review Results It’s important to regularly review the performance of your outside counsel to ensure you have the optimal mix of partners to serve the needs of your business. Your review should focus on several key performance indicators, including: - **On-time submission of invoices and accuracy of accruals:** Timely invoice and accrual submissions are essential. They reflect the outside counsel’s respect for contractual obligations and their efficiency in managing legal matters. Accurate accruals are critical for your accounting team and give you a real-time view into your legal spend. - **Billing hygiene:** [Billing hygiene](https://brightflag.com/resources/creating-effective-billing-guidelines/) measures how carefully outside counsel submits invoices that meet your outside counsel guidelines. Firms should provide clear, detailed narratives that meet your billing criteria. - **Budget adherence:** Firms show they are good partners by setting and sticking to budgets on every matter. They should proactively recognize the potential for overrun and work with you to steer legal spend back under budget. - **Resourcing:** It’s important to ensure that tasks are assigned to the appropriate level within the firm to avoid overbilling and to guarantee that individuals with the right expertise handle the work. By leveraging the data insights gained from a legal spend management tool, legal departments can negotiate more favorable hourly rates and improve the quality of service they receive. This data-driven approach allows for informed discussions with outside counsel about their performance and areas for improvement. It also provides a basis for making strategic decisions about which firms to continue working with and under what terms. In addition to these quantitative performance measures, your in-house team should systematically benchmark your outside counsel. This includes their communication, strategic advice, and overall partnership with the in-house team to ensure they add value beyond mere legal services. You should hold quarterly business reviews to discuss performance, strategic alignment, and areas for improvement. Regularly reviewing the results of outside counsel spend and performance fosters a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. It ensures that outside counsel is aligned with the in-house team’s expectations and contributes effectively to the organization’s legal and business goals. Zillow's Mark Allen on Using Vendor Assessment for Cost Savings ![Video Thumbnail](https://fast.wistia.net/embed/medias/a5gu1o458r/swatch) ![Video Thumbnail](https://embed-ssl.wistia.com/deliveries/4e6820c5c654001d1bc6f1f24c4ed48e.webp?image_crop_resized=640x360) Click for sound 1:59 _Zillow's Mark Allen on the importance of regularly assessing your outside counsel partners._ Finally, conduct panel reviews every year or two to ensure you have the right mix of partners and to identify opportunities to consolidate work with high-performing firms. Focus on cost-effectiveness and performance using data from your spend management tool. Also, consider scoring firms on diversity and inclusion metrics and other company initiatives. ## Streamline Outside Counsel Management With Brightflag Technology makes the management of outside counsel easier. The right legal spend management tool helps you align your outside counsel with your expectations around billing practices, budgeting, and performance. It also creates win-win situations related to easy accruals submission, fast invoice review, and payment. In addition, Brightflag generates clean, actionable reports and keeps you apprised of developing trends in how your outside counsel is performing. Discover how Brightflag can transform your outside counsel management by [booking a demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/) today—or check out our interactive product tour below. Product overview ##### **Share:** [![linkedin](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-linkedin-white.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://brightflag.com/resources/outside-counsel-management/&title=Best%20Practices%20for%20Outside%20Counsel%20Management)[![twitter](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-x-white.svg)](https://twitter.com/share?text=Best%20Practices%20for%20Outside%20Counsel%20Management&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbrightflag.com%2Fresources%2Foutside-counsel-management%2F) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Alex-Kelly-150x150-1.jpg) #### Alex Kelly [![linkedin](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-linkedin-white.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexkellybrightflag/) Chief Operating Officer & Co-Founder at Brightflag Alex co-founded Brightflag after spending more than six years at Matheson—Ireland’s largest law firm—where he worked in its financial institutions group. A legal technology thought leader, Alex is a frequent speaker at legal operations conferences on topics related to legal innovation and legal transformation. Alex is also host of the In-House Outliers podcast, which shines a light on in-house legal professionals, and explores the impacts of the legal operations function. ## Related Articles for You [![Brightflag's Director of Customer Insights, Sinead Kenny, smiling in front of a white and yellow background with a red button-down shirt on, next to the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/How-to-Conduct-an-Effective-Law-Firm-Panel-Review_Sinead_Kenny-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ How to Conduct an Effective Law Firm Panel Review](https://brightflag.com/resources/law-firm-panel-review/) [![Headshots of Brightflag Customer Success Managers Juliet Manso and Micheal Theise smiling in front of a teal background, with the webinar name ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Social_1200x675_B-1-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar\\ \\ How to Track Legal Department Metrics](https://brightflag.com/events/how-to-track-legal-department-metrics/) [![Brightflag's Director of Customer Insights, Sinead Kenny, smiling in a red shirt in front of a white and blue background, with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/The-Complete-Guide-to-Legal-Vendor-Management-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ The Complete Guide to Legal Vendor Management](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-vendor-management/) #### Want new Brightflag blog posts delivered straight to your inbox? ##### Sign up for our monthly newsletter. By submitting this form, you agree to our [privacy policy](https://brightflag.com/policies/privacy-statement/). [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/resources/outside-counsel-management/#mm-0) ## Legal Change Management Guide [Resources](https://brightflag.com/resources/) › [General](https://brightflag.com/resources/#general) # The Ultimate Guide to Legal Change Management ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Sarah-Scales-150x150-1.jpg) Sarah Scales, Head of Product Marketing at Brightflag February 14, 2025 For in-house legal teams, change is a constant. Whether it’s new regulations, emerging technologies, or shifting business priorities, corporate legal departments are expected to adapt without missing a beat. At the same time, delivering practical legal services requires precision, compliance, and consistency. This means that a poorly managed change—whether it’s implementing new legal tech, restructuring workflows, or adjusting to regulatory updates—can lead to serious business risk. How can in-house teams strike the right balance when it comes to managing change? It starts with an innovative and structured approach to legal change management. In this guide, we break down the essentials, including how to plan and execute change, secure stakeholder buy-in, and ensure change lasts and produces the desired outcomes. ## What is Change Management? One of the most fundamental frameworks for describing projects or changes in a business context is PPT: people, processes, and technology. While all three elements are essential (e.g., the tech you pick to handle your legal matters will influence your success), it’s the people part of the equation that’s considered most important during change management. Change management is a structured process for managing people during a business change. In practical terms, that means ensuring that: - All affected stakeholders are prepared for change - Stakeholders understand why the change is being made - Stakeholders have the necessary information to implement change effectively For example, consider a legal department adopting a new e-billing and matter management system. The technical side often takes center stage: choosing a vendor, setting up integrations, and training everyone on using the new system. However, if the in-house team is reluctant to switch to using the new tool in the first place or views it as unnecessary, training them on how it works isn’t going to solve that issue. In other words, if the people part of change isn’t managed effectively, the result is often that change won’t stick. [![The cover page of Brightflag's Legal Technology Business Case Guide on a teal background with a prompt to download the guide.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/BRI6871_BlogCTAThumbs_BusinessCaseGuide.jpg)](https://brightflag.com/asset/legal-technology-business-case-guide/) ## When Do You Need a Legal Change Management Plan? A common misconception about change management is that it’s only needed during significant changes—like restructuring reporting lines across your entire legal team. The truth is, a change management plan is beneficial anytime you make a change, whether it’s large or small. It’s just the amount of effort and detail needed in the plan that varies. For example, say your team is changing a couple of fields in your matter opening form to add additional information. It’s a small change, but one with the potential to cause delays or mistakes if it isn’t handled correctly. Because this change is straightforward, the plan for managing it might be as simple as informing members of affected teams and ensuring everyone knows what’s required and why—which could be handled in a couple of emails or maybe a short explanatory video. A more considerable change—like implementing a whole new system in your tech stack — would need a much more comprehensive plan. Your plan to drive change of this magnitude might include having an initial all-hands meeting to introduce the change, and then rolling it out with workshops or training sessions, along with establishing lines of support and communication during the transition. In both cases, however, minimizing the negative impacts of change requires that you start with a concrete idea of what needs to happen. And a plan for addressing the core questions of: - Who needs to be informed? - Why is the change happening? - What processes or support are needed to implement this change effectively? ## Key Components of a Legal Change Management Plan To answer the questions above, you need a solid framework for your legal change management process. There are a lot of change management models out there (e.g., [ADKAR](https://www.prosci.com/methodology/adkar) or [Kotter’s 8-step model](https://www.kotterinc.com/methodology/8-steps/)), but in practice, it often helps to break down your change management plan into just four key components: - Awareness - Understanding - Knowledge - Adoption ### Awareness Your first question should be: When and how will stakeholders be made aware of the change? Depending on the tools and rhythms your business or team uses, there may be a logical choice for how to communicate this information. For example, if your legal team regularly holds town hall meetings to provide updates on new developments, that’s probably the perfect forum for rolling out a significant change. Minor change efforts could be communicated via a quick email to your team. Meanwhile, communicating with external partners may require sending out an email with more formal instructions for a new process. It’s also worth factoring in the level at which the change will initially be communicated. For example, for a sensitive or strategic initiative, it makes sense to first hold a meeting with the leadership of affected teams before rolling out a broader comms strategy for the rest of the company. ### Understanding The understanding step answers the question: Why is this change being made? And what are the benefits? Is this change being made to meet new regulatory requirements? Or is it a matter of improving efficiency, and how exactly does the proposed change address that issue? [iframe](cid:frame-E9EA0312DB91FDF2BF019A0B54993029@mhtml.blink) _Zillow's Mark Allen explains the value that implementing a tool for invoice review provided to the company's in-house attorneys._ What’s important is that you can easily articulate the reason behind any proposed change because you’re going to need to be able to communicate those reasons to other stakeholders. If it seems like the change is being made arbitrarily, that may impact buy-in. A good approach is to frame change in terms of the positive impacts it will have on each stakeholder group. That ensures motivation and helps everyone to understand why it’s necessary. For