One of the biggest challenges facing in-house legal teams is demonstrating their value to leadership in terms that resonate beyond the legal department. Too often, we fall into the trap of reporting our achievements in legal jargon that means nothing to anyone outside our team, or not reporting them at all.

Here's the kind of thing General Counsels tell me they typically say when reporting on their performance to leadership or during quarterly business reviews: "Our turnaround speed at end-of-quarter was really fast." But that statement means nothing to anyone outside the legal team. And to be fair, is objectively vague. You need to be clear on exactly how your work aligns with company goals, or how you directly help the business achieve them. And don’t underestimate the sense of pride you feel when you do this!

The Power of Specific Data

Here's a better way of saying it: "During the last 2 weeks of Q1, 90% of deal contracts were turned by legal in less than 2 hours."

Now you're speaking data. This statement immediately tells leadership several important things:

Legal is responsive during critical business periods
The vast majority of deals moved quickly through legal review
There's a clear metric they can track and compare quarter over quarter
Legal is directly supporting revenue generation

Visual Storytelling Makes the Difference

Speaking with data is powerful, but showing data is even more effective. Simple data visualisation helps you tell your story in a way that is instantly understandable.

Consider this example:
**Average Legal Turnaround Time - Last 2 weeks of Q1 FY25**
*(Q1 deal contracts)*
Less than 2 hours: 90%
More than 2 hours: 10%

This visual approach removes the complexity of context. People process the message fast, and you don't even need to speak to explain your impact.

Why Data Visualisation Works for Legal Teams

Immediate Understanding: Charts and graphs communicate complex information at a glance. Leadership can instantly see whether legal is helping or hindering business objectives.

Removes Ambiguity: Vague statements like "we're doing well" become concrete metrics that can be measured, tracked, and improved upon.

Enables Comparison: Data allows you to show improvement over time, benchmark against industry standards, or compare performance across different types of work.

Builds Credibility: Numbers don't lie. When you consistently deliver data-backed reports, you build trust with leadership and establish yourself as a strategic business partner.

Key Metrics That Matter to Leadership

Focus on metrics that directly tie to business outcomes:

Speed Metrics:

Contract turnaround times during critical periods
Time from legal review to signature
Response times to urgent requests

Volume Metrics:

Number of deals supported per quarter
Contract volume processed
Percentage of deals requiring legal intervention

Business Impact Metrics:

Revenue enabled through legal support
Risk mitigation value
Cost savings through efficient processes

Quality Metrics:

Percentage of contracts requiring minimal revisions
Client satisfaction scores from internal stakeholders
Successful deal closure rates

Making Data Collection Manageable

You don't need sophisticated legal operations software to start tracking meaningful data. Begin with simple spreadsheets to capture:

Date requests received
Date work completed
Type of work performed
Stakeholder requesting support
Outcome achieved

As your data collection matures, you can invest in more sophisticated tracking tools and create automated dashboards that update in real-time.

Presenting Your Data Effectively

Keep It Simple: Use clear, easy-to-read charts. Pie charts for percentages, bar charts for comparisons, line graphs for trends over time.

Tell a Story: Don't just present numbers. Explain what they mean for the business and what actions you're taking to improve performance.

Focus on Business Impact: Always connect your metrics back to company goals. Show how legal performance directly supports revenue, reduces risk, or improves efficiency.

Be Consistent: Report on the same metrics regularly so leadership can track progress and understand trends.

Transforming Legal's Reputation

When you consistently demonstrate your value through data, you transform how the business perceives the legal function. You move from being seen as a necessary cost centre to being recognised as a strategic business enabler.

Leadership starts to understand that investing in legal resources, technology, and processes delivers measurable returns. This understanding opens doors to budget approvals, headcount increases, and strategic involvement in business planning.

The legal teams that master data-driven reporting become indispensable business partners. They're included in strategic discussions, consulted on major business decisions, and viewed as contributors to company success rather than obstacles to overcome.

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How to Show Your Value with Data When You're In-House