CLOCWise: 2025 Recap and Looking Ahead to 2026 With Germany

In this CLOC Talk: Clockwise Year in Review episode, host Oyango Snell is joined by German legal operations leaders Michael Thompson and Dr. Vera Roedel to reflect on the themes that defined legal ops in Germany in 2025 and what lies ahead in 2026. Drawing from regional listening sessions and community discussions, they explore why German legal teams prioritize practical, solution-oriented approaches—grounded in real examples, metrics, and peer learning—over theory or hype. Topics include process optimization, technology adoption, change management, and the growing recognition of legal operations as a dedicated profession, not a side role.Looking ahead, the conversation turns to CLOC’s expanding presence in Germany, including the launch of the Germany chapter and a renewed focus on deep peer-to-peer engagement. Michael and Vera discuss how legal ops may evolve through more honest lessons learned, stronger adoption strategies, thoughtful use of legal tech, and increased collaboration across Europe. The episode closes with an invitation to the community to actively participate, share openly, and help shape a trusted, practitioner-led legal ops ecosystem in Germany and beyond.