example, let’s say your legal team is implementing a new document management system to replace a patchwork of shared drives and email-based approvals. In this case, your messaging to legal team members might be that the new system will save them time by making it much easier to track document versions. ### Knowledge The knowledge component tackles the question: What processes or support are needed to ensure this change is implemented effectively? If the change is a small one, like the matter opening form example, it will require very little support. Perhaps just update a process document and send out comms about what’s changed. But if you’re implementing a whole new legal spend and [matter management system](https://brightflag.com/resources/what-is-matter-management/), the training process will be more involved. You may need to think about how different parts of the legal team will be trained, how partners at external law firms will be trained, and what mediums you’re going to use for training. In the case of a new technology solution, there might be ready-made resources that you can tap into, like comprehensive training materials or [expert guidance](https://brightflag.com/resources/what-exactly-is-a-trusted-guide-how-brightflag-supports-its-customers/) to ease the transition. But for structural changes to the team or process changes based on external factors like regulation, you may need to tap into specialized resources or expertise—like bringing in an external consultant. Whatever the case, the success of your change initiative hinges on making sure you have a plan in place to support team members and other stakeholders. ### Adoption Finally, once your change has been implemented, you’ll need to monitor whether it sticks. Are people using the new tool or following the new process? Or are there roadblocks preventing adoption? You should be looking at the efficacy of your change. Is it actually addressing the problem, or do you need to outline it in the first place? Or are unforeseen challenges throwing a spanner in the works? And if so, how can it be tweaked or adapted? Many of those factors can be tracked qualitatively, i.e., by getting feedback from the team members the change affects. But for changes tied to efficiency and performance, like tracking your legal spend, it’s worth also setting clear KPIs. ## Change Management: The Golden Rules With a strong change management plan in place, you’re well on your way to ensuring success. But there are a few golden rules to keep in mind to ensure everything goes off without a hitch. 1. **Get executive buy-in:** If people see their managers and executives getting excited about a change, they’ll be more likely to buy in themselves. So, try to get your General Counsel to talk about the value the change brings. Or, if it’s something that impacts stakeholders outside of legal like the sales team, such as changes to contract review, get the Head of Sales to explain to their team why it matters and how it can streamline their workflows. 2. **Bring end users into the change process:** Effective change management requires end users to be involved in the change process as early as possible. That includes giving them input during the initial stages of a change, making sure you understand their needs and challenges, and getting their opinions on the new legal tech, systems, or processes you plan to adopt. The more involved everyone is, the more motivated they’ll be to drive adoption and ensure the new system works as intended. If your legal department has a legal operations function, this can be a great project for them to focus on. 3. **Communicate early and often:** The more notice you give people about a change—and the change management strategy behind it—the more comfortable they’ll be when it rolls out. Make sure you repeat communications (in case anyone misses them), and if your company has multiple avenues of communication, use them to ensure the message reaches everyone. 4. **Explain the ‘why’:** The first question most people will have about a change is: How does this help me? If you can explain why a change is significant to them personally and how it’s going to improve their quality of life, they’ll be much more likely to adopt it. So keep your end users’ needs in mind and tailor your communications to their specific context. With the above in mind, you’ve got the tools you need to manage change successfully. But if you’d like to learn more about change management and how new legal technology adoption is streamlining change in legal departments, you can [subscribe to Brightflag’s newsletter](https://brightflag.com/brightflag-newsletter/) or [browse our blog](https://brightflag.com/resources/) for the latest insights for legal professionals. ##### **Share:** [![linkedin](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-linkedin-white.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-change-management/&title=The%20Ultimate%20Guide%20to%20Legal%20Change%20Management)[![twitter](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-x-white.svg)](https://twitter.com/share?text=The%20Ultimate%20Guide%20to%20Legal%20Change%20Management&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbrightflag.com%2Fresources%2Flegal-change-management%2F) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Sarah-Scales-150x150-1.jpg) #### Sarah Scales Head of Product Marketing at Brightflag Sarah Scales is the Head of Product Marketing at Brightflag. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Law and Political Science from Trinity College Dublin, as well as a post-graduate diploma in Software Product Management from Technological University Dublin. Sarah's extensive experience in the legal technology space has served to make her a subject matter expert on a wide variety of topics related to legal operations and in-house legal workflows, including legal invoice review, outside counsel guidelines, legal cost control, and more. ## Related Articles for You [![Brightflag's Chief Customer Officer, Kevin Cohn, smiling in a blue polo in front of a white and blue background, with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Key-Takeaways-from-CLOC-Global-Institute-2025-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ Key Takeaways from CLOC Global Institute 2025](https://brightflag.com/resources/cloc-global-institute-2025/) [![Brightflag Co-Founder and COO, Alex Kelly, smiling in a blue checkered dress shirt in front of a white and teal background, with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Why-In-House-Teams-Need-a-Legal-Matter-Tracker-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ Why In-House Teams Need a Legal Matter Tracker](https://brightflag.com/resources/why-in-house-teams-need-a-legal-matter-tracker/) [![Brightflag's Director of Customer Insights, Sinead Kenny, smiling in a red button-down shirt in front of a white and blue background, with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/4-Legal-Department-Metrics-You-Need-to-Track-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ 4 Legal Department Metrics You Need to Track](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-department-metrics/) #### Want new Brightflag blog posts delivered straight to your inbox? ##### Sign up for our monthly newsletter. By submitting this form, you agree to our [privacy policy](https://brightflag.com/policies/privacy-statement/). [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-change-management/#mm-0) ## Automated Legal Invoicing [‹ All Resources](https://brightflag.com/resources/) # Invoicing with Brightflag ![E-Billing in Brightflag's Legal Operations Platform](https://embed-ssl.wistia.com/deliveries/9bcc140eda98080f076ec381303f2133.webp?image_crop_resized=1920x1080) Click for sound 1:32 Learn how Brightflag’s legal operations software uses patented AI technology to automatically apply [outside counsel billing guidelines](https://brightflag.com/resources/tips-for-creating-outside-counsel-guidelines/), ensuring consistency of charges and outside counsel spend reduction. #### Brightflag Brightflag is a comprehensive cloud software solution for managing global legal spend, including the ability to: centralize vendors and rates; set and track budgets; manage matters; review and approve invoices; collect accruals; and run reports on everything. ## Ready to see the future of legal ops? Learn how our legal operations platform can help you manage legal spend, track accruals, build predictive budgets, and more! [Book a Demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/brightflag_g2-leader_summer23.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Brightflag-Drawer-CTA-Diagram.webp) [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/videos/invoicing-with-brightflag/#mm-0) ## Legal Operations Salary Insights [Resources](https://brightflag.com/resources/) › [Legal Ops & Career Development](https://brightflag.com/resources/#legal-ops-career-development) # The Average Legal Operations Manager Salary in 2024 ![Kevin Cohn, Chief Customer Officer](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Kevin-Cohn-150x150-1.jpg) Kevin Cohn, Chief Customer Officer at Brightflag Updated November 25, 2024 Legal operations is a burgeoning field, yet there is a notable absence of benchmark data for legal operations salaries. HR teams typically rely on global databases such as the [Radford database](https://radford.aon.com/en-us/) for salary benchmarking. While these databases are widely used for compensation and benefits benchmarking across various industries, they lack comprehensive data specifically for salaries in legal operations. This means that salaries for legal operations roles are often benchmarked against other non-attorney roles in legal departments, such as paralegals or legal assistants. However, this approach fails to recognize the distinct scope and strategic contribution of legal ops roles. At Brightflag, we understand the importance of accurate compensation benchmarking in the legal operations field. That’s why we collaborated with Legal Operators to create the [2024 Corporate Legal Operations Compensation Report](https://brightflag.com/asset/legal-operations-compensation-survey/). Our goal is to promote pay transparency in the industry and ensure that legal ops professionals, as well as those hiring for legal ops roles, have access to fair market compensation data. The report covers roles in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Europe — providing a comprehensive analysis of compensation trends in these regions. In this article, we provide an overview of the trends analyzed in the report. By understanding legal operations compensation trends, employers can effectively reward and retain experienced professionals, while legal operations professionals can strategically navigate their career paths to maximize their earning potential. ## Overview: What is the Average Salary for Legal Operations Professionals? There are many factors that influence legal operations salaries, most notably seniority of the role (i.e. head of legal operations vs. non-head of legal operations) and the size of the legal department. [Brightflag’s Corporate Legal Operations Compensation Report](https://brightflag.com/asset/legal-operations-compensation-survey/) also found that in 2024, women were paid 17%–25% less than their male counterparts on average, highlighting a persistent issue of pay inequality within the field. The average salary for heads of legal operations in 2024, based on department size, broke down as follows: - Smaller departments with fewer than 10 people have a median total compensation of $148,000. - Mid-sized departments with 10 to 50 people show a median total compensation of $186,000. - Large departments with 51 to 100 people offer a median total compensation of $237,000. - Larger departments with more than 100 people offer a median total compensation of $283,000. For non-heads of legal operations, compensation strongly correlated with years of experience, with the average salaries broken down as follows: - Professionals with less than five years of experience typically earn a median total compensation of $89,000. - Professionals with 5–10 years of experience typically earn a median total compensation of $105,000. - Professionals with 11–20 years of experience typically earn a median total compensation of $132,000. - For professionals with over 20 years of experience, median total compensation is $150,000. ## The Current State of Legal Operations Compensation Legal operations is expanding across the globe and various industries. Participants in Brightflag and Legal Operator’s 2024 compensation survey work in 12 countries, 39 U.S. states, and more than 17 different industry verticals. This diversity underscores the growing importance and presence of legal operations in a wide range of regions and sectors. Our research indicates that compensation in legal operations is influenced by a variety of factors. While job titles provide a basic structure for organizational hierarchy, the compensation landscape shows significant variation, even among professionals holding similar titles. Despite the significant representation of women in legal operations roles, there is also a notable disparity in compensation between genders. On average, women earn 17%–25% less than their male counterparts, highlighting a