If you have ever run an in-house legal department, or just been part of one, you know that one constant question is “how are we doing?”  While it appears to be a simple question, it is fraught with multiple meanings.  It could mean how are we doing against the budget?  How are we doing with turning contracts for the business?  How are we doing in the litigation? Or, how are we doing with our compliance efforts?  Regardless of the “what” the “how” has troubled legal departments for decades. That’s because historically the legal department lacked the data to measure whatever question was being asked.  Consequently, the legal department was often excused from performing or reporting with the same discipline and reliability as other parts of the business.  Legal was special.  Legal was excused. But, not anymore.  Businesses of all sizes increasingly expect their legal departments to work with – and report out – data the same way as the rest of the company.  That is why the use of data analytics is now a priority for in-house lawyers.  This edition of “Ten Things” will discuss the basics of using data analytics in your legal department:

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