Last week marked my second year attending CLOC Global Institute (CGI), and while five days in Las Vegas can be exhausting, the experience was as rewarding as ever. I always walk away energized by the opportunity to reconnect with peers, meet new people, and engage in thoughtful conversations about where technology is headed and how it’s reshaping the work we do every day. 

With 86 sessions and over 200 speakers, this year’s CGI at the ARIA Resort & Casino brought together legal operations professionals from around the world. This year’s theme, “Open New Doors,” did not disappoint. It perfectly captured the energy of the event, which focused on transformation, innovation, and the evolving role of legal operations in an AI-driven world. 

Key Themes and Takeaways

Several of the sessions I attended this year zeroed in on some of the biggest challenges facing legal teams today: 

One standout session for me was led by Marcia Bobb (Winston & Strawn), Richard Robinson (Toyota), and Kevin Bielawski (Husch Blackwell) on the importance of communication in building strong, transparent, scalable relationships between legal departments and their external partners. It’s clear that the future of legal operations lies not just in technology but in the alignment of people, processes, purposes, and true partnerships. 

What truly resonated with me was the emphasis on open, ongoing dialogue between in-house teams and their outside providers. Rather than waiting for issues to arise, legal departments are beginning to take a more proactive approach, regularly meeting with external partners to discuss what’s working, what’s not, and how to evolve together. 

Some teams are doing this on a quarterly or annual basis which helps ensure that everyone remains aligned and invested in shared goals. This kind of transparent, strategic communication is exactly what our industry needs more of as we navigate the ever-changing legal landscape. 

My colleague, Mark Redmayne, also attended CGI, and his favorite roundtable discussion, “How Do Law Firms and Outside Counsel Have Productive Conversations About Legal Tech?” also focused on the importance of effective communication. The conversation, led by Christine Becker (ILTA), Christy Valdes (Gunster), and Virginia Sahagun (Nossaman LLP), was engaging and could have easily lasted longer than the allotted time. It’s clear that while AI has become a necessity in the legal industry, there is no substitute for human interaction, connection, and clear one-to-one communication.

Communication is something we emphasize deeply at TCDI, both internally and externally.  We believe strong relationships are built on transparency, trust, and consistency, and that applies as much to our internal culture as it does to how we collaborate with our clients and partners.  These sessions were a great reminder of how powerful intentional communication can be in driving long-term success. 

Giving Back with CLOC Cares

CLOC isn’t just about education; it’s also about community. This year, CLOC Cares partnered with St. Jude’s Ranch for Children in Boulder City, NV, an incredible nonprofit dedicated to supporting children and young adults who have experienced abuse, neglect, or homelessness.  

Alongside fellow volunteers, I spent part of the day cleaning up a construction site where new housing is being built for young adults aging out of foster care, a critical initiative that supports their transition to independent living. We also organized the kitchen department, where families can access essential household items, and tidied the on-site thrift store, which provides clothing, shoes, and accessories for children and families in need.  

A huge thank you to Courtney Gahm-Oldham, Derrick Maultsby, Jr., and Todd Wilkowski of Frost Brown Todd and Mark Allen of Zillow for sponsoring this impactful event. It was an incredible reminder of the power of community. 

Ending on a High Note

Of course, no CLOC event would be complete without a little fun, and CLOC 2025 closed out in style with a private concert featuring Flo Rida and Flavor Flav. As if that wasn’t exciting enough, I was lucky to win a VIP meet-and-greet with Flo Rida himself! It was the perfect way to cap off a truly memorable week. 

Like so many, I went home physically exhausted but inspired and energized to continue sharing and putting what I learned into practice.  Looking ahead, I’m excited to see how our community continues to push boundaries, embrace new technologies, and open new doors together. 

Sue Fong

Sue Fong

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Sue serves as Director of Legal Services for the West Coast at TCDI. She is based in the San Francisco Bay Area and has over 20 years of  experience providing legal services and software to her corporate and law firm clients. Her journey, starting out as an attorney document reviewer, has given her a better understanding of the problems her clients face, especially when it comes to dealing new technology and the increased volume of data that litigation professionals have to manage. When she is not working, she can be found hiking Mount Tam or cooking up new recipes for family and friends. Learn more about Sue >