Change Management Planning for In-House Legal Teams

Organizations constantly face change, from technology implementations to cultural shifts and organizational transformations. Sarah Scales of Bright Flag discusses how in-house legal teams must learn to adapt to evolving regulations, emerging technologies, and changing business priorities. She says that effective change management planning is essential, with the caveat that new processes and systems may struggle to take hold without proper buy-in. 

Change management models serve as guiding frameworks so employees can adapt to the new processes. These frameworks revolve around people, processes, and technology, with the people component being the most crucial. Regardless of scope, every change management plan needs to define the reasons behind the change, who needs to be informed, and what processes and support are required. 

Legal change management is valuable for both small and large transitions. Even minor updates, such as modifying a form, require a plan to prevent confusion. More significant changes, such as implementing a new legal platform, demand a comprehensive strategy that includes communication, training, and ongoing support. However, even the most well-planned technology implementation can fail if the legal team is not on board. 

While there are many change management models (such as ADKAR’s five building blocks and Kotter’s 8-step model), Stiles suggests a framework with four key components: awareness, understanding, knowledge, and adoption. Stakeholders must be made aware of the change through appropriate communication channels. Next, they need to understand its purpose and benefits to ensure engagement. Knowledge, provided through training and support, enables smooth implementation. Finally, adoption must be monitored to ensure the change is effective and sustainable, with adjustments made as needed.

Executive buy-in, early user involvement, frequent communication, and clear explanations of benefits further enhance adoption. By following these principles, legal teams can ensure effective change management planning for successful transitions.