Ep6 Metrics Made Easy: A Lawyer's Guide to Numbers
Legal legends, stop shying away from the numbers. Metrics can be your biggest ally in proving value! 📊⚡
In this solo episode of Legal Lightbulbs, Verity White dives into the world of metrics for lawyers: why they matter, how to track them, and how to use them to demonstrate value, secure budgets, and align with the business.
You’ll discover:
Why lawyers can’t afford to shy away from metrics.
The two “light bulb moments” that transformed Verity’s approach to numbers.
How metrics reveal hidden demand for legal services.
The three key categories of legal metrics every team should measure.
Practical ways to visualise your data and tell compelling stories.
In this episode we’re turning data into insights and insights into influence!
Ready to show the value of your legal work? Stick around to find out Verity’s favorite metrics resources and templates.
Listen Now on Spotify, Apple Podcast or Youtube
"Metrics aren’t just numbers—they’re the key to uncovering hidden demand, proving value, and guiding smarter decisions." — Verity White, Legal Director, Checklist Legal
In Episode 06 of Legal Lightbulbs, Verity White dives into the world of metrics and why every in-house lawyer needs to embrace them. With relatable stories and practical advice, this episode shows how numbers can transform the way legal teams demonstrate value and align with the business.
The episode begins at [00:00:00], with Verity introducing the idea that lawyers often shy away from numbers. She explains why metrics matter: without them, you can’t bake a cake, fuel a car, or convince leadership to invest in your team.
At [00:02:00], Verity shares her first legal light bulb moment: discovering latent demand through automation. By measuring usage of a settlement agreement tool, she found that far more people needed legal help than expected. Metrics didn’t just save time, they uncovered invisible demand and expanded access to legal support.
By [00:05:00], she recounts her second light bulb moment: watching a CFO diagnose business health by spotting a single ratio. That experience showed her that, just like doctors use vital signs, lawyers can use metrics to diagnose bottlenecks and measure team health. Her takeaway: what gets measured gets managed.
From [00:07:00], Verity outlines three key bundles of metrics every legal team should track:
Legal service delivery (contracts reviewed, turnaround time, matters opened and closed).
Efficiency and automation (time saved, self-service tools used, repeat requests reduced).
Business alignment (revenue impact, cost savings, client satisfaction).
At [00:09:00], she explores how to make numbers meaningful with visuals. Tools like Power BI, Canva, or even simple charts can turn raw data into stories that resonate with business leaders.
The episode wraps up at [00:10:00], with Verity encouraging listeners to start small, track what matters, and use metrics not just for reporting but for storytelling. She also points to resources in the show notes, including spreadsheets and business case builders to help lawyers get started.
If you’ve ever thought “I’m a lawyer, not a numbers person,” this episode will change your mind. Verity shows how metrics can be your secret weapon for uncovering hidden demand, proving legal’s value, and building stronger alignment with the business.
#LegalLightbulbs #LegalInnovation #MetricsMadeEasy #InHouseLegal #LegalOps
Key Takeaways
Let’s recap the secrets of the after meeting email:
1. Metrics uncover hidden demand
Measuring can reveal an invisible need for legal support that have been previously unmet.
2. What gets measured gets managed
Tracking the right data helps spot bottlenecks and improve processes.
3. Metrics prove value
Numbers give evidence to show how legal saves time, reduces risk, and adds value.
4. Start small
You don’t need a fancy dashboard to begin. Even simple measures like time saved or contracts automated can reveal powerful insights.
5. Think like a CFO
Metrics act like vital signs to check the health of legal processes and guide action. This mindset shift can help to see where to act and how to add value.
💡Legal Light Bulb Moment:
"Legal light bulb number one was a latent demand as a metric”.
When Verity automated a simple settlement agreement, the data didn’t just prove time savings, it revealed something bigger: hidden demand. By measuring usage, she discovered that far more agreements were needed than anyone realised. The insight? Metrics can uncover invisible needs and open the door to greater access to legal support.
“The other light bulb moment that I’ve had was at a board meeting…”.
In a board meeting, Verity saw how a seasoned CFO could diagnose business health simply by looking at key numbers. It clicked for her that, just like doctors use vital signs, lawyers can use metrics to diagnose bottlenecks and measure team effectiveness. The lesson: what gets measured gets managed, and valued.
Links
Listen Now on Spotify, Apple Podcast or Youtube
Legal Metrics Tools / Resourses
Connect with Verity!
Verity White: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verityw
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/checklistlegal
Head to the The Checklist Boutique for access to the other templates and examples mentioned in the show.
