About Rich Robinson
Rich Robinson captivates and educates as a speaker, focusing on essential skillsets tailored for contemporary legal professionals and
C-level executives. With decades of experience in legal technology, electronic discovery and legal operations, Rich is a seasoned speaker on Legal Event circuit, but his passion lies with the interpersonal
aspects of the industry.
About Legal Power Skills
The Master's Conference introduces "Legal Power Skills" hosted by Rich Robinson. This premier gathering offers legal professionals an unparalleled opportunity for networking and focused professional growth. Delve into curated topics tailored just for your role and equip yourself with practical tools for the dynamic legal landscape.
Rich Robinson will illuminate the necessity for legal professionals to master a blend of soft skills to truly excel, encompassing: Communication, Collaboration, Emotional Intelligence, Ingenuity, Adaptability, and Leadership.
Don't miss out on this enriching event, which promises to be an invaluable experience!
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The Origin and Ethos of Legal Power Skills
In April 2024, I made a post on LinkedIn where I outlined what I called “Legal Power Skills.” I made the claim in this post that these six core skills were the heart of Legal Operations, and I was absolutely humbled by the response. So many people wanted to continue the conversation that the idea for this conference took off. Thankfully, my friends at the Masters Conference were willing to provide me with the platform from which I could launch this concept and the generous people at Morgan Lewis agreed to let us use their space. Thus, an idea grew into an event. I do hope you’ll spend the day with me to continue the conversation.
Here is the original post:
Come closer. Can I tell you a secret? I don’t love my job. *GASP* I know, but it’s true. The day-to-day practice of Legal Operations doesn’t bring me joy. Legal Technology, Practice Support, and Business Intelligence are interesting and engaging subjects, but my passions lie elsewhere. In truth, my enthusiasm is kindled by the human elements of this profession: the people, the relationships, and the personal and professional growth. I believe that underneath professional legal scaffolding like the CLOC Core Competencies and other similar models lies a bedrock of soft skills, or what I prefer to call "Legal Power Skills." These Power Skills are the Heart of Legal Operations, and they are what inspire me.
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*Collaboration* is the glue that binds any successful legal team. It means uniting teams, departments, clients, vendors, and industry peers to streamline processes, align goals, and enhance outcomes, fostering a cohesive legal ecosystem for organizational success.
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*Emotional Intelligence* builds trust and facilitates understanding that can forge and strengthen relationships within your team and with your clients. It allows us to listen actively to discern the root of an issue as opposed to simple diagnostic analysis.
*Ingenuity* represents a series of problem-solving disciplines including systemic and design thinking. It requires organizational skills and attention to detail and allows professionals to break down problems into their core components and propose solutions that are innovative.
*Adaptability* is a key skill for legal professionals as it allows us to remain agile and responsive to the ever-evolving landscape of business needs. Along with Ingenuity, Adaptability represents the core of innovation.
*Leadership* is about leading people and teams and organizations, but it is also about authenticity and vulnerability. It is about lifting others up and taking ownership, knowing your voice, and having the courage to put it out there.
If these Power Skills represent the heart of Legal Ops, *Communication* is the lifeblood. It stands on its own but also connects and enhances all the other skills. It’s not just about exchanging information; it’s about building bridges between ideas and people. Effective communication ensures that complex legal and technology concepts are distilled into clarity, fostering understanding and alignment across all levels of the organization.
These legal power skills represent the heart of our profession. They are what make frameworks like the CLOC Core Competencies and the EDRM meaningful and impactful. They make us better legal professionals and better humans. In closing, I invite you to reflect on these skills and consider how they manifest in your own professional journey. How do they shape your interactions, your decisions, your growth? It is in these skills that we find the true essence of our work: the power to connect, to understand, and to thrive.