persistent issue of pay inequality within the field. ## Key Drivers of Legal Operations Compensation We found that different factors influence compensation for specific legal operations roles. The primary factor shaping compensation for heads of legal operations roles is the size of the department they oversee. Larger legal departments typically offer higher compensation for these positions, reflecting the increased scope and complexity of managing operations for larger teams. In contrast, for all other legal operations roles, including middle management positions, the key determinant of compensation is the number of years of experience. As professionals gain more experience in the field, they typically command higher compensation, reflecting the accumulation of skills, knowledge, and expertise over time. Understanding these dynamics is essential for both employers and professionals seeking to navigate and optimize compensation structures within the legal operations domain. ## Compensation Benchmarks for Heads of Legal Operations Based on Department Size In analyzing total compensation benchmarks for heads of legal operations in the U.S. based on department size, several key findings emerge. The data reveals a notable difference in total compensation for heads of legal operations based on the size of their departments: - Smaller departments with fewer than 10 people have a median total compensation of $148,000. - Mid-sized departments with 10 to 50 people show a median total compensation of $186,000. - Large departments with 51 to 100 people offer a median total compensation of $237,000. - Larger departments with more than 100 people offer a median total compensation of $283,000. This data shows that as department size increases, so does compensation, highlighting the significant impact of department size on compensation levels. The increasing compensation reflects the likely increase in the complexity of responsibilities and the strategic influence required as the department size grows. Heads of legal operations in larger departments may manage more extensive teams and have broader responsibilities, justifying higher compensation. While we report on the median compensation here, it’s essential to note that there is a wide range of compensation within each department size category. For further insights and a detailed analysis, please [refer to the full report here](https://brightflag.com/asset/legal-operations-compensation-survey/). ## Compensation Benchmarks Based on Years of Experience for Non-Heads of Legal Operations Roles We discovered that years of experience have a significant impact on compensation for non-heads of legal ops: - Professionals with less than five years of experience typically earn a median total compensation of $89,000. - Professionals with 5–10 years of experience typically earn a median total compensation of $105,000. - Professionals with 11–20 years of experience typically earn a median total compensation of $132,000. - For professionals with over 20 years of experience, median total compensation is $150,000. This data clearly shows a progressive increase in compensation as years of experience increase. This trend indicates that experience is a significant factor in determining compensation for non-heads of legal operations roles. The increase in median total compensation with increasing experience suggests an appreciation for the wealth of knowledge and skills associated with a longer track record in the field. In turn, this suggests considerable room for career growth and advancement in legal operations. Professionals can expect their compensation to rise as they gain more experience and expertise. Senior-level roles command the highest compensation, indicating the value placed on experienced professionals who bring extensive knowledge and leadership capabilities to their roles. More detailed analyses and additional insights are provided in the [full report](https://brightflag.com/asset/legal-operations-compensation-survey/). ## Download the 2024 Corporate Legal Operations Compensation Report We’ve explored how department size and years of experience all play a role in determining compensation. To delve deeper into the insights provided in this blog post and gain a comprehensive understanding of legal operations compensation trends, download the full [2024 Corporate Legal Operations Compensation Report](https://brightflag.com/asset/legal-operations-compensation-survey/). You can utilize the data from the report to inform your compensation strategies, whether you are an HR professional seeking to benchmark salaries or a legal operations professional negotiating fair compensation packages. Additionally, the insights can provide clarity on how compensation trends align with years of experience and department size, empowering you to plan and make strategic career decisions. ##### **Share:** [![linkedin](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-linkedin-white.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-operations-salary/&title=The%20Average%20Legal%20Operations%20Manager%20Salary%20in%202024)[![twitter](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-x-white.svg)](https://twitter.com/share?text=The%20Average%20Legal%20Operations%20Manager%20Salary%20in%202024&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbrightflag.com%2Fresources%2Flegal-operations-salary%2F) ![Kevin Cohn, Chief Customer Officer](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Kevin-Cohn-150x150-1.jpg) #### Kevin Cohn [![linkedin](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-linkedin-white.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinacohn/) Chief Customer Officer at Brightflag Kevin is Brightflag's Chief Customer Officer, and previously served as Chief Operating Officer at Atypon, a publishing software company (acquired by Wiley), and SVP of Operations at Smartling, a language translation technology and services platform (acquired by Battery Ventures). Kevin has extensive experience building cloud workflow, productivity, and analytics companies. A Member of the Advisory Board of Legal Operators, Kevin is also passionate advocate for the development of the legal operations industry and the professionals working in it, and is a frequent speaker at major legal operations events. ## Related Articles for You [![Brightflag's Director of Customer Insights, Sinead Kenny, smiling in a red shirt in front of a white and blue background, next to the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/The-12-Legal-Department-KPIs-In-House-Teams-Should-Track-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ The 12 Legal Department KPIs In-House Teams Should Track](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-department-kpis/) [![Brightflag Customer Success Manager Michael Theise, in a gray business shirt, smiling in front of a white and yellow background, with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Legal-Ops-Training-1-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ Learning Legal Ops: A Beginner’s Guide to the Best Legal Operations Training](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-operations-training/) [![Brightflag Customer Success Manager Michael Theise, in a blue suit with a red tie, smiling in front of a white and teal background with the text ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/How-to-Build-a-Legal-Operations-Team-Structure-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ How to Build a Legal Operations Team Structure](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-operations-team-structure/) #### Want new Brightflag blog posts delivered straight to your inbox? ##### Sign up for our monthly newsletter. By submitting this form, you agree to our [privacy policy](https://brightflag.com/policies/privacy-statement/). [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-operations-salary/#mm-0) ## Legal Analytics Tools [Resources](https://brightflag.com/resources/) › [Budgeting & Planning](https://brightflag.com/resources/#budgeting-planning) # How to Use Legal Analytics Tools to Improve In-House Strategy ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Sinead-Kenny-150x150-1.jpg) Sinead Kenny, Director, Customer Insights at Brightflag March 26, 2025 There’s a goldmine of data in all those files if you could just get to it. Sound familiar? For many in-house legal teams, wrangling data to improve efficiency can feel like a fruitless chore. And a lot of potentially game-changing insights go under the radar as a result. Tools like AI and advanced analytics provide a much-needed edge — allowing in-house counsel to use insights from their data to speed up workflows, resolve matters more efficiently, and proactively plan their resourcing strategies. But if you’re still unsure where to even start with analysis, developing a “data-driven strategy” is often a daunting prospect. The good news is, not only is it possible, it’s more straightforward than you think. In this blog, we break down the essentials of legal data analytics, showing you how to harness data analysis tools to reclaim time, resolve matters more efficiently, and improve your team’s legal strategies. ## What is Legal Analytics? Legal analytics is the process of collecting, collating, and interpreting legal data across multiple sources to identify patterns or uncover insights that drive value. In recent years, the capabilities of analytics tools within the legal industry have become more powerful, with artificial intelligence enabling deeper insights and more nuanced interpretation of complex data for legal professionals. Using AI-powered analytics, in-house teams can process, search, or summarize large datasets faster, allowing them to identify trends, derive insights, and enhance their approach to handling legal matters. They can also use past successes and failures to plan for and manage future work. ## How Legal Analytics Tools Improve Legal Department Strategy There are a range of ways legal analytics software can be used to improve your team’s strategic approach — and naturally, a lot will depend on your specific business needs. With that said, the benefits of these tools can be broken down across four broad strategic areas: - **Better legal spend management** - **Real-time budget tracking and forecasting** - **Increased operational efficiency** - **Data-driven decision-making and forecasting** ## Better Legal Spend Management One of the most valuable uses of legal analytics tools is to gain improved insight into how your department is spending its budget—and where you could make improvements. ### Key Examples Let’s run through how this works with a practical example. Faced with a tightening budget, your team needs to optimize their outside counsel spend. Using an analytics tool, you begin digging into historical billing data across different matters and law firms. One of the first aspects you decide to investigate is **timekeeper resourcing**, and you quickly uncover a pattern where partners at some of the firms you work with are repeatedly engaged on matters that more junior team members could handle. In other words, they aren’t always resourcing work so that staff are operating “at the top of their license.” Another issue arises when you start digging into **outside counsel guideline compliance** and realize that several of your firms aren’t adhering to the guidelines you set (e.g. excessively billing for internal communications, charging for previously prohibited expenses, etc.). Naturally, this is costing your department—and, by extension, the business—a lot of money that could be better spent elsewhere. As you work through the data on these two issues, you notice a third. The rates some vendors are charging you seem higher than they should be (compared to similar matters handled by other firms). It quickly becomes apparent that you need to **benchmark rates and performance** to develop a clearer idea of how different vendors stack up—both in terms of pricing and effectiveness. ### How Legal Analytics Software Helps Using good legal analytics software, you’re able to do more than just uncover these issues. You can unpack each scenario in detail and open the way to conversations with your law firms that could result in large cost savings. Better still, you can identify which of your firms are most compliant, which deliver the best performance, and which best control their costs by billing only what’s absolutely necessary. That paves the way for building out more strategic partnerships with your best vendors, and possibly netting a volume discount in the process. ## Real-time Budget Tracking and Forecasting When legal teams have a handle on spend, it’s often because they can track it against their current budget to quickly identify if things are going off the rails or where more efficient resourcing is needed. The key here, however, is to look for a tool that offers **real-time budget-tracking** capabilities. Going back to the previous example, let’s say your team flagged a recurring issue with partners being assigned tasks that associates could easily handle. Real-time budget tracking lets you spot when this pattern happens again so you can address it immediately. Similarly, if a firm starts billing above agreed-upon rates, you can catch those discrepancies early and take corrective action. Another key capability is being able to conduct an **in-depth analysis of historical data** pertaining to your matters and spend. This gives your team a better understanding of trends and provides a basis for future **budget forecasting**. For example, you might notice that costs or workloads tend to spike during certain times of the year, like contract review requests surging at the end of each quarter as sales teams push to close deals. Armed with this knowledge, your team can plan ahead and build more accurate, predictive budgets based on actual resourcing needs, allowing you to proactively manage costs before they become an issue. [![Cover page of Brightflag's Legal Department Budget Planning Guide on a blue background, with a button suggesting that people download it to learn more.