The Corporate Legal Operations Consortium (CLOC), once a simple book club and now a major industry guild for in-house legal efficiency experts, revealed a significant leadership change today. Jenn McCarron, who has been at the forefront of the organization as President since January 2024, is stepping down to focus on her burgeoning startup, Contracts.ai.

Áine Lyons, currently the Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel at Workday, is set to assume the role of president for the remainder of McCarron's term, ending this calendar year. The announcement marks a pivotal moment for CLOC as it continues to influence the evolving landscape of legal operations.

McCarron, reflecting on her tenure, expressed deep pride in her work with CLOC. “Serving CLOC has been the greatest honor of my career,” she stated. “This community has elevated the practice of legal operations, redefined how legal teams partner with the business, and personally, shaped me as an innovator. I am deeply proud of what we have built together and I look forward to seeing CLOC continue to thrive under its next chapter.”

During her presidency, McCarron was not only a board member but also a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion within the legal operations sector. She was instrumental in launching the CLOC Talk podcast in 2020, which recently celebrated its milestone 100th episode, further cementing her legacy in the community.

CLOC's Executive Director, Oyango A. Snell, praised McCarron's visionary leadership: “Jenn is a visionary leader whose energy, passion, and commitment have left an indelible mark on CLOC and the broader legal ecosystem. Her leadership has elevated the profession worldwide. We are grateful for her impact and excited for the innovation she will bring to the industry.”

As Lyons prepares to step into her new role, she pledged to continue the work of modernizing governance policies and overseeing the election and onboarding of new board members. Her background at Workday and her expertise in legal operations position her well to steer CLOC through its next phases of growth and influence.

The transition comes at a time when the role of legal operations is becoming increasingly crucial in how corporations streamline legal processes and enhance overall business strategies. Under Lyons's leadership, CLOC is expected to maintain its trajectory of impactful innovation and community building in the legal industry.

This leadership change heralds a new chapter for CLOC, promising continued advancement and transformation in the world of legal operations.