As law firms and legal operations navigate an ever-changing landscape, one organization, the Legal Innovators Network (LINK) is taking a unique, concentrated approach. While large-scale events like the CLOC Global Institute encompass vast event centers on the Las Vegas Strip, LINK is embracing a contrastingly smaller structure.
LINK has been facilitating intimate, invite-only assemblies of senior legal operations professionals for almost two years. Membership is free and events usually span half a day, a framework that enables members to attend multiple conferences throughout the year.
The objective, according to co-founder Andrew Dick, is to stimulate freewheeling, in-depth discussions among peers reminiscent of the early days of the profession.
Last week, the organization held its fourth and fifth “LINK Live” gatherings of the year in New York and San Francisco. The New York event housed around 40 attendees who shared in-depth anecdotes about the processes and products utilized in their organizations. Liz Lugones of UpLevel Ops guided the dialogue, focusing on how legal operations can evolve to better support general counsel transition from company adviser to strategic business partner.
Andrew Dick, LINK’s co-founder, shared insights into the organization’s goals, potentials, and origin story. Formerly a law firm attorney turned legal startup founder, Dick brought together his experience in three different legal startups and the idea of revitalizing the somewhat stale creative side of law. Together with co-founder Steph Corey, they conceived the concept of LINK during the pandemic as a complement to CLOC, using it to fill the void with a virtual community.
According to Dick, the goal was to recreate the energy, momentum, and intimate sense of community reminiscent of the early CLOC days. Despite starting virtually, today the organization boasts a community of 500 members enjoying monthly gatherings and exchanges of shared resources. Managed both virtually and in-person, the events encourage sharing and learning among the members, and are designed to be a smaller, shorter, and easy-to-participate alternative to larger conferences.
Dick explains that the emphasis of LINK gatherings is on collaboration and learning, creating a platform for intimate, free-flowing exchange of ideas and best practices. “There’s a lot of energy,” says Dick, “LINK is really about harnessing that energy by putting people together.”
The events held by LINK are a combination of brainstorming amongst seasoned professionals, discussion facilitation by knowledgeable sponsors, and cordial networking in pleasant atmospheres. Reflecting on the decision to conduct New York and San Francisco events simultaneously, Dick admitted it was driven by marketing considerations, although he also noted that future events would not be held on the same day despite potentially occurring multiple times a month.
The success of LINK’s events, according to Dick, is evident in the responses from participants who appreciate the learning and networking opportunities provided. He believes that the balance of content, learning, workshopping, and socializing during the events foster relationship-building among attendees, who can hugely benefit from getting to know one another.
Ultimately, the emphasis is on creating something special, even though participation in LINK events is free of charge. Dick clarifies, “We still invest significantly in these events. We host at nice venues… It’s our way of helping to create a community.”