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/BRI6871_BlogCTAThumbs_AnnualPlanningGuide.jpg)](https://brightflag.com/asset/legal-department-budget-planning/) ## Increased Operational Efficiency As the above examples show, using a legal analytics tool can lead to large gains in operational efficiency. Especially if those tools are part of a [dedicated matter management platform](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-matter-management/) that can track metrics like: - The number of matters per attorney - The proportion of matters being handled by outside counsel - The distribution of complex versus routine matters - Matters by legal practice area - Average time taken to resolve specific types of matters The benefit of having this kind of information on hand is that it makes it possible to take both a bird’s eye view of how legal work is distributed and handled across your department and to dig into the fine-scale details on a matter-by-matter basis. That makes it much easier to ensure matters are resourced efficiently and that workloads across the legal department team are properly balanced. For example, if you find that certain team members routinely handle the most complex matters, you can rebalance assignments to prevent burnout and create growth opportunities for junior team members. Or, if the data shows that specific types of matters are prone to bottlenecks or delays, your team can review their processes and streamline workflows to improve turnarounds. ## Data-driven Legal Decision-making Any worthwhile analytics tool should also offer **in-depth reporting features**—not just access to data, but the ability to distill it into clear, actionable insights. That includes making it easy to interpret complex trends, as well as to share that information with decision-makers in other departments and at the C-suite level. Using reporting, your team can make strategic decisions that are rooted in all the relevant information. Whether that’s anticipating upcoming challenges or dealing with unexpected ones as they arise. For example, if your industry is facing new regulations, you already know there’s going to be a surge in workload. But by analyzing the historical data, you can pinpoint which tasks typically take up the most time and resources and where outsourcing might make the most sense. This improves your team’s legal service delivery and enables them to be more agile in how they adapt their workflows and priorities. Similarly, if the data reveals a sudden uptick in work from a particular department or practice area, reporting allows you to dig deeper into what’s driving the increase. From there, team leadership can prepare as needed — either by adapting to a long-term business need or by mobilizing resources to serve a temporary one. Finally, robust reporting makes it much easier to advocate for budget changes or additional headcount. Being able to point to hard data showing exactly where your team’s resources are stretched is far more compelling than relying on anecdotal evidence alone. It also makes it a lot easier to [demonstrate the real value legal brings to the business](https://brightflag.com/videos/legal-ops-101-data-analytics/). ## Adding AI to Legal Analytics The final capability to look out for in an analytics tool is robust artificial intelligence integration. Using AI, teams can rapidly sift through reports, spot burgeoning trends, and streamline legal research to uncover insights that may otherwise go unnoticed. This makes it easier to make the right calls quickly and can streamline the process of finding new efficiencies or cutting costs. ### Leveraging AI-powered Tools The key to success with AI is to make sure your chosen platform includes it as a central component of their capabilities rather than as an add-on that ticks a box. Brightflag, for instance, uses [AI for invoice review](https://brightflag.com/resources/ai-invoice-review-how-it-works/#:~:text=It%20starts%20with%20NLP%2C%20as,training%20make%20all%20the%20difference.) to check that invoices are compliant with outside counsel guidelines, that the work performed is within budget, and that the correct rates have been charged. Our platform leverages a combination of AI features, including natural language processing and supervised machine learning (using examples), to automate the process of interpreting invoices. The upshot is that all of the data extracted is then available for your team to access in an instant — across thousands of invoices and hundreds of matters — making it far easier to derive strategic-level insights. Finally, your analytics tool should ideally also offer Generative AI functionality, like [Ask Brightflag](https://brightflag.com/press/ask-brightflag/), to allow you to access data insights using natural language prompts. Having legal technology with this functionality means that instead of digging through reports or navigating dashboards, team members can get the answers they need instantly just by asking in plain language. Which makes it much easier to move your matters along quickly. [![Cover page of Brightflag's AI e-book on a blue background, with the text ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/BRI6871_BlogCTAThumbs_AIeBook.jpg)](https://brightflag.com/asset/implementing-legal-ai/) ## Building Your Legal Data Analytics Strategy The strategic considerations and capabilities discussed above lay the foundation for a [legal department strategy](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-department-strategy/) that truly works for your team. Legal data analytics, especially when enhanced by AI, has the power to reshape how your department operates, driving value that extends beyond the legal team and provides a competitive advantage to the broader business. However, the real value you can gain from data analytics depends on the tools you choose and how well they align with your team’s needs and goals. That’s why, at Brightflag, we’ve focused on developing a comprehensive, user-friendly matter management and e-billing platform. One that makes it easy for in-house counsel to access, analyze, and report on critical data, turning it into actionable insights and effective strategies. Want to see how Brightflag’s AI-powered platform can support your team in making smarter strategic moves? [Book a demo today](https://brightflag.com/demo/) and experience it firsthand. ##### **Share:** [![linkedin](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-linkedin-white.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-analytics-tools/&title=How%20to%20Use%20Legal%20Analytics%20Tools%20to%20Improve%20In-House%20Strategy)[![twitter](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-x-white.svg)](https://twitter.com/share?text=How%20to%20Use%20Legal%20Analytics%20Tools%20to%20Improve%20In-House%20Strategy&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbrightflag.com%2Fresources%2Flegal-analytics-tools%2F) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Sinead-Kenny-150x150-1.jpg) #### Sinead Kenny Director, Customer Insights at Brightflag Sinead is the Director of Customer Insights at Brightflag, and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Law and Accounting from the University of Limerick. She previously worked as a Solicitor with Matheson LLP, Ireland's largest law firm, and is widely regarded as a thought leader in the legal technology space. ## Related Articles for You [![White and blue background with Brightflag's logo and the webinar title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Social_1200x675_B-1-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar\\ \\ How In-House Leaders Approach Annual Financial Planning](https://brightflag.com/events/how-in-house-leaders-approach-annual-financial-planning/) [![Director of Customer Insights at Brightflag, Sinead Kenny, smiling in a red dress shirt in front of a white and yellow background, with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/How-to-Secure-Budget-for-New-Legal-Tech-Tools-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ How to Secure Budget for New Legal Tech Tools](https://brightflag.com/resources/secure-budget-for-new-legal-technology/) [![Brightflag Director of Customer Insights, Sinead Kenny, smiling in a red shirt in front of a white and blue background, with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/4-Legal-Department-Financial-Planning-Best-Practices-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ 4 Legal Department Financial Planning Best Practices](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-department-financial-planning/) #### Want new Brightflag blog posts delivered straight to your inbox? ##### Sign up for our monthly newsletter. By submitting this form, you agree to our [privacy policy](https://brightflag.com/policies/privacy-statement/). [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-analytics-tools/#mm-0) ## Legal Expense Tracking Guide [Resources](https://brightflag.com/resources/) › [Cost Control](https://brightflag.com/resources/#cost-control) # What is Legal Expense Tracking? ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Alex-Kelly-150x150-1.jpg) Alex Kelly, Chief Operating Officer & Co-Founder at Brightflag October 9, 2024 A [recent survey](https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/tax/articles/legal-operations-survey-results.html) of legal operations professionals confirmed what many in the industry know: their most pressing challenges are cost containment, savings, and budget management. The good news is there’s a way to address all of these challenges head-on and optimize legal spend through legal expense tracking. In this article, we look at the key components of legal expense tracking and the best strategies and tools for using it successfully. By the end, you’ll understand how tracking in-house expenses can give you deeper visibility and greater control over your legal spend. ## What is Legal Expense Tracking? Legal expense tracking is the process of recording, monitoring, and managing all costs related to your legal operations. Expense tracking takes into account: - Internal expenses like salaries, benefits, professional registrations, training, and technology. These expenses are usually tracked through your company’s accounting and HR software. - External expenses, such as outside counsel, including their fees and other costs like travel and courier fees. These expenses are best tracked with the help of e-billing software like Brightflag that is specialized for legal teams. Tracking expenses is key to gaining visibility into and [managing legal spend](https://brightflag.com/legal-spend-management/). When done correctly, it helps you understand cost drivers and puts you in a position to optimize resources and forecast more accurately. With organizations’ [median legal spend](https://www.acc.com/sites/default/files/2023-06/ACC_2023_LDMB_Report_Executive_Summary.pdf) amount increasing from $2.4 million in 2022 to $3.1 million in 2023, effective legal expense tracking is a priority for in-house teams looking to control costs and maximize efficiency. ## Key Components of Effective Legal Expense Tracking Including the following features in your legal expense tracking strategy ensures you have complete visibility into and control over your legal spend: - **Legal e-billing:** Legal e-billing software helps your in-house team achieve consistency and accuracy in its expense tracking, especially when dealing with large volumes of outside counsel invoices. Automating the invoice submission and approval process also saves you time and money while reducing the risk of human error. - **Legal spend reporting and analytics:** Insights into legal expense patterns and trends support data-driven decision-making by highlighting ways to reduce costs and optimize resources. - **Vendor management:** Monitoring and assessing vendor costs, billing compliance, and performance helps ensure you get the best value for your legal spend. - **Centralized expense tracking:** By consolidating your legal expenses in one place, instead of gathering data from scattered sources like invoices, spreadsheets and emails, you get a full overview of all costs in real-time. - **Automation for the application of [billing guidelines](https://brightflag.com/resources/tips-for-creating-outside-counsel-guidelines/):** This ensures guidelines are applied consistently across all invoices and any non-compliance is immediately flagged for follow-up. ## How to Effectively Track Legal Expenses as an In-House Team Here’s how you can optimize your legal expense tracking. ### Assess