Legal Operations Career Path: From In-House Counsel to Strategic Leader

What does it take to successfully transition from traditional legal practice into a role that drives innovation and efficiency within a legal department? For many in-house lawyers exploring career pivots, the answer lies in the growing field of legal operations. Sara Ajmi’s journey from in-house counsel in Morocco to legal operations specialist in Canada is a powerful example. Embracing a legal operations career path can lead to professional fulfillment and strategic impact.

Sara Ajmi’s story is one of adaptability, continuous learning, and a willingness to step into the unknown. Faced with the challenge of re-qualifying as a lawyer in a new country, she pivoted toward a discipline that values legal knowledge paired with business acumen. She hasn’t looked back since.

Watch the full conversation with Sara Ajmi here:

Sara’s transition began with a recognition of the differences between legal systems. Morocco operates under a civil law framework, while Canada follows the common law system. Although the practices and qualifications are distinct, Sara discovered that many operational and business functions supporting legal departments are universal.

This realization helped her identify transferable skills and build confidence in her ability to pivot. She found that her experience working closely with legal teams, managing compliance processes, and coordinating contracts gave her a foundation. This allowed her to step into a legal operations role.

Sara defines legal operations as the business side of law—focused on optimizing how legal departments run. From technology implementation and process design to budget management and vendor relations, the field offers a wide range of specializations.

Importantly, Sara notes that professionals entering the legal operations career path don’t need to master every area. Instead, they can identify a niche based on their strengths and interests. For Sara, this meant focusing on contract lifecycle management and legal tech. These are two areas where she could make an immediate impact while continuing to learn and grow.

One of the most important shifts Sara experienced in her legal operations career path was the adoption of data-driven thinking. She began using key performance indicators (KPIs) to track contract turnaround times, identify workflow bottlenecks, and demonstrate legal’s contribution to broader business objectives.

For legal departments striving to be seen as strategic partners, data is essential. It supports accountability, informs decision-making, and helps tell the story of legal’s value in terms business leaders understand.

While legal operations is growing quickly, Sara emphasizes that it’s still a relatively new concept for many legal professionals. This is especially true for those coming from international or non-traditional backgrounds. That’s why she advocates for education, peer sharing, and community-building.

She actively contributes to conversations on LinkedIn and participates in online legal ops forums to share her experiences. She also learns from others. By contributing to the community, she hopes to make the legal operations career path more visible and accessible to others who are exploring their options.

Sara’s journey illustrates that legal operations is not just an alternative to legal practice. It’s a new frontier. For in-house lawyers looking to expand their skillset, drive change, and align legal with business strategy, this path offers tremendous potential.

By leveraging legal experience, embracing innovation, and building connections within the legal ops community, professionals like Sara Ajmi are redefining what success looks like in the legal industry. If you’re open to exploring new directions, the legal operations career path might be your next great move.

Watch the full conversation here:  Notes to My (Legal) Self: Season 5, Episode 13 (ft. Sara Ajmi)

At Notes to My (Legal) Self®, we’re dedicated to helping in-house legal professionals develop the skills, insights, and strategies needed to thrive in today’s evolving legal landscape. From leadership development to legal operations optimization and emerging technology, we provide the tools to help you stay ahead.

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