Your Current Expense Tracking Management System Start by looking at what tools you use today to track legal expenses, and where your system does and doesn’t work. Many in-house teams find that once they have over $1 million dollars in outside counsel spend per year to manage, processing legal expenses through the company’s Accounts Payable (AP) system becomes inefficient, and specialized legal billing software that can streamline invoice review and report on spend by matter becomes necessary. However, as you review your current tools and process, you may identify other areas that need to be improved. Questions to ask when reviewing your current system include: - Can you access real-time legal expense data, or is there a delay preventing you immediately accessing legal spend insights? - Are vendor invoices consistent and compliant with your billing guidelines? - Can you generate detailed legal expense reports for insights into your legal spend and ways to reduce costs? ### Establish and Apply Billing Guidelines Standardizing your billing processes for outside counsel ensures a consistent approach, making expense tracking more accurate, streamlined, and insightful. As a result, invoices are easier to review, saving your in-house team time and money. Start by creating a standardized set of billing [guidelines for outside counsel](https://brightflag.com/resources/tips-for-creating-outside-counsel-guidelines/). These establish clear expectations around which expense categories you agree to pay for, and which should be considered as non-billable overhead for your firms. They also establish invoicing and timekeeper rate submission processes so that your team receives information in a timely and effective manner. You can leverage AI to automatically apply these guidelines to each invoice to further streamline the review process. Note that billing guidelines are not a “set it and forget it” resource. Once they’re in place, you should regularly review them to ensure they continue to support your in-house team’s goals as well as broader organizational objectives. ### Analyze Expense Reports Analyzing expense reports is a valuable exercise for several reasons. Firstly, billing guidelines aren’t worth the paper they’re written on if they’re not followed. Frequent audits of your expense reports enable you to identify vendors that routinely breach your guidelines, and to use this data to ensure vendor compliance going forward. Regular reviews are also helpful in identifying expense trends. Key metrics and KPIs such as cost per matter, average hourly rate, total costs of services, and legal spend as a percentage of revenue offer insights into what is and isn’t working. For example, a sudden increase in outside counsel fees could indicate an increase in your staff’s workload or a vendor charging more than agreed. With this information, you can identify the cause and develop strategies for better expense tracking. ### Leverage Legal Expense Tracking Software The most effective way to streamline legal expense tracking is to use purpose-built software like [Brightflag](https://brightflag.com/). Why? The right software can streamline expense tracking, giving you complete visibility over legal spend while reducing the risk of errors. ### Complete Visibility Manually tracking your legal expenses gives you limited visibility into the current financial state of your legal team. It also results in essential details being overlooked or lost, making it difficult to understand legal spend accurately. This lack of visibility impedes financial decision-making. It’s hard to forecast, manage budgets, and identify cost-saving opportunities without the right data to hand. It also presents challenges when trying to illustrate how certain legal expenses are actually value-add activities and showcase to management that in-house legal is [more than a cost center](https://brightflag.com/resources/more-than-just-a-cost-center/). With legal expense software, you’re able to integrate all sources of legal expense tracking information to give you a full picture of your legal spend in real-time. It also includes reporting and analytics features that offer insights into your costs and ways to optimize legal spend. ### Automated Legal Expense Tracking Relying on manual processes or outdated technology makes legal expense tracking inefficient and prone to errors. And having your in-house team spend more time double-checking invoices and budgets than on substantive work isn’t productive for anyone. That’s why legal expense tracking software is the ideal solution. Platforms like Brightflag can automatically give insights into your legal spend KPIs, review outside counsel invoices, and prepare legal expense data for finance. This streamlines your workflows, saving your in-house team time and money. ### Reduced Risk of Misclassification Misclassification of invoice line items is inevitable with manual expense tracking. Even when using standardized systems like the [Uniform Task-Based Management System](https://brightflag.com/resources/cracking-the-code-a-beginners-guide-to-understanding-utbms-codes/) (UTBMS) or American Bar Association (ABA) codes, attorneys might categorize legal costs differently, so the process is prone to human error. This leads to mistakes and inconsistent expense reporting, making it difficult for in-house teams to truly understand matter costs and the optimal resourcing profile for different kinds of work. The solution? Technology like Brightflag uses AI to automatically classify each legal expense using a consistent, comprehensive and error-free codeset. This reduces the risk of misclassification and creates a dataset that can be relied upon for strategic decision-making. ## Use Brightflag to Track Legal Expenses and Manage Legal Spend Brightflag centralizes and streamlines your legal expense tracking, giving you total visibility over legal spend. Its AI-powered features help ensure accurate tracking by reviewing invoices according to your outside counsel guidelines and generating reports with actionable insights into your costs. To learn more about how Brightflag can help you track expenses and manage legal spend, [book a demo today](https://brightflag.com/demo/). ## FAQs ### What are the benefits of legal expense tracking software? Software automates and streamlines legal expense tracking, saving you time and money. It also helps you track expenses more accurately from a central system, giving you greater visibility into your legal spend to manage costs and budgets better. ### What qualifies as a legal expense? For in-house teams, legal expenses are any costs associated with the teams’ functions and activities. These include internal costs such as legal staff salaries and benefits, professional registrations, and training, as well as external costs like outside counsel, including their professional fees, travel costs, and administrative expenses. ##### **Share:** [![linkedin](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-linkedin-white.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-expense-tracking/&title=What%20is%20Legal%20Expense%20Tracking%3F)[![twitter](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-x-white.svg)](https://twitter.com/share?text=What%20is%20Legal%20Expense%20Tracking%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbrightflag.com%2Fresources%2Flegal-expense-tracking%2F) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Alex-Kelly-150x150-1.jpg) #### Alex Kelly [![linkedin](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-linkedin-white.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexkellybrightflag/) Chief Operating Officer & Co-Founder at Brightflag Alex co-founded Brightflag after spending more than six years at Matheson—Ireland’s largest law firm—where he worked in its financial institutions group. A legal technology thought leader, Alex is a frequent speaker at legal operations conferences on topics related to legal innovation and legal transformation. Alex is also host of the In-House Outliers podcast, which shines a light on in-house legal professionals, and explores the impacts of the legal operations function. ## Related Articles for You [![Brightflag's VP of Sales, Jake Mendelson, smiling in a dress shirt in front of a red and white background, with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/6-Elements-Every-Legal-Technology-Business-Case-Needs-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ 6 Elements Every Legal Technology Business Case Needs](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-technology-business-case-elements/) [![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Social_1200x627-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar\\ \\ How SMBC Controls Outside Counsel Spend](https://brightflag.com/events/how-smbc-controls-outside-counsel-spend/) [![Blue background with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/How-SMBC-Controls-Outside-Counsel-Spend_Webinar_Blog_1200x675_R3_R2-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ How SMBC Saved $2.7M and Transformed Outside Counsel Management](https://brightflag.com/resources/smbc-outside-counsel-management/) #### Want new Brightflag blog posts delivered straight to your inbox? ##### Sign up for our monthly newsletter. By submitting this form, you agree to our [privacy policy](https://brightflag.com/policies/privacy-statement/). [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-expense-tracking/#mm-0) ## Legal Tech Trends 2025 [Resources](https://brightflag.com/resources/) › [AI & the Future of Legal Tech](https://brightflag.com/resources/#ai-legal-tech) # Top Legal Technology Trends For In-House Teams in 2025 ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Adam-Moursy-150x150-1.jpg) Adam Moursy, Director, Solutions Consulting at Brightflag February 10, 2025 Back in 2022, when ChatGPT was first released to the public, it was a novelty. Less than three years later, generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) has become a go-to tool in just about every industry, and adoption by businesses across the globe [has skyrocketed](https://www.techmonitor.ai/digital-economy/ai-and-automation/genai-adoption-in-workplaces-skyrockets-to-75-survey-shows#:~:text=Generative%20AI%20(GenAI)%20adoption%20in,had%20the%20lowest%20at%2060%25.) thanks to its cutting-edge advancements. The rapid rise of this tech, which seemingly came out of nowhere, underscores an important fact. If businesses plan to stay competitive, keeping up with the latest technology trends isn’t optional — it’s essential. A key area where GenAI has been gaining traction is in the legal sector — sparking more significant conversations about the value of legal tech overall and [how in-house legal teams should be optimizing their operations](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-operations-optimization/). But as teams hit the ground running in 2025, keeping track of the best new technology options and the latest legal tech trends feels like just another task on a long list. What’s the key to staying ahead of the curve? A quick read through our guide to the top legal technology trends in 2025 is the perfect way to get started. Here’s what you should have on your radar. ## Legal Tech Trend \#1: Purpose-built Legal GenAI Assistants For the first year after its emergence, most people, including business users, were still experimenting with general-purpose GenAI. In other words, tools like ChatGPT which can write you a song as easily as a line of code. As we moved into 2024, however, purpose-built solutions, trained on industry-specific data, started proliferating to meet the needs of specific sectors and use cases. The legal tech industry was similarly busy, with many legal tech firms working on custom-built, high-value generative artificial intelligence and automation solutions for in-house legal teams. Brightflag’s own team was hard at work on [Ask Brightflag](https://brightflag.com/press/ask-brightflag/)— the first GenAI assistant dedicated solely to helping in-house teams manage legal spend and matters. The idea behind the tool is similar to what GenAI is doing for other industries. In other words, Ask Brightflag has been trained on legal data and plugs into company-specific data to help in-house teams rapidly answer questions like: - “What are our top open matters by spend?” - “What is our legal spend this year broken down by department?” - “Which law firms have we engaged most this year, and on which matters?” ### Our Prediction These kinds of AI-driven legal tech solutions are set to become a core component of strategic legal operations this year, as in-house teams look for ways to streamline workflows, automate administrative tasks, and reduce heavy manual review of straightforward spending and matter data. So in 2025, expect to see adoption of purpose-built GenAI accelerate, including across the legal industry. [![Cover page of Brightflag's AI e-book on a blue background, with the text ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/BRI6871_BlogCTAThumbs_AIeBook.jpg)](https://brightflag.com/asset/implementing-legal-ai/) ## Legal Tech Trend \#2: Legal Teams Will Become Prompt Engineers One of the first things most of us have learned in working with GenAI tools is that the outputs the tools produce are only as good as the instructions you give them. The upshot of that realization is “prompt engineering” — the process of designing precise “prompts” or sets of instructions to guide GenAI tools to produce the most valuable output in a specific context. Anthropic, the creators of Claude AI, [put it like this](https://docs.anthropic.com/en/docs/build-with-claude/prompt-engineering/be-clear-and-direct): “When interacting with Claude, think of it as a brilliant but very new employee (with amnesia) who needs explicit instructions. Like any new employee, Claude does not have context on your norms, styles, guidelines, or preferred ways of working. The more precisely you explain what you want, the better Claude’s response will be.” When it comes to legal teams, that means being able to craft the perfect prompt so that your GenAI assistant can produce accurate responses to legal queries. A big part of getting that right starts with using a dedicated legal tool — preferably one trained on legal data and legal research, with access to context-specific information (see Trend #1 above). ### Our Prediction By 2026, prompt engineering skills will be essential for in-house teams — so that they can leverage purpose-built gen AI tools to simplify tasks from contract and document review to legal spend tracking, and facilitate faster decision-making. The good news is that legal professionals already have a lot of the skills they need to excel at this prompt engineering, like paying careful attention to language and phrasing and analyzing the most critical aspects of an issue. The leaders in this space, however, will be legal ops teams, who will become the organizational “go-to’s” for legal prompt engineering. ## Legal Tech Trend \#3: Tech Budgets Will Stay Tight Throughout 2023 and 2024, budgets for legal tech were tight, with many teams needing to [justify why new tools were a must-have](https://brightflag.com/resources/secure-budget-for-new-legal-technology/). As we head into 2025, budgets will likely stay under scrutiny, but there is also increased interest in the use of legal tech tools and AI technology to alleviate workloads. That’s especially important in an environment where we’re seeing the pressures on in-house teams mounting up — in tandem with the realization that keeping legal work in-house is often a lot [more cost-effective than engaging outside counsel](https://brightflag.com/press/law-firm-rates-report-2024/). Tech tools offer the perfect way to help in-house teams strike the right balance. AI adoption is a big part of shaping this trend, with [more than one-third of GCs](https://www.legaldive.com/news/how-some-legal-teams-are-save-money-keep-talent-and-integrate-ai/725067/) stating that they plan on investing in virtual legal assistants, and more than a quarter adding that they’re interested in AI-powered predictive analytics and data management tools. ### Our Prediction Legal tech tools will make up a key part of the in-house team’s strategy 2025 as their potential for relieving other budgetary pressures becomes more evident. But it won’t always be easy to convince the finance function that they’re a must-have for in-house teams. The key for forward-thinking legal teams in this context will be to [present a tight business case](https://brightflag.com/asset/legal-technology-business-case-guide/) for why implementing these tools is a necessity, and to be able to [quantify the return on investment (ROI)](https://brightflag.com/roi-calculator/) that different legal tech providers can deliver on critical projects. ## Legal Tech Trend \#4: Enhanced Visibility into Legal Work and Spend Remains Critical Hand-in-hand with adopting AI to streamline workflows will be increased reliance on tech tools that improve visibility into legal work and spending. As teams are pressured to become more efficient, tools like e-billing and [legal matter management software](https://brightflag.com/resources/what-is-matter-management/) will become increasingly vital. These systems help teams to track the lifecycle of their legal matters, monitor legal spending in real-time, and ensure internal (and external) budget compliance. The caveat? The teams that realize the most significant benefits from legal tech will be those that integrate it as part of a well-conceived [legal department strategy](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-department-strategy/). Equally important is making sure the tool you pick makes it easier, not harder, to access data. In other words, teams need to pick tools that make data about legal spending and matters available in a centralized location. One that’s easy for all team members to access for fast, actionable insights. [iframe](cid:frame-D16E1576D003880D4743ACD39A44E304@mhtml.blink) _Legal Operations Leader Amy Brookbanks explains how valuable it is for in-house legal teams to have easy access to their data_ ### Our Prediction In 2025, real-time spend insights and proactive matter management will take center stage even more than in previous years. To stay on top of their workflows, teams will need software that provides a unified view of legal matters and legal spending and how these fit into the legal department’s (and business-wide) objectives. ## Staying Ahead of The Legal Tech Curve The changing tech landscape in 2025 is likely to make this another year where in-house teams need to be quick on their feet. But while sifting through your legal tech tool choices can feel overwhelming, the good news is that there are some great (and straightforward) options out there. Brightflag’s AI-powered e-billing and matter management platform is purpose-built to help in-house legal teams streamline their workflows, gain complete visibility into legal work and spend, and simplify their decision-making when it comes to delivering legal services. It also centralizes all your data and automates time-consuming tasks like invoicing and reporting, freeing your team for more important tasks, such as making sure that critical partnership agreements get signed off without a hitch. And now, with Ask Brightflag, our generative AI legal assistant, your team has even more options at their fingertips. Using your company’s own data, Ask Brightflag provides instant insights into legal matters and spending — with conversation instead of clicks. Want to learn more? [Book a demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/), and let us show you the smartest, simplest, fastest way to make the best legal tech work for you. ##### **Share:** [![linkedin](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-linkedin-white.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-technology-trends/&title=Top%20Legal%20Technology%20Trends%20For%20In-House%20Teams%20in%202025)[![twitter](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-x-white.svg)](https://twitter.com/share?text=Top%20Legal%20Technology%20Trends%20For%20In-House%20Teams%20in%202025&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbrightflag.com%2Fresources%2Flegal-technology-trends%2F) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Adam-Moursy-150x150-1.jpg) #### Adam Moursy Director, Solutions Consulting at Brightflag Adam Moursy is a Solutions Consultant at Brightflag. He holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from the University of Limerick, with a minor in Economics and Politics. Adam previously worked as a Consultant with KPMG Ireland on business and risk management, and has developed expertise in the field of legal technology—particularly e-billing, matter management, and legal AI—after working for nearly a decade in the space. ## Related Articles for You [![Brightflag's Director of Solutions Consulting, Adam Mousy, in a suit jacket and blue dress shirt, smiling in front of a white and blue background, with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/The-Ultimate-Guide-to-Legal-Prompt-Engineering-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ The Ultimate Guide to Legal Prompt Engineering](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-prompt-engineering/) [![Brightflag's Director of Solutions Consulting, Adam Moursey, in a suit jacket and dress shirt, smiling in front of a white and yellow background with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/The-Top-Legal-AI-Companies-to-Know-in-2025-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ The Top Legal AI Companies to Know in 2025](https://brightflag.com/resources/top-legal-ai-companies/) [![Headshots of Kevin Cohn (Brightflag Chief Customer Officer) and Matthew Steer (Deloitte Legal's Associate Director of Legal Management Consulting) in business attire, in front of a teal background, with the webinar title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Social_1200x675-8-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar\\ \\ Deloitte Legal AI Predictions: A Conversation with Brightflag](https://brightflag.com/events/deloitte-brightflag-ai/) #### Want new Brightflag blog posts delivered straight to your inbox? ##### Sign up for our monthly newsletter. By submitting this form, you agree to our [privacy policy](https://brightflag.com/policies/privacy-statement/). [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-technology-trends/#mm-0) ## Legal Invoicing Software [Home](https://brightflag.com/)› [Platform](https://brightflag.com/platform/)› [Invoicing](https://brightflag.com/platform/invoicing/) # Legal Invoicing Software for In-House Teams ## Take the pain out of legal invoicing [Book a Demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/) [Take a Tour](https://brightflag.com/tour-invoices/) ![background shapes](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/brightflag_rating_badge_adornment.svg) ![5 out of 5 stars](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/brightflag_rating_5.svg)![checkmark](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/rating-checkmark.svg) Validated Reviewer ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2024-Q3-G2-badge-leader.webp) ## Industry leader in legal billing platforms. Vinessa McPherson Enterprise (>1000 emp.) ## Get complete visibility over legal costs Dashboards and customizable reports aggregate invoice data to give you the full picture of legal spend Use [Brightflag AI](https://brightflag.com/brightflag-ai/) to gain deep insights into your spend and matters in seconds without needing to pull reports ![Task and activity legal solutions pie chart with illustrations showcasing legal spend management solutions.](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Task-and-activity-breakdown.svg) ## Automate legal invoice review Quickly review invoices from email with AI-generated summaries providing the context you need Brightflag AI is the [first reviewer on every invoice](https://brightflag.com/videos/invoicing-with-brightflag/), validating billing details, summarizing the work performed, and checking invoices against your outside counsel guidelines ![Adjusting an invoice using legal e-billing software](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Invoice-review-checklist.svg) ## Let the billing process run itself Outside counsel can submit invoices in their preferred format and easily track payment status Approved invoices are automatically sent to Accounts Payable for payment ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Invoice-formats.svg) ## Trusted by legal leaders at: ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Ericsson_2018.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Shopify.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Dropbox.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Lufthansa_Logo_2018.svg) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Ironclad.svg) ## Save money. Save time. See Brightflag’s legal invoicing experience with your own data [Book a Demo](https://brightflag.com/demo/) [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/platform/legal-invoicing-software/#mm-0) ## Legal Workflow Automation [Resources](https://brightflag.com/resources/) › [AI & the Future of Legal Tech](https://brightflag.com/resources/#ai-legal-tech) # Unlock Greater Efficiency With Legal Workflow Automation ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/barry-omelia.jpg) Barry O'Melia, Vice President, Product at Brightflag Updated April 10, 2024 Nearly 90 percent of legal departments expect to either reduce or hold their in-house headcount steady, according to a [Gartner survey](https://www.gartner.com/smarterwithgartner/5-legal-technology-trends-changing-in-house-legal-departments). That’s not necessarily because companies are looking to cut costs. Instead, proactive organizations see new opportunities to replace manual work with automation. Legal departments are using tools like legal workflow automation to offload day-to-day rote tasks so their team can focus on high-value work. Legal departments use automation technology to enhance accuracy, streamline work, and improve strategic decision-making. This approach simplifies [legal spend management](https://brightflag.com/legal-spend-management/) and unlocks opportunities for cost savings and more effective budget management. ## What Is Legal Workflow Automation? Legal workflow automation represents the intersection of legal tech and legal operations. It’s about taking those repetitive, time-consuming tasks like [invoice review](https://brightflag.com/platform/invoicing/) and data entry that have traditionally consumed hours of a legal professional’s day and automating them for greater efficiency and accuracy. This technology isn’t just about doing things faster; it’s about fundamentally transforming how legal departments operate. By integrating document automation into their workflows, legal departments see dramatic improvements in their administrative work. Routine tasks like document filing, invoice processing, and contract management are streamlined, significantly reducing the time and effort involved. Automation tools minimize human error, enhancing the accuracy and reliability of legal operations. The most significant impact of automated processes is their ability to free up legal professionals. With the burden of mundane tasks lifted, attorneys can redirect their focus toward more complex, high-value aspects of legal work. This shift improves job satisfaction for legal team members. It also ensures your corporate legal department is a strategic asset that’s proactive, innovative, and aligned with broader goals. Zillow's Mark Allen on How Automated Invoice Review Saves Time and Money ![Video Thumbnail](https://fast.wistia.net/embed/medias/6epv6r8p48/swatch) ![Video Thumbnail](https://embed-ssl.wistia.com/deliveries/74a2c1cf035d477054962a66dded9c56.webp?image_crop_resized=560x315) Click for sound 0:54 _Zillow's Mark Allen explains how automated invoice review has resulted in significant cost and time savings._ ## What Legal Workflows Can You Automate? Structured, repetitive administrative tasks bog down a legal professional’s day. Here are some activities that are prime candidates for automation: ### Invoice Review and Approval Legal invoice review software like Brightflag automatically rejects non-compliant invoices and flags concerning line items. That makes it easy to ensure only legitimate expenses are approved. Once an attorney approves an invoice, workflow automation seamlessly routes that invoice to the accounts payable department. ### Accruals Collection and Reporting Automation software prompts vendors to submit their unbilled estimates directly, reducing back-and-forth client communication and increasing efficiency. Once received, the system facilitates an optional review step for internal scrutiny before you share these figures with the [finance department](https://brightflag.com/solutions-office-of-the-cfo/). This automated workflow helps you stay on top of accruals to maintain accurate [financial forecasting](https://brightflag.com/platform/accruals/) and reporting. ### Spend Reporting Legal workflow automation drastically simplifies [spend reporting](https://brightflag.com/platform/reports/). Advanced dashboards instantly present data that once took weeks to collate. These dashboards track key performance indicators (KPIs), generate detailed reports, and highlight trends and insights. Finally, you can automatically send these real-time reports to relevant stakeholders like your executive or finance teams so everyone is informed and aligned on legal spending. ### Budget Tracking Legal departments can set up integrations with their finance tools to automatically request budgets, track spend against these budgets, and receive alerts if spend is tracking over budget. This proactive approach to [budget management](https://brightflag.com/platform/budgets/) helps maintain financial discipline and ensures effective communication with the finance department regarding budget status and projections. ### Timekeeper Rate Approvals Timekeeper rate negotiations are notoriously time-consuming, often requiring deeper analysis and significant back-and-forth. By having vendors submit timekeeper rates and rate changes directly through a centralized platform like Brightflag though, the system cuts down on much of the work. From calculating requested rate changes to highlighting the experience level of timekeepers, it makes it much easier to review, adjust, and take actions in bulk. ### Legal Intake Legal client intake processes become significantly more efficient with workflow automation. A centralized onboarding portal welcomes all incoming legal requests, where users input all relevant information about their matter. The system then automatically routes these requests to the appropriate in-house staff member and notifies them. This ensures quick and organized responses to legal inquiries with less work from your team. ### Document Generation Legal workflow automation reduces manual work, minimizes errors, and speeds up the [document management](https://brightflag.com/platform/documents/) process. For instance, workflow automation tools can automatically generate a contract template, populate it with relevant client information, and then route it for necessary approvals. ### Scheduling Legal workflow automation software makes [scheduling](https://brightflag.com/platform/calendar/) and keeping track of important deadlines easier. The system can track critical deadlines and automatically send reminders to the relevant parties. This ensures that legal teams stay on schedule, meet compliance deadlines, and avoid last-minute rushes. ## Why You Should Automate Your Legal Workflow Management Legal workflow automation helps legal departments take advantage of the opportunities that technology offers to manage their workloads and finances better. Here’s just a few ways automation is transforming legal departments: ### Reduce Time Spent on Repetitive Tasks The most significant benefit of automating your business processes is the considerable amount of time it saves. Legal professionals, who previously dedicated hours each week to meticulously examining invoices, can now use this time for more strategic, higher-value legal tasks. This shift is not just about saving minutes on the clock; it’s about enhancing your legal team’s overall productivity and effectiveness. ### Only Pay for Valuable Legal Work Automated invoice review employs predefined rules to automatically identify and flag any discrepancies, overcharges, or non-compliant billing entries. By automating the verification workflow process, each invoice is meticulously checked against your organization’s established billing rules without burdening your legal team. This automated scrutiny significantly minimizes the risk of non-compliant charges and fosters an environment of transparency and accountability with your legal service providers. A consistent, automatic compliance review safeguards against overpayment, so you can better adhere to your budget. It also leads to positive behavior change because firms learn to bill better to get paid faster. ### Identify Opportunities for Cost Savings Above and beyond billing compliance insights, automatically collecting invoice spend data in one system allows for all sorts of reporting, such as spend by practice area or vendor and spend-to-budget. In-house counsel can generate reports on metrics like spend by matter, [vendor performance](https://brightflag.com/platform/vendors/), and compliance with billing guidelines for detailed analysis of legal spending. These reports help you spot trends and unearth insights critical for effective budget planning, vendor negotiations, and strategic legal management. For example, insights gained from automated invoice review can inform negotiations with outside counsel for better billing behavior, resourcing, rates, or alternative fee arrangements. Comparing law firms against each other also introduces healthy competition to retain your business. You can also compare internal practice areas for billing efficiency to find areas for improvement. ### Streamlining Approval and Accounts Payable Processes Legal workflow automation saves you time on invoice approval and ensures your firms get paid faster. Invoice approval workflows automatically route paperwork to the right approver every time. The responsible attorney receives a notification and can review, approve, reject, or adjust the invoice. That way: - Invoices you never requested don’t land on your desk - You aren’t searching for phantom invoices a firm swears they sent you, but you know you haven’t seen - And you don’t have to waste time chasing down lost invoices. Once you click approve, automation routes the invoice to the next approver in the workflow, or if you’re the last approver, it’s sent directly to accounts payable for payment. Invoice review ## Brightflag Helps You Get Started With Legal Workflow Automation By 2024, half of the legal work required by corporate transactions will be automated, according to [Gartner](https://www.gartner.com/smarterwithgartner/5-legal-technology-trends-changing-in-house-legal-departments). Invoice review is a prime place to start that transition, and you can use the same system to automate accruals, budgets, reports, and more. Learn how Brightflag’s [invoice review](https://brightflag.com/platform/invoicing/) tools make your team more efficient, improve visibility into legal spend, and help you save time and cut costs. ##### **Share:** [![linkedin](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-linkedin-white.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-workflow-automation/&title=Unlock%20Greater%20Efficiency%20With%20Legal%20Workflow%20Automation)[![twitter](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/themes/brightflag/resources/assets/images/circleicon-x-white.svg)](https://twitter.com/share?text=Unlock%20Greater%20Efficiency%20With%20Legal%20Workflow%20Automation&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbrightflag.com%2Fresources%2Flegal-workflow-automation%2F) ![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/barry-omelia.jpg) #### Barry O'Melia Vice President, Product at Brightflag Barry has 20 years of experience as a legal technology product leader. Prior to joining Brightflag, Barry spent four years at Relativity, the $3.6 billion leader in e-discovery and compliance software, where he led product for the legal hold, information governance, and data integration verticals. ## Related Articles for You [![Brightflag's Director of Solutions Consulting, Adam Mousy, in a suit jacket and blue dress shirt, smiling in front of a white and blue background, with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/The-Ultimate-Guide-to-Legal-Prompt-Engineering-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ The Ultimate Guide to Legal Prompt Engineering](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-prompt-engineering/) [![Brightflag's Director of Solutions Consulting, Adam Moursey, in a suit jacket and dress shirt, smiling in front of a white and yellow background with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/The-Top-Legal-AI-Companies-to-Know-in-2025-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ Blog\\ \\ The Top Legal AI Companies to Know in 2025](https://brightflag.com/resources/top-legal-ai-companies/) [![Headshots of Kevin Cohn (Brightflag Chief Customer Officer) and Matthew Steer (Deloitte Legal's Associate Director of Legal Management Consulting) in business attire, in front of a teal background, with the webinar title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Social_1200x675-8-500x280.jpg)\\ \\ On-Demand Webinar\\ \\ Deloitte Legal AI Predictions: A Conversation with Brightflag](https://brightflag.com/events/deloitte-brightflag-ai/) #### Want new Brightflag blog posts delivered straight to your inbox? ##### Sign up for our monthly newsletter. By submitting this form, you agree to our [privacy policy](https://brightflag.com/policies/privacy-statement/). [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-workflow-automation/#mm-0) ## Legal Cost Control [‹ All Resources](https://brightflag.com/resources/) # Legal Cost Control Checklist Legal costs may be less predictable than many other business expenses, but there are still dozens of proactive measures that remain well within a company’s control. This comprehensive legal cost control checklist examines every aspect of legal spend management, presenting action-oriented criteria designed to help you: - Develop billing guidelines that set clear expectations - Define budgets every stakeholder can agree to - Incentivize efficiency in law firm relationships - Build flawless invoice review workflows - Maintain a culture of accountability The legal cost control checklist format makes it easy to gauge your current progress while the supporting commentary offers practical advice on how to address any unchecked items. ## Related Resources [![Brightflag's VP of Sales, Jake Mendelson, smiling in a dress shirt in front of a red and white background, with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/6-Elements-Every-Legal-Technology-Business-Case-Needs-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ Cost Control \\ \\ **6 Elements Every Legal Technology Business Case Needs**](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-technology-business-case-elements/) [![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/What-is-Legal-Expense-Tracking-1-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ Cost Control \\ \\ **What is Legal Expense Tracking?**](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-expense-tracking/) [![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Social_1200x627-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ Cost Control \\ \\ **How SMBC Controls Outside Counsel Spend**](https://brightflag.com/events/how-smbc-controls-outside-counsel-spend/) [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/asset/legal-cost-control-checklist/#mm-0) ## Brightflag Implementation Guide [‹ All Resources](https://brightflag.com/resources/) # Brightflag Implementation Guide Implementing a new software should be easy and seamless. That is why Brightflag has developed a unique partnership-driven approach that ensures most customers are up, running, and realizing results within 60 days. Download this guide to understand: - Our unique implementation philosophy - Our structured implementation process – organized around 5 key activities - Our customer success support, designed to maximize your value - What specific results we have achieved for our customers ## Related Resources [![Brightflag's Director of Solutions Consulting, Adam Mousy, in a suit jacket and blue dress shirt, smiling in front of a white and blue background, with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/The-Ultimate-Guide-to-Legal-Prompt-Engineering-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ AI & the Future of Legal Tech \\ \\ **The Ultimate Guide to Legal Prompt Engineering**](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-prompt-engineering/) [![Brightflag's Director of Solutions Consulting, Adam Moursey, in a suit jacket and dress shirt, smiling in front of a white and yellow background with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/The-Top-Legal-AI-Companies-to-Know-in-2025-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ AI & the Future of Legal Tech \\ \\ **The Top Legal AI Companies to Know in 2025**](https://brightflag.com/resources/top-legal-ai-companies/) [![Headshots of Kevin Cohn (Brightflag Chief Customer Officer) and Matthew Steer (Deloitte Legal's Associate Director of Legal Management Consulting) in business attire, in front of a teal background, with the webinar title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Social_1200x675-8-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ AI & the Future of Legal Tech \\ \\ **Deloitte Legal AI Predictions: A Conversation with Brightflag**](https://brightflag.com/events/deloitte-brightflag-ai/) [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/asset/brightflag-implementation-guide/#mm-0) ## Brightflag Finance Integration Guide [‹ All Resources](https://brightflag.com/resources/) # Brightflag Finance Integrations Guide Brightflag is designed to deliver results both legal and finance teams can appreciate — tighter cost control, clearer spend forecasting, and stronger business productivity. And integrating Brightflag with finance systems of record can bring added value. Download this guide to understand: - The unique benefits of Brightflag to finance and legal teams - The advantages of a Brightflag and finance system integration - The three methods of integration: email, SFTP, and API - Integration requirements and timeline ## Related Resources [![Brightflag's Director of Client Success, Greg Cavanaugh, smiling in a blue shirt in front of a yellow and white background, with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/What-is-Block-Billing-And-Why-You-Should-Avoid-It-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ Vendor Billing \\ \\ **What is Block Billing? (And Why You Should Avoid It)**](https://brightflag.com/resources/block-billing/) [![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Social_1200x675-1-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ Vendor Billing \\ \\ **Effective Legal Invoice Review in 2024**](https://brightflag.com/events/legal-invoice-review-in-2024/) [![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Social_1200x675-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ Vendor Billing \\ \\ **Brightflag Platform Tour and New AI Demo**](https://brightflag.com/events/platform-tour-may-24/) [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/asset/brightflag-finance-integrations-guide/#mm-0) ## Sample Legal E-Billing RFP [‹ All Resources](https://brightflag.com/resources/) # Sample Legal E-Billing RFP A well-crafted RFP (request for proposal) is the most efficient way for in-house legal teams to identify the system that best suits their needs, and we’ve put together this comprehensive sample legal e-billing RFP for you to use and modify to fit your specific needs. Well-executed RFPs deliver the best results for both buyers and suppliers and allow both parties to quickly realize if there is a mutual fit. This sample RFP is in Word format and fully editable. ## Related Resources [![Brightflag's Director of Client Success, Greg Cavanaugh, smiling in a blue shirt in front of a yellow and white background, with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/What-is-Block-Billing-And-Why-You-Should-Avoid-It-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ Vendor Billing \\ \\ **What is Block Billing? (And Why You Should Avoid It)**](https://brightflag.com/resources/block-billing/) [![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Social_1200x675-1-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ Vendor Billing \\ \\ **Effective Legal Invoice Review in 2024**](https://brightflag.com/events/legal-invoice-review-in-2024/) [![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Social_1200x675-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ Vendor Billing \\ \\ **Brightflag Platform Tour and New AI Demo**](https://brightflag.com/events/platform-tour-may-24/) [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/asset/sample-legal-e-billing-rfp/#mm-0) ## Legal Spend Management Check [‹ All Resources](https://brightflag.com/resources/) # Legal Spend Management Health Check Brightflag’s Legal Spend Management Health Check brings together learnings from managing hundreds of thousands of matters and processing billions of dollars of spend annually on behalf of in-house legal teams, resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars in savings and tens of thousands of hours in avoided administrative work. This survey covers vendor management, budgeting and forecasting, matter management, invoicing and invoice review, and financial controls, and provides you with an efficient way to self-assess your organization’s capabilities. After completing the survey, we will contact you with: - An overall health score, as well as scores in each category; - Benchmark scores for legal teams of a similar size; and - Recommended priorities and resources. The survey takes 5-10 minutes to complete. [Take the survey now.](https://www.research.net/r/legal-spend-management-health-check) ## Related Resources [![Brightflag's VP of Sales, Jake Mendelson, smiling in a dress shirt in front of a red and white background, with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/6-Elements-Every-Legal-Technology-Business-Case-Needs-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ Cost Control \\ \\ **6 Elements Every Legal Technology Business Case Needs**](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-technology-business-case-elements/) [![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/What-is-Legal-Expense-Tracking-1-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ Cost Control \\ \\ **What is Legal Expense Tracking?**](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-expense-tracking/) [![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Social_1200x627-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ Cost Control \\ \\ **How SMBC Controls Outside Counsel Spend**](https://brightflag.com/events/how-smbc-controls-outside-counsel-spend/) [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/asset/legal-spend-management-health-check/#mm-0) ## Outside Counsel Guidelines [‹ All Resources](https://brightflag.com/resources/) # Sample Outside Counsel Guidelines Need to create or update your outside counsel guidelines but don’t know where to start? Brightflag has developed this editable outside counsel guidelines template based on best practices and our experience working with hundreds of legal teams to improve their relationships with legal service providers. Use it as the basis for developing or improving your own set. ## Related Resources [![Brightflag's Director of Client Success, Greg Cavanaugh, smiling in a blue shirt in front of a yellow and white background, with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/What-is-Block-Billing-And-Why-You-Should-Avoid-It-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ Vendor Billing \\ \\ **What is Block Billing? (And Why You Should Avoid It)**](https://brightflag.com/resources/block-billing/) [![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Social_1200x675-1-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ Vendor Billing \\ \\ **Effective Legal Invoice Review in 2024**](https://brightflag.com/events/legal-invoice-review-in-2024/) [![](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Social_1200x675-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ Vendor Billing \\ \\ **Brightflag Platform Tour and New AI Demo**](https://brightflag.com/events/platform-tour-may-24/) [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/asset/sample-outside-counsel-guidelines/#mm-0) ## Implementing Legal AI Guide [‹ All Resources](https://brightflag.com/resources/) # Implementing Legal AI: The Complete Action Plan With the recent rise of generative AI, corporate legal departments are realizing that ignoring AI will prove detrimental to their long-term success. If you’re worried about falling behind as more in-house teams accelerate their use of AI, you’re not alone. This is why Brightflag has put together a comprehensive guide to implementing legal AI. The guide provides: - An action plan for implementing AI - An overview of key concepts - An understanding of where legal AI makes the biggest impact ## Related Resources [![Brightflag's Chief Customer Officer, Kevin Cohn, smiling in a blue polo in front of a white and blue background, with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Key-Takeaways-from-CLOC-Global-Institute-2025-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ General \\ \\ **Key Takeaways from CLOC Global Institute 2025**](https://brightflag.com/resources/cloc-global-institute-2025/) [![Brightflag's Director of Customer Insights, Sinead Kenny, smiling in a red shirt in front of a white and blue background, next to the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/The-12-Legal-Department-KPIs-In-House-Teams-Should-Track-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ Legal Ops & Career Development \\ \\ **The 12 Legal Department KPIs In-House Teams Should Track**](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-department-kpis/) [![Brightflag's Director of Customer Insights, Sinead Kenny, smiling in front of a white and yellow background with a red button-down shirt on, next to the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/How-to-Conduct-an-Effective-Law-Firm-Panel-Review_Sinead_Kenny-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ Vendor Benchmarking \\ \\ **How to Conduct an Effective Law Firm Panel Review**](https://brightflag.com/resources/law-firm-panel-review/) [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/asset/implementing-legal-ai/#mm-0) ## Legal Budget Planning Guide [‹ All Resources](https://brightflag.com/resources/) # Legal Department Budget Planning Guide Brightflag’s Legal Department Budget Planning Guide has everything you need to take charge of your legal team’s financial planning and craft an effective budget for the upcoming fiscal year, including: - A customizable Legal Department Budget Planning Template to help streamline the development of an accurate legal budget - Expert annual planning tips from legal operations leaders Dawn Hinz, Adrienne Schaal, and Suha Gehrer - A breakdown of 4 best practices for positioning your legal team in the driver’s seat of their annual financial planning process Access your free copy today. ## Related Resources [![Sinead Kenny, Brightflag's Director of Customer Insights, smiling in front of a white and red background, in a red dress shirt, with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/How-to-Use-Legal-Analytics-Tools-to-Improve-In-House-Strategy-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ Budgeting & Planning \\ \\ **How to Use Legal Analytics Tools to Improve In-House Strategy**](https://brightflag.com/resources/legal-analytics-tools/) [![White and blue background with Brightflag's logo and the webinar title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Social_1200x675_B-1-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ Budgeting & Planning \\ \\ **How In-House Leaders Approach Annual Financial Planning**](https://brightflag.com/events/how-in-house-leaders-approach-annual-financial-planning/) [![Director of Customer Insights at Brightflag, Sinead Kenny, smiling in a red dress shirt in front of a white and yellow background, with the blog title ](https://brightflag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/How-to-Secure-Budget-for-New-Legal-Tech-Tools-800x450.jpg)\\ \\ Budgeting & Planning \\ \\ **How to Secure Budget for New Legal Tech Tools**](https://brightflag.com/resources/secure-budget-for-new-legal-technology/) [Close menu](https://brightflag.com/asset/legal-department-budget-planning/#mm-0)